Chapter 260 A Shift in Power

    Lucas’s grip on the tray tightened, veins bulging across the back of his hand. He lifted his eyes toward the door, his voice calm-almost cold. “Madam Aubrey fell gravely ill after the loss of her son. She is currently recovering in seclusion. That’s what everyone knows. No one is questioning it.”

    Madam Aubrey’s face went pale. Her gaze locked on him, her voice trembling. “What… what is that Supposed to mean? Are you nning to keep me locked away forever?”

    Lucas turned around, his expression icy and sharp. “Mother, I’m not imprisoning you. I’m protecting you.”

    Fury exploded in her chest. She grabbed a nearby cup and hurled it straight at him.

    It hit him squarely between the shoulders with a dull thud before shattering on the floor.

    Lucas’s body tensed for a brief moment. But he neither flinched nor turned. He stood where he was, still holding the tray steadily, his back straight.

    Madam Aubrey stared at his unmoving silhouette, her eyes filled not with guilt, but with mounting rage and resentment. “What gives you the right to treat me like this? I’m your mother! You have no right!”

    Lucas finally turned. His face betrayed nothing. The cup might as well have never hit him.

    “You’re not in a good state. I won’t bother you further.” His voice remained cool. “Rest well. If you need anything, just call the staff.”

    With that, he turned and left the room.

    Behind him, things began to crash to the floor-vases, sses, whatever she could reach. Once her anger burned out, silence returned.

    And for the first time, rity settled in.

    Lucas wasn’t the same anymore.

    Gone was the boy she could guilt and manipte. His eyes held no frustration, no hesitation-only distance and resolve.

    Panic crept in. For the first time, she felt she had lost her grip on him.

    When had things started slipping away?

    Then it hit her-Sloane. It all began after that girl appeared.

    Who would’ve thought that little nobody could change Lucas sopletely?

    And from what she overheard, Lucas still cared deeply for Sloane. The servants often spoke of it. Even though the engagement had been called off, the two remained close-closer than ever. It wouldn’t be surprising if they ended up engaged again.

    Worse yet, she’d learned that Sloane was the famed miracle healer everyone in Northern Jingbei was talking about-the one who had saved Lucas’s life several times, ruining her carefullyid ns.

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    Chapter 260 A

    If things continued this way, everything she had schemed for would be destroyed.

    No. She couldn’t let that happen.

    Sloane remained at the military base for three months, fully resolving the medicinal herb crisis.

    During that time, she managed to carve out time to join the ck Domain team inpeting in the 9th XCTF National League-and they won the championship.

    Lucas returned every so often, but either he found Sloane buried inb work or just missed her while she was out. In the end, they only saw each other a few times.

    “It’s done!” Cheers rang out through the base.

    After half a year of hard work, the technical team erupted with joy. Laughing, they lifted Sloane high into the air in celebration.

    Her face glowed with triumph, the pride of victory written all over her.

    But just as the room swelled with cheers andughter, Conor burst through the door, his expression grim.

    “Sloane. We’ve got an emergency.”

    The celebration came to an abrupt halt. Silence swept across theb.

    WI