Chapter 2 : Investigating Lucas

"Sir, the young master has been locked in his room since yesterday, refusing to come out or eat."

The housekeeper, Dora, had watched William grow up and considered him half her son, so her concern was genuine.

"Go, get the lock picked," Mr. Warburg ordered.

The locksmith went upstairs and quickly opened the door.

With a "bang," an antique vase shattered, pieces flying and blocking the doorway: "Get out, all of you."

William''s angry voice came from inside, hoarse and broken.

The crowd at the door dispersed, and Mr. Warburg stepped over the fragments on the floor and walked straight in.

The elderly man, leaning on his cane, walked slowly. Step by step, he moved forward, the cane striking the marble floor with a sound.

Finally, he saw William by the bed, still wearing yesterday''s school uniform.

The zipper was open, and he looked as disheveled as ever. He leaned against the bed, one long leg propped up, his silver-gray hair a bit long, covering his eyes and eyebrows.

When he looked up, his eyes were red from exhaustion.

Seth''s face remained impassive, but his heart ached. The words of reproach he had prepared were stuck in his throat.

The father and son looked at each other silently, and William was the first to turn his head away. "What are you doing here?"

"Do you think shutting yourself off means you don''t have to face reality?" Seth said calmly.

William: "..."

"William, using self-harm as a form of rebellion is the most foolish thing you can do. If you place your bets on others, the decision is still in their hands. Only when the decision is in your own hands do you have control," Seth said earnestly.

William knew this, but he felt helpless. He wanted to drive Lucas away and could only gamble on his position in Seth''s heart.

However, Seth''s words made it clear to William that Seth would not drive Lucas away.

Lucas would stay and take the place that belonged to his mother.

William had tried his best, but it was all in vain.

Father betrayed Mother, and he betrayed me too.

William said self-deprecatingly, "Father, you''re right. I won''t be foolish anymore. I''ll come down for dinner on time."

"I want to be alone for a while. Please leave."

With that, Seth had nothing more to say.

He walked out with his cane, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

William took out a photo from the drawer, a family portrait.

A forty-year-old Seth held his beautiful thirty-three-year-old wife in his arms, with their three-year-old son riding on his neck.

Everything looked so warm and sweet. William quietly studied the photo for a long time. His slender fingers gently and tenderly brushed over the woman''s face in the photo.

"Mom, did you know? The person you loved the most betrayed you. Seth broke his promise, fell in love with someone else, and brought him into your home."

"Why did you leave so early? Now there''s only William left."

William put the photo frame back in its place. "But it''s okay, William will protect everything that belongs to you."

At lunchtime, William came downstairs on time.

He had washed up and changed into a fresh set of clothes, looking much more refreshed.

At the dining table, the three of them sat far apart, and no one spoke. The atmosphere was extremely tense.

Seth and William were at odds, and Lucas, being in a sensitive position, tried to minimize his presence.

However, it didn''t affect William''s appetite much.

He ate a lot, unusually so, perhaps because the food was delicious or because he hadn''t eaten all day and was genuinely hungry.

After finishing his meal, William was the first to break the silence.

"I''m going out."

Seth asked, "What for?"

William: "It''s too stuffy here. I need some fresh air."

Seth: "Go ahead, be back by ten. I''ll have the driver pick you up."

Hearing this, William frowned in disgust. "No need, I''ll come back on my own."

Seth relented, "Don''t miss curfew."

William: "Got it."

William drove a convertible Lamborghini out of the garage and headed straight to the largest racetrack.

The track was crowded with all kinds of sports cars. The rich kids leaned against their car doors, holding various beautiful Omegas, making for a lively scene.

As soon as William parked his car, someone came over to strike up a conversation.

"Mr. Warburg, long time no see, I''ve missed you!" A male voice called out, a hand with distinct knuckles resting on the car window.

William smiled faintly. "Long time no see."

The man leaned closer. "Isn''t Mr. Warburg busy with school? How do you have time for racing today?"

William: "Just started vacation. It''s too stuffy at home, needed some fresh air."

"Well, Mr. Warburg has come to the right place. I, Mr. Fang, will not disappoint Mr. Warburg," Stanley said, bending his tall frame and lowering his head even further.

Warm breath sprayed on the gland at the back of his neck, making his skin tingle.

William''s face stiffened, suddenly regretting driving over in his convertible Lamborghini.

He never expected that after all this time, Stanley would still be up to no good.

With a wave of his hand, before Stanley''s brain could react, his body quickly retreated.

With a "click," the seatbelt unfastened.

William opened the car door, stepped out, and said with a teasing smile, "I just wanted to smoke a cigarette. Why such a big reaction, Mr. Smith?"

Hearing this, the thick-skinned Stanley raised his pinky finger and said coyly, "It''s all your fault, Mr. Warburg. You''re too fierce."

William felt goosebumps all over. He took a deep drag on his cigarette and exhaled a smoke ring. Suppressing the urge to punch Stanley, he raised his chin and said, "Today, I''ll give you this chance."

Stanley dug at his ear, "What? Say that again."

"Good words are not said twice," William said coldly.

Stanley''s eyes lit up, and he asked incredulously, "You mean it?"

William: "When have I ever gone back on my word?"

William: "You race with me. If you win, I''ll agree to date you. If I win, you agree to one of my requests."

Stanley: "I didn''t expect Mr. Warburg to have a request for me."

William flicked his cigarette ash and said, "One word, race or not?"

Stanley: "Race, of course. Such a big temptation, it''s hard to refuse."

Stanley: "It''s almost over there, just the time for a cigarette."

"Catch." William tossed over a cigarette.

Stanley caught the cigarette and walked over, "Lend me a light."

William looked at the approaching head, truly admiring Stanley''s relentless spirit of trying to take advantage of him at every moment.

Stanley was a bit taller than William, so he lowered his head, and William didn''t move.

The two were very close, and from a distance, it looked like they were kissing.