CHAPTER 90: CHAPTER 90: BIRTHDAY SURPRISE?

On the day of Blake Sinclair’s birthday, Holly Crowe devised what she believed to be a perfect birthday surprise plan.

She had reserved a scenic spot at the Riverwatch Pavilion in advance and carefully selected a gift, even planning a mysterious evening arrangement.

Sinclair Group.

Office.

Starting from noon, Blake Sinclair noticed that Cole Tanner was acting strangely, his behavior was nothing short of bizarre.

He would often loiter around the office door under various pretexts, and several times when the door opened, that familiar coat hem could be seen.

Blake Sinclair got up, and just as he stepped out, Cole suddenly appeared from around the corner, looking nervous: "President Sinclair! Where are you going? Let me assist you!"

Blake Sinclair glanced at him blandly.

Cole, realizing his lack of composure, braced himself and tried to amend, "I... I mean, if you need anything, just instruct me. Or, would you like me to make you a cup of coffee?"

Blake Sinclair’s eyes lingered on his face for a few seconds: "To the restroom."

Cole: "..."

Blake Sinclair: "You seem very idle today?"

Cole shrank his neck, hastily shaking his head, "Not at all, I’ll get back to work right away!"

As it got closer to the end of the workday, Cole nearly stationed himself at the elevator, staring unblinkingly at Blake Sinclair’s office door.

When Blake Sinclair pushed the door open, his eyes met Cole’s gaze.

Cole took a big step forward, "President Sinclair! Do you...have any instructions?"

Blake Sinclair didn’t reply, took two steps toward the elevator, causing Cole to nearly turn pale.

But just as he was about to enter the elevator, he turned his head and walked back, "Come in."

Cole understood that he was being called.

He knew his unusual actions must have been noticed by President Sinclair, his mind spun, ready with all kinds of reasoning to face his boss’s interrogation.

However, Blake Sinclair didn’t follow the usual script, his first question caught Cole off guard: "What did Mrs. Sinclair ask you to do?"

Cole was instantly speechless: "How... how did you know?!"

President Sinclair even guessed this?

Blake Sinclair’s lips curved slightly.

Before leaving home in the morning, Holly’s inadvertent probing, those flickering glances and small actions had already completely given her away.

Enduring the constraints of a treaty these few days, it’s not just her having a hard time, he naturally felt uneasy too, but... fishing requires patience, gradually putting bait till the little fish completely lets down its guard.

Since his Holly wanted to play surprise, he was naturally willing to cooperate, and... very much looking forward to it.

He looked at Cole, his gaze as if it could pierce through everything.

Under this powerful stare, Cole’s psychological defenses gradually crumbled, and he immediately confessed: "Mrs. Sinclair only instructed me to make sure you leave the company later, everything else... depends on her signal."

"That’s all?"

"Absolutely true!"

Cole swore, "Originally, I shouldn’t hide this from President Sinclair, but you said before, Mrs. Sinclair’s requests come first....."

He cleverly invoked the "edict."

Blake Sinclair nodded, accepting this explanation.

Cole had just let out half a breath of relief when he heard him change the subject: "When did you add Mrs. Sinclair on WeChat?"

Cole: "....????"

Blake Sinclair: "Does she trust you a lot? Are you two close?"

Cole: "...."

His tone was calm, but the jealousy within it was hard to ignore.

Cole internally lamented.

Seriously, Boss! You’re even jealous of this?

Just then, the lifesaving phone ringtone sounded; it was a call from Holly.

Cole saw the savior, hurriedly handing the phone over: "It’s Mrs. Sinclair."

Blake Sinclair lifted his chin, indicating him to answer.

Cole quickly complied, answering the call, putting it on speaker, speaking respectfully: "Mrs. Sinclair?"

Holly’s voice came through the speaker:

"Special Assistant Tate, I’m about to arrive downstairs! But just now, when crossing the street, I saw there were no parking spaces in front of the main door, so I have to circle to the side door to park. You absolutely must keep Blake Sinclair from coming down! Wait for my signal!"

Cole glanced at the boss, gritting his teeth and replying: "Al... alright."

Holly: "Goodbye! Wait for my signal! Over!"

Cole: "...Over."

After hanging up, he looked up to see Blake Sinclair’s slightly upturned lips, clearly in an excellent mood, but as he looked over, that smile was quickly suppressed, returning to his usual cool demeanor.

He asked: "Whose car is at the entrance?"

Cole Tanner immediately understood: "I’ll handle it right away!"

He rushed out like a gust of wind and returned just as swiftly.

Breathless, Cole Tanner reported, "President Sinclair, it’s sorted! The row of parking spaces at the main entrance has been cleared, and Mrs. Sinclair can park at any time."

Blake Sinclair responded with a satisfied "Hmm."

Shortly thereafter, Holly’s phone call came through.

"Special Assistant Tate! Suddenly, there’s a lot of parking spaces available at the entrance, and I’ve parked already! By the way, what time are you guys getting off work?"

Cole Tanner glanced at Blake Sinclair and, receiving a directive from his gaze, promptly replied, "We... are wrapping up work soon!"

Holly, unsuspecting, said: "Alright! Then I’ll wait for him downstairs! Once most of them have left, bring Blake Sinclair down!"

After the call ended, Cole Tanner quickly spread the news.

Thus, all employees of Sinclair Group unexpectedly received an early off-work perk.

Downstairs at Sinclair Group.

Holly sat in her car, watching employees gradually emerge from the building.

There was an unmistakable cheerfulness on their faces, a stark contrast to the fatigue of the daytime grind.

Holly sighed, "Same world, same working folks."

After a few minutes, nearly all employees had left, and that familiar figure finally appeared at the entrance.

Blake Sinclair was sporting a new suit, different from the dark gray one he wore when leaving in the morning. Now he was dressed in a more distinguished-looking ink blue.

Moreover, pinned to the lapel of his suit was the brooch she had given him last time.

She was contemplating how to approach, but saw him suddenly stop and turn his gaze to the other side.

The chance had come!

Holly quickly picked up the purple German iris from the passenger seat and stealthily moved around from the other side of the flower bed to behind him.

Holding her breath, she tapped his shoulder.

As he turned, she bounced right in front of him, "Hey! Blake Sinclair, happy birthday!"

He was indeed startled, with wide eyes, stepping back two paces as if genuinely shocked.

The little person in Holly’s heart proudly put their hands on their hips.

Perfect! His reaction was exactly as expected!

"You didn’t guess I would come, did you?" she tilted her chin, with a touch of proud affection and expectation.

"No, didn’t anticipate it." Blake Sinclair accepted the flowers from her hand, but his gaze never strayed from her face, "This birthday gift is truly surprising."

Holly scrutinized his expression and deliberately asked, "Really? But, I feel like your surprise, President Sinclair, is kinda... ordinary?"

Blake Sinclair’s eyes twinkled briefly with a flash of humor before he shifted to a serious demeanor.

He leaned forward slightly, moving closer to her.

With familiar fragrance nearing, Holly assumed he might kiss her and was already ready to close her eyes.

But he merely chuckled: "I’m deeply touched, beyond words."

Holly felt tickled by his breath at her ear, "Alright then."

She gently touched the brooch, inspecting him: "Why the sudden change of clothes? And the deliberate wearing of this? Mr. Sinclair, did you get wind of anything beforehand?"

Blake Sinclair looked at her mischievous fingers, his expression unmoved, "Cole Tanner accidentally spilled coffee on my clothes, so I had no choice but to change."

Holly remembered how today was entirely covered up thanks to Cole Tanner’s help and rushed to speak up for the credited helper: "Special Assistant Tate probably slipped accidentally; it surely wasn’t on purpose. You didn’t make him suffer, did you?"

Blake Sinclair glanced up in a certain direction before withdrawing his gaze.

He slowly began, "Looks like Mrs. Sinclair is very concerned about other men? When did you two become so familiar?"

Holly’s heart skipped a beat, and she nervously touched her nose, her eyes wandering: "No! Absolutely not! I just asked casually!"

She quickly took his arm, awkwardly diverting the topic, "Come on, let’s get in the car! The birthday surprise I prepared for you is just getting started!"

Blake Sinclair let her lead him, looking at her reddened ear tips and little movements with a smile in his eyes.

Of course, he’d cooperate with all her surprises.

Because the biggest surprise is her herself.

Once in the car, Holly fastened her seatbelt and asked, "Does your company get off work this early?"

Blake Sinclair’s tone was natural: "Yes, today we’re celebrating the boss’s birthday, so we finished early."

Holly burst into laughter: "Wow, do your employees wish for you to have a birthday every day?"

Blake Sinclair raised an eyebrow, "Well, you might have to deliver flowers daily then."

He turned his head to look at her, his gaze tender: "Where are you planning to take me, Mrs. Sinclair?"

Holly proudly lifted her face: "Mr. Sinclair, tonight you can leave yourself to me assuredly! It’s a secret itinerary!"

Blake Sinclair: "As you command!"

The car stopped at Riverwatch Pavilion’s entrance. Holly, full of ceremony, ran to the passenger side to open the door for him, "Right this way, birthday star!"