Chapter 37: Uncle Lucius?

Jane's smile froze in place at those words.

A sinking sensation gripped Scarlett's heart. She struggled to find an explanation, fearing that any attempt would only make things worse. So, she simply responded, "I didn't see it."

"Perhaps it fell onto the bed," Lucius suggested.

Ignoring him, Scarlett picked up her tea cup, feigning calmness. Jack seized the moment to quip, "Scarlett always has her favorites."

Scarlett glanced up warily, only to see Jack's innocent face. Yet, his eyes flashed with a challenging look that seemed to say 'revenge is a dish best served cold.'

Ewan asked, "Who's being favored and who's being neglected?"

"He neglects me and favors my Uncle Lucius," Jack complained.

Scarlett thought to herself, 'This kid sure knows how to spin a yarn.' She had clearly bought the gift for him. But then Uncle Lucius had... wait a minute. Did Jack just say uncle?

Ewan, ever the picture of calm, chuckled, "Are you jealous of your uncle, or your teacher?"