CHAPTER 240: CHAPTER 240: ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ME?

Cindy Lynn never expected that after all her careful preparations, she would be so humiliated by Preston Truman. She stood in place, clenching her fists tightly.

Preston Truman was already impatient and issued an eviction order: "Ms. Lynn, this is a family dinner, outsiders please leave."

"..." Cindy Lynn struggled to suppress her emotions, forcing a smile, "Then I won’t disturb you any further, Professor Truman, there’s always tomorrow."

Preston Truman ignored her, and Cindy Lynn had no choice but to endure the humiliation and turn to leave.

As she walked towards her private room, she bumped into Theodore Hawthorne, who was coming out eagerly.

"How did it go, Cindy? Did Professor Truman accept your thesis? When can you introduce my uncle to Professor Truman?"

Earlier in the private room, Cindy Lynn had mentioned that the surprise she was going to give them was helping the Hawthorne Family connect with Professor Preston Truman.

At the time, both Vincent Hawthorne and Theodore Hawthorne were skeptical.

After all, Tanya Sinclair was once Professor Truman’s most prized student.

Cindy Lynn, however, was full of confidence.

’That was in the past, Tanya Sinclair is now the person Professor Truman dislikes the most. Moreover, among Professor Truman’s favorite students is Celine Nash, who has a good personal relationship with me. I showed my thesis to her, and it aligns perfectly with Old Master Truman’s current research direction, and she thinks highly of it.’

Vincent Hawthorne was aware of the frequent contacts between Celine Nash and Cindy Lynn.

With Vincent Hawthorne vouching for her, Theodore Hawthorne became more satisfied with Cindy Lynn, his prospective daughter-in-law.

If Cindy Lynn could join Preston Truman’s team, that would be fantastic!

After all, Old Master’s prestige is on par with Professor Carter!

And Preston Truman is even more difficult to deal with than Professor Carter.

He is famously aloof, disdainful of worldly affairs, and has an excellent reputation. If Cindy Lynn could be specially accepted by Old Master Truman, it would greatly aid the future development of the Hawthorne Family and their cooperation with the government!

Cindy Lynn naturally noticed the eagerness in Theodore Hawthorne’s eyes.

She put on a nonchalant smile and said, "Professor Truman was very pleased with my thesis, but his wife suddenly felt unwell, so it’s inconvenient for you to meet her. I’ll arrange another time for you."

Although a bit disappointed at Cindy Lynn’s words, Theodore Hawthorne had to let it go.

After all, Preston Truman and his wife’s deep relationship is well known.

"Alright, there’s always tomorrow!"

...

On the other side, Tanya Sinclair had returned Declan Pierce, who was drunk, back to Phoenix Court.

She initially thought this place would have tight security and a large number of servants.

But when she arrived, Tanya Sinclair realized there was no one else around, so quiet that one could hear the chirping of birds in the surrounding mountains.

The door lock required a code.

Declan Pierce, with his eyes closed, recited a string of numbers that sounded like a date, likely a day of significance to him.

Tanya Sinclair didn’t think much of it, helping him inside and laying him on the sofa.

She looked around before finding the kitchen, which looked brand new, with not a trace of homey warmth.

However, the fridge was stocked full, and Tanya Sinclair found a cup to pour some warm water for Declan Pierce.

She searched further to find a first aid kit, which contained fever-reducing medication. Since it was there, it should be something Declan Pierce could take.

She handed the medication over.

But Declan Pierce made no move to take it; he lifted his upper body slightly, lowered his head, and his tongue swept away the medicine from her palm. His tongue inadvertently brushed against the skin of her hand, leaving a trace of moisture, causing a shudder akin to an electric shock to ripple through her entire body.

Tanya Sinclair almost dropped the cup she was holding.

"Declan!"

She realized that whether sober or drunk, Declan Pierce had the same occasional streak of stubbornness.

Yet, the drunken Declan Pierce appeared so innocent and pure.

She found it hard to get angry.

Tanya Sinclair sat at the edge of the sofa, whispering, "That medication contains a sedative; you should feel sleepy soon. I’ll stay with you until Janne arrives, then I’ll leave."

Whether Declan Pierce listened was unclear; he rested an arm across his forehead, eyes closed.

After waiting a while, she assumed he had fallen asleep and picked up a nearby thin blanket to drape over him.

Just as she was about to get up and withdraw her hand, Declan grabbed it.

"Don’t go..." His voice was hoarse, and although not fully awake, he was surprisingly strong.

It wasn’t enough to hurt her, but Tanya Sinclair couldn’t pull away.

She felt a touch of helplessness.

Declan Pierce was genuinely clingy when drunk.

"Alright, I won’t leave." She coaxed gently, and only then did Declan relax a bit, though he still hadn’t let go of her.

Tanya Sinclair had no choice but to sit back down.

The grand and empty living room was so quiet that Tanya Sinclair could almost hear her own breathing and Declan Pierce’s.

It seemed like she had never observed Declan Pierce this closely while he was quietly asleep.

When he was asleep, his features relaxed, losing the sharp oppressiveness he had when awake, and instead exuding an innocence and cleanliness.

"Declan, over those five years... just how much did you do for me?" Tanya Sinclair still found it unbelievable. As far as she was concerned, her interactions with Declan Pierce were only limited to their college years; she always thought he disliked her greatly.

Later, she nearly went out of her way to avoid him.

If she added it all up, the time they spent together might not even amount to a full month.

For him to be so kind to her, citing his college affection seemed far-fetched.

She didn’t believe that a vague affection could sustain someone through years without any response, accomplishing what he did for her to this extent...

"What do you want?" Tanya Sinclair expressed genuine confusion, "Declan, with all you’ve done for me, how can I possibly repay you?"

She truly couldn’t understand him.

A strand of his hair lay across his brow, and Tanya Sinclair couldn’t resist reaching over to brush it aside. Just as she was about to pull back her hand, her eyes froze.

Due to his position, the cuff of Declan’s shirt was pushed up, revealing a part of his well-defined forearm. Tanya Sinclair noticed an unnatural bruise on the inside of his arm where the veins were.

With years of medical experience, Tanya Sinclair immediately assessed that it didn’t resemble a bruise from a bump but more like one left by a large syringe...

How could Declan Pierce have such a mark?

Tanya Sinclair frowned slightly, feeling a sense of foreboding.

She leaned in closer, intending to examine it further, but the grip on her wrist tightened simultaneously.

Instinctively, Tanya Sinclair looked down to see Declan Pierce, who had silently opened his eyes at some point, his dark gaze like splattered ink ready to swallow her whole.

Now too concerned to feel embarrassed, Tanya Sinclair asked, "Declan, how did you get that bruise on your arm?"

Declan looked at her serious and worried little face, suddenly smiled, and his dark eyes narrowed slightly.

"Are you worried about me?"

Tanya Sinclair: "..."

Is that the point?

"Declan, I’m not joking with you..." she began.

Just then, the door was opened from the outside.

Janne Hayes walked in and saw the scene before her — Ms. Sinclair pressing down on the family’s President Pierce on the sofa, one hand still clutching his collar.

And President Pierce looked utterly at her mercy, seemingly enjoying it entirely...