CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: THE SECOND TIME

Cindy Lynn was facing the camera, her face clearly captured. Luckily, only a third of her profile was shot, and since she was smiling, it made her less recognizable.

But that’s only to outsiders.

In reality, anyone who knows Vincent Hawthorne would immediately recognize that the man in the photo is him!

Scrolling further down, all the comments were full of blessings.

Vincent Hawthorne’s eyes turned a bit cold.

He made a call to Jonah Rivers: "Get rid of the trending topic online by tomorrow. She absolutely cannot see it!"

At this critical moment, he needed Tanya Sinclair to be fully committed to his research.

After hanging up, Vincent Hawthorne suppressed his anger and called Cindy Lynn.

This photo was only in Cindy Lynn’s phone, and certainly wouldn’t randomly appear online!

He recalled that day at the aquarium when some staff made contact with Cindy Lynn, and the photo must have leaked then.

The phone rang twice before it was answered.

"Vincent, why are you calling me at this time? Is Joy missing me?" Cindy Lynn’s usual gentle voice came through.

"What’s with the trending topic online?" Vincent Hawthorne frowned and said in a deep voice, "Did you give our photo to the aquarium staff?"

"What photo?" Cindy Lynn’s tone was innocent and confused. She said, "Let me check online."

Vincent Hawthorne patiently waited for her to finish and give him an explanation.

But instead of an explanation, a sudden scream came from Cindy Lynn’s end.

"Ah!"

"Cindy?" Vincent Hawthorne immediately became tense, sensing something wrong, he called out twice more, "Cindy? Speak, what’s wrong?"

Still no response.

At this moment, Tanya Sinclair, who had forgotten her eye cream, returned to pause at the room’s entrance and clearly heard Vincent’s anxious and worried voice.

Her hand, ready to push the door, froze mid-air, and finally, she quietly turned and went back to the study.

She just sat down and opened her computer when a message from Vincent Hawthorne popped up on her phone beside her.

Vincent Hawthorne: [Something urgent came up with Cody Crawford. I need to handle it. You should rest early and don’t wait for me.]

From the garage downstairs came the sound of a car starting.

Vincent Hawthorne had already driven off to find Cindy Lynn.

This was the second time.

Vincent Hawthorne, in the middle of the night, dropped everything to go to Cindy Lynn...

And she had been awake for less than a month.

Tanya Sinclair pulled her lips into a sarcastic smile, too lazy to reply, emotionlessly deleting the whole conversation.

At this moment, Professor Yates’ video invitation popped up on her computer desktop.

Tanya Sinclair composed herself and clicked in.

"Professor Yates, long time no see."

Professor Yates was Tanya Sinclair’s advisor during her research project for the national competition at Northwood University.

Though not as prolific as Professor Truman, a giant in the medical field, Professor Yates was also a leading expert in neurology.

Coincidentally, Tanya Sinclair discovered a neuroscience-related issue after sorting through things in the morning. Her first thought was of Professor Yates.

So, she asked Serena Holloway to help contact Professor Yates’ assistant to arrange a meeting to discuss it.

Tanya Sinclair knew Professor Yates was busy with several research projects and had prepared to wait a few days. Unexpectedly, upon hearing it was Tanya seeking her help, Professor Yates immediately agreed and even set aside an hour before bed for her.

The two of them got straight to the point, talked for over half an hour, and with Professor Yates’ guidance, Tanya Sinclair quickly came up with a solution.

"Thank you so much, Professor Yates. Once I’m done with this hectic period, I’ll treat you to a meal, whenever you’re free."

Professor Yates was evidently quite fond of her.

"For you, I’ll make time even if I have none," Professor Yates said holding her glasses, hesitating before continuing, "Tanya, have you heard that Old Master Truman was rehired by the university recently? If you have the time, you should go see him."

"..."

Talking about Professor Truman, Tanya Sinclair instantly fell silent.

After a long pause, her eyes dropped, guilt-ridden, she said, "I think Professor Truman probably never wants to see me again in this life, and I’m too ashamed to see him."

Professor Yates sighed helplessly.

Back then, she admired Tanya Sinclair greatly, even wanted to have her under her wing. But as soon as Old Master Truman heard someone was trying to take his student, he blocked her office door with a stool the very next morning.

Upon seeing her, the first thing that old rascal said was, ’Professor Yates, I see you as a woman of good character, let me give you a hand, let’s have a go at each other!’

Professor Yates was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. In the end, she promised never to poach Tanya Sinclair again, even wrote a pledge. Only then did Old Master Truman take his small stool and huff off.

Later, Professor Yates secretly kept in touch with Tanya Sinclair, appreciating her talent and genuinely liking the kid.

Of course, occasionally she’d also secretly speak ill of Professor Truman.

But she had never imagined that later on, Tanya Sinclair would resolutely abandon everything and run off to get married... In those days, Old Master Truman seemed to age at least five years.

"Tanya, you were Old Master Truman’s most cherished and proud student. He once saw you as his successor. I know you’re a child who values relationships, and you see him as both mentor and father. But I have to remind you, Old Master Truman is already sixty. He doesn’t have many more seven years to spare."

"..."

Tanya Sinclair shuddered violently, recalling seeing Old Master Truman with white hair at the university gate that day, nearly bringing her to tears.

It had been seven years since the two of them, as mentor and student, became strangers...

"I understand, Professor Yates. Don’t worry. I’ll find an opportunity to apologize to Professor Truman. I was at fault, and whatever punishment he thinks fit, as long as he forgives and acknowledges me as his student."

Professor Yates nodded with satisfaction, "If I could see the two of you reconcile, I’d be happy for both of you."

They chatted a bit more, and as it was getting late, Tanya Sinclair didn’t want to disturb Professor Yates’ rest, so she ended the video call.

Tanya Sinclair slept in the study, and the next day when she woke up, she returned to the master bedroom to change clothes where the bed bore no signs of having been slept in.

Vincent Hawthorne hadn’t returned all night.

Downstairs, Aunt Tawny had already arrived to prepare breakfast.

Tanya Sinclair went downstairs and said to Aunt Tawny, "No need to prepare Mr. Hawthorne’s portion. He had work issues last night and went to work overtime."

"Alright, Ma’am," Aunt Tawny accepted without suspicion, then asked, "Ma’am, should I make something for him to take to the company?"

Tanya Sinclair responded lightly, "No need. He won’t miss breakfast."

Cindy Lynn would surely prepare something sumptuous.

Joy and Caden had a designated driver to pick them up if Vincent Hawthorne was unavailable. The driver would handle it.

Having just finished breakfast, the driver arrived.

Tanya Sinclair got in the car, sent the two kids to school first, then asked the driver to detour and drop her at her company.

Because of this, when she arrived downstairs at the office, she was already three minutes late.

As Tanya Sinclair hurried inside, she got into the elevator and received a call from Serena Holloway.

"Boss, where are you?"

"I’m in the elevator," Tanya Sinclair noted Serena Holloway’s unusual tone and frowned slightly, "What’s wrong?"