novelraw Chapter 217: Secret
Chapter 217: Secret
Chloe Sterling clutched the corner of the duvet, pulling it higher. "I’m going to sleep now." With that, she closed her eyes.
But she could feel Jasper Lockwood still watching her. Just as she was debating whether to open her eyes and peek at him, cool lips suddenly pressed against hers before quickly pulling away. A low, husky voice followed. "Go to sleep. I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be back in a bit."
Chloe Sterling’s eyes were already open. The man chuckled softly, then straightened up and turned toward the bathroom.
Chloe Sterling pursed her lips. Any trace of sleepiness had vanished.
「In a private villa.」
Jean Kensington felt that Dean Lynch had been preoccupied for the past two days, so she asked, "Uncle, you don’t seem like yourself lately."
Dean Lynch chuckled. "How so?"
The two had just finished dinner. Dean Lynch had been exceptionally busy lately. If Jean Kensington hadn’t ordered takeout for him, he probably would have skipped the meal entirely.
"Have you run into some trouble recently?" Jean Kensington asked. "You seem to have a lot on your mind, and you don’t look very happy."
Dean Lynch said nonchalantly, "The Sinclair Group has been a mess lately. You know that."
"I know, but you were even busier a while ago, and I never saw you working yourself to the bone like this. You’ve obviously lost weight. Uncle, a man shouldn’t be too thin. It doesn’t inspire a sense of security."
"Don’t worry about me. Your uncle is plenty strong." Dean Lynch picked up a glass and took a sip of water. "By the way, I heard your dad wants you to come home?"
Jean Kensington was taken aback. "Where did you hear that?"
Dean Lynch scoffed. "As if he could hide what he’s thinking!" He looked at Jean Kensington, his expression stern and serious. "Just ignore him. If he has a problem, he can come find me!"
Jean Kensington smiled. "Okay. It’s so good to have you, Uncle."
Dean Lynch smiled back.
"But..." Jean Kensington’s beautiful eyes fixed on him. "Don’t think you can change the subject! What has really been going on lately?"
"I said it’s nothing, so it’s nothing! Stop prying."
"I’m just trying to help."
"I don’t need it. This is my job, and you shouldn’t be meddling in The Sinclair Group’s affairs."
Jean Kensington wasn’t an employee of the Sinclair Group. She knew she shouldn’t get involved in its affairs, even though she only wanted to help Tristan Sinclair and her uncle.
"Fine, I won’t ask anymore. But even with work, you still have to eat properly."
"I know."
Dean Lynch went back to his meal, but a sense of unease settled in his heart.
Tristan Sinclair had suddenly ratcheted up the pressure, demanding he find the woman from that night as soon as possible. Dean had a gut feeling he wouldn’t be able to hide the truth for much longer.
’When the time comes, will all hell break loose? And how will Tristan view me, Jean, and the baby?’
After a long moment, Dean Lynch suddenly said, "Jean."
"Hm? What’s wrong?"
"Have you ever liked President Sinclair?"
After a brief silence, Jean Kensington suddenly started coughing, having choked on her food.
Dean Lynch: "..."
After about a minute, Jean Kensington finally stopped coughing and looked at Dean Lynch, baffled. "Uncle, are you feeling alright? How could I possibly like President Sinclair!"
Dean Lynch’s brows furrowed slightly. "If you don’t like him, why are you reacting so strongly?"
"How can I not have a strong reaction when you suddenly spring a question like that on me!"
"It was just a casual question. Forget it. Let’s just eat."
Dean Lynch felt lost now, too. He had no idea how to handle this. ’Whether Jean likes Tristan or not, what difference does it make? It doesn’t change anything.’
Jean Kensington said no more and focused on her food, but her mind was in turmoil. ’Why would Uncle suddenly ask if I like Tristan?’
’Have I not been hiding it well enough? Did he figure it out?’
’That’s impossible. I’ve never shown any sign of my feelings for Tristan. Is it just because I helped The Sinclair Group recently?’
After a moment, Dean Lynch put down his chopsticks and stood up. "I’m full. I’m going to get some work done. Go rest after you finish eating."
"Okay." Jean Kensington nodded. "I will."
Dean Lynch went to his study. Jean Kensington also put down her chopsticks, cleared the table, and then went upstairs.
The baby was already asleep. She walked to the side of the crib, kissed her son, and whispered, "Good night." Then she went to the adjacent room.
After washing up, Jean Kensington lay in bed but couldn’t fall asleep. Her uncle’s words kept echoing in her mind: "Have you ever liked President Sinclair?"
’Why would he ask that? Did he figure something out?’
Jean Kensington felt upset and agitated. She didn’t want anyone to know she liked Tristan Sinclair. Besides, she had already decided to slowly let go of her feelings for him, as difficult as that was.
「The next morning.」
Jean Kensington came downstairs with dark circles under her eyes. She froze when she saw a familiar figure in the living room. ’Am I hallucinating from lack of sleep?’
’Why does it look like I’m seeing Tristan Sinclair!’
She blinked. The man’s figure was still there. She then squeezed her eyes shut for a few seconds before opening them again. He was still there!
’It doesn’t seem to be a hallucination.’
Watching her go through these motions, Tristan Sinclair suddenly laughed. "What’s wrong? Think you’re dreaming?"
Jean Kensington: "..."
It really was Tristan Sinclair! ’He actually came all the way to my uncle’s house this early in the morning.’
Jean Kensington cleared her throat and said calmly, "This is a bit of a surprise. I didn’t expect President Sinclair to be looking for my uncle this early in the morning."
Tristan Sinclair said, "Your uncle hasn’t been working very diligently lately. I came to see what he’s been doing. Turns out he’s babysitting again. Two of them, even."
Jean Kensington immediately retorted, "I stayed last night to make sure my uncle ate because he’s been working himself to the bone lately. Don’t twist the facts, President Sinclair."
"Oh? Working himself to the bone?" Tristan Sinclair walked over, stopping in front of her. "So, you’re saying I was mistaken?"
As the man suddenly drew closer, Jean Kensington’s heart seemed to skip a beat. She quickly took a step back. "Yes. You were mistaken."
Seeing her step back to put distance between them, Tristan Sinclair said sharply, "Why so far away? Am I going to eat you?"
Jean Kensington gave a forced laugh. "Of course not. It’s just that you have such a powerful presence, President Sinclair. I feel a bit intimidated being so close."
"Is that so?" Tristan Sinclair stepped forward again, seeming determined to close the distance. "I don’t get the impression you’re intimidated. I’d say you’re quite bold."
"..."
Their eyes met. Jean Kensington didn’t retreat this time, her beautiful eyes gazing at him in confusion.
Just then, Dean Lynch emerged from the study and froze for a second, seeing the two of them staring at each other.
Sensing someone beside them, Tristan Sinclair turned to look at him. An imperceptible glint flashed in his eyes before he paused and finally asked, "Where is it?"
"Right here." Dean Lynch snapped out of his daze and quickly stepped forward, handing him the manila folder in his hand. "This is all the information."
"Mm," Tristan Sinclair said, taking the folder.
Dean Lynch looked at Jean Kensington. "Jean, breakfast is on the table. Go eat."
"What about you?"
"I’ve already eaten."
"Oh." Jean Kensington said nothing more and turned toward the dining room.