CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 67: HER GRANDDAUGHTER-IN-LAW, WHOM SHE WILL PERSONALLY PROTECT!

Joy jumped down from her grandma’s lap and bounced towards Vincent Hawthorne, who came in behind Tanya Sinclair.

"Daddy, we need to take a family photo. The teacher said so."

"Alright, let’s take one then." Vincent held Joy who was about to walk away, took a glance at Tanya a few steps away, "Go invite your mom to join us."

A family photo naturally requires everyone to be present.

Joy was rather unwilling, but facing Vincent’s insistent gaze, she pouted, still walked over to Tanya.

"Daddy said, you should join too," she mumbled reluctantly and ran off without waiting for Tanya’s reaction.

Finally, Butler Langdon brought out the camera to take their photo.

Old Lady Hawthorne naturally sat in the middle, with Caden and Joy on either side of their great-grandmother. Beside them were Father Hawthorne and Mother Hawthorne, Yvonne Hawthorne next to Mother Hawthorne, Tanya Sinclair and Vincent Hawthorne stood in the back, with a bit of space between them.

When Butler Langdon showed the photo to Old Lady Hawthorne, she was displeased, turning to glare at Vincent.

"You two are standing so far apart, there’s room for someone in between. Anyone would think you’re just a plastic couple!" The old lady noticed the off atmosphere between them.

She knew that in their relationship, Vincent Hawthorne always had the upper hand and took the lead.

He must be bullying Tanya again!

Old Lady Hawthorne glared at Vincent, "You impudent boy, aren’t you going to hold your wife!"

Tanya awkwardly was about to refuse, but Vincent’s hand reached over first, wrapping around her waist, pulling her into his embrace with a gentle force.

He didn’t look at her, just gazed helplessly at his grandmother.

"Is this to your satisfaction now, Grandma?"

Old Lady Hawthorne reluctantly nodded, "That’s better. Vincent, you know, a man who loves his wife prospers." Vincent chuckled, "Got it."

Tanya: "..."

Their closeness made her feel she was almost entirely pressed against Vincent’s body, and when the old lady turned to face the camera, she tried to shift away a bit, but as soon as she moved, the hand on her waist tightened abruptly.

Vincent slightly lowered his head, his breath almost brushing against her.

"If you move again, Grandma might insist I kiss you in public to reassure her."

Tanya: "..."

Imagining that scene gave her goosebumps, and she restrained herself rigidly.

Vincent glanced down at the woman in his embrace, his eyes momentarily darkening, concealing a hint of complex emotion.

With this photo, Old Lady Hawthorne was satisfied.

Feeling a bit weary, she decided to return for some rest.

"Grandma, let me walk you back," Tanya offered.

The old lady naturally had no objections. She initially wanted to call Vincent along, but seeing him with Father Hawthorne discussing work, she chose not to interfere.

As Tanya accompanied the old lady out, she noticed Joy pulling Butler Langdon aside for a whispered conversation, but she didn’t pay it much mind.

After a while, Tanya finally spoke up, "Grandma, regarding the company matters, let me handle them. There’s no need for you to worry on my behalf."

Old Lady Hawthorne, wise and perceptive, understood immediately.

"Is that rascal Vincent having you speak for that vixen Cindy Lynn?" she exclaimed angrily, "I think he’s gone mad!"

Making his own wife speak for a cunning vixen!

"It’s not because of him," Tanya explained.

She was being truthful.

She didn’t want the old lady involved in company issues, partly to avoid making her worry too much about her marriage with Vincent; she planned to divorce soon anyhow, and the more she cared now, the more disappointed she’d be later; and partly for Joy’s sake.

Joy was too attached to Cindy Lynn, and if she wanted to draw Joy closer, it had to be a gradual process, not forcing her to cut ties with Cindy immediately.

But Old Lady Hawthorne was clueless about Tanya’s considerations.

In her view, Tanya was blindly and unconditionally compromising out of love for Vincent.

"Oh dear," the old lady sighed in disappointment, feeling heartbroken, she patted Tanya’s hand warmly, "Since you insist, I’ll meddle less in company matters from now on. But you have to be careful of that vixen Cindy Lynn. If Vincent is blinded by her and you suffer in any way, you must tell Grandma! I’ll make sure they pay!"

Tanya smiled, touched, and softly said, "Okay."

The garden where the old lady lived was now close by. With Aunt Flora accompanying her, she let Tanya walk her that far.

"You should head back now. Don’t keep them waiting too long, Caden and Joy have classes tomorrow."

"It’s alright, a few more minutes won’t hurt."

Tanya asked about the old lady’s medication, subtly checking her pulse.

Tanya had a general understanding then.

She instructed Aunt Flora to reduce two herbs to half doses in the previous prescription, and continue giving it to the old lady for another half month.

After these instructions, Tanya finally left.

Watching Tanya walk away, Old Lady Hawthorne’s expression shifted from loving warmth to worry and a hint of anger.

"I’m so furious! That impudent Vincent, how could he protect that vixen like this! My poor darling Tanya, she must be feeling so miserable inside!"

Aunt Flora hurriedly patted the old lady’s back to soothe her, then brought her some tea.

"Flora!" the old lady grabbed her hand, whispering, "You go and thoroughly investigate that Cindy Lynn for me."

She had a persistent feeling that this woman wasn’t as simple as she seemed!

Tanya’s feelings towards Vincent, the old lady had seen them for years, and the marriage was something she had pushed for herself!

She vowed to protect her beloved granddaughter-in-law personally!

...

On the way back, Vincent drove while Tanya sat in the passenger seat.

The two children were in the back seats.

Caden was on a call with a friend from the programming competition, discussing the points Tanya had helped him correct.

"Wow, Caden, I knew you were good, but I didn’t know you were this amazing!" The friend on the line was also a prodigy, but from his voice, he seemed a bit older than Caden, probably in his teens.

Caden glanced secretly at the front where Tanya appeared to be asleep, feeling a bit smug, he softly replied, "A really awesome person taught me!"

"..." Tanya, who seemed to be resting, couldn’t help a slight smile creeping at the corners of her mouth.

Joy was also working on her homework using a tablet.

"Dad, I sent the photo to Ms. Underwood."

"Okay," Vincent responded coolly.

At this moment, his phone screen lit up with a new message. After reading it, Vincent glanced at Tanya, who seemed to be asleep in the passenger seat, and raised the temperature inside the car by two degrees.

When they got to the villa, Tanya ’awoke’ timely, pausing slightly in surprise while unbuckling her seatbelt upon noticing the increased temperature.

Usually, without outsiders to witness, without the need to play the perfect husband, Vincent would not be so considerate.

But she didn’t comment, simply got out of the car.

It was indeed getting late, and the children obediently went to wash up in their rooms.

Tanya returned to the master bedroom, changed into pajamas, and carried her toiletries and skincare products out.

Vincent just finished a call and was coming upstairs, and they bumped into each other. Seeing the things she was carrying, he frowned slightly, about to speak.

Tanya spoke first, "I have a video call with Professor Yates soon, to discuss some issues with the research projects. It’s the only time she’s available to give me an hour. I’ll sleep in the study tonight so I won’t disturb you."

Since it was for work, Vincent had no objections.

More than anyone, he was eager to see Tanya’s research successes.

"Alright, endure it for a few days. Once the project proposal is ready, and we secure further cooperation with Westgard Pharmaceuticals, I’ll arrange for the company to give you a two-day break." With that, he instinctively reached out and touched Tanya’s head.

Tanya wanted to avoid it but was a step slower, so she tolerated it.

As she was about to pass by Vincent, he caught her hand.

Tanya, suppressing her discomfort, gently pulled away from Vincent’s grasp.

"I have to keep my appointment with Professor Yates," she said, her voice gentle but firm.

Vincent moved closer, lowering his voice, "Grandma just told me. She won’t be interfering with the company’s matters anymore."

He leaned in, "If that vixen Cindy Lynn gives you any trouble and you feel wronged, make sure to tell Grandma. She’ll deal with them for you!"

Tanya managed a soft smile. "Alright."

She left first to avoid further conversation.

Vincent stared at her retreating figure for a moment before his expression cooled, and he stepped into his study, pulling out his phone to carefully review the messages Cody Crawford had sent him from the car.

The message was a shocking headline claiming a connection between himself and Cindy Lynn - an unexpected turn of events that needed immediate attention.

He clicked on the link, and there it was, a photo of him with Cindy Lynn prominently displayed as Crestwood University’s "Campus Beauty!"

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