CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 112: I RESPECT YOUR DECISION

"Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, acupuncture is too taxing on the mind and body, no need to rush right now."

Though Sawyer Jennings was confused, he knew that giving him acupuncture would be tiring for Ann Vaughn, and he nodded like a pecking chick.

The warmth in Ann Vaughn’s heart grew, a feeling she hadn’t experienced since her grandfather passed away.

With their firm stance, Ann Vaughn couldn’t insist, so she gave up for the moment.

After the housekeeper took Sawyer Jennings for rehabilitation, Sutton Jennings poured a cup of cranberry juice for Ann Vaughn and said to her,

"The people that night were just some punks collecting protection fees, recently released from the precinct, committing evil in the name of the Gates of Hell."

Ann Vaughn was startled, then laughed, "Is that so."

Although she didn’t know the relationship between Sutton Jennings and the Gates of Hell, since he didn’t elaborate, it was obviously something not meant to be shared with others, so Ann Vaughn didn’t ask.

"Those people had a conflict with my sister three years ago, but I don’t recognize them." Ann Vaughn remembered what those people said that night, hesitated and said, "If possible, I’d like to ask them face-to-face why they singled me out."

The situation was so urgent at the time that she overlooked many key points, and looking back now, it felt strange.

Three years ago, Mr. Vaughn had those punks sent into the precinct to suppress the incident, preventing them from bothering Cynthia Vaughn again.

Unexpectedly, three years later, they didn’t come after Cynthia, but targeted Ann Vaughn, who had nothing to do with it.

Upon hearing this, Sutton Jennings’ eyes briefly flickered, then he smiled faintly, "Those people have already been handed over to the precinct, meeting them won’t be easy."

"Besides, the reason those people came after you now is because someone secretly paid them to do it, aiming to ruin your face and..."

At this point, Sutton Jennings’ gaze lingered on Ann Vaughn’s abdomen, the implication clear.

Ann Vaughn remembered the shirtless man’s words at that time, even though everything’s fine now, her back still broke out in a cold sweat.

"Was it... Cynthia Vaughn who instructed them to do this?"

Her suspicion was not unfounded; the only person who had previous interactions with these people was Cynthia Vaughn.

But she recalled Cynthia’s battered and extremely disheveled state, creating uncertainty.

If this was Cynthia’s scheme, the cost she paid was exceedingly steep.

Sutton Jennings slightly shook his head, "The person behind it is male, his identity is unclear for now, I’ll have some people continue investigating."

"Thank you so much this time!" Ann Vaughn took a deep breath, temporarily set these matters aside, her clear eyes meeting Sutton Jennings, "I owe you too much, but I will do everything I can to repay!"

What she could do was help Sawyer Jennings’ legs recover as soon as possible to normal.

Other than medical skills and extracting medicines, she had nothing special to offer Sutton Jennings.

Sutton Jennings saw her serious expression and couldn’t help but laugh, raising his hand to gently rub her hair.

"I’m a few years older than you; you can call me Brother Shane. Just consider it as me protecting my sister. You don’t owe anything."

Only this way could he cease yearning for anything else.

Ann Vaughn was slightly startled, then her lips curved into a smile, cleverly calling out, "Brother Shane!"

"Alright."

-

Ann Vaughn had almost fully recuperated about three days later.

Luckily, with Sawyer Jennings by her side during this time, she didn’t feel bored.

To deepen his understanding of his own health condition, Ann Vaughn taught him plenty about traditional Chinese medicine.

Though the profound topics were beyond the youngster’s grasp, he could pretty much handle the basic theoretical knowledge.

Merely two days later, Sawyer Jennings switched between calling her "Miss Annie" and "Master."

After the third acupuncture session, Sawyer Jennings’ legs visibly loosened from their previous stiffness, and he could walk longer.

"Drink this medicine for another month before stopping, and as for the medication I gave you, be sure to apply it on your legs before sleeping every night, don’t forget."

Ann Vaughn had extracted nearly ten bottles of high-purity recovery serum from the daily herbs sent to the Jennings family for Sawyer Jennings, believing with its assistance, he would soon recover.

Upon hearing this, Sawyer Jennings dove into Ann Vaughn’s embrace, playfully saying, "Thank you, Master, I definitely won’t forget!"

Ann Vaughn gently patted his little face, intending to say something, when she suddenly heard noise from downstairs.

"Stay here and read your book, I’ll go see what’s happening." Ann Vaughn tucked a medical book into Sawyer Jennings’ arms, then rose and left the room.

Downstairs.

"Lord Shane might as well let our madam make her own choice, whether she’s willing to stay here or to go back with us. Lord Shane, an outsider, seemingly has no standing to decide for our madam."

Mark Joyce looked at the man seated on the couch with composed demeanor, though his mouth held a slight smile, his words were uncompromising.

Sutton Jennings held a cup of hot tea, sipping it leisurely, his face indifferent, "Please leave."

"Lord Shane intends to go against the entire Hawthorne Family?"

"Feel free. For the ones Cyrus Hawthorne doesn’t care to cherish, there are others who will."

The atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense, ready to ignite at any moment.

Mark Joyce’s expression also turned unpleasant, about to resort to force, when a bland female voice came from the stairs, "I’ll go with you."

Ann Vaughn descended the stairs, her still unrecovered calf slightly aching, her pace slow.

If possible, she’d rather hide here forever, never facing those matters.

But after all, these were her personal issues; Sutton Jennings helped her, sheltered her because he treated her like a sister, but she couldn’t keep dragging him and little Sawyer into this.

What she should do is find a way to repay them, not continue to ask for more.

Sutton Jennings observed Ann Vaughn’s serene profile, clutching the cup a bit tighter before giving a gentle smile.

"If that’s your will, I respect your choice."

"Thank you, really thank you." Ann Vaughn pressed her lips, exchanging a brief nod with Sutton Jennings, then spoke softly to Mark Joyce beside her, "Let’s go."

After saying so, she led the way out.

-

Inside the private estate.

Ann Vaughn’s calm face walked into the villa without glancing aside, heading straight for the elevator.

"Stop." A deep, cold voice traveled from the living room into Ann Vaughn’s ears, yet she didn’t halt, as if unheard, walked into the elevator, pressing a floor button.

The elevator doors slowly closed.