CHAPTER 10: CHAPTER 10: WHO IS ACTING

"Savannah, why are you so disobedient?"

Grandpa Sinclair pursed his lips and lightly tapped the floor with his cane.

Is Grandpa being playful with me?

Quinn Lockwood unconsciously scratched her head. She had almost been harassed by Elias Sinclair just now, and now this playful act from Grandpa. This family really leaves her at a loss whether to cry or laugh.

Speaking of which, Elias draws nothing from Grandpa’s humorous and cheerful nature. He keeps a cold face all day long, like a glacier that’s been there forever.

The only time Quinn had seen him slightly smile, it was either a smirk or a sneer.

Seeing Quinn’s gaze wandering, unsure of what she was thinking, Grandpa Sinclair grew alarmed. Was she really about to leave?

Initially, he thought it was just a little quarrel between a young couple. Maybe in others’ eyes, Savannah Lowell seemed brash and unpleasant with her dramatic antics, but since Savannah had come to The Sinclair Family, she had livened up the atmosphere.

The Sinclair Family used to be cold and desolate. Perhaps due to their merchant background, the men buried themselves in their studies upon returning, while the women, in order to flaunt their status, merely engaged in tea tasting, traveling, and social activities.

In doing so, the household barely resembled a family.

As one gets older, naturally one craves hustle and bustle, especially having one’s offspring and grandchildren gathered around.

Although Grandpa Sinclair had relatives nearby, he always felt something was missing.

Before Savannah came, his biggest joy was eavesdropping on the servants’ gossip. After all, given his status, he couldn’t lower himself to chat idly, or how else would he command respect?

Reflecting on those former dull days, Grandpa Sinclair rolled his eyes. No, no, having finally found such a lively, playful little creature, he couldn’t let her leave so easily.

"Savannah, do you not like Grandpa?"

"Huh? No, how could you think that, Grandpa?"

Quinn was suddenly addressed by name and instinctively delayed for a few seconds, still adapting to using the name Savannah Lowell.

Upon hearing the desired answer, Grandpa Sinclair finally broke into a smile, leaning slightly forward toward Quinn, with utmost tenderness, "Then why do you want to leave?"

I...

Quinn suddenly found herself at a loss for words. She wanted to tell the old man the truth, but seeing Elias still with that smug look, she changed her mind.

"Because I don’t want to see a certain someone."

Quinn spoke while deliberately glancing at Elias. Clearly, that "someone" referred to Elias.

Hmph, how about that? You claimed I orchestrated everything; now I’ll give you a twist.

Elias sneered, eyes filled with haughty disregard.

Savannah Lowell, finally revealing your true colors, intentionally making Grandpa believe I bullied you, leveraging your importance in Grandpa’s eyes to earn his sympathy, thus solidifying your place within The Sinclair Family.

She is quite the actress, this absorbed in her role. No wonder not even Cameron was fooled.

"Suit yourself."

Elias’s thin lips barely moved. Since the purpose of her acting was to have Grandpa keep her, he certainly couldn’t let her succeed.

"So you mean, I can leave?"

Quinn had lost count of how many times in these few days she’d rolled her eyes at Elias.

This man was always unpredictable, saying one thing then another; having a few servants and bodyguards was that big of a deal?

Did he really think the whole world was his, that whatever he said was law? Truly arrogant.

"Of course."

Elias restated his stance; he simply wanted to see what other tricks Savannah had up her sleeve.

Receiving a definitive answer, Quinn felt elated, yet couldn’t quite decipher why he suddenly agreed. Could it be simply because Grandpa Sinclair was present, so he restrained himself a bit?

She subconsciously glanced at Elias in confusion, a look that didn’t escape Grandpa Sinclair’s notice.

"Oh my. Alright, alright, you two stop messing around. This brat clearly doesn’t want Savannah to go, deliberately saying hurtful things."

Grandpa Sinclair walked over to Quinn as he spoke, gently tapping her nose with his index finger, "And you, you clearly don’t want to go, so why lie?"

Not wanting to go was simply out of the question. She needed to quickly distance herself from this dangerous man.

Witnessing a misunderstanding unfold, Quinn hurriedly clarified, "No, no, no, I’m not lying."

"Then why were you just looking at Elias so longingly?"

Grandpa Sinclair smiled amiably; having been through it all, he saw through minor tricks with ease.

This little girl was always this way, uneasy before Elias because she loved him too much. That’s why she acted out, cared deeply about his every move, hoping for his response.

This was precisely why he was so determined to bring the two together. It wasn’t merely because he liked the girl’s personality; more importantly, he didn’t want Elias to miss out on someone who loved him so deeply.

Though misguided, though irrational.

"Alright, you mustn’t leave, especially since I saw you two being quite intimate just now. Please, don’t wear this old man out."

"I..."

For the first time, Quinn felt how futile her explanations were. Why did she feel her clarifications only made things worse?

"Savannah, your acting is really something. You could win an award. Try bringing that spirit to your job."

Elias took advantage of Grandpa’s distraction to sneer at Quinn beside her ear.

He succeeded in making Grandpa misunderstand, something he had underestimated her for.

"I’m leaving today, and no one can stop me!"

After saying this, Quinn headed toward the car. Perhaps bits of Savannah’s memories lingered, for she felt impulsive in her actions.

Oh well, doesn’t matter. If she stayed any longer, she might truly be stuck. For now, she’d have to let Grandpa down and apologize later.

Seeing Quinn genuinely make moves to leave, Grandpa Sinclair became anxious.

"Oh, dear! Someone come quickly!"

With a sharp cry, Quinn and Elias turned around to see Mrs. Lewis crouched beside Grandpa Sinclair, frantically seeking help.

Grandpa Sinclair had fainted again.

Elias shook his head helplessly. Back to his old trick.

"Grandpa!"

A figure rushed by, and the next moment, Elias saw Quinn crouched beside Grandpa, worryingly asking, "Grandpa, what’s wrong? Are you okay?"

Grandpa Sinclair twitched the corner of his mouth, eyes barely open, clutching Quinn’s arm, saying, "Savannah, stay with me, will you? I feel so dizzy. If you leave now, what will I do?"

Quinn frowned. Although her brother was more important, Grandpa couldn’t be left unattended, especially since he clung to her so. Leaving would seem too unfilial.

"Alright, I promise you."

All the while, Elias displayed a look of disdain.