CHAPTER 940: CHAPTER 940: RATIONALITY

The next day, Ann Vaughn woke up feeling sore all over, as if she had taken a beating in her sleep.

"Geez..."

Forcing herself to sit up despite the discomfort, Ann Vaughn rubbed her aching shoulders and cursed softly.

Just as she was about to lie back down and rest for a bit, Ann Vaughn noticed a little dumpling sprawled at the corner of the bed.

The little dumpling was sleeping soundly, its soft and adorable face flushed pink, completely oblivious that its small bed had been partially occupied by its own mommy...

Seeing this, Ann Vaughn’s head began to ache.

She clearly remembered sleeping in the guest room last night.

But now, can someone tell her how she ended up in the kid’s room fighting Kenny for space on the bed!?

No wonder she felt sore all over; curling up on the small bed all night long, how could she not be sore!

Recalling the previous experience of "dreamwalking," Ann Vaughn shivered all over.

Could it be she really has sleepwalking syndrome?!

Luckily, this time she just ended up in Kenny’s room; what if she had gone to the master bedroom...

James Vaughn’s reputation would likely be ruined!

Ann Vaughn shivered as she got off the small bed, with a look of remorse she tucked the little dumpling in properly, then swiftly fled the scene.

The quilt on the guest room bed was a mess, overlapping with Ann Vaughn’s last memory from last night.

Her phone on the table suddenly vibrated, interrupting Ann Vaughn’s puzzled thoughts.

Picking up the phone, she saw it was a WeChat message from Wendy Wallace.

Too lazy to look at what nonsense they’ve sent, Ann Vaughn directly blocked Wendy Wallace and Cecelia Chandler on WeChat, out of sight, out of mind.

Putting vodka in beer bottles, they were obviously trying to set her up.

Whether they just wanted to embarrass her publicly or had another motive was unclear.

Thankfully, James Vaughn came...

Thinking about it, Ann Vaughn’s heart trembled heavily, and last night’s memories came flooding back, unsettling her hard-won calm.

...

The heavy curtains automatically parted, flooding the room in golden brilliance, sunny and bright, starkly contrasting the low pressure hanging around the bed.

The man’s dark hair was disheveled, his brows lowered, thin lips pressed into a line, still dressed in last night’s shirt and trousers, creased with fine lines.

Unlike his usual proud and neat appearance, he looked more suave and rebellious.

But the hostility emitting from those dark eyes made Mark Joyce feel like blowing a horn for his own departure.

"President Hawthorne, here’s your hangover soup, drink it while it’s hot. It’ll make you feel better," Mark Joyce placed the hangover soup on the table.

Cyrus Hawthorne pressed his brow forcefully and spoke deeply, "After I brought Annie back last night, what happened?"

Mark Joyce didn’t dare hide anything, recounting everything he saw last night truthfully.

As for what happened afterward, Mark Joyce didn’t know.

"Hmm." Cyrus Hawthorne’s expression was hard to read, "Where is Annie now?"

"Miss Vaughn just went out, said she was going to the hospital to visit a friend," Mark Joyce said and handed the tablet in his hand to Cyrus Hawthorne. "President Hawthorne, please take a look at this first; it’s the surveillance footage from the villa last night."

Cyrus Hawthorne looked down coolly, and saw on the screen, the guest room door opening, Ann Vaughn stepping out.

She walked slowly downstairs, and instead of heading to the dining room for food, she wandered around the rooms downstairs searching for something.

After combing through the first floor, she then went to the second, and then the third...

Partway through, she had minor tumbles on the stairs, she only paused for a few seconds each time, then got up and continued.

Finally, she entered Kenny’s room and never came out.

Because there were no cameras installed inside the room, it was impossible to know why she stopped in the children’s room, or why she didn’t continue searching.

Cyrus Hawthorne’s dark narrow eyes showed some thought, "Have you identified what she was looking for?"

"Not yet, President Hawthorne. Sept and I have separately checked those rooms, there are no signs of rummaging inside," Mark Joyce replied, "However... all the safes in the rooms have been opened."

How Ann Vaughn knew the codes was uncertain; nearly none of the safes were left untouched.

The critical thing is, although she opened the safes, she didn’t take any valuables from them, indicating none were what she was looking for.

After pondering for several seconds, Cyrus Hawthorne’s brow faintly furrowed, "Keep an eye on her from now on."

"Yes," Mark Joyce said solemnly, "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Miss Vaughn doesn’t take anything away!"

If the jewelry and diamonds were taken away, it wouldn’t matter.

But the safes in the study contained highly confidential documents, never to see the light of day.

Luckily, the BOSS was sensible, not indulging Miss Vaughn to the extreme...

Just as the thought arose, Mark Joyce heard Cyrus Hawthorne say lightly, "Protect her, if she wants something, give it to her directly."

Mark Joyce: ???

...

Meanwhile, at First Hospital.

Ann Vaughn received a call from Reese Lynch’s assistant, learning that she had suddenly gone into labor, she rushed over immediately.

Outside the delivery room, only Reese Lynch’s mother-in-law was waiting; her husband was nowhere to be seen.

Just as Ann Vaughn arrived, she heard Reese Lynch’s mother-in-law commanding the assistant, "Let me know after she’s given birth, I have things to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first."

After speaking, she left with her chin up, ignoring the assistant’s persuasion.

It was a complete shock to Ann Vaughn’s worldview.

But now wasn’t the time to think about these things; luckily Reese Lynch had informed the hospital in advance, allowing Ann Vaughn to enter the delivery room smoothly.

Time ticked away second by second.

At two in the morning, the surgery was successful, and Reese Lynch was wheeled into the ward.

Ann Vaughn leaned against the wall to rest, rubbing her right wrist, her face faintly pale.

This time she tried not to use her right hand, so despite the discomfort, it wasn’t as excruciatingly painful as last time.

"Yes, yes, Miss Lynch has given birth; congratulations on your baby girl... What did you say? Busy at work and can’t come?!" The assistant was on the phone with Reese Lynch’s husband and couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

"It’s currently the peak of my career; missing this opportunity means who knows how long until the next one. Additionally, I’m working hard for a better future for her and our daughter, I’m sure Reese will understand."

The words sounded pompous and irritated anyone listening.

The assistant’s voice suddenly heightened, "Mr. Halloway, are you aware Miss Lynch nearly died from severe hemorrhage today?! She was in labor; as her husband, you weren’t present. Now you let—hello? Hello?!"

The other party hung up the phone.

Not even a word of concern, not even inquiring about Reese Lynch’s current condition...

The assistant was so enraged she nearly smashed her phone.