CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 78: I GOT INTO JULIAN SINCLAIR’S CAR

Timothy Xavier quickly reacted, maintaining his composure, and greeted Julian Sinclair, "Uncle."

"Mm."

Julian Sinclair responded indifferently, his gaze lingering on me.

With a sense of dread, I followed suit, "Hello, Uncle."

Byron Kendall was overjoyed and urged, "Come on, everyone, have a seat!"

Though Byron tried to steer the conversation and adjust the atmosphere during dinner,

the ambiance at the table remained subtly peculiar.

The old gentleman was particularly warm towards Julian Sinclair, constantly showing concern and genuine smiles.

"Julian, have some more of this. Your mother told me it’s your favorite dish."

Byron Kendall’s tone was full of affection, "When your mother married me, I wanted her to bring you to live with us, but she always said you were still young, and The Sinclair Family couldn’t bear to part with you. I’m truly happy you could come today."

Julian Sinclair remained composed, slightly nodding occasionally while the elderly man spoke, clearly not wanting to grow closer to this stepfather, yet keeping up the polite facade, not dismissing the elder’s kindness.

I kept my head down, avoiding looking towards Julian, my mind a chaotic buzz.

No wonder he had decisively refused to help me that day.

But I had already laid everything out for him.

Now, he had become Timothy Xavier’s uncle in name, seemingly fated to interact frequently with The Kendall Family and The Xavier Family in the future.

Would he... would he betray me?

I felt overwhelmed by pressure, fearing that once Timothy discovered everything, he would distance Doris even further from me.

The meal passed by, my attention elsewhere.

After dinner, Byron Kendall softly smiled and said, "Julian, your mother hasn’t seen you in so many years, go have a nice chat with her."

Julian Sinclair agreed, following Diana Caldwell upstairs.

The living room had only quieted for two minutes before Sophia Kendall approached Byron, seemingly with something to say.

But upon seeing me, she frowned and said, "Leave us! We have family matters to discuss."

I had no interest in listening to their conversation, was about to stand when Byron called out to me.

"Zoe, sit down."

After speaking, he looked at his daughter disapprovingly, "Zoe is Timothy’s wife, your daughter-in-law, how is she not family? Whatever you have to say, say it openly!"

Sophia had no choice but to relent before her father.

Her voice was low, yet carried undisguised spite, "Dad, why did Diana suddenly call her son back? Could it be she sees you aging, and with only me as the daughter, she plans to have her son inherit everything?"

Byron’s expression instantly darkened, setting his teacup heavily on the table, "What nonsense are you spouting!"

Sophia was startled, yet muttered discontentedly, "It’s true! Don’t forget, back when her husband was still alive, she climbed into your bed claiming it was for a class reunion. For goodness’ sake, you were her teacher, nearly two decades her senior. To say she served you without ulterior motives all these years, I don’t believe it. Now it’s finally revealing itself!"

Timothy couldn’t listen anymore, interrupted his mother coolly, "Mom, it took a lot for everyone to gather for a meal, must you bring up these old grievances?"

Byron’s chest heaved slightly, obviously irate, "Our family’s fortunes are nothing compared to The Sinclair Family! Diana truly cherishes me! When she married me, she could have had another child, but feared your sensitivity as a girl and refrained from having our own. She raised you as her own daughter, gave you the best, yet you think of her this way—it’s disgraceful!"

"Cherishes?"

Sophia scoffed, full of disdain, "She wanted to please you! Who knows what scheme she harbors! Why else call her son back so suddenly?"

Byron sighed heavily, his eyes grew weary, and his voice lowered, "Your stepmother... she’s diagnosed with a terminal illness, her time is running out."

The living room fell silent suddenly.

Grandfather looked towards the stairs, his voice hoarse, "When Julian’s father passed away, Julian was still young, she left The Sinclair Family to marry me. Over the years, she hasn’t fulfilled her responsibilities to Julian as a mother. She knows Julian blames her, so she wants to mend things with him in her remaining time. What’s wrong with that?"

Sophia was speechless.

Listening to these words from a seat nearby, my mood grew heavy as well.

After speaking about his wife, Byron voiced displeasure to Sophia, "I haven’t even asked you! How have you raised your son? Our Kendall Family has a scholarly tradition, but in your generation, arrogance and unreasonableness drove Timothy’s father away. Now, you’ve raised your son this way; it’s shameful!"

At this point, Byron instructed the nanny to take Doris out first, then gazed deeply at me and said, "Zoe, I failed to educate my daughter and grandson. Our family has let you down."

Indeed, the relationship between Timothy’s parents had always been fraught; when Timothy was very young, Sophia would stir up trouble constantly.

At each flare-up, she would take Timothy back to her family home.

Thus, Byron felt responsible for Timothy’s upbringing.

Now, with regret he said, "I’ve been a professor my whole life, teaching and nurturing students everywhere. Yet, unexpectedly, raised Timothy to be such a scoundrel!"

Timothy remained silent next to them, his face stoic as ever—unbothered, impervious.

Sophia defended her son, "It takes two to tango, is a broken marriage ever one person’s fault? If Zoe Ellison were suitable as The Xavier Family’s matriarch, would Timothy be divorcing her? Dad, you’re too old to meddle in the children’s affairs. Soon, your granddaughter-in-law won’t be Zoe Ellison but Serena!"

The old gentleman was stunned, immediately furious, "What did you just say? Divorce? You all forsake a good wife only to bring in an inappropriate woman from outside? I’ll tell you, as long as I live, don’t even think about it!"

This time, I spoke up voluntarily, "Grandfather, thank you for defending me today. But the divorce was a mutual decision between Timothy and me. Our marriage really couldn’t continue."

Timothy’s dark eyes fixed on me, his normally stern face slightly tense.

After a moment, he said to Grandfather, "Zoe is right, can’t continue."

Byron pointed at him, "How dare you speak? Back then, ignoring everyone’s objections, you insisted on marrying her. After marrying her, mistreating her—also you!"

Sophia immediately defended her son, "Dad, you’re unaware, Timothy was deceived by Zoe Ellison! That woman only cared about our family’s wealth. Recently, while Timothy was injured, she cared for him in the hospital and asked him for money!"

Not wanting to argue further, I stood and said, "Grandfather, I’ll go outside for some air."

...

The evening breeze in the courtyard carried the chill of early winter.

I pulled my coat tighter, heavy-hearted, walking forward.

As I reached the gallery, I spotted Julian Sinclair leaning against the carved railing, slender fingers holding a cigarette.

The firelight flickered on his fingertips, emphasizing his well-defined side profile, exuding a worldly maturity.

I paused, then, compelled by some unseen force, took two steps towards him.

Upon nearing, my throat tightened, unable to conjure an appropriate opening line.

Should I exchange pleasantries?

Or should I directly ask him to keep it a secret, not to disclose what I told him that day?

While I was torn about how to start, Julian Sinclair looked at me.

His gaze seemed to conceal an unresolvable gloom.

I think he likely also found out that his mother is gravely ill and doesn’t have long to live.

That’s why he’s so melancholic.

At that moment, Julian Sinclair suddenly spoke, his voice deep and slightly husky with a hint of tobacco: "Rest assured, I won’t meddle. Your secret will always remain a secret."

I was slightly stunned, not expecting him to know what I wanted to say before I even spoke.

Then I breathed a sigh of relief and said sincerely, "Thank you, Attorney Sinclair... Uncle."

The last two words came out awkwardly and stiffly.

Julian Sinclair’s eyes narrowed slightly, moving away from me to gaze into the distant darkness of the night.

The cigarette halfway between his fingers was extinguished and tossed into the nearby trash can.

Watching the man standing alone by the railing in silence, a surge of inexplicable bitterness rose in my heart.

Julian Sinclair’s status is so prestigious, but after hearing my grandfather’s words, I realized his father passed away long ago, and his mother also left him.

This is somewhat similar to me.

Even though he possesses immense wealth, I think, he would rather have a complete family, wouldn’t he?

Just then, Timothy Xavier’s cold voice came from behind: "Zoe, come here."

I turned around, not knowing when he had stood at the door.

Julian Sinclair heard the voice and slowly turned back.

Timothy Xavier’s face was grim, his gaze like ice as it fell directly between Julian Sinclair and me.

Then, he walked straight towards me, stopping beside me.

Timothy Xavier grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him.

Timothy Xavier looked at Julian Sinclair with a hint of subtle hostility in his tone: "Uncle, we can considered true family now. If the Sinclair Family and The Xavier Family can cooperate, that would be even closer bonds, wouldn’t you say?"

The reminder in his words was obvious.

He acknowledged Julian Sinclair’s seniority while bringing up cooperation, thoroughly conveying Timothy Xavier’s business-first outlook.

Julian Sinclair’s face showed no expression, his tone coldly aloof: "I never like discussing business in private affairs."

After speaking, he glanced at me, subtly hinting, "Your wife should understand this."

My heart skipped a beat, my cheeks instantly flushed, feeling an urge to find a hole to hide in.

His words sounded like we were familiar with each other.

He clearly said he wouldn’t reveal my secret!

Timothy Xavier, not being a fool, naturally picked up on his implication, his face instantly darkening.

Julian Sinclair didn’t look at us anymore, he walked away.

As he passed by me, his fingers seemed to brush against the back of my hand inadvertently, the cool touch like electricity, tensed my nerves.

Until his figure disappeared into the moonlight, Timothy Xavier released my hand, frowning tightly as he gloomily asked: "What did he mean by that? Late at night, you’re here talking to him about what?"

I coldly replied: "What kind of person is Julian Sinclair? He doesn’t even regard you, let alone me. What do you think we could be talking about?"

Timothy Xavier stared at me for a few seconds, the suspicion in his eyes gradually fading.

Indeed, he probably also thought that Julian Sinclair’s words were merely casual provocation.

After all, with my standing, it’s simply impossible to have any association with someone like Julian Sinclair.

Timothy Xavier took me to say goodbye to Grandfather, then prepared to leave.

As we left, Grandfather called him back, saying each word clearly: "You better remember this, go back and handle those affair things right away! The child is yours, you need to take responsibility. But those indecent women, don’t let them enter the house!"

Timothy Xavier responded perfunctorily, Sophia Kendall stood silently beside, looking visibly dissatisfied.

As our group with Doris just walked out from the villa, Sophia Kendall said: "Your grandfather hasn’t seen Serena yet! If he gets to know Serena later, I wonder how much he would like her! Don’t listen to what your grandfather said. You should quickly handle the divorce with Zoe, to avoid complications!"

Beside, I also told Timothy Xavier: "Your mother is right. Your injury is almost healed, now you can move freely, when are we going to the civil affairs bureau?"

Sophia Kendall squinted at me, incredulously asking: "Since when did you become so straightforward? You better not be playing hard to get with Timothy later!"

I smiled and said: "Don’t worry, I’ve long lost interest in your son. I can’t wait to get divorced and regain my freedom!"

As soon as I finished speaking, Timothy Xavier directly took Doris into the car without waiting for me.

There was no way I would take Sophia Kendall’s car back.

The Kendall Family is located in an isolated villa area, it’s quiet but difficult to hail a taxi, the transportation is really inconvenient.

I took out my phone to try calling a "Didi", but found no drivers taking orders around.

Helpless, I could only walk along the road towards the city.

The night breeze rustled the leaves beside the road, sounding as if someone was murmuring behind me.

Honestly, I was a bit scared, my pace quickened involuntarily.

After nearly an hour, my ankles were sore and swollen, but still nowhere near the city.

Just then, a beam of car light approached from behind, moving slowly, like deliberately confirming something.

I held my breath and stepped aside until the car slowly stopped beside me.

The window rolled down, Julian Sinclair’s profile was exceptionally clear in the dim light.

His dark eyes reflected a hint of confusion as he asked me: "Weren’t you already gone?"

"I..."

How should I say that the bastard Timothy Xavier left me and walked off?

Thankfully, he didn’t pursue the question, calmly saying two words: "Get in."