CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 201: TRYING TO GET AWAY WITH ACTING CUTE

Tanya Sinclair was stunned when she arrived at the restaurant.

The porch was covered with roses, and there was an entire wall of vibrant roses nearby.

She pulled out her phone to confirm once again and couldn’t help but rub her forehead.

When her son Caden sent her the location, she only saw the first two words of the restaurant’s name ’July’ and completely missed the suffix; it was a romantic restaurant...

Ranked among the top three dating spots in Aris.

Caden must have also misread when choosing the restaurant.

But since she was already there, it was too late to change locations. Tanya Sinclair had no choice but to go in, give her phone number to the receptionist, and was immediately led to the private room she had reserved.

"Ms. Sinclair, your private room 102 is called ’Devotion’, perfect for two close couples to dine together."

Tanya Sinclair was just about to explain that this was a misunderstanding.

The waiter had already opened the door to the private room, revealing a rose carpet and a long rectangular table by a window with a French touch, with a heart-shaped fountain outside.

The entire private room’s decor was romantic and beautiful, with cupid reliefs on the walls.

Tanya Sinclair: "..."

If it was just her with Caden and his two friends grabbing a meal here, it would be fine, but she had also arranged to meet Odyssey, whose identity she didn’t know, and having the first meal in such a setting was too awkward.

Tanya Sinclair decisively chose to leave the private room.

"Sorry, I won’t be dining in the private room. Can you change it to a spot in the main hall?" Tanya Sinclair said apologetically, "Five people."

Five people?

Bringing an odd number to a date?

The waiter, experienced with such scenarios, smiled and said, "Alright, there’s just one table left in the main hall. However, dining in the main hall means you automatically join tonight’s event." the waiter reminded.

"Alright."

As long as she wasn’t dining under cupid, everything else didn’t matter.

Tanya Sinclair confirmed a spot in the main hall and messaged Caden, telling him about the change in location, so he and his friends could see her directly when they arrived.

Then, Tanya Sinclair sent a message to Odyssey.

The reply came quickly, with just a simple: [Okay].

Tanya Sinclair: [What are you wearing? It’ll make it easier for me to recognize you when you come in.]

Odyssey: [You’ll recognize me when I arrive.]

Tanya Sinclair: "?"

Was he an acquaintance of hers?

Or someone from The Sinclair Family’s past?

As she pondered, suddenly she heard a cheerful, "Mom."

Tanya Sinclair looked up and saw Caden coming in. She immediately put away her phone and waved with a smile.

"Over here, sweetheart."

Behind Caden was a teenager, much taller than Caden, with spiky hair and a headband across his forehead, with distinct features that highlighted his youthful vigor.

At that age, kids usually carry a single-strapped bag and wear an eye-catching pendant around their necks, a silver letter K.

This must be Caden’s teammate, K.

Tanya Sinclair smiled and introduced herself actively, "Hello, you must be K? I’m Caden’s mom."

The teenager, a bit shy, scratched his head, sneaking glances at the kind and beautiful woman before him.

Soon, this might be his little aunt!

"Hello, hello, you can just call me Kaj," Kaj Poole said obediently.

Tanya Sinclair vaguely felt that Kaj looked somewhat familiar, as if he resembled someone she knew...

But she couldn’t recall it immediately.

Tanya Sinclair remembered Caden mentioned bringing two friends, so she looked around, "Caden, weren’t you bringing another friend along?"

Kaj, unable to contain himself, "Oh, my litt... ouch!" Before he could finish saying ’uncle,’ Caden’s little leg gave him a kick under the table.

Tanya Sinclair sharply sensed something odd between the two kids.

She gently squinted her beautiful eyes and leaned towards Caden, "Caden, is there something you’re hiding from mom?"

Caden felt a bit guilty, his little eyes shifting uneasily.

"Mom, you look so pretty today," Caden said coyly, trying to get away with cuteness.

Tanya Sinclair couldn’t help but laugh, gently pinching her son’s cheek, pretending to be stern, "Confess honestly..."

"Tanya!" A man’s familiar, gentle voice.

Tanya Sinclair froze, looked up, and saw Julian Poole approaching.

Today, he looked quite different, wearing a vintage moss-green shirt, crisp white pants, with obviously well-styled hair, the slightly drooping curve in front making him appear more graceful and refined, with a distinguished aura.

Guests at other tables also looked up.

Tanya heard Kaj call out: "Uncle!"

Tanya was surprised: "You’re Julian Poole’s nephew?"

No wonder she felt Kaj looked familiar right away, nephews often look like their uncles!

Tanya watched Julian Poole walking over, and finally realized, he was the extra friend Caden mentioned!

"..." Tanya took a light breath, pulled away the menu Caden was using to cover his face, her clear eyes slightly narrowed, exuding a kind of maternal pressure, "Sweetheart, you better explain to mom later what exactly is going on?"

Caden shrank his neck, pulling out an innocent and cute smile, mimicking Joy’s way of acting spoiled, "Mom~ I’m so hungry. Let’s eat first!"

Tanya: "..."

"Tanya." Julian had already reached her side, watching Tanya’s expression, his eyes slightly dimmed, "Seeing me, does it make you unhappy?"

"That’s not it." Tanya quickly waved her hand, "I just thought tonight was about Caden’s two friends, I didn’t expect to see you, have a seat first."

At that time, the hall was playing melodious romantic music, and the surroundings were mostly couples.

Tanya sat across from Julian, feeling indeed a bit awkward.

Julian thoughtfully asked if they had any dietary restrictions, then called a waiter to order.

Caden rolled his big, bright eyes, continuing to observe in secret.

Thoughtful... hmm, not bad.

He seems to care about mom, dressed up a bit, and he’s actually handsome.

Kaj nudged him and whispered proudly, "How about it? My uncle’s not bad, right?"

Caden reluctantly said, "Passable."

Julian finished ordering and looked across at Tanya, a touch of amazement flashed in his eyes, sincerely praising, "You look beautiful today."

Tanya smiled, "Thank you."

"By the way, I have a small gift for you." Julian took out a delicate small gift box and pushed it in front of Tanya, "Happy divorce."

Just by looking at the packaging, it wasn’t cheap. Tanya intended to politely decline and push the box back, but Julian saw through her intentions. He pressed a hand on the gift box and spoke before Tanya could refuse, "It’s a bracelet I designed myself. It’s not worth much. If you refuse to accept even this, are you despising me?"

His eyes looked a bit hurt.

Having said so much, it would be petty for Tanya to refuse, "Alright, I won’t be polite with you then."

Tanya opened the box, and inside was a Begonia flower bracelet. The main chain was designed as vines, and Begonia flowers in various stages from bud to bloom gently opened on the vine, exquisitely crafted. The petals and vines were golden, with only the center of the flower being a diamond.

"It’s gold plated, and the diamonds are lab-grown." Julian took a sip from his drink, explaining preemptively.

Tanya, half-believing, half-doubting: "Really?"

Julian joked, "Tanya, I’m not that generous. Other than my future Mrs. Poole, I don’t plan on spending a fortune on other women."

He knew Tanya’s character too well. If she knew the bracelet was made with real gold and the most expensive natural South African diamonds, with an eight-figure price, she would definitely not accept it.

Sure enough, hearing Julian say so, Tanya accepted it without any burden.

"Thank you, this gift is beautiful, I really like it. I’ll treat dinner tonight, don’t argue with me over it."

Julian smiled, "Alright."

He looked at Caden, "Caden, I heard from Kaj that you like Go, and I just received two tickets to the International Go Masters Finals. I’m not interested in it, keeping them would be a waste."

With that, Julian handed the two tickets to Caden.

"Caden, you can just go with your mom. Your mom is very good at Go."

Caden: "..."

Alright then, this reason he couldn’t refuse either.

"Thank you, uncle." Caden politely accepted them.

When putting the tickets in his little backpack, he secretly opened his small notebook and added five points in the "thoughtfulness" column on Julian’s evaluation form.

Julian was planning to have the flowers he ordered in advance brought over.

Tanya glanced at her vibrating phone and apparently received some message. She stood up holding her phone, "Sorry, I have another friend coming to dine with us tonight, it’s here, I’ll go get it."

"Friend?" Julian asked calmly, "Is it Ms. Bell whom I met before?"

"No." Tanya left with a word, "Caden, be good and wait for mommy to come back."

Then quickly walked out of the restaurant.

Julian watched Tanya’s beautiful back, frowning, feeling uneasy.

...Friend?

What kind of friend would have her go out personally to receive?

He asked Caden for information, "Caden, do you know who your mom’s friend is? Is it a man or a woman?"

Caden shook his head, "I don’t know either."

No matter who comes tonight, it won’t disrupt his plans!

Julian signaled a waiter over, "Hello, I had a bouquet of roses delivered here earlier, for Ms. Tanya Sinclair, could you please bring them over for me?"