CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: YOU GOTTA PUT EFFORT INTO MANAGING A MAN

On the other side, Tanya Sinclair felt a sense of ease and comfort.

No more pretending, revealing one’s true self felt surprisingly good.

However, it was not yet time for her to completely break ties with the Hawthorne Family.

Divorce was easy, but what she could gain post-divorce was the most important thing.

She wanted custody of the two children more than anything... but in her current condition, fighting Vincent Hawthorne for it was like a fool’s errand.

Tanya composed herself as she approached Serenity Court where Old Lady Hawthorne lived.

A figure had just stepped out of Serenity Court, and upon seeing Tanya Sinclair, rushed over with surprise and delight.

"Madam! Oh dear, you’re finally awake!"

Tanya Sinclair naturally recognized her and smiled, calling out, "Aunt Flora."

Aunt Flora was an old servant by the side of the old lady, having served her for twenty years.

It was only then Aunt Flora noticed her unfocused eyes and blind cane, becoming anxious, "Your eyes..."

"It’s nothing, the doctor said it would naturally recover after a while."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Flora relaxed and happily guided her inside, warning her to be careful of the steps.

"Old lady, look who’s here!" Aunt Flora announced loudly and energetically.

While Tanya Sinclair held her hand, she checked Aunt Flora’s pulse, finding it steady and strong, healthier than most young people.

Inside the room, the old lady lay on a chaise lounge resting with her eyes closed, her hand fiddling with Buddha Beads, not bothering to open her eyes upon hearing Aunt Flora enter.

"What’s all the noise? Is it Vincent bringing Caden and Joy here? Flora, leave the children here, and fetch the things that Ms. Lynn delivered last time for Vincent to throw far away!" The old lady frowned in displeasure, "Who does she think she is, putting on airs like the lady of the house and bringing gifts for my birthday, she dares!"

Aunt Flora glanced awkwardly at Tanya Sinclair.

Tanya appeared composed, but she immediately discerned the old lady was referring to Cindy Lynn.

Tanya silently calculated the dates, indeed half a month ago was the old lady’s birthday banquet.

It seemed Vincent Hawthorne had brought Cindy Lynn with him...

Tanya Sinclair thought she could remain indifferent, but the image of Vincent and Cindy arriving together still stung bitterly.

She had loved Vincent Hawthorne for so many years; he had become a thorn embedded in her flesh.

Pulling it out inch by inch, each twist was unbearably painful, leaving bleeding wounds.

"Grandma," Tanya called softly, "it’s me."

The old lady immediately opened her eyes upon hearing Tanya’s voice.

"Tanya!" She was overwhelmed with excitement and hurriedly got up from the chaise lounge.

Guided by Aunt Flora, Tanya took a few steps forward and quietly held the old lady’s withered hand.

Five years had passed, and the old lady appeared much older, more hunched than before.

She touched Tanya’s pale, gaunt face, tears uncontrollably streaming down, "Just now, Silas came to see me, and when he mentioned you waking, I thought he was talking nonsense again. But it’s true... Thank the Buddha, thank the Buddha for your protection!"

The old lady, who had prayed devoutly for years, clasped her hands in gratitude to the heavens.

Aunt Flora also wiped her eyes beside them, "Madam, you were in a coma for five years, and often the old lady would pray and read scriptures for you. It’s truly a blessing."

Tanya Sinclair saw the corner stacked with a small mountain of scriptures and felt a wave of sadness, her eyes reddening.

"Thank you, Grandma."

She bent down to tightly hug the old lady, feeling a warmth long missed.

Collected and composed, Tanya Sinclair did not forget her purpose.

"Grandma, I heard your headaches have returned recently? Is the pain severe? Let me check your pulse and give you some acupuncture."

Aunt Flora was worried, "Madam, your eyes aren’t well, can you perform acupuncture?"

Tanya was confident, "I can, I’ve treated my leg with acupuncture before, it’s no issue."

Even if her sight was impaired, finding points and applying needles was no problem for her.

With Tanya’s assurance, Aunt Flora went to fetch the acupuncture kit, having seen Tanya’s medical skills before.

The old lady held Tanya’s hand, inquiring further about her eyes, and after a detailed explanation, she found relief.

Tanya helped the old lady back to the chaise lounge and concentrated on checking her pulse.

"Tanya..." the old lady looked at her granddaughter-in-law, hesitating for a moment, finally opening up, "I’m afraid you heard what I just said."

The old lady regretted her words bitterly.

Tanya Sinclair was calm, "Grandma, the Ms. Lynn you mentioned is Vincent’s secretary, Cindy Lynn, right? I know her; she used to be my secretary."

The old lady muttered, "Why does a man need a female secretary? And one that’s young and pretty. Vincent has so many assistants and a whole secretary’s office, I think he should replace her! I don’t like looking at that Ms. Lynn, seems docile, but her gaze isn’t straight, charming in a suspicious way."

Tanya couldn’t hold back a laugh.

The old lady still had sharp eyes.

But noticing her weak pulse, Tanya didn’t want her to worry at her venerable age.

Knowing the old lady genuinely cared for her, yet Vincent Hawthorne was her grandson by blood, both close to her heart, Tanya didn’t want her involved.

"Grandma, don’t worry. Vincent and I are fine, nothing serious. During my coma, Vincent was busy working, so Secretary Lynn helped take care of Caden and Joy. Now that I’m awake, there’s no need to trouble Secretary Lynn."

The old lady, instead of relaxing, appeared more worried.

"You silly child," she sighed, distressed, "you’re too naïve and love Vincent too much, trusting him completely. Men, you’ve got to manage them well! With Vincent’s good prospects, many cunning women are waiting to push you aside!"

Tanya kept her gaze lowered, listening with a gentle demeanor, smiling slightly.

An air of serene disinterest.

The old lady shook her head and sighed, disappointed yet caring.

"Such a foolish girl."

The intensity of Tanya’s love for Vincent Hawthorne was evident and even though he was her biological grandson, the old lady sometimes felt Tanya’s devotion wasn’t worth it.

Tanya, this naive girl, loved a man so deeply it made others ache for her.

The old lady knew clearly just how good Tanya was, hence her strong support for the marriage when others in the Hawthorne Family opposed it.

At that moment, Old Lady Hawthorne was beyond satisfied as she gazed at Tanya, her granddaughter-in-law.

With loving eyes, she mused, "Vincent managed to marry you, it’s his fortune over eight lifetimes indeed."

Tanya smiled silently, inwardly thinking: Vincent Hawthorne’s fortune is coming to an end.

After diagnosing, Tanya wrote a prescription for the old lady and instructed Aunt Flora to prepare the medicine the next day.

"Boil six bowls of water to one, grandma drinks it. Twice a day, continue for half a month."

Tanya then performed acupuncture on the old lady.

Just after removing the needles, the butler, Uncle Langdon, came rushing.

With an urgent tone, he insisted, "Madam, please come to the living room now! Ms. Hawthorne urgently needs to see you; everyone is waiting in the living room!"

Tanya’s mind was clear, knowing this urgency concerned the ’stolen’ diamond bracelet.

"Alright, I’m coming."

The old lady wanted to follow, but Tanya stopped her, "Grandma, you just finished acupuncture, avoid the wind. Rest well; I’ll come see you when I’m free in a few days."

With that, she used her cane to feel her way out.

Old Lady Hawthorne sent Aunt Flora a knowing look, and Aunt Flora immediately understood, quietly following behind.