In the evening, Serena returned to the Lancaster estate, dragging along a Black Jack who looked as if all her energy had been drained.
Catherine looked at the crestfallen girl, her head hanging low, a stark contrast to the vibrant person who had left that morning. “Hazel, what’s wrong?”
Black Jack’s face was pale as she lifted her lifeless eyes to glare accusingly at Serena.
Catherine was surprised. “Did Serena bully you?”
The two of them had left arm in arm that morning.
Serena’s lips curved into a lazy smile. “It’s nothing. She’s just not used to the city and got tired from all the fun.”
Black Jack’s glare intensified.
But when Serena turned to her with that same smile, Black Jack forced a grin that was more painful than a grimace and nodded slowly. “Yes… I’m tired…”
Catherine’s expression was skeptical, wondering what new game the sisters were playing.
She waved a hand. “Go wash up. Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Dinner?!” Black Jack’s eyes sparkled instantly. Her head shot up, and life returned to her features. “Okay! I’ll go wash my hands right now! Dinner, dinner, dinner!”
As Black Jack said this, she started to dash cheerfully toward the sink.
Serena watched her with a cool, detached expression. “Hazel had a little dietary mishap earlier,” she said casually. “Her stomach is a bit sensitive...”
She then looked at the servant in charge of the kitchen. “Could you make some plain soup? Don’t put anything in it. Just bring it to Hazel later.”
Black Jack’s cheerful steps came to a halt.
Her body stiffened, and she turned her head, inch by inch.
Her usually flamboyant and striking face was now a mask of wide-eyed, incredulous accusation.
She looked as if she were staring at a heartless lover who had betrayed her.
Her eyes were even turning red.
Sitting nearby, the tall and refined Julian lowered the financial report he was reading and looked at the person lying motionless on the sofa like a dead fish.
A hint of a smile touched his deep-set eyes behind his glasses.
“What did you do to get on her bad side?” Julian asked with a soft chuckle, his voice as smooth as velvet.
Black Jack turned her head, her pale face lifeless. “I acted on my own and did something stupid.”
Julian was amused by her expression. “What kind of stupid thing earned you such a harsh punishment?”
“Are you offering to take my punishment for me, Julian?” Black Jack suddenly sat up, her eyes shining with hope as she looked at Julian.
Julian shook his head. “No, I just want to know what it was so I can avoid making the same mistake and upsetting our little sister.”
Black Jack fell silent.
She pouted, then slumped back onto the sofa, ignoring him.

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