CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17: DEFENDING HIS WHITE MOONLIGHT RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER

"..." Cindy’s originally slightly upturned lips froze.

Serena’s eyes widened even more, momentarily unable to believe her ears. Once she reacted, she was so happy she almost screamed.

Tanya said calmly, "Seven years ago, when I joined the company, I signed a ten-year contract. Unless I resign voluntarily, the position of head of the R&D department is mine for ten years. In a few days, I’ll be back to work normally."

She raised her voice to make sure everyone in the department could hear clearly, "Of course, if anyone wants to follow Secretary Lynn, I won’t stop you. I will suggest to President Hawthorne to open a second R&D department, and you can feel free to stay or leave."

If everything she did at work before was for Vincent, starting today, she fights only for herself!

The position of R&D manager was secured through her blood and sweat back then, nearly costing her life. Her career was not something anyone could touch!

Tanya couldn’t be bothered to tangle with Cindy and the others any further, striding towards the office.

When she first moved into this office, Tanya had installed a secret personal safe inside.

It contained several important R&D materials, and she came specifically to retrieve them today.

"Wait a minute!" Nina couldn’t hold back, grabbing Tanya’s arm and shouting sharply, "Tanya, I see you clearly abusing your power as Mrs. Hawthorne to retaliate against Cindy! How shameless can you be!"

These words went too far. Jonah frowned and was about to step forward to pull Nina away, but saw Tanya cold-faced, suddenly raising her arm and while flinging Nina off, the back of her hand directly slapped across Nina’s face.

’Slap—’

The crisp sound made the scene completely silent.

Jonah stared blankly at Tanya before him, somewhat incredulous.

He remembered that Mrs. Hawthorne used to be the most gentle and well-spoken, never mind hitting someone, she had never even spoken loudly.

How did Mrs. Hawthorne become so fierce after waking up from her vegetative state?

Jonah snapped back to reality, turning his face to disperse the onlooking colleagues.

"Is everyone not working anymore? What are you doing gathered here?"

After all, he was the special assistant, his words carried weight, and everyone dispersed.

Serena looked back three times at Tanya, her lips compressed hard like AK, her gaze sparking with worship.

So cool!

She absolutely adored the current Ms. Tanya!

Nina came to her senses, her face twisted in anger.

"How dare you hit me!"

"Sorry, I didn’t see it. I have a strong reaction to physical contact." Tanya reminded expressionlessly, "Next time, don’t touch me casually. Also, what did you mean earlier by saying I retaliated against Cindy?"

During the five years she was in the vegetative state, Vincent and Cindy both thought she was deaf without consciousness, so they didn’t know she had already discovered their affair. After waking up, she continued pretending to be blind...

Tanya instinctively felt that the retaliation mentioned by Nina probably wasn’t referring to Cindy and Vincent’s affair. Otherwise, no matter how stupid this woman was, she wouldn’t be so bold as to publicly stick up for the mistress.

Nina rolled her eyes, saying sarcastically, "Oh, Mrs. Hawthorne really is forgetful. You, back then..."

"Nina." Cindy interrupted at this moment, holding Nina’s hand gently, speaking warmly, "Don’t forget, you have an important client to meet later. Go and ice your face quickly."

The client she was about to meet was a rich second generation she had been eyeing for a long time! Nina touched her face and quickly went off in her high heels to handle her face.

Tanya narrowed her eyes slightly, her mind clear.

Cindy did it on purpose; she didn’t want Nina to finish speaking.

Cindy looked at Tanya, "Mrs. Hawthorne, don’t bother with Nina. She’s always been straightforward and doesn’t think much before speaking."

Most likely, Cindy had been gossiping about her behind her back to Nina, but Tanya had no interest in hearing this nonsense.

She turned and walked towards the office door, sweeping her walking stick to the door and pushing it casually, causing the door to bounce back from the inertia.

"Ms. Tanya, wait a moment!" Cindy suddenly darted after Tanya, reaching to hold the door frame. She was just caught by the bouncing door, "Ah!"

Cindy cried out in pain.

Feeling puzzled, Tanya turned back and saw Cindy’s fair and tender hand with a conspicuous red mark caught by the door.

The next moment, Vincent’s angry voice sounded.

"Tanya, what are you doing?"

Tanya, through her sunglasses, saw Vincent striding over, his handsome brows furrowing, his eyes full of undisguised sympathy for Cindy and dissatisfaction with her.

Because she ’couldn’t see,’ Vincent made no effort to hide his feelings in his expression.

"President Hawthorne, it wasn’t Mrs. Hawthorne’s fault!" Cindy quickly held Vincent’s arm with one hand, "It was my own carelessness that got me caught by the door."

Jonah had seen it all clearly and couldn’t help but speak up for Tanya now: "President Hawthorne, don’t misunderstand. It truly was just an accident."

Vincent had always been one for appearances. He pursed his lips slightly, saying nothing more but reached out towards Cindy.

"Let me take a look."

Cindy hesitated for two seconds while trying to hide her hand behind her but eventually put her hand into Vincent’s palm.

She softly said, "It doesn’t hurt, President Hawthorne."

Vincent frowned, "A little more and your bone would be broken."

Though he didn’t name names, Tanya could tell he was blaming her.

Tanya thought she wouldn’t feel upset, but having loved Vincent for so many years, he had become a sore in her bones, deeply rooted. His expressions and words could hurt her.

"It’s okay, President Hawthorne. A bit of medicine will solve it," Cindy explained softly, "You can’t blame Mrs. Hawthorne for being upset. She just arrived at the R&D department and heard you appointed me as the manager last week; it’s normal for her to feel bad."

Vincent’s face darkened further upon hearing this.

"So it’s about this. I was planning to talk to you my about this at home tonight. This board decision has nothing to do with Secretary Lynn. Tanya, you were too impulsive."

Implicitly, he took it for granted that she was bullying Cindy.

Tanya suddenly felt so tired, so pointless. She had wasted over ten years of her youth on such a cheap man.

Tanya continued playing along begrudgingly, "Alright, we’ll talk about it at home tonight."

But Vincent wasn’t going to let it end there.

"Tanya, I think you owe Secretary Lynn an apology."

He frowned, standing up for his muse.

Tanya stared at Vincent through her sunglasses.

He protected Cindy by his side, his increasingly handsome and mature face showing several accusations against her.

Tanya felt a flicker of confusion.

In the years she loved Vincent, numerous times had she been looked down upon by his friends and belittled by his family... yet never once did Vincent stand firmly by her side like he now was with Cindy.

Every time he said: ’Tanya, be sensible.’

’Tanya, they are all my friends, give me some dignity.’

’Tanya, my family is only concerned about me, not truly hostile towards you.’

’Tanya, empathize with me a little, could you endure it for me?’

She kept enduring, kept conceding, swallowing all grievances for not putting Vincent in a tough spot.

But not once did he ever understand her or feel sorry for her.

Tanya closed her eyes, feeling the endless bitterness and irony surge.

For all these years, she had degraded herself so thoroughly for such a man!

Tanya took a deep breath, struggled to suppress her emotions, and patiently explained one last time: "Vincent, you should know me well. I couldn’t possibly do this intentionally..."

"Alright." Vincent didn’t want to hear it at all. He intensified his tone, urging with displeasure, "Tanya, apologize to Secretary Lynn, be more sensible."

"..." Tanya felt completely disillusioned with him; she simply didn’t want to say another word.

Her silent refusal made Vincent’s face darker with displeasure.

That inexplicable sense of agitation returned once more.

Tanya was supposed never to refuse him!

Now, he was merely asking for an apology, a simple matter. He spoke, yet she refused to submit!

Vincent inhaled deeply, restraining his emotions, reaching out intending to hold Tanya, but his arm was just raised when Cindy caught his wrist.

"President Hawthorne..."