novelraw Chapter 226: Don’t Want to Say
Chapter 226: Don’t Want to Say
Jean Kensington stared at Tristan Sinclair in astonishment, never expecting him to suddenly appear. Then, she heard him say, "What are you looking at? Come here."
Though she didn’t know what he meant, Jean Kensington walked over to him. Tristan Sinclair swiftly pulled her behind him, his piercing gaze fixed on the man who, moments before, had been arrogant but was now utterly panicked. "What did you just say?" he asked coldly.
Sensing that disaster was imminent, the man’s face turned pale and his voice trembled. "I... I was just spouting nonsense. President Sinclair... I’m... I’m sorry."
Tristan Sinclair narrowed his eyes. "Are you apologizing to me?"
The man froze for a second before realizing what Tristan meant. He immediately turned to Jean Kensington. "Miss Kensington, I’m sorry. I drank too much and was spouting nonsense. Please, don’t take it to heart. I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry..."
Jean Kensington watched him with cold eyes, saying nothing.
The man looked back at Tristan Sinclair and hurriedly said, "President Sinclair, I didn’t know Miss Kensington was... was a friend of yours. I must have been blind. I’m sorry, please don’t hold it against me."
He never imagined Jean Kensington actually had a protector, and that it was Tristan Sinclair of all people. Offending Tristan Sinclair was no different from having one foot in the grave. Right now, he was so full of regret he wanted to slap himself across the face.
The surrounding men and women didn’t dare make a sound. Chloe Kensington, in particular, was furious but didn’t dare to show it. ’He can’t possibly have just shown up and helped Jean Kensington,’ she thought. ’Doesn’t he know she already has a child?!’
Tristan Sinclair shot the man a meaningful look, then turned to Jean Kensington and said, "Let’s go."
Jean Kensington looked at him, her expression complicated, but she said nothing. Just as they were about to leave, Chloe Kensington suddenly stepped forward. "Sister, I’m sorry. It’s my fault you’re upset. How about I come see you and the baby tomorrow?"
She mentioned the "baby" on purpose, wanting Tristan Sinclair to hear it and know that Jean Kensington had a little bastard child.
And just as she’d hoped, Tristan Sinclair’s expression flickered.
Jean Kensington glanced back at Chloe Kensington and sneered. "Get as far away from me as possible."
Chloe Kensington’s face flushed then paled. "I only wanted to show concern for you and the baby," she said, feigning hurt. "Sister, why must you be this way?"
Jean Kensington had no interest in watching her act. She turned and strode away, ignoring even Tristan Sinclair beside her.
Seeing this, Tristan Sinclair frowned slightly and quickened his pace to catch up.
Watching their retreating backs, the man’s face was etched with terror. He wanted to go forward and apologize again but was afraid of angering Tristan Sinclair even more. In the end, he could only stand there rigidly, completely at a loss.
Tristan Sinclair strode to Jean Kensington’s side. "What’s the hurry!"
At his words, Jean Kensington slowed her pace and glanced sideways at him. "President Sinclair, thank you."
Tristan Sinclair’s lips curled into a smirk. "And you think a simple ’thank you’ covers it?"
...?" ’What else does he want?’
Jean Kensington was confused. ’He can’t possibly expect me to offer myself to him in return, can he? I could have handled that on my own anyway.’
"Follow me!" Tristan Sinclair commanded.
"Where to?" Jean Kensington asked.
Tristan Sinclair didn’t answer, simply striding forward on his long legs. Jean Kensington followed him dazedly up to a VIP booth on the second floor, which offered a perfect view of the spot where she had just been.
The people downstairs could also see them. When they saw Jean Kensington follow Tristan Sinclair up to the VIP booth, their expressions were a mixture of shock and speculation.
"What’s going on? Why would President Sinclair help Jean Kensington?"
"Don’t tell me she’s with President Sinclair now? As his mistress?"
"Gasp! Then is the baby President Sinclair’s illegitimate child?"
"Impossible!" Chloe Kensington cut in sharply. "How could President Sinclair ever allow a woman to bear his illegitimate child? That baby is from another man."
"Then what is her relationship with President Sinclair? Why would he help her?" a woman asked curiously.
Chloe Kensington snorted. "It’s only because Jean Kensington’s uncle works under him."
The woman murmured, "So the rumors about President Sinclair treating his subordinates well must be true."
Another woman added, "So does that mean we can’t treat Jean Kensington like that anymore? After all, she’s connected to President Sinclair."
Chloe Kensington’s expression darkened. She had lured Jean Kensington here to humiliate her, but she never expected this to happen!
She glanced at the young man in the white shirt next to her—the one who had invited Jean Kensington—and said mockingly, "Stop staring. No matter how nice you are to her, she’ll never give you the time of day."
The man gazed upstairs, his expression complex. Her words brought a flash of embarrassment to his face. He quickly looked away. "You all have fun. I’m heading out."
Chloe Kensington snorted and paid him no more mind.
The arrogant cousins from earlier had left too, leaving only a few girls in the booth, each with her own ulterior motives.
Although Chloe Kensington was furious that Tristan Sinclair had helped Jean Kensington, she felt much better thinking that Jean had a child with some nobody and would never, ever have a chance with a man like Tristan Sinclair.
Jean Kensington looked from Tristan Sinclair to Damian Rivers, who was already at the booth. "Were you two discussing business? Am I interrupting?"
"No," Tristan Sinclair said. "Just sit and relax."
Jean Kensington said no more.
Damian Rivers checked the time and stood up. "You two enjoy your drinks. I’ve got to go."
"Leaving so early?" Tristan Sinclair asked.
"I have some things to take care of. We’ll drink some other time."
After Damian Rivers left, only Jean Kensington and Tristan Sinclair remained in the booth. Neither spoke, and the atmosphere grew a little strange.
Tristan Sinclair toyed with his wine glass, took a slow sip, and suddenly asked, "Who is the baby’s father?"
At his question, Jean Kensington’s hand trembled, and the wine glass nearly slipped from her grasp. She paused before asking, "Why the sudden question?"
Tristan Sinclair himself didn’t know why he suddenly wanted to know who the baby’s father was, or why he had even asked such a question in the first place.
"The baby is getting older. Have you considered asking him for child support?"
Jean Kensington’s fingers tightened around her glass. "There’s no need. I’m not short on money."
"Did he wrong you?"
Jean Kensington pressed her lips together, silent.
"Do you want revenge?" Tristan Sinclair asked.
"No!" Jean Kensington looked at him and said earnestly, "President Sinclair, I don’t want to talk about him, and I don’t want to talk about this."
Tristan Sinclair’s gaze deepened. "You were pretty defiant just now. Why go soft on the scumbag who betrayed you? Or... are you still in love with him?"
"Why do you care about any of this?" Jean Kensington suddenly demanded.
Tristan Sinclair was silent for a moment. Then, he said coolly, "Your uncle is my subordinate. Bullying his family is the same as showing me disrespect."
Jean Kensington was speechless. "..."
"Is he from one of Crestfall’s families?" Tristan Sinclair pressed.
Jean Kensington bit her lip. "No. And no one betrayed me. President Sinclair... this is a private matter. I don’t want to talk about it anymore."
Tristan Sinclair’s expression flickered, and he said no more.
As far as he could tell, Jean Kensington had been dumped by some scumbag, given birth to his child all on her own, and held no grudges. He had been about to mock her—’How devoted of you’—but when he saw how pale she’d become, he swallowed the words.