Messing With Her? Are You Crazy! novel Chapter 1379

Nicholas's smile didn't waver in the slightest. "Jerrick, Jasper, you misunderstand."

Jasper was just about to look smug, ready to praise him for finally knowing his place,

when Nicholas smoothly added, "I always have been."

Jasper was stunned into silence.

Jerrick completely froze.

Their loud bickering caused the rest of the family, who were just about to get into the cars, to look over.

Serena's gaze landed squarely on the three men.

Nicholas, with his unfairly handsome face, immediately adopted a look of subtle, heartbroken grievance.

He lowered his stunning eyes, his voice turning soft and contrite. "You're right to scold me. I overstepped. I was just so worried about Serena. I didn't want her standing for too long and getting tired. Please don't be angry with me."

The three brothers felt their jaws lock.

Damn it!

This manipulative jerk was absolutely sickening!

***

On the exact day Serena returned to the country,

gold-embossed invitations from the Lancaster family were officially dispatched to the most elite, untouchable circles of Vaelion City's high society.

The invitations were crafted from deep obsidian cardstock, stamped heavily with the Lancaster family crest in pure gold.

Understated, yet undeniably regal.

Inside, there were only a few short lines.

But those words were enough to send shockwaves through the entirety of Vaelion City's upper echelon.

[The Lancaster Heiress, Serena Lancaster, lost to us for twenty years, has finally returned home. We humbly request your presence to formally announce her arrival.]

There were no overly emotional paragraphs.

No lengthy explanations.

But the sheer weight of those words was staggering.

The Lancaster Heiress.

Serena Lancaster.

The moment that name circulated, countless socialites and executives in Vaelion City were stunned.

But naturally, the cynics couldn't keep their mouths shut.

"What do you mean, treasure? They didn't acknowledge her before, and now they're suddenly throwing a massive gala? Let's be honest, they're just capitalizing on her international fame to boost their own stock."

A more rational voice argued, "You can't say that. Everyone in our circle knows the Lancasters spent years tearing the world apart looking for their lost daughter."

The cynic fired right back, "Then why didn't they throw this party the second they found her? Why wait until she went viral in a global tournament?"

"Who knows? That's how billionaires operate. It's all about the return on investment."

"Exactly. She was lost for years. Who knows what kind of life she was living?"

"I heard she grew up in the backcountry. And then spent some time bouncing around the Wynn family?"

"The backcountry? Well, that explains why they kept her hidden. She probably lacked the polish."

"And now she's just riding the coattails of the national team's success, right? Is she really worth all this fuss?"

"The Global Elite Challenge is just for academics anyway. Normal people can't even understand the theories. Elyndor just got lucky with their scores."

"Plus, the whole competition was shut down. No one even knows what actually happened at the end."

These venomous whispers spread like wildfire through the private group chats of the elite.