novelraw Chapter 203: What Are You Up To?
Chapter 203: What Are You Up To?
When the black SUV followed her into the garage, Jean Kensington knew she was being tailed.
’Don’t tell me it’s Silas Coldwell’s men.’
’That bastard must suspect me.’
The path ahead was clear, so Jean Kensington accelerated down to the second basement level. She found a spot and parked. The moment she stepped out of her car, she saw a familiar figure.
It was Tristan Sinclair.
He and his driver were just approaching their car. Making a split-second decision, Jean Kensington sprinted over. Just as the driver opened the door, she scrambled inside.
The driver froze, then barked, "Who’s there?"
"It’s me, it’s me!" Jean Kensington said, looking up at Tristan Sinclair standing outside. She lowered her voice. "President Sinclair, could you give me a ride?"
Tristan Sinclair stared at her for a moment before speaking. "Scoot over."
Jean Kensington immediately slid further into the car.
Tristan Sinclair swung his long legs in and sat down. Seeing this, the driver said nothing more, shut the door, and returned to the driver’s seat.
As the car slowly pulled out of the spot, Tristan Sinclair suddenly asked, "What the hell are you up to?"
Jean Kensington gave a nervous laugh. "Nothing! I just finished shopping at the mall and figured I’d hitch a ride."
"Just finished shopping?"
"That’s right."
"In your own car?"
"..."
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Jean Kensington’s face. ’So he saw me get out of my own car.’
Tristan Sinclair turned to look out the window. Not far away, a black SUV had stopped. Three men got out and began scanning the area, apparently searching for someone.
Tristan Sinclair’s eyes narrowed. "Those are men from the Nocturne Group. Are they looking for you?"
"Huh?" Jean Kensington feigned ignorance. "How could that be? I don’t know anyone from the Nocturne Group."
Tristan Sinclair turned back to her, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. "Then why were you hiding from them?"
A flicker of guilt showed in Jean Kensington’s eyes, but she refused to admit it. "I wasn’t hiding from them. I really don’t know anyone from the Nocturne Group."
"The truth."
Jean Kensington pressed her lips together. "I am telling the truth."
Tristan Sinclair’s expression shifted slightly. He looked away and stopped speaking to her.
Jean Kensington fell silent and pulled out her phone to text Chloe Sterling.
[Silas Coldwell actually sent people to tail me. The bastard is definitely trying to confirm my identity.]
Chloe Sterling replied a moment later.
[Silas Coldwell sent men after you? Are you sure?]
Jean Kensington: [Positive. They’re from the Nocturne Group.]
Chloe Sterling: [Where are you? Did you lose them?]
Jean Kensington: [I lost them. I’m in Tristan Sinclair’s car.]
Chloe Sterling: [Good. You head home. I’m going to find Silas Coldwell.]
Jean Kensington: [Okay.]
After a few miles, Jean Kensington spoke up. "President Sinclair, thank you. You can just let me out up ahead."
Tristan Sinclair ignored her.
Jean Kensington scratched her head and spoke to the driver. "Excuse me, could you please pull over by the side of the road?"
Before the driver could respond, Tristan Sinclair’s cold voice cut in. "Don’t stop."
Jean Kensington looked at him, astonished. "Why not?"
Tristan Sinclair glanced at her, his lips curling slightly. "You think you can just hop in and out of my car whenever you please?"
She had no idea what he was getting at. After a long moment, she said, "Well... should I pay you for the ride?"
Tristan Sinclair’s expression darkened. "Do I look like I need your money?"
Jean Kensington: "Then what do you want?"
Tristan Sinclair said coldly, "You’re coming with me to the office."
"What?"
"What’s the matter? You don’t want to? Or would you rather be taken away by the Nocturne Group?"
Jean Kensington: "But... I want to go home."
Tristan Sinclair fell silent again. His meaning was clear: she had to go with him to the office.
Since she was the one who had forced her way into his car, Jean Kensington stopped arguing. She sat quietly beside him, not saying another word.
...
Chloe Sterling shoved open the door to Silas Coldwell’s office, her expression thunderous.
"Silas Coldwell, what do you think you’re doing?"
Silas Coldwell, lounging in his chair, feigned ignorance. "What do you mean, ’what do I think I’m doing’?"
Chloe Sterling got straight to the point. "She is not Whisper. She’s an ordinary person, so stop having her tailed."
Silas Coldwell chuckled. "Darling, if she’s just an ordinary person, why are you so worked up? Once my investigation is complete and I’m sure she isn’t Whisper, I’ll naturally leave her alone."
"I told you, she is not Whisper!"
"It’s not up to you. I only trust my own findings."
"Fine. Investigate all you want, but you are not to touch her. Otherwise, our deal is off. You can go ahead and tell everyone I’m Lynn Chester. I’ll handle the fallout myself."
Silas Coldwell’s eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"
Chloe Sterling’s answer was firm. "Yes."
The room fell silent. They remained at a standoff for a long moment before Silas Coldwell scowled, picked up his phone, and made a call. "Pull them back," he ordered.
He hung up. "Satisfied?"
After a moment’s pause, Chloe Sterling added, "When this research project is over, I’ll give you another formula. The one you’ve always wanted."
Silas Coldwell just grunted, saying nothing.
"I’m going back to the lab."
Chloe Sterling turned and walked out of the office.
Watching her leave, Silas Coldwell sank into thought. ’Does she just not want me investigating her friend, or is that woman actually Whisper?’
’I have to find out for sure.’
After leaving the office, Chloe Sterling texted Jean Kensington.
[Silas Coldwell’s men have been recalled. He won’t send anyone to grab you, but he’ll still investigate your identity, so be careful.]
Jean Kensington: [Okay, I will.]
Just as she finished replying, the car pulled to a stop in front of Sinclair Tower.
Tristan Sinclair’s voice sounded beside her. "Get out."
"Oh." Jean Kensington looked up at him and smiled. "Okay."
With Silas Coldwell’s men called off, her mood instantly brightened.
Tristan Sinclair stared at her stunning face for a second, then looked away and got out of the car.
Jean Kensington followed him out and immediately saw Esther Sterling standing to the side. When Esther saw it was Jean, her face registered complete surprise.
But her gaze quickly shifted back to Tristan Sinclair. "President Sinclair," she said softly, "I’ve been waiting for you."
Tristan Sinclair shot her a cold glance. "What are you doing here?"
"I... President Sinclair, I want to know why I can’t sign with The Sinclair Group. I took first place. And... I really want to sign with the company. I hope you’ll give me a chance."
Tristan Sinclair sneered. "Plenty of people want to sign with The Sinclair Group. Does that mean they all get a chance?"
"But I’m different from them. I..."
"You’re not good enough." Tristan Sinclair cut her off before she could finish. "The Sinclair Group will not be signing you. Also... stay out of my sight from now on. My temper isn’t the best."
The color drained from Esther Sterling’s face. She couldn’t believe Tristan Sinclair was treating her this way.
’He wasn’t like this before.’
Tristan Sinclair glanced over at Jean Kensington. "Let’s go. You’re coming with me."
Jean Kensington murmured her assent and followed him into Sinclair Tower.
Esther Sterling watched her back, and something seemed to click. ’That woman is Chloe Sterling’s friend, and now she’s at Tristan Sinclair’s side. That bitch must have said something to him. That’s why he’s suddenly so cold to me.’
Esther Sterling’s eyes filled with a hatred more intense than any she had ever felt before.