CHAPTER 229: CHAPTER 229: IT’S DECLAN PIERCE’S CAR!

On the other side, when Vincent Hawthorne arrived at The Cloudside Restaurant, Tanya Sinclair hadn’t yet arrived.

She wasn’t late; he was fifteen minutes early.

He sat at the window seat where they often sat before.

Neon lights began to flicker as night fell. He watched the myriad passersby outside the window, many of whom were college couples, laughing and talking closely as they walked by.

It seemed to be the first time he arrived early, waiting for Tanya.

In those years, it was always her waiting for him...

"Mr. Hawthorne!" The shop owner came over, surprised to see Vincent Hawthorne here.

She was a chubby middle-aged woman, her smile very warm.

The restaurant wasn’t inexpensive, but its atmosphere was excellent, and it had several dishes that suited Vincent Hawthorne’s tastes perfectly. Whenever he had time, he would come here to eat.

He was a regular, combined with his outstanding appearance, so the owner had a deep impression of him.

"Mr. Hawthorne, are you and Ms. Sinclair married now?" the owner asked with a cheerful smile.

Vincent Hawthorne: "Yes... we got married right after graduating."

He omitted the fact that they were divorced.

"That’s wonderful. We still have photos of you from back then!" The owner, full of envy, pointed to the nearby wall of couple photos. Vincent Hawthorne paused slightly, got up, and walked over.

His photo with Tanya Sinclair was pasted there. Back then, though both carried a bit of youthful innocence, their appearances were outstanding, making them one of the most handsome couples among the photos.

Vincent Hawthorne remembered it was Christmas of their junior year when there was an event for couples’ photo-taking where they could get a 20% discount.

He didn’t care about saving money, thinking it was embarrassing to take pictures just for that.

But Tanya was unusually adamant, insisting on taking pictures, saying that money should be saved if possible, and they had never taken a proper photo together. Although her voice wasn’t loud, the restaurant was unusually quiet.

As a result, the people around looked over, and Vincent Hawthorne felt extremely embarrassed at that time, genuinely believing Tanya was humiliating him.

In the end, he reluctantly cooperated and took a picture.

His face was a bit sullen, but Tanya smiled happily.

They didn’t finish that meal, as he made an excuse about having something to do and left her behind...

Those years, he was really terrible to her.

"Boss, can I take this photo with me?"

"Sure," the shop owner laughed, "When the person is beside you and you still can’t get enough, you even want to take the photo."

Vincent Hawthorne didn’t explain, just smiled slightly and tucked the photo into the wallet compartment.

He returned to his seat, seeing it was just about time, he planned to order first.

But scanning the menu, he discovered several dishes he used to frequently order were gone.

"Boss, has the menu changed? Where are the dishes I used to like?"

"Oh, you still don’t know?" The owner seemed surprised, "Those dishes weren’t made with the store’s ingredients. They were stocked in our kitchen in advance by Ms. Sinclair, and she even wrote out the recipes, paid us processing fees, saying if you came to eat, we’d make them for you. She said your stomach was unwell and needed careful care, and it was special medicinal cuisine for you, so we didn’t dare serve them to other customers, fearing something might go wrong."

Vincent Hawthorne was stunned.

"Oh my, those ingredients are medicinal treasures, really good stuff!" The shop owner marveled, "Back then, Ms. Sinclair was afraid you’d think she was too clingy and invasive, so she told us not to tell you."

The shop owner smiled warmly, "Mr. Hawthorne, you really are blessed!"

"..." Vincent Hawthorne’s face turned slightly pale, his Adam’s apple gently moved, wanting to speak but unable to make a sound for a moment. After a few seconds, he tugged at the corner of his lips and nodded, saying, "Yes, I’m really blessed."

The love Tanya Sinclair had for him in those years was so open-handed.

Yet he was the one unappreciative, thinking she was embarrassing him...

"Let’s wait to order until my wife arrives."

"Alright." The owner had just turned around when Tanya Sinclair pushed the door open and came in.

The two made eye contact.

Tanya smiled, "Boss, long time no see."

"Ms. Sinclair... no wait, I should call you Mrs. Hawthorne now," the owner teased.

Tanya smiled and corrected, "Just call me Ms. Sinclair, Vincent and I divorced not long ago."

"Di-divorced?" The owner was taken aback, looking back at Vincent Hawthorne who had already stood up, a bit speechless.

Why lie like that?

But being a business owner, she couldn’t quibble with customers.

She asked them to place their orders again.

Vincent Hawthorne handed the menu to Tanya, she ordered a single set meal and then slid the menu back.

She held her cup, sipping lemon water, looking out the window with detached brows, her profile cold as if facing only a casual acquaintance.

Vincent quickly finished ordering.

When the owner left, Vincent looked across at Tanya, his lips lightly pressed together, genuinely showing a hint of regret.

"Today at The Kendall Family’s home, I didn’t stand up to help you for reasons beyond my control. Earlier when you privately dealt with Silas Hawthorne, it made my position within the group awkward. I couldn’t..."

He was still making excuses, still attributing his weakness to her!

"You don’t need to explain," Tanya was nauseated by what she heard, "I have no expectations of you. Vincent Hawthorne, just be straightforward, maybe I’d respect you more."

Vincent’s face turned slightly green from the rebuke.

Tanya didn’t bother with empty words, directly speaking to the point, "I’m set on getting Caden’s custody, as for Joy..."

Thinking of her daughter, Tanya felt a sharp pang in her heart.

She wasn’t confident if Joy wished to stay with her.

If Cindy Lynn were just some homewrecker who could genuinely care for Joy, she might let it go.

But Cindy Lynn happened to be Sean Lynn and Shelly Sullivan’s daughter, if Joy insisted on staying with Cindy, then no matter how it hurt, she’d have to let go of her daughter...

"I can give up the custody claim for Caden. I have only one condition, before Caden becomes an adult, he must stick to the education plan The Hawthorne Family mapped out for him, advancing from international schools all the way to one of the top three universities in the world. That path is incredibly beneficial for Caden."

"Considering Caden’s excellence, I believe he can inherit Zenith Group in the future, which is the right my son deserves! Whether he wants to or not will depend on his own decision after reaching adulthood. Of course, he can live with you, but you cannot deny me visitation rights."

He looked directly into Tanya’s eyes, "Caden is my son too, I don’t want to miss his childhood. You should know how important a father’s presence is to a child, right?"

Tanya: "..."

Vincent’s words almost poked at her sore spot, she knew this more than anyone!

Vincent saw Tanya’s guarded eyes soften a bit, knowing she agreed with his proposal.

He smiled slightly.

Tanya looked at Vincent, asking, "When are you planning to marry Cindy Lynn?"

Vincent didn’t expect this question and paused for a moment, then picked up the cup and drank some water before saying, "Not yet decided."

"Any plans within the next three months?" Tanya pressed further.

Vincent: "...Are you hoping I marry her or not?"

Tanya felt nauseous at the question.

She frowned slightly, making things clear, "Before marrying Cindy Lynn, don’t prevent me from spending time with Joy. Every weekend, I’ll come for her."

She wanted to try one last time.

If by the time Cindy Lynn and Vincent married, Joy still chose Cindy, she’d accept!

"Okay."

Vincent agreed.

After the discussion, the meals arrived just in time, Tanya stood up, addressing the waiter, "Could you please pack my set meal? I’ll take it with me."

Vincent found it hard to believe, "You won’t even share a meal with me now?"

"Yes." Tanya admitted without a hint of hesitation.

Quickly, the food was packaged and she carried it, heading out.

Vincent held back, suddenly standing up and chasing after her.

Just as Tanya was stepping out, he rushed to grab her arm from behind.

"Tanya..."

Tanya was about to jerk away in disgust when suddenly, two cold beams of car lights pierced through.

Tanya instinctively raised a hand to block the dazzling light, and through her fingers, she saw the license plate clearly, momentarily taken aback.

—It was Declan Pierce’s car!