Aunt Tawny was about to launch into a long-winded speech to express her indignation on behalf of the madam.
But Vincent Hawthorne didn’t give her a chance; he stord off with a sullen face.
Aunt Tawny muttered quietly to herself as she closed the door, "Asking for the truth but can’t handle it when it’s given..."
Vincent was seething tonight. When he returned to the master bedroom and saw the wedding photo still hanging on the wall, it was even more piercing to his eyes.
In the photo, Tanya Sinclair was smiling like a blossoming flower, a smile he hadn’t seen on her face since she woke up.
Vincent took down the wedding photo and tossed it into a corner, out of sight, out of mind.
He went to take a shower to ease his mood, and only then went to the children’s rooms as usual to say goodnight.
When Vincent pushed open the door, Caden wasn’t on the bed. The computer room door inside wasn’t shut tight, and the faint clicking sound of a chanical keyboard could be heard.
Joy was lying on the bed, engrossed in typing on her small phone, with an electronic dictionary beside her for looking up unfamiliar words.
Seeing her so focused, Vincent guessed that she was ssaging Cindy Lynn again.
She had always been very attached to Cindy Lynn.
"Joy."
"Dad." Seeing Vincent co in, Joy beca a bit nervous and imdiately hid the small phone behind her back.
Vincent assud she was afraid he would be unhappy about her playing on her phone for too long.
"Are you ssaging your Aunt Cindy?"
Joy lowered her long eyelashes and mumbled, "Oh..."
Vincent walked over, patted his daughter’s head, and said gently, as if in thought, "From now on, wherever you are, do not call Cindy Lynn ’Mom,’ okay? You have your own mother."
"Mm... got it." This ti, Joy unusually complied.
Vincent kissed her forehead, "Play with your phone for a little while longer, then go to sleep. Your Aunt Cindy has to discuss an important collaboration with Dad tomorrow, so don’t disturb her rest."
"Mm-hmm." Joy nodded obediently.
Vincent looked at his daughter and could see traces of Tanya Sinclair in her face. His gaze beca complicated. Finally, he patted her small cheek and then got up to go to the study to see his son.
As her father left, Joy took out her phone again.
She continued to send the unfinished ssage to Tanya Sinclair: [Oh my, you’re so silly; her na isn’t Cici, it’s Abby. As in ’abandon.’]
"Why are you so concerned about her?" Joy muttered softly as she typed.
Vincent walked into the study.
Caden had already spun around in his chair, looking back at him.
"Dad, has Mom co back?" Although still a bit awkward, he could now call out ’Mom.’
Vincent paused and said, "No."
Caden jumped off the chair and walked up to Vincent, his brows furrowed seriously.
"Is Mom never coming back again?" Before Vincent could organize his thoughts, Caden went to close the door, not wanting his sister to hear.
Caden looked up at his father, "You and Mom are going to get a divorce, aren’t you?"
The word ’divorce’ made Vincent feel uncomfortable.
He said softly, "These things are for us adults to worry about; you don’t need to worry."
"My IQ is 192, smarter than many adults." Caden pursed his small lips and pursued, "If you two divorce, will Joy and I never see her again?"
The Hawthorne Family is a large and prestigious household, and Tanya Sinclair... Caden had specifically looked up her past.
She was impressive but had no power or influence.
Against the imnse family power of The Hawthorne Family, Tanya Sinclair seed utterly defenseless.
"These are not matters you should be concerned about," Vincent reminded him sternly, "Caden, you only need to rember that you will be the future successor of The Hawthorne Family. That will not change!"
"But..."
"No buts!" Vincent interrupted severely before pausing, his expression softening slightly, "Alright, ti for bed. I have to leave early tomorrow to pick up your Aunt Cindy; we have work discussions. Take care of your sister and don’t be late for school."
After saying that, Vincent left directly.
Caden watched his father’s departing figure, sighed helplessly, and unclenched his small fists.
He climbed onto the chair, tapped a few tis on the keyboard with his small hands, and a hidden dialog box popped up.
On the other side was K.
Caden maintained a serious expression as he reluctantly typed a line.
Caden: [Alright, I’ll reluctantly agree to let your uncle pursue my mom. Send his profile first; I need to vet it.]
On the other side of the night.
Tanya Sinclair ca out after washing her face, imdiately checked her phone, and saw the ssage from Joy.
She couldn’t help but frown.
"Abby?"
What kind of parents would give their daughter such an inauspicious na?
[Joy, what’s Abby’s full na?]
This ti, Joy sent a voice ssage.
Tanya played it, holding it to her ear to listen.
Joy: [Oh my, why do you have so many questions? Well, go ask her yourself; I’m going to sleep now!]
Listening to her daughter’s childish complaints, Tanya felt a warmth in her heart.
She smiled and sent a voice ssage back: [Goodnight, sweetheart.]
She also sent a goodnight ssage to Caden.
Tanya checked the ti; she had contacted Zane Shaw in advance, and he had said his eting would end around this ti, so they could talk on the phone.
Tanya was planning to send a polite ssage to Zane Shaw first, asking if he was available for a call.
Zane Shaw made a call first.
"Ms. Sinclair." People like Zane Shaw, born high-energy elite, are energetic even when busy until midnight. He gets straight to the point, "I’ve already started preparing the divorce lawsuit materials. According to what you told before, Vincent Hawthorne will be kicked out of the board of directors after the shareholders’ eting next week. We’ll file the lawsuit on that day."
Zane Shaw thoughtfully remarked, "A double blow like this, I think, can better test Mr. Hawthorne’s endurance."
Tanya Sinclair: "..."
No wonder he’s a lawyer, even insults are said so grandiosely.
Tanya Sinclair: "At next week’s shareholders’ eting, Vincent Hawthorne will definitely be kicked out. As for the divorce, I think after weighing the pros and cons, he will agree."
Zane Shaw fell silent for a mont, then pointed out Tanya Sinclair’s concern.
"Ms. Sinclair, you’re worried about not getting custody of the two children, aren’t you?" Zane Shaw analyzed, "Actually, getting custody of Joy isn’t that hard. The key is Caden. But it’s not entirely impossible."
"Ordinary kids at the age of five basically have no autonomy. But Caden is an exception. He’s a well-known genius, and we can use this as a point of entry."
Zane Shaw had already found the entry point.
"Great, I’ll have to trouble you for a while longer, Lawyer Shaw."
"Oh, it’s nothing, I’m very happy to take on your case." Zane Shaw said with a smile.
He was genuinely happy.
Declan Pierce is very generous. After finishing this case, he already plans to vacation in The Maldives for a month.
Tanya Sinclair: "Lawyer Shaw, I can pay the lawyer’s fee in advance."
She had already set up another bank account.
The proceeds from selling shares to Silas Hawthorne have already been transferred, and it was no small amount.
"There’s no rush." Zane Shaw, however, refused, seriously, "Ms. Sinclair, please respect my professional ethics. Until we win the case, don’t talk to about money, that would be an insult to !"
Tanya Sinclair was left a bit speechless, holding a newfound respect for Zane Shaw.
"Alright." She felt a bit unjust for Zane Shaw, "Lawyer Shaw, I think those online comnts about you are too harsh and unfair. You’re not at all like they say, only taking high-priced cases for money."
Zane Shaw sheepishly touched his nose and laughed dryly, "Haha, it’s fine, I never fear gossip."
People can say what they want. After all, he neither cheats the poor nor does anything immoral.
What’s wrong with liking to make money?
It’s only right.
After finishing the call with Zane Shaw, Tanya Sinclair circled the date of the shareholders’ eting on her calendar, smiled slightly, and felt more hopeful about the days ahead.
’Buzz buzz—’
A ssage popped up on her phone.
Tanya Sinclair picked up her phone and saw it was from Julian Poole.
Julian Poole: [Are you asleep? If you’re in a bad mood and can’t sleep, do you want to take a walk around the complex with you?]
Julian Poole had driven her back tonight.
Julian Poole hadn’t gone too far; he was worried Vincent Hawthorne might hurt her, so he stayed at the corner watching.
Tanya Sinclair appreciated Julian Poole’s thoughtfulness.
But...
Tanya Sinclair looked at the ssage from Julian Poole.
For a mont, she wasn’t sure if Julian Poole was just being kind, rembering her previous help and caring for her, or if he had other intentions.
Tanya Sinclair shook her head, reminding herself not to overthink things.
She’s already in trouble, with two kids, while Julian Poole is now a tech mogul worth billions; what could he want with her?
Tanya Sinclair was about to politely decline when a call forcefully interrupted.
She looked at the caller ID and was a bit stunned.
[Declan Pierce].
Why is he calling so late?
Tanya Sinclair felt a bit worried, wondering if Belinda or that colleague from procurent had reported her being blacklisted... Did he find out?
Tanya Sinclair abruptly beca tense, cleared her throat, and answered the call.
"Tanya Sinclair..."
Declan Pierce lazily started speaking, and she quickly confessed everything like spilling beans.
"President Pierce, I know I promised not to let my personal issues cause any trouble for the project. The blacklisting in the industry was my fault, but I’ve already resolved it. The experint materials needed for procurent, I can get them back by tomorrow!"
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.
Only the calm, quiet breathing of a man was left, sending an intimidating chill through the phone.
Tanya Sinclair inexplicably felt a chill on the back of her neck.
"President Pierce..."
Declan Pierce finally spoke, his voice deep as an abyss, "You said soone’s blacklisting you?"
"Yes... But I’ve already taken care of it!" Tanya Sinclair quickly said.
Declan Pierce didn’t respond, as if the issue was resolved.
He spoke again, returning to his usual lazy, casual tone.
"Tanya Sinclair, my clothes."
Tanya Sinclair was stunned for a mont, then realized, looking at the n’s coat hanging on the balcony.
"Oh, right, your clothes. I’ve cleaned them. I’ll bring them to the office for you tomorrow..."
Declan Pierce interrupted her, "Bring them to now."
"Now?" Tanya Sinclair frowned.
"Yes, bring the clothes down. I’m at the entrance of your complex."
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