CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80: VICTORIA SINCLAIR’S LOVE IS NOT SO RATIONAL

From Victoria Sinclair’s rhetorical question, it seems she doesn’t know.

Angela Austin hesitated.

"What exactly is going on, Angela?" Victoria Sinclair pressed.

Angela Austin took a deep breath, "Renee was never terminated, and her resources are actually getting better."

Victoria Sinclair felt a lump in her chest.

She never considered asking Eugene Vaughn for Renee’s release; why did Eugene deceive her?

She opened the door and got out of the car, waving to Angela Austin inside, "See you tomorrow."

"Good night!"

With that, she turned wearily and headed towards the neighborhood.

Angela Austin sighed deeply, exclaiming, "Oh! We’ve only been reconciled for a few days, now how has it come to this again?"

Nathan Austin raised an eyebrow, "What’s up with your best friend?"

"It’s none of your business." Angela Austin looked forward, suddenly focusing on the vehicle ahead, pointing, "Isn’t that Eugene Vaughn’s car?"

Nathan Austin glanced, unbuckled his seatbelt, took out a box of medicine from the car’s hidden compartment, and quickly got out.

Angela Austin was bewildered, "Bro, where are you going?"

Nathan Austin shut the car door and strode to catch up with Victoria Sinclair.

Watching her brother’s actions, Angela Austin was dumbfounded, clenching her fists and muttering to herself, "Damn, what do you want to do?"

Not far away, Nathan Austin grabbed Victoria Sinclair’s arm from behind.

Victoria Sinclair was startled, turned around quickly shaking his hand off, and stepped back, "Nathan, what’s the matter now?"

Nathan Austin handed over a box of medicine, "I noticed you didn’t seem well; this medicine is for calm and sleep aid."

Victoria Sinclair frowned slightly, thinking it was odd—her being a pharmaceutical expert—needing someone to send her medication?

Out of politeness, she replied courteously, "No need, I have some at home."

"Take it." Nathan Austin firmly placed the medicine in Victoria Sinclair’s hand as he held her wrist, "Angela wanted me to give it to you; she’s really worried about you."

Victoria Sinclair turned to look at Angela Austin inside the car.

She was anxiously watching from afar.

"Thank Angela for me," Victoria Sinclair didn’t want to disappoint her friend’s concern, so she took the medicine and withdrew her wrist.

Nathan Austin moved closer.

Victoria Sinclair looked up at him, her gaze somber, "Nathan, is there anything else?"

"You seem troubled and weary. If you need someone, I can offer you a free psychological consultation."

"I’m fine, thank you." Victoria Sinclair said politely and turned to enter the community door.

Nathan Austin smirked and returned to the car.

As soon as he got into the car, Angela Austin grabbed his collar and pulled him close, "Bro, are you crazy? Eugene Vaughn’s car was just parked ahead, why did you deliver the medicine and create misunderstanding?"

Nathan Austin brushed off Angela’s hand, adjusted his tie, "Where’s Eugene Vaughn’s car?"

"It drove into the underground parking lot from over there." Angela Austin angrily rested her hands on her hips, "Don’t change the subject, I asked you if you were interested in Victoria before she went on a date, you said she was just a sister like me, yet what are you doing now?"

"I’m helping her." Nathan Austin fastened his seatbelt.

Angela Austin scoffed, "Stop with the act, you’re clearly creating misunderstanding between the couple."

"What’s your brother’s profession?"

"Psychiatrist!"

"Exactly, I understand people better than you."

"Stop babbling, I’m going to call Eugene Vaughn now to clarify, so he doesn’t misunderstand Victoria." Angela Austin took out her phone to find the number.

Nathan Austin snatched her phone, his face turned stern, "Eugene Vaughn likes men."

Angela Austin was stunned.

Yes, she always had doubts, but Victoria didn’t believe it.

Now her brother also said so, which strengthened her conviction.

"Victoria won’t believe that, what evidence do you have?" Angela Austin asked nervously.

Nathan Austin sneered coldly, leisurely starting the car, "I’ve never been wrong about people."

Angela Austin slumped in her seat, feeling helpless, "What will my dear friend do? She wanted to divorce before, but Eugene Vaughn coaxed her, she likes him so much, to be deceived into marrying, really despicable."

Nathan Austin laughed dismissively, "Victoria Sinclair isn’t love-crazed; she appears delicate but is extremely rational. She doesn’t love Eugene Vaughn as deeply as you think."

Angela Austin asked, "How do you know?"

Nathan Austin analyzed rationally, "To truly love someone, you need to understand them completely, to have been devoted and weathered hardships together. But Victoria Sinclair met Eugene Vaughn through dating, at most attracted by his grace, personality, and looks, which can be considered liking. Plus, he’s her first love and husband, these dual identities give her a pure longing, so she always has expectations for Eugene Vaughn. The liking accumulated in three months was gradually diluted by Eugene Vaughn’s neglect over two years; now only expectation remains. Once Victoria Sinclair figures it out and lets go, she’ll leave decisively; the liking will disappear as well."

Angela Austin got goosebumps, rubbing her arms, looking at Nathan Austin, "Bro, you say you don’t like Victoria, why are you analyzing her emotions so thoroughly?"

"Occupational habit."

"Then you must have studied Eugene Vaughn too?"

Nathan Austin nodded, "If Victoria Sinclair is a rational woman, Eugene Vaughn is quite the opposite—very emotional and also love-crazed."

This amused Angela Austin, "Your level is quite average; Eugene Vaughn love-crazed, seriously? If he truly is love-crazed, he should’ve gone abroad with his male lover for marriage, not using my friend for his male identity cover."

Nathan Austin’s eyes flashed a touch of severity, "He’s not only love-crazed but has a paranoid personality, cleansliness towards women, good at hiding. Expecting him to let go is zero in possibility; Victoria Sinclair wanting divorce will be very difficult."

Angela Austin sighed helplessly, "Seems you guessed right again, I want to help Victoria, but not like you just did, causing misunderstanding."

"I have a way, don’t know if you want to listen."

Angela Austin closed her eyes pretending to rest, "Don’t want to hear, I don’t want to end up like Sarah Lowell, losing my best friend."

"Don’t you want to help her escape from this loveless marriage sooner?"

Angela Austin pursed her lips, remained silent for a few seconds, then spoke, "Victoria is soft outside but strong inside; if she wants divorce, no one can stop her; if not, no one can persuade her."

"I’m curious to see."

"Bro, I warn you, don’t play dirty tricks, if I find out you’re messing with my friend, I won’t spare you."

Nathan Austin chuckled quietly, remaining silent.

—

The early morning night seemed especially sultry, the room’s air conditioning was on, making people easily parched.

Victoria Sinclair finished bathing and came out of the room carrying an empty water glass.

The lights in the living room were on, not knowing when Eugene Vaughn returned, lying sprawled on the sofa, with limbs stretched out, eyes closed.

She paused for a few seconds, didn’t speak, walked to the warm water dispenser, poured half a cup of warm water, and slowly drank it.

She exhaled softly, put down the glass, hesitated for a few seconds, and sat on the sofa next to Eugene Vaughn.

Sitting not far away, Victoria Sinclair didn’t smell alcohol.

It seemed he didn’t drink.

But his appearance seemed more exhausted than if he had drunk.

"When did you come back?" Victoria Sinclair opened her mouth first and asked gently.

She was still striving to mend their relationship.

She still had hopes, believing maybe Eugene Vaughn was just in a bad mood the past couple of days.

Eugene Vaughn didn’t respond, subtly moving his hand.

Victoria Sinclair knew he heard.

She lowered her head, feeling bitter in her heart, hands gripping tightly at her pajamas hem, her voice especially gentle, "Eugene Vaughn, being abruptly cold is really tough, could you tell me what did I do wrong?"

```