CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168: EXCUSE

Sienna Monroe arrived at the art gallery a little past ten, the pale light leaking through the clouds, with a cold texture, made the reliefs on the courtyard wall particularly clear and vivid.

She stood in the courtyard for less than a minute before Director Dawson’s voice pulled her back from her thoughts.

She lifted her leg and walked toward the main hall, Director Dawson’s voice reporting work matters was in her ear, and as soon as she entered the elevator, the phone in her bag suddenly beeped with a WeChat notification.

She took it out and frowned slightly.

It was from Ivy: [Director Monroe, are you okay?]

She was stunned for a moment, slowly pressed her lips together, realizing Ivy was referring to yesterday’s news.

After some thought, she replied with two words: [Thank you.]

She didn’t say much more beyond that.

Their acquaintance was neither deep nor shallow, and certainly not to the extent of confiding personal matters.

Around two in the afternoon, her phone suddenly flashed with a call from the butler of The Sterling Estate.

Sienna frowned slightly, but was not too surprised.

The butler’s voice came through the receiver, "Third Madam, the Family Head has caught a cold these past couple of days, and he’s not feeling well. Could you come back to see him if it’s convenient?"

A cold?

Even though Isaac Sinclair was quite old, he had always been in good health over the years.

Hearing this, it was obvious it was an excuse.

Isaac Sinclair was calling her over, presumably to talk about yesterday’s news and her divorce from Caleb Sinclair.

After agreeing, she grabbed her bag and car keys, left her office, briefly explained a few things to Director Dawson, and drove to the family estate.

When she arrived, she saw from afar the butler waiting at the entrance.

Sienna followed the butler to the side building.

At the gate of the side yard, she noticed that this area seemed to have been renovated; the potted plants in the yard and the citrus tree that June Ewing used to love were no longer there.

In this winter season, the yard appeared somewhat desolate and chilly.

Caleb Sinclair was the first to see her, his originally lifeless eyes instantly filled with the vibrancy of spring, bright and warm.

He stood up and took two steps forward to greet her, "Sienna, you’re back..."

But when he met Sienna’s calm and steady eyes, his joyful and excited voice came to an abrupt halt.

His steps also stalled as he moved forward.

He seemed to not have slept well last night, his entire face appeared tired and worn, with a blue stubble emerging on his chin.

Sienna’s gaze rested on him for only two seconds before it moved indifferently to Isaac Sinclair, who was having tea on the sofa.

Then she paused slightly.

To her surprise, in contrast to his usual spirited self, Isaac Sinclair did indeed appear a bit aged.

Sienna walked straight over, without a form of address, but still respectfully, "I heard from the butler that you’ve caught a cold these days. Are you feeling better now?"

Isaac Sinclair saw her, two slight smiles appeared on his face, and he immediately had the servant bring her some tea.

As he withdrew his gaze, he also cast a cold look at Caleb Sinclair.

Then he smiled at Sienna, "The temperature has been fluctuating these days. Catching a cold is nothing serious, it’s not a big deal."

Sienna nodded, advising, "That’s good. Although you’ve always been healthy, you should still take care of yourself, especially in spring and winter."

Hearing the concern in her words, Isaac Sinclair’s smile grew a bit wider, satisfied, he nodded, "No one in the family pays attention to details like you do. We’ll listen to you."

The two daughters-in-law above also respected him, but there was always a certain distance.

Only with Sienna did he occasionally feel as though she were a daughter.

Caring for him, occasionally nagging a bit, just like now.

Very close.

Very soon, the servant brought over a cup of black tea, the tea soup was clear, the faint fragrance mingling with wisps of steam entered Sienna’s nose, claiming her sense of smell.

She took a sip, then saw Isaac Sinclair wave the servants out of the main hall.

Once the hall was quiet, with no extra figures present, he started the main topic, "I saw yesterday’s online news, and I also heard from Caleb that you’re getting a divorce and moving out of the Moonlit Villa."