CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 198: THE PRECARIOUS POSITION OF THE MAIN WIFE

Holly felt something was off the more she listened.

This atmosphere, the way the topic was being led, why did it seem so much like a repeat of that last arranged meeting that went wrong?

Could Director Lennon still be trying to matchmake her with Aiden Jenson?

This was too ridiculous.

Hadn’t it been made clear last time?

Besides, she and Blake Sinclair obviously already...

She instinctively glanced at Aiden Jenson across from her. He was also frowning, shaking his head slightly, his eyes puzzled.

He picked up a piece of rib and put it in her bowl. "Eat more, Auntie Lennon made this specially for you."

Dinner ended with Director Lennon’s nostalgic tales, but Holly was eating without tasting the food.

Aiden Jenson noticed it was late and got up to say goodbye.

Director Lennon hurriedly nudged Holly, "Quick, see Aiden off, it’s dark downstairs, be careful."

The autumn wind was chilly as the two walked downstairs, the streetlights elongating their shadows.

Before Aiden could speak, Holly apologized first, "I’m sorry, Aiden, I really didn’t know my mom invited you over for dinner with this intention, sorry for the trouble."

Aiden looked at her troubled expression and instead comforted her, "It’s okay, don’t overthink it, Auntie Lennon probably just wanted some company, she cares about you."

His tone was as considerate as always.

But Holly felt they couldn’t stay ambiguous any longer.

She felt a bit guilty.

She knew Aiden’s feelings for her, the childhood innocence, the grown-up protection, she’s seen it all.

Now that she had reconciled with Blake Sinclair, but because she hadn’t come clean yet, it put Aiden in this situation, she truly felt bad.

Holly took a deep breath, the cool air filling her lungs made her even more clear-headed.

She raised her head, looking at Aiden with a steady gaze, deciding to be honest, "Aiden, actually, I..."

"You got back together with President Sinclair, didn’t you?" Aiden interrupted first.

Holly’s eyes widened in surprise, "How did you know?"

Aiden looked at her surprised expression, a trace of bitterness briefly flashed in his eyes.

"Because lately, you’ve seemed really well, it’s a kind of relaxed happiness that radiates from the inside out, especially in your work."

He paused, "Holly, did you forget? Teacher Quill’s first lesson for us was that art is born from the heart. Your work now is filled with warmth and love."

The night wind swept by again, ruffling Holly’s hair.

Aiden instinctively raised his hand, wanting to tuck the hair behind her ear, just like he had done countless times when they were young.

But his hand paused halfway, and he withdrew it.

"Holly," Aiden’s voice lowered a bit, filled with a touch of relief, yet a hint of reluctance.

"I’ll always be your Aiden. Seeing you so happy now, I’m truly glad. You must stay happy like this, always happy."

Holly’s nose tingled, and she nearly cried. She nodded vigorously, "I will, Aiden, I will be happy."

He took a step back, waving with a smile, "Go back up, the wind’s strong. Call me anytime if something comes up. And don’t forget to send me an invitation to your wedding."

Years of obsession and restraint seemed to finally drift away with the wind at this moment, turning into a pure brotherly blessing.

"I will!"

...

The next day, at Lunar Lotus Studio.

Blake Sinclair sat as usual on his exclusive sofa dealing with business, but he couldn’t concentrate.

All morning, he’d been staring in the direction of the pottery classroom.

Holly and Aiden Jenson were heads together, huddled over a semi-finished piece, whispering about something, and it had been like that all morning.

What kind of work required such close discussion?

Aiden Jenson’s hair was almost touching Holly’s forehead!

Blake Sinclair’s face grew more and more sullen, unable to read a single word of the documents in his hand.

Especially when he saw Aiden Jenson, seemingly about to reach out to hold Holly’s hand with the carving knife, he couldn’t sit still anymore.

He stood up, took long steps, and wedged himself between the two.

"What do you want for lunch? I’ll have someone bring it over." he asked Holly.

However, Holly didn’t notice his jealousy at all, instead thinking he was blocking the light, and she pushed him aside.

"Oh come on, don’t block the way! Aiden, what did you say about how to change the curve here? Like this?"

Blake Sinclair: "..."

Three lines of frustration appeared over his head.

Aiden Jenson?

Did Aiden Jenson not have a last name?

Out of all the surnames out there, isn’t there one that you like?

Blake Sinclair felt that his status as the legitimate partner was being challenged like never before, and it was precarious.

Aiden Jenson looked at Blake Sinclair’s dark expression, and a knowing smile flickered in his eyes.

After explaining to Holly Crowe the parts that needed changes, he put down the carving knife, "You and President Sinclair should go have lunch; there’s nothing major left. I’ve got an appointment in the afternoon, so I won’t be back."

Hearing this, Blake Sinclair’s eyes lit up.

But Holly Crowe reacted faster than him. Her eyes curved like crescents as she started gossiping, "Aiden, is there some good news coming up?"

Aiden Jenson chuckled and explained, "Just an older schoolmate from abroad. She’s quite interested in the Port Kallow art and rural development project, so we’re meeting to discuss it."

Blake Sinclair didn’t care about any senior or junior schoolmate; he immediately reached over to put his arm around Holly Crowe’s shoulder, pulling her closer to himself.

"Since Mr. Jenson has plans, we won’t keep you any longer. Take care."

He asserted his dominance and smugly added, "Oh, don’t forget to come to our wedding for the celebration."

Upon hearing this, Aiden Jenson’s eyes shimmered slightly.

He looked at Blake Sinclair, smiled meaningfully, "I’ll definitely attend. But, President Sinclair, in terms of seniority, I consider myself like a brother to Holly, shouldn’t you follow her lead and call me..."

"..."

Blake Sinclair was, for once, left speechless.

Seeing the usually composed great President Sinclair flustered, Aiden Jenson couldn’t help but let out a hearty laugh before turning to leave with great satisfaction.

Holly Crowe gently nudged the stiff man beside her with her elbow, "Why so silent? President Sinclair?"

Blake Sinclair decided to ignore the topic that lowered his standing, pulling her along as they walked out: "What do you want to eat? A new lamb hot pot place just opened across the street, heard it’s pretty good, want to try?"

"Not today," Holly Crowe took out her phone and waved the screen.

"Director Lennon just messaged me, asking to meet at the Nova World Mall for a meal."

"So sudden?" Blake Sinclair frowned.

"Exactly." Holly Crowe also found it a bit odd.

"Holly, I..." Blake Sinclair looked at her expectantly, trying to secure some family privileges.

"No way!"

Holly Crowe refused, waving three fingers in front of his eyes, "Three more days! Sinclair, the revolution isn’t over yet, comrades must keep up the effort! Just wait a little longer!"

Holly Crowe went to the fourth-floor restaurant at the Nova World Mall, following the address sent by Director Lennon.

After giving the last digits of her reservation number to the receptionist, she followed the server to a reserved window seat.

She looked around.

It was an Italian restaurant.

A woman in a white cocktail dress was playing the piano on a central dais, the gentle music flowed softly.

A giant pink bow hung from the ceiling, giving the whole restaurant a romantic and elegant atmosphere.

Holly Crowe was puzzled as to why Director Lennon had chosen such an obviously couple-oriented restaurant.

She didn’t have time to think deeply, when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a very familiar figure in a booth diagonally across.

Blake Sinclair seemed to have seen her already. Across a few tables, he raised a glass of water towards her in a gesture.

Holly Crowe was speechless and immediately looked down at her phone.

Holly: [Why are you here?]

Y: [Here for a meal.]

Holly: [But you hate Italian food the most!]

Y: [Trying new flavors, broadening my horizons.]

Holly: [Aren’t you afraid that Director Lennon will see you?]

Y: [Eating is a basic right that cannot be deprived. We’re just strangers having a coincidental encounter now, please be professional, Ms. Crowe, and don’t blow our cover.]

Holly: [(speechless-eyeroll.jpg)]

Just after she sent the message, she heard footsteps approaching her ear.

Thinking Director Lennon had arrived, Holly Crowe hurriedly put away her phone and lifted her head with a well-behaved smile.

However, upon seeing who sat down opposite her, her smile froze.

Sitting across from her wasn’t Director Lennon, nor was it Teacher Crowe.

It was a handsome stranger in a black suit, holding a bouquet of red roses, looking at her gently.

Holly Crowe quickly understood Director Lennon’s ’well-intentioned’ plan.

A blind date?

She suddenly turned to look diagonally across.

Blake Sinclair, who had been calmly holding a glass, now had a completely darkened expression.

He’d somehow picked up a dinner knife and was poking it into the plate repeatedly.

It seemed like he could put a hole in the plate any second.

Holly Crowe lamented silently.

This is bad...