CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: JEALOUS?

Holly Crowe turned around and looked towards the main entrance.

Standing at the entrance were two men. Unlike usual, Blake Sinclair was not wearing a tie, just a plain black shirt, with the topmost button still fastened and a pair of frameless glasses resting on his nose.

Beside him stood another man with almond-shaped eyes in a blue shirt. The two of them stood there, exuding an aura of nobility and ease.

Directly opposite them was Celia Stiles, standing at the entrance with one hand on her hip. Her fingers froze mid-air, pointing in the center between the two men.

A couple of days ago, she had sent a message to Shirley Sinclair, saying that the ceramics from last time were finished and ready for pickup.

Shirley had replied that she was going on an outing on Saturday and would send someone to pick them up. Celia had assumed it would be the Sinclair family’s driver, not Blake Sinclair himself.

The almond-eyed man beside him raised both hands in a surrender pose and took two steps back with a smile in his voice, "Are you trying to show me a clear path?"

Holly quickly realized and rushed forward to grab Celia’s hand and lower it.

Celia looked bewildered.

Holly patted her hand from behind, shaking her head to indicate it was all right.

She stepped forward to greet them, "President Sinclair."

Blake Sinclair nodded slightly, pointing to the man beside him, "Shane Yates."

So this is Shane Yates?

Holly looked at the man beside him,

His shirt was carelessly unbuttoned a couple of buttons down, with a red-striped tie hanging around his neck, and he wore red wide-leg suit pants on the bottom.

As expected of The Upton Refectory’s owner! What a unique sense of style.

"Second Young Master Irving, I’ve heard so much about you. Just call me Holly." She pointed to the side, "This is Celia Stiles."

Shane Yates raised an eyebrow, "Am I that famous?"

As he spoke, he lightly nudged Blake Sinclair’s arm, teasing in a whisper, "Seems like your esteemed Sinclair family name isn’t that prestigious either."

Blake Sinclair ignored his teasing, his gaze landing on Holly, "We’re here to pick up something for Shirley."

Holly: "Got it, Sinclair’s ceramic bowl is ready. Please wait a moment while I pack it."

She said, pulling Celia along as they walked towards the back, but Shane Yates called out before they took two steps.

"Boss Crowe, Young Sinclair asked Blake Sinclair to pass on a message to you. Boss Stiles and I can go get the items ourselves."

"Ah?"

Holly was momentarily stunned.

Shane Yates, without giving her a chance to respond, was already pushing a clueless Celia towards the back.

She led Blake Sinclair to the sofa in the reception area to sit down.

"Holly."

"Hmm?"

A small coffee table separated them, and Holly leaned forward slightly to hear him better, a lock of hair slipping down to her neck.

Blake Sinclair’s gaze lingered for a moment on that lock of hair, then shifted to her cheek. He noticed that her lip color today was peach-like.

"Shirley went camping at Caelus Bay with her mother today. She asked me to find out if there’s anything you like."

"Ah?" Holly furrowed her brow, "We already discussed this on WeChat a couple of days ago."

Blake Sinclair remained expressionless, "But she might have forgotten."

He tapped his fingers on his knee a couple of times and, noticing the hem of her dress, changed the topic, "It seems I wasn’t wrong; this dress does suit you well."

Holly’s eyelashes fluttered lightly, and she smiled politely, "That’s just because President Sinclair has good taste."

The dress she was wearing today was the one Blake Sinclair had given her last time.

She had kept that dress in her car, and after getting a grease stain on her clothes while buying breakfast in the morning, she had to change into it, coincidentally running into him at the shop.

Especially after Celia mentioned that morning that the dress was a limited edition from the D brand.

Thinking about it, Holly felt even more embarrassed. She remembered the brooch she had bought last time at the mall and looked up at him.

"President Sinclair, do you have time this evening?"

"I can make some."

Blake Sinclair crossed his legs, leaning slightly in Holly’s direction.

Holly didn’t quite understand the meaning of ’I can make some,’ taken aback by his ambiguous attitude.

"...Last time we agreed I’d treat you to dinner..."

"Sure."

This time, he responded quickly, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

"Then maybe we can invite Second Young Master Irving, he..."

"He’s busy."

The response was firm and decisive.

"He has something going on later."

Just as the words were said, Shane Yates came out holding a bag, "Second Master Sinclair, that Lancaster kid called just now, asking us to go to..."

The rest of the sentence was swallowed in the middle of Blake Sinclair’s piercing gaze.

The three of them exchanged glances.

Shane Yates’ eyes darted back and forth between the two, realization dawning on him!

He cleared his throat twice, ready to speak, when Holly’s phone suddenly started ringing.

"Sorry, I need to take a call," Holly smiled apologetically, answering the phone and heading to the back.

Blake Sinclair’s gaze followed her as she left, his fingers unconsciously clenching on his knee.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the male voice on the phone just now sounded like Zion Pence.

Shane Yates leaned in, lowering his voice, "Jealous?"

"Mind your own business."

Holly noticed it was an unfamiliar number when she answered, not expecting it to be Zion Pence on the line.

She was initially about to hang up, but his words made her pause.

Zion Pence’s voice was deliberately composed, "Holly, I can agree to canceling the engagement, but I have some conditions."

Holly chuckled coldly, "Conditions? Do I need to remind you that canceling the engagement is my notification to you and doesn’t require your input?"

On the other end, Zion Pence’s breathing got heavier, as if he was trying hard to hold something back. After a moment, his voice came through, carrying a feigned tenderness:

"Seven years of relationship; it isn’t as simple as you make it seem. Breaking off just like that? The engagement ring, the wedding venue—all of it needs to be negotiated. Also... Half of the property rights to the marital home are in your name."

Holly paused in silence.

Back then, when Zion Pence had put her name on the marital home, she had paid for all the renovation costs to avoid the Pence family gossiping.

In hindsight, it was laughable.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"Let’s meet tonight to discuss this."

"Tonight?"

Holly instinctively glanced towards the reception area, glimpsing Blake Sinclair’s figure through the gaps in the shelves.

"What’s wrong? Are you busy?"

Holly didn’t answer.

"I have to go on a business trip to Vantria tomorrow, and I’ll be back in a week. If you don’t meet tonight, these things will have to be postponed for a week."

Holly bit her lip.

She wished to sever all ties and entanglements with Zion Pence, but the unresolved matters needed prompt resolution.

"Fine," she conceded, "Text me the address."

"Okay."

"Mhm."

Hanging up the call, Holly released her bitten lip, letting out a deep breath.

As she walked back out, thinking of how to start the conversation, Shane Yates approached, rubbing his nose.

"Boss Crowe, I actually do have something tonight. I planned to meet someone at the racetrack, just forgot, my memory’s been a bit off lately."

He waved his hand casually, "You and Second Master Sinclair should go have dinner, I’ve got plans, don’t worry about inviting me!"

After his comment, Holly felt even more embarrassed, awkwardly tugging at the corners of her mouth, her eyes subconsciously seeking out Blake Sinclair.

"Is there something going on?" Blake Sinclair suddenly asked, his voice deep.

He was staring at her lips, which were bitten red, with faint teeth marks still visible, and frowned slightly.

Holly twisted her fingers, "I’m sorry, President Sinclair, something came up unexpectedly for me tonight, dinner..."

"That’s fine." His reply was still straightforward, "We can reschedule."

Seeing how readily he agreed, Holly felt even more guilty. She felt compelled to explain something but didn’t know where to start, ultimately just thanking him softly.

"Thank you."

She silently vowed that next time she must treat Blake Sinclair to a good meal!

The two agreed to meet next time, with Shane Yates observing in confusion.

Inside the Maybach, the atmosphere was tense.