I said coldly, "In your dreams. Julian Sinclair will find a way to solve the problem! If you’re thinking of taking advantage of the situation, you’re barking up the wrong tree."
Timothy Xavier sneered, curving his lips, "You don’t have to be in such a hurry to reject . Once The Sinclair Group truly can’t withstand the pressure, you’ll believe what I said. If you change your mind, call anyti."
After saying that, he stopped looking at , stood up, straightened his suit jacket, and walked out with an air of arrogance and certainty.
The sound of the door closing echoed dully, like a mountain pressing on my heart.
...
The next morning, the first thing I did after waking up was check my phone.
The entries about Julian Sinclair and on social dia had disappeared, and the trending lists were calm, as if that scandal that stirred up everything had never happened.
I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking things were finally moving in the right direction.
But the next second, I saw the official account of Aurelia’s governnt services at the top of my feed with a new announcent.
The title clearly stated: "Public Notice on the City Renewal Project Bidding Qualification Review Results for This Year."
The content clearly listed "The Sinclair Group and its subsidiaries, due to not eting the qualification requirents for this bidding, have not passed the review."
My heart felt a chill.
As it turned out, dia opinions could be suppressed, but the impact had already been made.
The official governnt account didn’t ntion a word about the scandal, yet choosing this mont to announce the results was a statent in itself.
They believed in the rumors, or rather, they didn’t want to take the risk of cooperating with The Sinclair Group, which was mired in controversy.
What made my heart sink more was that several marketing accounts beca active again, with photos of Julian Sinclair at the airport last night.
He was still wearing the black suit he wore when he ca to see yesterday, accompanied by several assistants, striding quickly.
The caption read: "Those who know, know. The scandal’s protagonist cannot sit still, rushing back to Aurelia overnight to clean up the ss! It seems that this ti, The Sinclair Group is genuinely in trouble, weren’t they previously the governnt’s best partner every year?"
Even though Julian Sinclair’s back was straight in the photos, I could imagine the tense expression on his face.
My heart plunged into the depths.
So, Timothy Xavier’s words were not just empty fears.
Just then, the voices of Doris and Sharon ca from the doorway.
I snapped back to reality, the two children standing at my bedroom door in bear pajamas, rubbing their sleepy eyes.
Sharon looked at in confusion and asked, "Auntie Ellison, aren’t we going to kindergarten today? The teacher said we’d be learning to fold a bunny."
I stood up and walked towards them, gently saying, "We’re not going to kindergarten for a while, okay? Because... Mom has a lot of things to deal with."
The two kids nodded obediently.
I was afraid they’d notice the odd look on my face, so I quickly washed up and made them breakfast.
The children knew I was in a bad mood, and they ate breakfast quietly.
After eating, they moved to the living room carpet with their puzzles, not as noisy and chatty as they usually were.
While I was washing dishes in the kitchen, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Quickly, Doris and Sharon’s excited voices reached my ears: "Great-grandma, how co you’re here?"
My heart skipped a beat, and I rushed to dry my hands and went out.
At the living room door, Madam Sinclair was being helped by a servant, holding that familiar ebony cane.
I quickly stepped forward to support her arm, my voice choked with emotion: "Grandma, why did you co? Aren’t you still sick?"
Madam Sinclair patted my hand, her gaze falling on my reddened eyes, letting out a gentle sigh: "So much happened all of a sudden yesterday, I couldn’t sit still at ho. Julian wouldn’t say a thing, and the atmosphere at ho was stifling. I wanted to co see you and the kids, to ease my heart a bit."
I helped her sit on the sofa, pouring her so warm water.
Then, I asked the kids to go play in their room.
After they left, Madam Sinclair looked at deeply and asked, "And you? Are you okay?"
I forced a bitter smile and said, "I’m fine, and the kids are really good. It’s just... I saw the announcent on the official account of Aurelia, Attorney Sinclair he..."
The words were stuck in my throat, unable to co out, as if sothing was blocking it.
Madam Sinclair’s hand holding the cane tightened, a trace of heartache in her eyes, her voice softened: "Yesterday, I heard he went to see you, and after returning, he locked himself in the study, barely touched his food. Later, when the company sent word, he rushed off to Aurelia with his assistants. Zoe, can you tell Grandma what you two talked about yesterday? Did... you have another fight?"
Her eyes were filled with hope, yet there was an imperceptible hint of worry.
Looking at the elder in front of , the grievances and guilt within suddenly surged, and tears started to fall uncontrollably down my cheeks.
Seeing this, Madam Sinclair quickly reached out to gently pat my back, her palm exuding the steadiness accumulated over years, saying, "Child, don’t cry. If Julian bullied you, just tell Grandma. Grandma’s here, she won’t be biased towards him at all."
I shook my head vigorously, saying, "Attorney Sinclair didn’t bully , rather it’s ... it’s who let him down."
As soon as those words left my mouth, the feeling of being torn apart, buried deep within, surged up.
Yesterday, he ca to see amidst the overwhelming scandal, the bloodshot in his eyes so apparent, yet I insisted on distancing myself from him, saying hurtful words to drive him away.
Now that The Sinclair Group is in such a state, I don’t even dare to think about how distressed he must be.
I took a deep breath, ready to tell Madam Sinclair everything that happened yesterday, when the doorbell rang urgently again.
I walked to the door, only to find Diana Caldwell on the surveillance.
She was standing outside my door in a plain-colored trench coat, her fra looking frail.
I looked back at Madam Sinclair on the sofa, explaining softly, "Grandma, it’s Timothy Xavier’s grandmother, Diana Caldwell."
Madam Sinclair paused, holding the water cup, a complex emotion flashing through her eyes.
Imdiately, she furrowed her brow, but her tone was firm: "Open the door."
I bit my lip and eventually opened the door.
There’s no doubt that Diana Caldwell was here because of Julian Sinclair.
As soon as the door opened, Diana Caldwell’s serious gaze fell on , getting straight to the point: "The Sinclair Group’s issue, you saw the news, right?"
I instinctively stepped aside: "It’s chilly outside, why don’t you co in and talk?"
Diana Caldwell walked in briskly, but when her gaze swept over the living room sofa, she was completely stunned.
Madam Sinclair sat there, holding her cane, with a calm expression but an undeniably commanding aura.
Diana Caldwell’s already unsightly face turned ashen, clearly not expecting to encounter Madam Sinclair here.
Since she left The Sinclair Family years ago, they probably never faced each other head-on like this.
Her thin face was full of surprise and embarrassnt, lips moved slightly, and after a long while, she managed to softly utter: "Mom..."
"Mrs. Kendall, watch your language." Madam Sinclair’s voice suddenly turned cold, her gaze piercing as ice, looking straight at her.
Diana Caldwell’s face turned pale again, quickly correcting herself: "Madam..."
Madam Sinclair still had her brow furrowed, evidently holding a deep grudge, but taking into account her terminal illness, her tone softened slightly: "You may sit down first. What do you need from Zoe?"
Diana Caldwell shook her head and said, "I won’t sit. I just ca to say a few words to Zoe and leave after that."
Madam Sinclair nodded, taking a sip from her cup, which unwittingly added pressure on Diana Caldwell: "Go ahead then, I’ll listen to what Mrs. Kendall has to say too."
Diana Caldwell remained silent for a long while, seemingly making up her mind.
She looked directly at with obvious accusation in her voice: "Zoe, I asked soone inside The Sinclair Group to find out. Julian is being ganged up on by several other enterprises in Aurelia. They want to take advantage of this opportunity to strike him down. This is the biggest trouble he’s faced since taking over the group, and he hasn’t closed his eyes for a night since yesterday! Zoe, all of this is because of you!"
Diana Caldwell’s words left speechless.
I opened my mouth, wanting to explain sothing, but found all words felt powerless.
At this mont, Diana Caldwell stepped forward, coming even closer to .
Her voice carried a near-pleading urgency, her gaze locked tightly on : "Zoe, I’m begging you, for Julian’s sake, please step forward and clarify. You can say you were confused and clung to Julian, and you can say Julian rejected you ti and ti again, never agreeing to be with you! It’s all your wishful thinking!"
My heart clenched abruptly, and a chill washed over my body.
To be honest, for Julian, I was willing.
As long as I could help him get through this crisis, even if it ant bearing all the bla, I would accept it.
But before I could speak, Madam Sinclair suddenly placed her cup down heavily on the table.
The sound of the cup clashing with the table was crisp, and her angry voice reached our ears: "How ridiculous!"
Madam Sinclair’s gaze was as sharp as a blade as she looked at Diana Caldwell, "When sothing happens, you shove all the bla onto a woman, making her bear all the contempt! Mrs. Kendall, you are a woman as well. With actions like these, you’re really bringing us won ’honor’!"
Diana Caldwell’s body trembled violently, her eyes instantly reddened.
Her voice shook with emotion as she spoke each word: "I am Julian’s biological mother! Please understand a mother’s feelings. Everyone is mocking him, blaming him, yet he is so outstanding. He shouldn’t be treated like this! As a mother, I must stand up and clear these obstacles for him!"
"Now you rember you’re his biological mother?"
Madam Sinclair’s gaze turned sharp, each word weighed heavily, "Back then, right after Julian’s father’s passing, while his body was still warm, you just walked away! In order to show loyalty to your new family and prove your devotion to The Kendall Family, you never ca back to see him, didn’t care about him for even a day! How dare you claim to be his mother? When have you ever treated him as your biological son?"
Madam Sinclair’s voice grew increasingly agitated, and her chest rose and fell slightly.
The servant hurried forward to support her, but she waved them off.
She continued: "It’s because Julian has a cold facade but a warm heart that he still regards you with a bit of filial piety! He was only willing to let go of the past and accept you again after learning about your severe illness. Do you think he’s forgotten the wounds you left in his life as he grew up?"
Diana Caldwell’s face instantly turned deathly pale, retreating a step back, holding onto the door fra for support.
Diana Caldwell’s low sobbing echoed in the living room, but Madam Sinclair’s tone showed no sign of softening, instead becoming even more determined.
Madam Sinclair gripped her cane slightly harder, her words decisive: "Since you left Julian’s life so early, choosing your new family, you should stick to your own duties. He, in the na of blood, is willing to help you, give you treatnt, so you should know your limits and boundaries. It’s been so many years, you no longer have the right to interfere in his affairs, do you understand?"
Diana Caldwell couldn’t utter another word of rebuttal.
Through tear-filled eyes, she suddenly turned her gaze to , a look of pleading and expectation, hoping I would agree to her earlier suggestion.
But I avoided her gaze.
With Madam Sinclair protecting like this, treating so well, how could I listen to Diana Caldwell and let her good intentions be wasted?
Diana Caldwell saw that I still didn’t respond, and the light in her eyes gradually dimd.
She bit her lower lip and ultimately didn’t say another word.
Then she turned, stumbling towards the door.
Madam Sinclair watched her back, her gaze icy and devoid of a shred of emotion.
Not until the elevator door opened and Diana Caldwell’s figure disappeared did Madam Sinclair slowly withdraw her gaze, her face finally showing a trace of warmth.
Even so, she still snorted coldly in the direction of the door, her voice full of disdain: "I originally didn’t want to entangle myself with such old grievances, but after all these years, I didn’t expect her to still be this selfish! To even co to you and impose on you!"
I moved to sit beside Madam Sinclair, gently helping her breathe more steadily; her chest still slightly rose and fell from the earlier excitent.
Hesitating briefly, I softly spoke: "Grandma, she indeed has her wrongs. But... this ti our goal is actually the sa, we both want Attorney Sinclair to cleanly erge from this storm, to help The Sinclair Group through this crisis."
Hearing this, Madam Sinclair turned her head to look at .
She sighed, her voice softening sowhat: "Zoe, grandma knows you have a kind heart, but if using a thod that harms you to vindicate Julian, that boy would only feel worse if he knew."
I lowered my gaze and said: "But for now, it seems like there’s no better way..."
Madam Sinclair’s brow furrowed with a hint of lancholy; she looked out at the gloomy weather for a long ti before speaking slowly: "Julian is no longer a green rookie. He’s been navigating the business world for over a decade; what storms hasn’t he weathered? In this matter, I believe he’s capable of finding a solution. Our Sinclair Group isn’t sothing that can be easily toppled by just this one controversy. Since those people are blind enough not to collaborate, then we won’t collaborate with them! Our Sinclair Group isn’t short of this small change!"
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