CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: THE FIRST WOMAN HE BROUGHT HOME

Holly Crowe began to tidy up the dress she had changed out of, while Laurel Sinclair sat across from her, resting her chin on her hands, watching.

"Hey, by the way, are you from Beldon?" Laurel Sinclair asked nonchalantly.

"Yes, I’m from Beldon, but my home is quite remote." Holly Crowe replied without looking up.

Laurel Sinclair handed over a paper bag, teasing, "Ever since Shirley Sinclair heard that you climbed trees to pick Myrica berries when you were a child, she’s been talking about it non-stop at home. I’m getting tired of hearing it."

Holly Crowe took the bag, "It was just a casual remark that Shirley overheard."

"So you really climbed trees as a child?"

Holly Crowe’s ears turned hot, she smiled a little, "I did. When I was little, I lived with my grandma in Port Kallow, where there were plenty of Myrica trees." Holly Crowe folded the dress neatly and placed it in the bag.

"Port Kallow?"

Laurel Sinclair’s fingers paused for a moment, and she appeared thoughtful, "No wonder..."

Holly Crowe looked up in confusion, but her expression returned to normal.

"It’s nothing, just thought we have quite a connection. I also visited Port Kallow once when I was a child."

Holly Crowe was genuinely surprised.

Although Port Kallow is in Beldon, it’s in the suburbs of a small town, almost close to being part of the neighboring province. It’s only in recent years that the live-streaming industry has risen and developed there.

"You’ve been to Port Kallow, Laurel?"

Laurel Sinclair laughed, "Why? What’s so strange about that? We also grew up with the basics of life, why couldn’t we have gone?"

"No, just a little surprised."

"Ah, it’s just the rumors outside are exaggerated. Don’t worry, The Sinclair Family doesn’t favor those twists and turns."

"Our family is very open-minded; just take those so-called family rules as jokes. Only Second Master Sinclair still keeps them. Even though Second Master Sinclair is a bit old-fashioned, he’s a good person. You..."

Holly Crowe felt something was off as she listened further.

This familiar yet unfamiliar matchmaking atmosphere.

"No, Laurel, you’ve misunderstood..."

Laurel Sinclair leaned in a bit, and the faint fragrance of freesia wafted over, "You’re the first opposite sex he brought home."

What kind of Mary Sue dialogue is this from a domineering CEO romance novel?

Holly Crowe’s hand shook, and the bag almost fell.

She hurriedly explained, "You’ve misunderstood, we’re just..."

"Don’t worry, I understand." Laurel Sinclair winked.

Understand what!

Holly Crowe wanted to say more, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Shirley Sinclair’s clear voice came in: "Mom! Crowe! Are you ready?"

"All right, all right." Laurel Sinclair smiled at her and then walked over to open the door.

Blake Sinclair stood at the doorway in a black and white sports outfit, holding a squirming Shirley Sinclair in his arms.

He wore a black baseball cap, the brim pressed low, making his jawline more pronounced. This outfit made him look a bit more youthful than usual.

"Wow!" Shirley Sinclair’s eyes widened, pointing at their clothes, "Crowe and uncle are dressed alike!"

Holly Crowe froze in place.

She finally understood what Laurel Sinclair’s smile meant; their clothes were the same style in different colors!

Blake Sinclair bent down to set Shirley Sinclair down, extending his long arm.

The next second, a cream-colored baseball cap gently landed on her head, and he adjusted it downward.

"The sun is shining outside."

His voice was soft.

Holly Crowe murmured her thanks, "Oh, thank you."

She didn’t look up.

The brim of the hat cast a shadow, conveniently covering her burning ears.

"Mm." Blake Sinclair responded.

Shirley Sinclair was focused on picking Myrica berries, "Crowe, let’s go!"

With that, she eagerly pulled her to run downstairs.

Laurel Sinclair stood in place, watching Blake Sinclair preparing to follow them, and said, "It’s her, right? Just that her personality is a bit different from when she was little."

Blake Sinclair paused and turned to look at her.

Laurel Sinclair said, "She mentioned it herself, her home is in Port Kallow."

Blake Sinclair’s gaze darkened, carrying a hint of warning.

"I didn’t say anything." Laurel Sinclair raised her hands, appearing to distance herself.

She pursed her lips, her tone teasing, "It’s normal to forget things from childhood, right?"

"Don’t bring these up in front of her." Blake Sinclair’s voice turned colder.

Laurel Sinclair tapped the brim of his hat in a disapproving tone, "You go ahead and keep it bottled up, it’ll only make you uncomfortable, you poor thing."

"I know what I’m doing." After saying this, Blake Sinclair turned and went downstairs.

Watching his retreating figure, a complex look flickered in Laurel Sinclair’s eyes.

She walked to the second-floor terrace, watching the three people gathered under The Myrica Tree in the yard, a bit dazed.

Through the shadows of the tree, she seemed to see again the little girl with pigtails.

By the end of June, the weather was already hot, and the sun was harsh and fierce.

Kids got excited quickly and lost interest just as fast.

After picking two baskets of Myrica berries, Shirley Sinclair was worn out, "Uncle, I’m so hot..."

In no time, she was clamoring to go back inside for air conditioning.

Holly Crowe’s back was also soaked with sweat. Not wanting Sinclair to get heatstroke, she quickly took her inside.

After resting inside for a while, they felt much better.

As the sunset was about to fall, Sinclair was still clutching her hand, looking unwilling to let go.

She looked up at her sun-kissed, rosy face and wanted Holly Crowe to stay for dinner.

Holly Crowe politely declined with a smile, glancing at Blake Sinclair.

He smiled wryly, picking up a basket of Myrica berries from the table, "Let’s go, I’ll walk you out."

On the way back.

Holly Crowe cradled the Myrica berries, sitting in the passenger seat.

The sweet fragrance of the Myrica mixed with the air conditioning filled the car.

Holly Crowe picked up a Myrica berry, twirling it half-circle between her fingers, starting to daydream.

"What are you thinking about?"

Blake Sinclair’s voice came over.

Holly Crowe snapped out of it, putting the Myrica berry back in the basket, "Nothing, just thinking these Myrica berries look really fresh."

He chuckled lightly, "Ever since Shirley decided to invite you to pick Myrica berries that day, she’s been reminding the family to take good care of the tree, more precious than her dolls."

Holly Crowe thought of the little girl reaching for the berries and smiled, "Do you pick Myrica berries every year?"

"Yes. Every year around this time, we go. It used to be with family, but this year..."

He didn’t finish, but Holly Crowe understood.

This year, she was there too.

A moment of silence passed.

"That’s quite a coincidence; it also happened to be the right time, a bit later and the Myrica season would be over. You wouldn’t be able to pick fresh ones." Holly Crowe smiled, changing the subject.