CHAPTER 254: CHAPTER 254: AS FAMILIAR AS COMING HOME

In the garden, now planted full of the large expanses of yellow roses that Tanya Sinclair had transplanted, gardeners would regularly maintain them. Vincent Hawthorne had not really managed it much. In fact, during this time, he was in and out in a hurry and didn’t even take a second look.

Now, the roses swayed gracefully at dusk.

’Vincent, if you like tulips, how about we plant the front of our wedding house full of tulips?’

But suddenly, the Tanya who was wholeheartedly about him disappeared.

The love in her eyes faded away, leaving only an endless indifference.

’Vincent Hawthorne, do you know what my favorite flower is? It’s the yellow rose.’

He didn’t know.

In the fifteen years of her breaking into his life and loving him, it seems he never cared about what she liked.

He always thought that those things didn’t matter... His marrying her, that result was what mattered.

"Sir." Aunt Tawny stood behind Vincent Hawthorne, twisting her fingers, a bit uneasy, and directly asked, "Is it that Cindy Lynn again...?"

She had cursed Cindy Lynn under her breath so many times, the word "bitch" almost slipped out, but thankfully Aunt Tawny’s reflexes were quick, and she bit it back.

"Is it that Cindy Lynn has falsely accused me to you again?" Aunt Tawny had been wronged by Cindy Lynn more than once, and she rolled her eyes speechlessly, waiting to see which new false blame would land on her head this time.

Vincent’s voice was low and deep: "Did you meet with the madam today?"

Aunt Tawny naturally knew the sir’s madam referred to Tanya Sinclair.

But seeing the madam wasn’t a crime.

Aunt Tawny simply admitted, "Yes, sir. I had lunch with the madam today. I brought her some daily items and books for Caden, along with Joy’s pillow sachet."

"Because Joy has been feeling sleepy recently, I also found the sachet suspicious. The madam said she would take it to check its components. That’s all, nothing else!"

Aunt Tawny eagerly said, "Sir, I don’t know what Cindy Lynn and the others told you, but you have known Madam for fifteen years, you must have some assessment of her character, right?"

"..."

Vincent silently lit a cigarette, the mist rising between his fingers, his face obscured within the white fog.

After a while, Vincent turned around, looked at Aunt Tawny, and spoke in an authoritative, commanding tone.

"Call Tanya Sinclair, put it on speakerphone, say what I taught you to say, and not a word more!"

...

Tanya Sinclair, as Abby had instructed, dropped her off at the doorstep.

What puzzled Tanya was that Abby attended such an expensive private aristocratic school, but lived in a medium-grade neighborhood.

"Abby, do you live here?"

"Hmm." Abby sat obediently the whole way, with both little hands on her lap, behaving well, "Thank you, Aunt Sinclair, for bringing me back."

"You’re welcome."

Tanya Sinclair got out of the car to help Abby open the car door, and as soon as she picked Abby up, an unfriendly-looking elderly woman rushed up suddenly.

"Coming back so late, making me feed the mosquitoes here!" The old lady rudely reached out and yanked Abby’s arm, showing no trace of tenderness in her actions.

She glanced at Tanya, barely squeezing out a "Thank you for bringing my granddaughter back."

After saying that, she directly dragged Abby forward.

Abby’s small stature and steps caused her to stumble as she was pulled along, almost falling over.

Tanya saw this and hurriedly stepped forward, standing in front of the fierce older woman.

"Abby, is this your grandmother?" She asked Abby to confirm the woman’s identity.

There’s a saying that grandparents have a special bond with grandchildren. She found it hard to imagine any normal grandparent being so rough with a grandchild.

Even someone as ruthless as Wendy Chester was kind and amiable to Joy and Caden.

Abby timidly replied, "Yes, Aunt Sinclair, she is my grandmother..."

The old lady glared at Tanya Sinclair, speaking gruffly, "What? Do you think I’m a kidnapper or something?"

Tanya Sinclair, an outsider after all, couldn’t interfere with other people’s family affairs and could only watch her take Abby away.

Abby turned back, waving her little hand to bid Tanya farewell. She was quickly dragged off by the old lady into the neighborhood, disappearing around the corner.

Caden also got out of the car, feeling uncomfortable watching the scene.

"Abby is really her biological granddaughter? She’s treated worse than a stranger. No wonder Abby is so skinny; they probably don’t let her eat meat at home!"

Caden looked up at Tanya, suggesting naively, "Mom, why don’t we help Abby report this to the police? Maybe she really is a kidnapped child!"

Although Tanya also felt that the old lady’s attitude towards Abby was terrible, rationally analyzing, Caden’s theory didn’t hold water.

"Who sends a kidnapped child to an aristocratic school?" she said gently, "And if we can’t completely help Abby solve her problems, interfering rashly will only bring more trouble to Abby."

Caden knew his mom was right, but he could only cast a sympathetic glance in the direction where Abby had left as he followed Tanya back to the car.

Shortly after getting in the car, Tanya received a call from Aunt Tawny.

She thought it might be about Joy and immediately answered with urgency, "Aunt Tawny, what’s wrong? Is Joy feeling unwell?"

Ian Sullivan had already updated her on Joy’s examination results, and there were no significant issues.

Could something else have happened?

Tanya grew anxious, pulling over to concentrate on listening to the call.

On the other end of the line, Vincent sat in a chair, with Aunt Tawny’s phone on speaker in front of him.

Tanya’s frantic, anxious voice was crystal clear to him.

He gestured to Aunt Tawny to continue.

Though exasperated, Aunt Tawny followed Vincent’s coaching in performing the act.

"Ms. Sinclair, what you asked me to do seems to have been discovered by Mr. Hawthorne. What should we do now?"

Realizing that it wasn’t about Joy, Tanya noticeably relaxed. On hearing Aunt Tawny mention Vincent, Tanya grew colder.

She didn’t want to speak ill of his father in front of Caden, so she left the car and walked a few meters away.

At this distance, Caden wouldn’t hear, so Tanya coldly said, "Then just tell Vincent the truth, that I asked you to take Joy’s calming sachet for examination. He can’t even properly look after his own daughter nearby, he should be the one worried about what to do, not you, Aunt Tawny! If he wants to fire you, well then, you can come and work directly for me."

Vincent: "..."

Aunt Tawny straightened her back, gave Mr. Hawthorne a sideways glance, and continued, "By the way, Ms. Sinclair, the video of our meeting at noon was taken by Yvonne Hawthorne. She showed it to Mr. Hawthorne and Cindy Lynn; they’re probably going to badmouth you again in front of Mr. Hawthorne."

Tanya barely cared, even letting out a mocking laugh.

"What can they say? That I bribed you to do shady stuff together? Hah, Vincent, that soft-eared, judgment-blind fool, whether he believes me or not, I don’t care in the least. I’ve already sent the components of Joy’s sachet to my senior brother for testing. If any harmful elements for Joy are found inside, I won’t let Cindy Lynn off the hook!"

Vincent, after being scolded twice: "..."

Meanwhile, Aunt Tawny was practically cheering for Tanya Sinclair in her heart!

It was truly satisfying. She too wanted to brazenly scold Mr. Hawthorne like this once!

Alas, as a not-yet-resigned worker, she dared not be so brazen.

Aunt Tawny hung up the phone, turning to Vincent Hawthorne, "Sir, do you now know who to believe?"

...

Tanya Sinclair got back into the car, and Caden anxiously asked, "Mom, is my sister okay?"

He had messaged Joy, but she hadn’t replied.

"Yes, your sister’s fine, don’t worry." Tanya smiled, reassuring him.

Hearing this, Caden finally relaxed.

The car soon reached the apartment garage, and Tanya led Caden to the elevator to go upstairs.

As they exited the elevator and turned the corner, Declan Pierce’s tall and lean figure came into view, standing at her apartment door.

The sleek black coat made the man’s features even more defined and remarkably handsome, standing there like a live fashion billboard.

The only thing breaking the mood was the bag of groceries he carried, with a few green onions poking out from the top of the bag.

Instantly, Declan seemed far more down-to-earth.

"Back?" He nodded slightly at Tanya Sinclair, walking over naturally and reached out to take Caden’s school bag from her hand.

Tanya Sinclair: "?"

Before she could react, Declan continued naturally, indicating the door lock with his chin, and leisurely uttered two words: "Open the door."

The familiarity in his tone was as if he was returning to his own home...