CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: STEALING A KISS FROM EUGENE VAUGHN

Victoria Sinclair was quite frightened. She forcefully pulled her wrist, struggled for a few seconds, and finally escaped his large hand.

She hurriedly got out of bed, quickly ran to the closet to get her pajamas, and rushed into the bathroom with them.

She leaned against the door, breathing slightly, her face burning hot, her mind in chaos.

What on earth was she doing just now?

She actually sneaked a touch of Eugene Vaughn’s lips. The crazy one wasn’t that man, it was her.

Victoria Sinclair closed her eyes and gently knocked on her head.

What was she thinking!

Tomorrow would be May 1st, the second anniversary of her marriage to Eugene Vaughn, yet she still had her first kiss.

It’s been two years, why was she still expecting?

Victoria Sinclair put down her clean clothes, ran under the shower, and turned down the water temperature.

She needed a cold shower to clear her head.

After her shower, Victoria Sinclair came out, and Eugene Vaughn was still lying on the bed in the same position.

She went over, picked up the quilt, and covered Eugene with it.

Turning around, she went to the closet to find another set of bedding and laid it on the floor.

Previously, when she and Eugene returned to their hometown to visit their grandparents and stayed in the same room, Eugene preferred to lay out new bedding on the floor rather than sleep in the same bed with her.

Even when he was drunk.

Victoria Sinclair felt she had to respect his wishes, so she could only begrudgingly sleep on the floor herself.

——

The next morning.

Victoria Sinclair got up as usual, tidied up the bedding, washed and dried the clothes she wore last night, and put them back on.

Eugene Vaughn was lying on his side, sleeping soundly, with the quilt still in place.

Victoria Sinclair washed up and went downstairs.

Grandma, being old, got up early and was leisurely eating breakfast in the dining room, flipping through a magazine.

"Good morning, Grandma," Victoria Sinclair greeted with a smile.

Grandma looked up with a kindly smile, "Morning, Victoria, come over and have breakfast."

Victoria Sinclair sat down at the dining table, and Auntie Rose came over with breakfast, "Victoria, I was busy late last night, sorry for leaving you to take care of Eugene alone!"

Victoria Sinclair replied softly, "Auntie Rose, it’s my duty."

Though Auntie Rose was a housekeeper, everyone respected her like family.

Grandma patted the back of Victoria Sinclair’s hand and softly asked, "Did you sleep well last night?"

Victoria Sinclair nodded, "It was fine."

Grandma sighed, "Ever since Eugene married you, he moved out to live, and hasn’t come back to sleep for the past two years, but Auntie Rose often cleans his room."

Victoria Sinclair nodded.

"Do you remember what day it is today?" Grandma asked with a smile, her eyes curved.

Victoria Sinclair felt an inexplicable bitterness, managed a smile, and said, "Yes, it’s May Day, Labor Day."

Grandma frowned, "What Labor Day, it’s your and Eugene’s second wedding anniversary."

Victoria Sinclair felt quite embarrassed, forcing a smile, not knowing what to say.

"How do you plan to celebrate?" Grandma asked with a smile.

Victoria Sinclair’s smile became more awkward, she pursed her lips and shook her head.

"Indeed, such surprises should be arranged by the man." Grandma pointed at the breakfast in front of her, "Eat up, or it’ll get cold."

Victoria Sinclair picked up her chopsticks, feeling sullen, and lowered her head to eat breakfast.

Two years ago on May Day, Eugene was on a business trip for a few days, and was photographed by paparazzi on the same flight with Renee, staying in the same hotel. The rumor lasted for a long time.

For this year’s wedding anniversary, she dared not expect anything, fearing disappointment.

Victoria Sinclair finished breakfast with Grandma and sat in the living room, chatting.

The sound of footsteps came downstairs.

Grandma looked up, smiling, "Is my eldest grandson finally willing to get up? Is the hangover gone?"

Upon hearing this, Victoria Sinclair looked over.

Eugene Vaughn was wearing the light gray sportswear from two years ago. Having showered, his jet-black short hair was half-dry and half-wet, his appearance fresh and handsome. At 27, he looked like a young college student, full of vigor.

"Morning, Grandma," Eugene Vaughn came downstairs and went straight to sit on the sofa beside Grandma.

His deep eyes like ink lifted to look at Victoria Sinclair.

The moment Victoria met his gaze, she quickly lowered her eyes, not daring to look directly at him, memories of last night’s sneaky kiss flashing in her mind, her heart trembling, feeling guilty and nervous, afraid he might remember.

"Did you sleep well?" Grandma patted his leg and asked.

Eugene supported his elbow on the back of the sofa, squinting in thought for a moment before his gaze fell on Victoria Sinclair again, "Did we both sleep at home last night?"

Victoria Sinclair replied quietly, "Yes."

"Don’t drink so much in the future," Grandma scolded, "Look at your size, tall and sturdy, and Victoria is so small, it must be a hassle for her to take care of you."

Eugene replied with a slightly sarcastic tone, "Didn’t even change pajamas, how much trouble could it have been?"

Victoria Sinclair’s face instantly warmed, glancing up at him.

His expression was normal, gazing steadily at Victoria Sinclair.

Within three seconds, Victoria found her ears burning from his gaze, quickly looking away.

Grandma smiled warmly, looking at Eugene with curiosity, "Do you have any travel plans for the May Day holiday, you two as a couple?"

Something in those words seemed to hit a nerve for Eugene, his face gradually cold as ice, his eyes becoming frighteningly deep. He stood up and walked towards the dining room, leaving two cold words, "No time off."

Grandma anxiously stood up, looking at Eugene’s back, asking, "The whole country is on holiday, how come you aren’t? Even the US President isn’t as busy as you."

Eugene sat down at the dining table, "Auntie Rose, is there breakfast?"

"Yes..." Auntie Rose replied from the kitchen.

Victoria Sinclair had anticipated this outcome and was mentally prepared.

Yet seeing his indifference, there was still a trace of disappointment in her heart.

She didn’t want Grandma to be upset, nor make things difficult for Eugene, "Grandma, a project in the lab is progressing to the clinical trial phase, and I’m quite busy too."

Grandma sat down, irritated, "You’re too understanding, always indulging him."

"No, Grandma, I’m genuinely busy lately."

Grandma sighed, full of concern, "How long have you been married? Couples who’ve been married fifty or sixty years aren’t this cold. I can’t hope for a great-grandchild in this lifetime, can I?"

"Not necessarily," Ethan Vaughn’s voice came from upstairs, teasing, "Grandma, maybe I can fulfill that wish for you."

Wearing a dashing black outfit, Ethan Vaughn quickly came downstairs, sat beside Victoria Sinclair, propping his chin with one hand, eyes shining, smiling brightly, "Morning, Victoria!"

Victoria Sinclair moved aside, "Morning, Uncle."

Grandma’s face darkened, patting the spot next to her, "Ethan, come sit by Grandma."

Ethan glanced at Eugene sitting at the dining table, then looked at Grandma, smirking, "I won’t eat her up, what are you afraid of?"

Grandma displeased, "Mind your manners."

Ethan ignored her, his deep eyes intense, his voice particularly gentle, "Victoria, during the rare May Day holiday, you can put work aside, I’ll take you to Cryos in Northpass to see the aurora."

Victoria was slightly startled, the softest part of her heart was touched, leaving her stunned in surprise.

How did Uncle know the place she most wanted to visit?