CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER 218: A THORNY CRABAPPLE BLOSSOM, EVEN MORE INTRIGUING

Cindy Lynn had never been humiliated so openly by a man before. She was furious, gritting her teeth, but didn’t dare to truly offend Felix Kendall.

"Mr. Kendall, I think you might have a misunderstanding about me..."

"Is that so?" Felix Kendall remained noncommittal, putting some distance between them. "Since Ms. Lynn has sprained her ankle, you should rest here. I’ll contact Mr. Hawthorne for you, or find a maid to assist you."

He put his hands in his pockets, showing no intention of helping her, "We’re a single man and woman alone for too long, it’s easy to cause misunderstandings."

Saying this, Felix Kendall gave Cindy a polite, distant smile, and then left her there without hesitation.

The moment he turned away, Felix Kendall’s courteous smile vanished.

Vincent Hawthorne might buy it, but he sure wouldn’t.

He had also gone to a military academy directly managed by the Ministry of Defense in college. After graduating, he joined the border forces, honing his skills with live ammunition on the battlefield, earning numerous military accolades. With his own efforts and the support of his influential family, he was a highly promising senior officer.

When it came to women, he was very selective.

He found Cindy Lynn’s affected demeanor to be distasteful.

Felix Kendall walked towards the front hall, where he encountered a servant and casually instructed her to check on Cindy Lynn. After all, today was Old Master Kendall’s birthday banquet, and guests were guests. He wouldn’t ruin the family reputation over a woman he didn’t care for.

Suddenly, Felix Kendall slowed down, his gaze fixed on Tanya Sinclair a short distance away, standing by a pavilion, head slightly lowered as she listened to a phone call.

The sunlight peeked out from behind a cloud, enveloping her in a soft, golden haze, like mist and frost.

Felix Kendall squinted slightly.

Tanya Sinclair was wearing a cheongsam today, a classical, understated blue fabric with elegant flower motifs and subtle frog buttons. The clever design was in the skirt, seemingly ordinary, but full of fabric that swayed like layered petals as she moved.

Step by step, she resembled a lotus blooming.

The phrase popped into Felix Kendall’s mind spontaneously.

Tanya Sinclair truly resembled a stunning western flowering crabapple in full bloom.

Tanya Sinclair had received a call from Zion Monroe. After socializing with a crowd, he realized his sister-in-law was missing and panicked, calling her immediately.

Brother Pierce was returning today!!

Tanya Sinclair started heading back, "I felt it was stuffy inside, so I came out for some fresh air by the artificial lake. I’m heading back now."

Zion Monroe: "Stay right there! I’ll come get you!!"

Tanya Sinclair couldn’t help but laugh. Just as she was about to say it wasn’t necessary, Zion Monroe had already hung up.

She suddenly noticed a shadow cast from behind, falling at her feet.

Turning around, she saw Felix Kendall behind her, who had appeared at some point. Tanya Sinclair instinctively frowned but maintained her politeness, greeting him, "Mr. Kendall."

Felix Kendall stood with his hands behind his back, smiling, "There’s still some time before the banquet starts. If you’re feeling stifled, Ms. Sinclair, I could give you a tour, as the host."

"No need." Tanya Sinclair replied coolly, "I’ve seen enough."

Tanya Sinclair turned to leave, but Felix Kendall, with his long legs, caught up with her in just two steps. "Why do I feel like you’re very resistant to me, Ms. Sinclair? Did I offend you somehow?"

Tanya Sinclair indeed didn’t like Felix Kendall. He gave her an unsettling vibe.

Moreover, she remembered that during that night at The Dissonance, Felix Kendall was one of those in the audience mocking her.

Now that he’s so interested in her, it could only mean one of two things. Firstly, curiosity. Felix certainly knew she was Vincent Hawthorne’s ex-wife, and naturally, he must have heard of her once gloriously devoted history with Vincent. Now, like he’s discovered something novel and entertaining, he’s approaching her.

As for the second point...

Tanya Sinclair wasn’t stupid. The way Felix Kendall looked at her was the way a man looks at a woman, direct and undisguised.

Her appearance probably suited his taste.

"Mr. Kendall is overthinking." Tanya Sinclair just wanted to get away, she responded perfunctorily, trying to bypass Felix Kendall, only to see two figures that disgusted her even more approaching.

They were Rhys Lucas and Vincent Hawthorne.

Rhys Lucas noticed Tanya Sinclair and Felix Kendall from a distance, getting closer as they spoke, though he wasn’t sure what they were talking about.

Rhys Lucas arrived a bit late. As he entered, Tanya was just leaving. He caught a glimpse of her side profile and thought she looked familiar, but didn’t think much of it at the time. After all, how could someone of Tanya Sinclair’s standing attend Old Master Kendall’s birthday banquet?

But now, seeing her here with Felix Kendall, it all made sense.

Rhys Lucas suddenly understood why this woman was here!

He whispered to Vincent Hawthorne beside him, "Last time outside the restaurant, Felix Kendall approached her, and Tanya Sinclair acted all aloof, and now they’re secretly involved."

Vincent Hawthorne pressed his lips together, saying nothing, but his face turned a bit sinister as he stared gloomily at Tanya Sinclair.

The two greeted Felix Kendall first.

Rhys Lucas’s gaze then turned to Tanya Sinclair, scrutinizing her from top to bottom with a sardonic tone, "Ms. Sinclair, after your divorce, you’ve truly reverted to your old self. Dressing like a socialite every day, flitting around different men, aren’t you exhausted?"

In the past, Tanya Sinclair would have wanted to explain herself upon hearing such words, to prove her innocence.

But now, she didn’t bother with such futile efforts.

Tanya Sinclair raised a hand to adjust her hair, chuckling, "I didn’t realize Mr. Lucas cared so much about me. What is it, are you switching your affections from Cindy Lynn to me?"

"You!" Rhys Lucas was so stung he couldn’t maintain his facade, casting a guilty glance at Vincent Hawthorne, he retorted angrily, "Tanya Sinclair, you’re a woman, can’t you show some dignity? What nonsense are you spewing?"

"What’s wrong with being a woman? Does being a woman mean I’m destined to be yelled at, meekly accepting it?" Tanya Sinclair stared coldly at Rhys Lucas, "I am a woman, but I’m not shameless. If you don’t want trouble, stop provoking me."

Felix Kendall couldn’t help but lift the corners of his mouth.

He looked at Tanya Sinclair with more interest.

The flowering crabapple, with thorns, ha... even more intriguing.

Vincent Hawthorne noticed the way Felix Kendall was looking at Tanya Sinclair, feeling a surge of dark displeasure.

Tanya Sinclair had already turned and walked away, not giving him even a glance from start to finish.

Vincent Hawthorne slightly furrowed his brow, curious whether Tanya Sinclair truly came here as Felix Kendall’s date today!

Just as Vincent Hawthorne was about to follow, Felix Kendall subtly blocked his path.

"Mr. Hawthorne." He smiled and reminded, "Your fiancée, Ms. Lynn, twisted her ankle over by the bamboo grove and really needs someone to look after her. You should head over quickly."

But before Vincent Hawthorne could respond, Rhys Lucas reacted more intensely.

"Cindy twisted her ankle?"

Felix Kendall cast him a glance, his gaze meaningful.

Vincent Hawthorne watched Tanya Sinclair’s departing figure, retracted his gaze, thanked Felix Kendall, and headed toward the bamboo grove.

Rhys Lucas felt a bit awkward, "Mr. Kendall, don’t listen to Tanya Sinclair’s nonsense. Cindy Lynn is my junior from college, we’ve always had a good..."

"OK." Felix Kendall had a look of understanding, smiling, "Good brother and sister, I get it."

Rhys Lucas: "..."

Why did it feel like he was being subtly mocked?

He frowned and reminded, "Mr. Kendall, don’t be fooled by Tanya Sinclair’s appearance! She isn’t as pure and innocent as she looks, pretending to be prim while being scheming and skilled in her ways. There’s a constant parade of men around her..."

Felix Kendall interrupted with a hint of sarcasm, "Gossiping about a woman behind her back—is that what your Lucas family upbringing teaches?"

Rhys Lucas’s expression changed slightly, "Mr. Kendall..."

Felix Kendall had no interest in listening further.

"Boss Lucas, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

Rhys Lucas watched Felix Kendall’s retreating figure, feeling a surge of anger.

"What an ungrateful dog!"

Little did he expect that Tanya Sinclair, that woman, had such a knack for dealing with men, even Felix Kendall bought it!