CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 79: LATE AT NIGHT, HE’S STILL HERE

I clung to it like a lifeline, afraid he might change his mind, and quickly opened the car door to sit in the passenger seat.

The car was very quiet, with only the soft sound of the air conditioner.

He slowly started the car and asked, "Where to?"

I definitely didn’t want to go back to the hospital.

Timothy Xavier doesn’t care if I live or die, so why should I take upon myself to look after him late at night?

So, I told him the neighborhood I currently live in.

The car smoothly drove down the road.

I hesitated for a long time before finally speaking up, "About what I mentioned before... about helping me do a paternity test with my daughter, could you reconsider?"

Julian Sinclair’s hand on the steering wheel didn’t move, the distinct knuckles glowing cool white under the dim dashboard light.

After a few seconds, he said flatly, "I don’t want to repeat myself about things I’ve already refused."

I sighed softly and silently closed my mouth.

The rest of the ride was silent.

It wasn’t until the car stopped under my building that I unbuckled my seatbelt, feeling relieved: "Thank you, Uncle."

I don’t know if it was just my imagination, but when I said these two words, Julian Sinclair’s brows slightly furrowed.

Well, maybe he’s just not used to it?

After all, suddenly having two nephews and nieces in their twenties, anyone would need time to adapt.

Julian didn’t respond as I got out of the car, facing the chilly wind outside, quickly heading towards the staircase.

Standing at my door, ready to unlock it, I suddenly remembered I didn’t bring my keys.

To be accurate, I didn’t even bring my bag.

Recently, I’ve been staying in the hospital, and I’d assumed that after dinner at the Kendall Family’s place, I’d head back to the hospital.

So I only brought my phone.

I was extremely frustrated.

Luckily, I was in the city, and I could just hail a cab right outside.

I had to go to the hospital to get my bag back!

However, when I reached downstairs, I discovered Julian Sinclair’s car was still there.

The man was leaning against the car door, smoking again.

The dim streetlights highlighted his somberness all the more.

Seeing me come down, he raised his eyebrows slightly.

I asked in confusion, "You... haven’t left yet?"

He flicked the ash from his cigarette, the smoke curling around his sharp profile as he said in a low voice, "Just getting some air, I’ll leave soon. Why did you come back down?"

"I didn’t bring my keys."

I awkwardly explained, "I’ve been at the hospital taking care of Timothy Xavier lately, and my bag was left there."

He paused briefly, his tone holding a hint of indescribable sarcasm: "Are you truly thinking of leaving or pretending? It seems you haven’t missed a single thing a wife should do."

My cheeks flushed, ready to explain, but he had already taken out his phone and dialed a number.

"Leo Grant, find a locksmith and bring a digital lock over. I’ll send you the address shortly."

He concisely gave the instructions, and I hurriedly said, "No need to trouble you, I... I’ll just call a locksmith myself."

Julian glanced at me sideways and said, "You need an ID to get it unlocked. Do you have one?"

I was taken aback and shook my head.

Julian opened the car door again for me to sit while waiting.

He stood outside in the cold, lost in thought.

He didn’t seem like he was in a very good mood.

After a short wait, Leo Grant arrived with the locksmith.

Julian didn’t go upstairs, but he let Leo accompany me.

The locksmith swiftly dismantled the old lock and installed a new one, and I set the password myself.

I used today’s date.

I went down with Leo, and Julian was still there.

"Thank you, Uncle."

I thanked him sincerely and wholeheartedly.

Julian made a sound of acknowledgment, opened the car door, and said to me, "Go back."

I stood at the entrance, watching until his Bentley melted into the night before going back inside.

Looking at the brand-new digital lock, my chest felt like something had gently nudged it, stirring a faint, indescribable warmth.

At that moment, my phone rang.

Seeing the name "Timothy Xavier" on the screen, I immediately declined the call.

He called a few more times afterward, but I didn’t answer any of them.

...

The next day, I was awakened by the sound of the doorbell.

It was Katherine Sheldon at the door.

I opened the door, knowing she was here again about Ethan.

"Zoe, I want... to see Timothy."

Katherine appeared much more worn out than before and said, "So much time has passed, and I don’t know how Timothy is recovering. Could you take me to see him?"

I sighed and advised, "Auntie Katherine, I know you want him to forgive Ethan. But given your relationship with their family, going there is only inviting humiliation."

"But... Ethan is still in there, and there’s been no word from Timothy Xavier, we can’t even get a visiting opportunity."

Katherine started sobbing and said, "Ethan has never suffered since he was a child, and I worry about him every day..."

Under her insistence, I couldn’t refuse any longer, so I accompanied her to buy some gifts and headed over to Timothy Xavier’s place.

...

At the hospital.

Timothy Xavier wasn’t at all surprised that I would come.

After all, my bag was still here, and given our agreement, I have to look after him until he is discharged before he would issue a letter of forgiveness for Ethan Xavier.

Seeing Katherine Sheldon appear with me, a hint of coldness crept onto his face.

I explained, "Auntie Katherine wanted to come see you."

Timothy Xavier put the document in his hand aside, leaned back on the sofa, and scrutinized us, saying, "Here to see me, or to ask when I’ll let Ethan off the hook?"

Katherine Sheldon stood there awkwardly and said softly, "Both. Timothy, Auntie begs you, let Ethan go this time! Auntie promises to keep a closer eye on him in the future so he won’t act recklessly and cause you trouble again."

Timothy Xavier scoffed coldly and said, "Letting him go is not out of the question. But, I have a condition."

I could tell he was up to no good, so I quickly said, "Timothy Xavier, I’ve already been taking care of you in the hospital as agreed, what else do you want?"

"Shut up!"

He cut me off and said to Katherine Sheldon, "I can let him go. But you must promise that your family of three leaves for abroad and never comes back! Otherwise, I still reserve the right to prosecute him."

Katherine Sheldon almost didn’t hesitate, nodding and saying, "Okay, I agree. As long as Ethan can get out, I will take him away."

Timothy Xavier didn’t make it any harder for her, telling her, "I’ll have my lawyer contact you later. If you have nothing else, don’t bother me again."

Katherine Sheldon said excitedly, "Timothy, thank you, Auntie thanks you for letting Ethan go."

At that moment, Sophia Kendall suddenly burst through the door, incredulously asking, "What? Timothy, have you gone mad? Ethan hurt you so badly, there’s no way he should see daylight again! Think you can let him go? No way!"

None of us expected Sophia Kendall to come over at this time.

Unlike usual when she’d avoid Sophia Kendall, Katherine Sheldon stepped forward and pleaded, "Sophia, I know what happened back then was my fault, blame me, not Ethan, okay?"

"You bitch, how dare you bring up the past!"

Sophia Kendall instantly flew into a rage, pushing her hard, "Back then, you played this poor, pitiful role and dazzled Timothy’s father! Now, you want to repeat your tricks and target my son? Don’t you dare!"

Katherine Sheldon was pushed to the ground by Sophia Kendall, but she got back up and walked forward again, saying, "Sophia, as long as you let Ethan go, I’m willing to give Mr. Xavier back to you. As long as he’s willing!"

It would have been better if she hadn’t said anything, but as soon as she did, Sophia Kendall was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

It was as if she was telling a ragged beggar, "If you like these luxury high heels of mine, I can give them to you."

After all, everyone knew in Veridia that Timothy’s father was willing to give up the entire Xavier Family fortune just to divorce Sophia Kendall!

You can imagine how ironic Katherine Sheldon’s words were.

Sophia Kendall, face flushed with anger, threw her bag aside and started to go at her.

Katherine Sheldon neither dodged nor retaliated, just stood there firmly.

Just as Sophia Kendall’s slap was about to reach her face, Timothy Xavier suddenly stepped forward to stop his mother.

"Timothy, why are you stopping me?

Sophia Kendall gritted her teeth in anger: "This woman stole your father back then, making me the laughing stock of all Veridia. Now she dares to provoke me here, if I don’t tear her mouth apart, she really thinks I’m nothing! Let me go!"

Timothy Xavier furrowed his brow slightly and spoke calmly, "If you hit her, you’ll fall right into her trap."

Katherine Sheldon froze, looking at Timothy Xavier in a bit of panic.

Sophia Kendall asked in complete bewilderment, "What do you mean?"

A hint of a cold smile appeared at the corner of Timothy Xavier’s mouth as he said, "If you hit her, her next step would be to call the police. By then, her condition would be that I only release her son if she lets you go."

Katherine Sheldon’s face changed dramatically, and she quickly said, "It’s not like that, Timothy, you misunderstood me."

Sophia Kendall suddenly saw the light, "You bitch! So it was deliberate all along!"

"No, Sophia, I really didn’t mean that."

Katherine Sheldon explained incoherently.

Timothy Xavier’s voice was icy, "Leave immediately while I haven’t changed my mind. Otherwise, whether your son can get out smoothly is uncertain."

Katherine Sheldon trembled all over, no longer daring to say anything, and almost stumbled on her way out.

Sophia Kendall’s breathing gradually calmed, yet the redness in her eyes hadn’t completely faded.

She turned to Timothy Xavier, her voice still carrying a hint of anger, "I’ve always said that woman’s methods are sinister! Otherwise, how could she have tangled with your dad for so long without any title back then? Timothy, don’t be confused! This is the best chance to get rid of Ethan Xavier, you mustn’t let it slip away!"

I’ve been silent all along, but I couldn’t help but feel a cold sweat for Ethan Xavier.

Luckily, Timothy Xavier still remembered our agreement, he said to Sophia Kendall, "I have my own plans about Ethan Xavier, don’t worry about it."

"I am your mother! How can I not care?"

Sophia Kendall abruptly raised her volume, her chest heaving violently, "Katherine Sheldon and Ethan Xavier, that mother and son duo, are truly despicable! If it weren’t for them, how could you have grown up like a fatherless child, raised by me alone?"

Timothy Xavier’s gaze turned colder, "Are they entirely at fault for you and my father ending up divorced? Don’t you have any responsibility? Look at the whole social circle, which family’s matriarch acts like this, pasting shame on The Xavier Family by creating scenes at every banquet?"

With those words, Sophia Kendall seemed to be slapped hard, her entire being frozen.

The fury on her face solidified into bewilderment; her gaze fixed directly at Timothy Xavier, her lips moving yet unable to utter a single word.

"You’re actually saying this to me?"

She shook her head in incredulity, trembling as she spoke, "You’re standing by your father and that mother-son duo? Fine, pretend I never gave birth to you! My whole life, has been all for nothing!"

With that, she stormed out the door.

Though I loathe Sophia Kendall to my core, seeing her like this didn’t bring me joy, instead, it left a chill in my heart.

The room fell into a dead silence as Timothy Xavier stood at the window, his back tense.

"You..."

I wanted to ask him if he was okay, but he interrupted in a bitter voice: "This is how she’s always been. My grandmother died early; my grandfather spoiled her as an only daughter. She married my father because of good relations between the families, both sets of parents supported her. So, she broke up my dad and Katherine Sheldon, forcing my dad to marry her. But she didn’t expect that my dad would marry her yet never truly part from Katherine Sheldon."

I listened quietly, it was the first time Timothy Xavier spoke to me about the past generation.

For all the time we’ve known each other and been married, he’d never mentioned any of this.

Maybe today, having held it in for so long, he also wanted to find someone to confide in?

I thought that would be the end, but he continued, "Do you know why Ethan Xavier has this name?"

I shook my head and asked, "Why?"

"Because ’Ethan’ sounds the same as ’regret’ in Chinese."

Timothy Xavier let out a low laugh, "She didn’t care about decency, made the marital filth public to the media and my school, turning it into a well-known scandal in Veridia. People who are pitiful often have something contemptible about them, don’t they?"

If this were before, when he opened up to me, I would not only feel sorry for him but also comfort him and share the sorrow.

But now, I just listened quietly, my heart wrapped in a thin layer of ice, unsure if it was numbness or something else, unable to muster even a word of consolation.

Timothy Xavier seemingly dissatisfied with my indifference, turned to me and said, "My mom has her faults, but you saw what Katherine Sheldon did just now. In the future, you better stay away from that mother and son. Their return to Veridia after all these years and their closeness to you is not so simple."

In my mind, I recalled the tearful look Katherine Sheldon had and the hysteria in Sophia Kendall’s curses.

These two, one seemingly weak and fragile, the other sharp to the point of harshness, but who knows what thoughts lie beneath their masks?

Is Timothy Xavier’s suspicion too deep, or is Katherine Sheldon truly hiding unknown schemes?

The human heart is truly complicated, just like Timothy Xavier who, despite having experienced such a blighted childhood and understanding what pain feels like,

yet still imposed this pain onto others, forcing the separation between me and my daughter, Doris.

He watched us, mother and daughter, become estranged, even to the point of enmity.

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