I’m well aware that these words are just Madam Sinclair trying to comfort .
Julian Sinclair is her most cherished grandson, and now he’s being insulted by so many criticisms like this.
If she really didn’t care, she wouldn’t be sick with worry or be as lancholic as she is now.
After a long while, I looked at Madam Sinclair and said, "Grandma, I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?"
Madam Sinclair imdiately looked at with a puzzled expression, and then, as if she suddenly thought of sothing, her brows furrowed again: "If it’s sothing like Diana Caldwell’s rotten idea, you don’t need to say it. I won’t agree, and I definitely won’t let you do it!"
I quickly shook my head and explained, "Those photos online only prove that I was going in and out of The Sinclair Family, staying at The Sinclair Family, but The Sinclair Family doesn’t only have Attorney Sinclair, so how can they deduce that we are living together? How about... you co forward with to clarify, saying that you have accepted as a god-granddaughter, and that’s why I moved to The Sinclair Family to accompany you, so you won’t be lonely in your later years."
This is actually only half of my plan. The other half involves Timothy Xavier, which I’m too afraid to make Madam Sinclair worry, so I keep it temporarily to myself.
When Madam Sinclair heard what I said, she was stunned at first.
Then she slightly frowned, showing a hesitant expression: "This reason does make sense and can solve the current predicant. But Zoe, have you thought about it? If you say this, won’t you and Julian beco nominally god-siblings? Then how will you be together in the future? By that ti, won’t it lead to more criticism?"
I lowered my eyes, hiding the bitterness in them.
In fact, I understood from this scandal that perhaps there has long been no "future" between Julian and .
Since Timothy Xavier is intent on dragging into this ss, I might as well sink into it with him, at least this way, Julian can get away clean.
To reassure Madam Sinclair, I put on a brave face and forced a relaxed smile: "Grandma, don’t worry. Anyway, the online buzz cos and goes quickly. Let’s muddle through this matter first. Worst-case scenario, I’ll go abroad with Attorney Sinclair later; not many people know us overseas, so we can be together however we want, right?"
I spoke with a forced cheerfulness, desperately suppressing the sadness surging inside.
Madam Sinclair looked at half-doubtfully, with a hint of investigation in her eyes, but ultimately couldn’t fend off the worry for her grandson.
She reached out, holding my hand tightly, her wrinkled hands trembling slightly, her eyes gradually red: "Zoe, you’re a good child, and I’m sorry for the injustice you’ve suffered... Grandma promises you that once this matter is over, I’ll make sure you and Julian have the most grand wedding and never let you suffer even a bit in our Sinclair family."
Tears I had been holding back finally welled up in my eyes, and I nodded hard, my voice with a faint trace of a sob: "Grandma, I’ll rember what you said. By then, you must help make it happen!"
But only I know, this promise may never be fulfilled.
This persuasion took a long ti, and I could clearly see the struggle in Madam Sinclair’s eyes.
Finally, we agreed that in a few days, it is just the anniversary of The Sinclair Group’s branch in Veridia.
By then, besides the dignitaries from all circles, Madam Sinclair will also invite the dia.
After finishing talking with Madam Sinclair, the servant ntioned it was ti for her to take her traditional dicine, and the dication at ho was almost ready.
With that, I accompanied her downstairs, watching her car disappear at the community gate, only then did the tense nerves relax a bit.
Returning ho, I took out my phone, hesitating for a long ti before calling Timothy Xavier.
He answered quickly, and through the earpiece, his voice carried its usual coldness and assertiveness, as if he had already expected to compromise.
"Zoe, it seems you’ve considered my suggestion."
I responded with a quiet "Mm," and said, "Didn’t you want to reconcile with ? Then let’s reconcile, let everyone know! But you must agree to one condition of mine!"
As soon as I said this, Timothy’s voice carried a hint of understanding: "You want Julian Sinclair to be completely uninvolved in this matter, right?"
I tightened my grip on the phone, not saying a word.
Since he insists on dragging from my hard-earned peace into this mire, I might as well accompany him to rot together in it.
My silence communicated everything.
In the earpiece, only Timothy’s low breathing sound remained.
After a long while, his tone turned cold, distinct from the initial smugness when answering the phone.
He said, "Wait for at ho, I’ll co find you tonight, and we can talk further."
...
In the evening, Timothy Xavier arrived.
As soon as Doris saw him, she protested, "Daddy is a liar! Yesterday you said you’d bring sothing tasty, but I waited all night and it never ca!"
I sat on the sofa, watching this scene unfold, feeling no waves in my heart.
I’ve long stopped caring whether he stood up his daughter because of Serena Sawyer or so other reason.
All those past disputes and inquiries have long drained all my energy; I no longer care about his every move at all.
Timothy squatted in front of Doris, softening his tone as he coaxed her: "Daddy was wrong, Daddy apologizes. How about this, in a few days, Daddy will take you to Disney, or you can make a list of what you want, and Daddy will get it all done for you, okay?"
He coaxed her for a while, making many promises before Doris barely cald down, pulling Sharon, who was watching the scene, back to their room together.
The living room quieted down, and Timothy stood up and walked toward .
He looked down at , his gaze cold with a hint of an investigation: "I just want to ask you one thing, do you truly want to reconcile with , or do you simply want to use to clear Julian Sinclair’s na?"
I raised my head, eting his gaze, the corner of my mouth curled up in a mocking arc as I replied, "What do you think?"
Timothy’s gaze dimd a bit, a clear sense of disappointnt flashing across.
He bitterly chuckled, stubbornly pressing with, "Isn’t there even a little bit of you that wants to reconcile with ? Even just a little?"
I diverted my gaze, looking out at the dark night, my tone full of indifference: "Does it matter? Whether or not there is such a thought, I’ve reconciled with you anyway, and I’m back by your side. Isn’t that what you wanted?"
He stared at for a long ti, with suppressed anger in his tone: "So now you start playing a ’broken jar falling’ ga with , right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he bent down, leaned in close to , and reached out to pinch my chin, forcing to look up and et his gaze.
Pain shot through my chin, and his gloomy voice reached my ears: "Zoe Ellison, can’t you even lie to a little? With that attitude, I might not agree with you. Even if I Timothy Xavier can’t bear to part with you, I wouldn’t degrade myself enough to be willingly used by you!"
I t his gaze and suddenly burst out laughing: "When has President Xavier ever been degraded? Don’t you know who released the news about Julian and ? Even if it wasn’t you, Serena Sawyer isn’t free from involvent. Even the last ti I was kidnapped, it had sothing to do with Serena Sawyer..."
"Enough!"
Before I could finish, Timothy’s voice sharply interrupted.
His eyes turned sharp, his tone carrying undeniable firmness: "Without evidence, don’t bla everything on her. Let tell you, it was Jolie Joyce. What you and Julian did was seen by her, you’re clear about that yourself!"
Indeed, that day Jolie saw sitting on Julian Sinclair’s lap with her own eyes.
But I don’t believe Serena Sawyer had nothing to do with this incident.
Seeing that I didn’t argue back, Timothy Xavier’s tone was filled with hostility and accusation: "So, you really did sothing with Julian Sinclair and got caught by Jolie? Zoe Ellison, tell honestly, how far have you gone with Julian Sinclair?"
I looked up to et his gaze, openly: "Cleaner than you and Serena Sawyer."
Timothy Xavier’s face suddenly darkened, choked by my words and unable to speak.
His chest heaved violently, clearly suppressing his anger.
After a long while, he nodded with clenched teeth, releasing his grip on my chin suddenly.
Then, he turned and walked towards the balcony.
The fla of the lighter flickered in the night, and smoke soon coiled around his figure.
He stood with his back to , hands resting on the window railing, his silhouette filled with turmoil and reluctance.
After finishing a cigarette, he stubbed it out and returned with slightly less hostility in his eyes, but more complexity.
He said, "Let’s do as you said! As long as you’re willing to give a chance, I can prove to you that anything Julian Sinclair can do, I can do too."
I looked at him, feeling as calm as dead water inside—no expectations, no other feelings.
Over the years, his promises have been like bubbles, bursting faster than anything else.
I spoke lightly, "I’ll let you know what you need to do next."
Timothy Xavier’s brows furrowed instantly, "You’re going to get back with , whether it’s sincere or not, do you think it’s appropriate to still stay outside? Even if we’re acting, shouldn’t we make it look a bit real?"
Before he finished speaking, he had already walked straight to the children’s room, giving no chance to argue.
He picked up his daughter and said, "Doris, how about Daddy takes you and Mommy back to The Xavier Manor?"
I imdiately followed.
I saw little Sharon curled up in the corner, her once bright eyes covered with loneliness.
She looked at Doris longingly, then looked back at hesitantly, like a kitten about to be abandoned.
Doris was hesitating, but I suddenly said, "Timothy Xavier, even if Doris goes back with you, I won’t."
After saying that, I told Doris, "You can go back with Daddy. Mommy will respect your wishes and won’t stop you."
Doris quickly jumped down from Timothy Xavier’s arms, stating her stance: "If Mommy and Sharon aren’t going back, then I won’t either."
Seeing Sharon hiding behind , Timothy seed to understand sothing and spoke to in a softer tone, "I promise you, I’ll treat Sharon the sa way I treat Doris, okay?"
"No way!"
I refused without hesitation, reminding him, "How many tis have you really kept your promises?"
"Exactly! Daddy tricked yesterday too!"
Doris imdiately echoed.
Being exposed by both and our daughter simultaneously, embarrassnt flashed across Timothy Xavier’s cold-cheeked face.
After a mont, he tried to think of other ways to win back his daughter’s heart, then said, "Doris, the birthday cake Daddy made for Mommy that day was made by Daddy himself. How about Daddy teaches you to make it tonight?"
Doris’s eyes lit up, clearly tempted.
But she quickly glanced at uneasily, then shook her head swiftly, "Forget it, Mommy’s in a bad mood, and I don’t feel like doing it either. You can leave! I won’t go back with you until Mommy forgives you."
Timothy Xavier’s smile completely froze, and the sense of defeat in his eyes almost overflowed.
His innate arrogance didn’t allow him to continue humbling himself to please.
After a long silence, he stepped out of the children’s room, his voice returning to its usual indifference: "I’m leaving now!"
...
Timothy Xavier reached downstairs, and the driver was still waiting for him.
Dismissing the driver, Timothy Xavier sat alone in the driver’s seat, and the black luxury car sped off like an arrow.
A burning fla raged inside his chest, scorching his sanity.
He wasn’t unaware that he first betrayed Zoe Ellison, and it was his fault that led to this point in their relationship.
But just the thought that Zoe Ellison was willing to abandon the idea of divorce for Julian Sinclair, and even blatantly told him their reconciliation was only to use him, made that anger entwined with jealousy almost consu him.
She wouldn’t even bother to give a perfunctory appeasent, unwilling to put even the slightest fake facade on him, so bluntly that it embarrassed him.
Timothy Xavier lit another cigarette, the spice of nicotine unable to suppress the discontent in his heart.
When had Timothy Xavier ever been this humble?
Knowing full well he was being used, he still nodded in agreent, just to keep the woman who wouldn’t even smile at him, even needing to help clear another man’s na.
Smoke blown by the wind scattered the ash from his fingertips, like his shattered dignity and pride at this mont.
After driving for an unknown amount of ti, the car slowly stopped below an upscale apartnt building.
Looking up, the light was still on in Serena Sawyer’s window, the warm yellow glow through the glass felt especially ironic to Timothy Xavier.
Serena Sawyer complied with his every need, as gentle as a kitten.
But all that filled his mind was Zoe Ellison’s cold and frosty face.
One held him dearly, the other discarded him like a worn-out shoe.
Yet he was hopelessly obsessed with the indifferent one.
Rationality in his mind completely collapsed at this mont.
Driven by an irresistible impulse, Timothy Xavier opened the car door and walked uncontrollably towards the building.
At her doorstep, he pressed the doorbell.
A few seconds later, the door was pulled open.
"Timothy, why are you..."
Serena’s face was full of surprise. Before she could finish speaking, Timothy Xavier pushed the door in forcefully, closing it behind him.
The next second, he pinned her against the door with a punishing kiss, so intense it almost felt like he would tear her lips.
He knew he looked like a madman out of control, needing an outlet for his anger and frustration.
But he couldn’t bring himself to treat Zoe Ellison like this, and naturally, Zoe would never allow it now.
So the obedient woman before him beca the most convenient outlet.
"Timothy, please, be gentle..."
Serena Sawyer’s voice was breathy, not resisting at all. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying every mont.
She had always thought Timothy Xavier was a devout man, surely indifferent to desires.
It wasn’t until their last encounter and now his roughness that she realized just how strong his desires were.
Naively, she believed Timothy Xavier was infatuated with her body, which was why he sought her out at night.
As the two moved to the sofa, Timothy Xavier’s attention was entirely focused on his anger and desire, oblivious to Serena’s subtle movents.
Her hand reached for the phone on the sofa, her beautiful eyes flashing with calculation.
As Timothy was absorbed, she quickly unlocked the screen, found Zoe Ellison’s number, and pressed call.
...
I had just finished showering when the phone on my bedside table suddenly rang.
A series of unfamiliar numbers flashed on the screen.
I instinctively thought it was related to Julian Sinclair, so I answered.
The next second, disgusting, indecent sounds ca through the receiver.
"Timothy... I can’t take it anymore, Timothy... You’re amazing... So incredible..."
Serena’s voice was deliberately sweet, making feel nauseous.
The man’s voice wasn’t clear, but the heavy, rhythmic breathing told in an instant it was Timothy Xavier.
Half an hour ago, he was still at my house playing the role of a good father to Doris.
It felt absurd and ironic to .
I knew Serena called intentionally, wanting to see break, to be jealous, to declare her territory.
But I no longer had any feelings for Timothy Xavier.
I wasn’t angry or sad. I gently swiped on the screen and pressed the record button without hesitation.
Since she liked sharing so much, I might as well help her preserve the excitent.
Once the Julian Sinclair situation was resolved, and Timothy Xavier finished playing this ga of reconciliation with , perhaps these recordings would give the gossipers a thrill.
I placed the phone aside, letting the shaful sounds continue to overflow from the receiver, then walked to the window, gazing at the silent neighborhood below.
The night was deep, but I believed dawn would surely co.
...
The night before The Sinclair Group’s anniversary celebration, Timothy Xavier called .
"You’ve really put a lot of effort into helping Julian Sinclair."
His voice ca through the receiver, dripping with undisguised sarcasm, "Do you think by doing this, he or The Sinclairs will thank you?"
"I don’t need gratitude. I’ll send you the invitation in a mont. You must attend the banquet."
I coldly hung up the phone, holding that extra invitation in my hand, feeling a heavy burden on my heart.
Madam Sinclair’s list didn’t originally include the Xavier Group. I had to go through so twists to get it.
For this clarifying act, he must be there to assist , to stop the rumors.
On the day of the banquet, Jenna Sutton accompanied to the dress shop.
She helped choose a champagne-colored rmaid dress. The silk fabric clung to my body, and the tiny diamonds shimred with movent around the hem.
I numbly allowed the makeup artist to apply makeup and style my hair until a delicate yet distant face appeared in the mirror.
Jenna Sutton’s voice was filled with concern, "Zoe, do you really have to do this? How will you extricate yourself afterward?"
I looked at my reflection in the mirror, expressionless: "I can’t worry about all that. After this storm, I won’t have any ties with Julian Sinclair anymore, so how would I extricate myself?"
Jenna didn’t say anything more; she had also heard about the recent pressures on The Sinclair Group.
The Sinclairs had many relatives in politics, and Julian Sinclair’s scandal was no longer a personal affair, but a ticking bomb that could drag down the entire family, unsolvable by rely quashing public opinion.
As the car drove toward the banquet hall, Jenna Sutton looked at my dress, sighing heavily, "Such a beautiful person, and yet Timothy Xavier gets this chance. Even if it’s pretending, it’s like putting a flower on cow dung—disgusting!"
I twitched my lips, not telling her about Serena’s call last night.
If I had, knowing Jenna’s temper, she’d have rushed over to throw a glass of red wine at Timothy Xavier.
...
The Sinclair Family.
As the car stopped, Madam Sinclair imdiately ca forward to greet us.
Today, she wore a dark red gown, her face bearing a dignified smile, yet I could see the weight beneath it.
We walked into the banquet hall side by side, with curious, mocking, and murmuring gazes all around, caused by the situation between and Julian Sinclair a few days ago.
Through the crowd, I quickly spotted Julian Sinclair.
He was dressed in a black tailored suit, holding a wine glass while chatting and laughing with several guests. He still exuded the serene deanor of the Sinclair heir, as if the outside rumors had never affected him.
Perhaps sensing my gaze, he suddenly turned his face, and the mont our eyes t, I saw him instinctively furrow his brow.
My heart suddenly panicked, and I imdiately looked away.
I told myself that there was only one purpose today: to finish this act with Madam Sinclair and minimize the damage to Julian Sinclair.
At that mont, there was a commotion at the entrance, accompanied by low murmurs from the guests.
I instinctively looked up and saw Timothy Xavier, dressed in a white suit, slowly entering the banquet hall.
However, he didn’t walk straight towards but, like Julian Sinclair, seamlessly integrated into the crowd, holding a glass of wine and engaging in lively conversations with the business and political guests.
The guests around were whispering, their gazes shifting between him, Julian Sinclair, and .
Madam Sinclair could also sense everyone’s whispers and muttered, "Strange, I didn’t invite him. Why is he here?"
"I asked him to co."
My tone was flat, but my palms were already sweaty with cold sweat.
In this second half of the drama, even Madam Sinclair was kept in the dark, but I had to hold out until the end.
"What did you say?" There was a trace of shock in the old lady’s voice, "Why did you ask him to co?"
"You’ll know in a mont."
I didn’t explain much because the lights in the ballroom suddenly dimd, and the emcee’s voice spread through the speakers, "Let’s give a warm round of applause to welco Madam Sinclair to the stage for her speech!"
The flashlights of the dia caras instantly focused on the old lady.
She suppressed her doubts, donned a graceful smile again, and stepped onto the stage.
Faced with the caras and curious looks from the audience, she didn’t flinch and began, "Before the banquet starts, I have a few words to say. Recently, everyone must have heard about my grandson Julian Sinclair’s affairs. Initially, this was a family matter of the Sinclairs, poorly reported by unscrupulous dia, and it wouldn’t be a problem for a thick-skinned man to laugh it off. But when they involved a woman, this old lady couldn’t sit idly by!"
Hearing this, she waved at : "Zoe, co up here."
I braced my wildly beating heart, straightened my back, and walked onto the stage with dignity, standing beside her.
The flash of lights stung my eyes, and the old lady held my hand, her voice resounding, "It’s true that Zoe has been staying at my place recently. I’ve long regarded her as my god-granddaughter! Her inhuman husband previously hurt her deeply. I brought her to the Sinclair Family, first to accompany this old lady, and second to protect her. But who would have thought it would lead to such rumors!"
The audience was in an uproar, countless eyes focusing on Timothy Xavier.
Who this "inhuman husband" was, was more than obvious.
Then, the old lady shifted her tone with even more determination: "Today, I use a lifeti of my reputation to guarantee that Zoe Ellison is the god-granddaughter of the Sinclair Family! Whoever bullies her is bullying ; whoever dares to spread rumors again, I’ll have Julian sue to the end!"
The reporters swallowed back the sharp questions they had prepared.
I instinctively looked towards Julian Sinclair in the audience; his expression was ominous.
Evidently, he didn’t expect Madam Sinclair to clarify my identity as a "god-granddaughter."
At this mont, a figure slowly approached the stage, breaking the silence in the room.
Madam Sinclair watched as Timothy Xavier walked up, secretly exchanging a glance with . I gave her a reassuring look.
Timothy Xavier humbly bowed to the old lady and said, "Grandma, you’re right to scold ! Indeed, I hurt Zoe before, and I’ve been regretting it every day. I promise you, I’ll change and treat her well in the future."
Before his words completely fell, he suddenly knelt on one knee, tightly holding my hand, seeming very sincere as he said, "Zoe, thank you for giving a chance to make ands. You don’t need to worry about those outside rumors at all. I know your character, Uncle’s character, and Grandma’s character more than anyone! From now on, I will treat you well. I also hope Grandma and Uncle will supervise !"
His sincere manner, if I hadn’t heard his heavy breathing on Serena Sawyer just last night, I might have believed a few words.
I resisted the churning in my stomach, helped him up, and said to the old lady, "Grandma, thank you for taking care of during this ti. I will live well with Timothy from now on, and I’m genuinely sorry for inadvertently dragging Attorney Sinclair into this."
The old lady looked at , her eyes filled with complexity.
But in the end, she reluctantly responded, "Why say such outsider words! Julian is, after all, an elder. It’s his duty to take care of the younger generation. Isn’t that right, Julian?"
Julian Sinclair in the audience slowly raised his eyes, his gaze behind the lenses as cold as ice, locked tightly on and Timothy Xavier.
Under all the dia’s watchful eyes, he only uttered a faint "Mm."
Madam Sinclair’s words were powerful, and Timothy Xavier’s "repentance" happened at just the right ti.
The two acts together thoroughly dispelled the rumors.
The atmosphere in the banquet hall quickly beca lively again; gentle music resud, as guests with wine glasses mingled and chatted.
I quietly retreated to a corner of the lounge area and pulled out my phone.
As soon as the screen lit up, several notifications popped up.
A video of Madam Sinclair’s clarification had already been uploaded online.
Entering the comnt section, new comnts were continuously refreshing:
"I told you Julian Sinclair wouldn’t be interested in a divorced Zoe Ellison! Now the truth is clear, right? Another baseless rumor by those marketing accounts!"
"For Timothy Xavier, as the president of the Xavier Group, if his wife really had an affair with his uncle, could he apologize this calmly? Those previous rumors must be false, absolutely wild!"
"Zoe Ellison’s life is just too smooth! Orphan adopted, now climbing up the Sinclair Family and becoming Madam Sinclair’s god-granddaughter. Plus, she even has a husband like Timothy Xavier, who is both handso and wealthy, coming back to reconcile. She’s the ultimate winner in life!"
"Despite what happened before, Timothy Xavier is still quite decent. Approachable and willing to admit his mistakes and correct them, I support their reconciliation!"
Seeing these increasingly favorable comnts, the stone in my heart finally settled down.
Although knowing that these comnts might not completely resolve the crisis for The Sinclair Group.
But at least, the rumors about and Julian Sinclair seed to be suppressed, and he wouldn’t be dragged down by these sars anymore.
At that mont, a waiter approached and whispered, "Miss Ellison, Mr. Sinclair requests you to go upstairs to his room."
My heart tightened; upstairs was the bedroom area of the Sinclair house. Going up at this hour, if soone saw , all previous clarifications would be in vain.
Thus, I said, "It’s not convenient. Tell him I’ll be leaving soon."
The waiter looked troubled and said, "Mr. Sinclair said, if you refuse to go up, he’ll personally co down to invite you. By then, if there’s a scene in front of the guests, the consequences... he’ll take no responsibility."
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