Vincent Hawthorne came downstairs, wearing a casual business outfit that was slightly more relaxed than usual. Except for looking a bit under the weather, he appeared the same as always.
He headed towards the dining room but, before he arrived, he heard Joy’s excited and happy voice. The source of this content ɪs n0velfire.net
"Cindy Mom, it’s so awesome that you could have breakfast with me. I’m so happy today~"
Joy knew how to sweet-talk people, and she was especially sugary towards Cindy Lynn.
Vincent was already used to this. He walked over, pausing slightly.
His gaze fell on Cindy Lynn.
She was sitting in the seat that originally belonged to Tanya.
Actually, over the past five years, Cindy Lynn had always sat in that seat. Until today, Vincent never thought there was anything wrong with it.
But now that Tanya was back...
Remembering Rhys Lucas mentioning over the phone that Tanya had been quite jealous lately, Vincent’s expression grew more serious as he was about to speak. Cindy Lynn happened to look up, and their eyes met. She smiled at him, gently and with care.
"President Hawthorne, is the porridge good? If you like it, I can make it for you again tomorrow."
Vincent: "... It’s good, no need to trouble yourself."
She must have simmered that porridge for a long time. Sending it over so early, she probably got up to prepare it after receiving his call last night.
Looking at Cindy Lynn’s gentle and sweet face, Vincent couldn’t bring himself to say the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Forget it, it’s just a seat. Let it be.
Besides, Tanya isn’t home right now.
Vincent pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Dad, why do you look so pale? Didn’t you sleep well?" Caden, sitting beside him, was the first to notice Vincent’s unusual appearance, looking a bit worried.
The two kids were unaware of Vincent’s stomach issues from the previous night.
In this regard, Vincent and Tanya were in agreement; neither wanted the children to worry.
"Yeah, I’ve just got a lot on my plate at work lately," Vincent brushed it off.
"Oh, then make sure to get some rest," Caden said, glancing back a few times, his small face clearly showing he was hoping to see someone.
Vincent knew exactly what his son was thinking.
"Mom’s gone to work," Vincent calmly informed Caden as he pulled out a chair and sat down.
It was peculiar—Caden was much calmer and more reserved than Joy, yet he accepted Tanya more quickly than Joy did...
"Oh." Caden seemed a bit disappointed upon hearing this. He lowered his head and absentmindedly stirred the mashed potatoes in his bowl with a spoon, insisting, "I wasn’t actually going to ask about her."
Vincent tousled his son’s hair. "Hurry up and eat your breakfast."
Joy also heard their conversation and was actually quite happy.
It was good that that annoying woman had left. Otherwise, with her overbearing attitude and bad temper, she definitely wouldn’t have let Cindy Mom stay to feed her breakfast.
After breakfast, the driver arrived on schedule.
Joy clung to Cindy Lynn, insisting she take her to school, and Vincent had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Cindy Lynn embraced Joy and got into the car first. Caden followed behind Vincent, suddenly tugging at his sleeve.
Caden pursed his small lips and asked, "Is Mom coming back tonight?"
He had sneaked into the study to check before breakfast.
The suitcase was gone...
Vincent missed the implication in Caden’s words, considering that Tanya had to present a proposal at Westgard Pharmaceuticals to Second Young Master Pierce tomorrow, so he casually said, "She might be working late, why?"
"Will she come back tomorrow?" Caden pressed further.
Vincent found it amusing, "If she’s not coming back, where could she go?"
Nobody understood better than he that Tanya had been without a home for a long time.
Her mother died young, her father took all the family assets and ran off with his mistress, and Old Master Sinclair had turned into this state a few years ago... Now, in this world, Tanya only had him to rely on.
If she doesn’t come back, where else could she go?
Hearing his father’s reassurances, Caden relaxed a bit.
Maybe that suitcase contained something else.
As Vincent reached the door, he seemed to remember something and asked Caden to get in the car first, then turned back inside.
Aunt Tawny had stayed in the kitchen during breakfast, angered by Cindy Lynn’s presence, and had just come out from the kitchen.
"Mr. Hawthorne, any instructions?" Her tone was a bit stiff, even towards Vincent.
Vincent didn’t mind, and only said, "Get a couple of people during the day to put the wedding photos back up in the living room and bedroom."
Since she felt insecure, he would give her a sign of reassurance.
Vincent almost imagined how Tanya would be touched to tears when she came home in the evening and saw the wedding photos...
He confidently smiled, gave his instructions to Aunt Tawny, and turned to leave.
Aunt Tawny stood stunned for a while before she reacted.
Mr. Hawthorne is... going to make peace with Madam!
Aunt Tawny was so excited that she hurried to call Old Lady Hawthorne.
"Old Lady, there’s hope for you to have another great-grandchild!"
Tanya sent a message to Odyssey while in the underground garage, inquiring about divorce lawyers before putting her phone on silent.
It was too early, she didn’t expect an immediate response.
Tanya hurried to the first development department.
Passing by the second development department, she caught a glimpse of the man who had accompanied Cindy Lynn into the department last time.
Even though it was just his back, his distinctive presence made Tanya certain it was the same person.
Volunteering so early to work for Cindy Lynn.
Tanya withdrew her gaze, coldly laughing to herself.
Cindy might be just average, but her skills in manipulating men were top-notch.
Tanya returned to the first development department and fully immersed herself in the last finishing touches of her work. The hours flew by as she got lost in the job, and by the time she was done, it was almost lunchtime.
She had already made an appointment with a real estate agent last night to view apartments today at noon. Noting the time, Tanya grabbed her bag and hurried out, pulling out her phone to check WeChat.
Several unread messages from Odyssey popped up in an instant.
Tanya paused for a moment before opening them, only to see profiles of ten or more top divorce lawyers lined up.
Each one a top partner-level attorney.
Even as someone not familiar with the legal field, she recognized a few of the big names.
Odyssey: [Take your time choosing. If one isn’t enough, pick two.]
They really overestimated her wallet, suggesting she pick two more lawyers. None of them were within her budget.
Oh well, considering this was someone who casually arranged for a driver to send her a four-million-dollar luxury car, the other party’s idea of affordable might just be at this level.
She’d better find her own way.
Tanya continued to walk out as she replied to Odyssey.
Tanya: [These lawyers are great, but I can’t afford them.]
Just as she stepped out from the elevator and reached the first-floor lobby entrance, she received a reply from Odyssey.
A simple five words made Tanya stop dead in her tracks.
Odyssey: [You divorce, I pay.]