CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186: TIME TO CONSIDER FINDING MYSELF A STEPFATHER

Since Vincent Hawthorne was determined to believe that Cindy Lynn was pure, kind, and innocent.

Tanya couldn’t be bothered to waste her breath and walked straight inside.

The two of them sat in front of the divorce counter.

The staff were taken aback for a moment.

In front of them were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, especially the woman, who was dressed stunningly with a smile in her eyes, genuinely happy from the heart.

This didn’t look like a couple coming for a divorce at all...

The staff thought they might be in the wrong place and reminded them, "To get married, please go next door."

Tanya cheerfully handed over her documents, "I’m here for a divorce."

Vincent shot her a glance, his face turning even sourer.

He pulled out his documents and slammed them on the table.

"Tanya, don’t regret this!"

Tanya completely ignored him, looking at the staff, her smile blooming even brighter.

"Please, hurry up with the process."

The staff: "..."

They glanced again at the man whose gaze was cold enough to freeze, then at the woman who was smiling like a flower in front of them.

Finally, they stamped the divorce certificate.

However, before handing over the certificate, the staff took out two re-marriage application forms and placed them in front of the two.

"Here’s the thing, Mr. Hawthorne, Ms. Sinclair. I need to explain our policy to you," the staff explained, "To prevent impulsive divorces, the current regulation stipulates a one-month remarriage period. If within a month you decide you don’t want to go through with the divorce, you can bring this remarriage application, and today’s divorce won’t count. You’ll still be a first-marriage couple...oh!"

The staff hadn’t finished speaking when Tanya decisively tore up the remarriage application in front of her.

"I won’t be needing this." Tanya smiled slightly, then picked up the divorce certificate and walked away with flair.

The staff: "..."

She was set on getting divorced.

Oh well, it’s just following procedure; after all, there are those who return for remarriage, and those who don’t look back.

The staff was about to collect the remarriage application in front of Vincent when his long fingers pressed down firmly on it.

The staff: "?"

They looked at Vincent in surprise, "Mr. Hawthorne, could you please..."

Vincent forcefully snatched the paper away, flatly saying, "I need some scratch paper to calculate something."

With that, Vincent took the remarriage application form and left briskly.

"..."

The staff were speechless.

They shook their head at Vincent’s retreating figure.

He was so stubborn; the reason for the divorce was not hard to guess.

As Vincent stepped out the door, he saw Tanya talking to Jonah Rivers. He didn’t know what they were saying, but they even hugged briefly.

Vincent’s eyes turned a little cold.

Noticing Vincent’s figure in her peripheral vision, Tanya acted like she had seen something dirty and quickly excused herself from Jonah, swiftly getting into Zane’s car.

By the time Vincent came over, the car had already sped off.

"Mr. Hawthorne, shall we head back to the office?" Jonah casually opened the car door for Vincent.

Vincent glanced at Jonah silently. As he got into the car, he caught a whiff of the perfume Tanya wore today lingering on Jonah.

It was a rich Damascus rose scent.

Vincent pursed his lips in discomfort.

All those years together, Tanya almost never wore perfume because he said he didn’t like those fickle scents...

"You and Tan..." Vincent paused, correcting himself, "You and Tanya, what were you talking about?"

"Oh, not much." Jonah responded honestly while driving, "I just thanked Ms. Sinclair for recognizing my potential and hiring me. She told me to work hard, saying that reaching the position of personal assistant to the CEO wasn’t easy. She also mentioned that Zenith Group is one of the top companies in the industry, and that I had a high ceiling for advancement."

Vincent absent-mindedly refreshed his social media feed and casually asked, "Did she mention me?"

Jonah: "..."

Actually, she did mention him, but Tanya said, ’Vincent Hawthorne, as your superior, may lack in competence, but he is generous with salaries. Stay and gain as much experience as you can, polish your resume, and use him as a stepping stone.’

Vincent waited a few seconds without hearing Jonah speak, so he lifted his eyelids and just met Jonah’s gaze in the rearview mirror.

Jonah immediately looked away to focus on the road, responding earnestly, "Ms. Sinclair did mention you."

Vincent’s grip on his phone tightened unconsciously as he pressed further, "What did she say about me?" He sensed Jonah’s tension and said calmly, "Speak honestly, I won’t get mad."

"..."

No way could he tell the truth—he hadn’t switched jobs yet! Telling the truth would be career suicide.

With a straight face, Jonah said, "Ms. Sinclair said you are a very good leader, and that I should learn a lot from you. And your stomach isn’t good, so I should look after you more."

"..."

After hearing this, Vincent said nothing, but his face noticeably softened.

Just as he expected, even after the divorce, he was someone Tanya loved deeply. Fifteen years together—it would be impossible for her to truly let go with ease.

He suddenly understood why Tanya only asked for property in the divorce agreement and didn’t mention custody of their two children!

She clearly cared so much about the two kids...

Now Vincent realized that the one thing they couldn’t sever was being the biological parents to their two children!

As long as that relationship existed, they’d be intertwined for life.

She could be mad, even resentful towards him, but ultimately she couldn’t let him go...

Vincent lowered the car window, the morning breeze brushing his face, as he pulled out that remarriage application from his pocket.

Tanya, this time I won’t forgive you so easily...

Meanwhile.

The car Zane Shaw was driving had happy jazz music playing.

Tanya was in a great mood, she took a picture of her divorce certificate and sent it to Daisy Bell.

Then she took a selfie with the divorce certificate and posted it on her social media timeline.

The caption only had two words.

[New Beginning.]

The post immediately started receiving likes.

Tanya thought it was Daisy, but when she clicked, she found it was actually Odyssey, who had disappeared for several days and hadn’t contacted her.

Tanya immediately sent a message to Odyssey, reminding him to collect the money and the car.

But there was still no reply.

Tanya found it a bit odd but was in such a good mood today that she didn’t mind.

He might not be able to reply right now.

Tanya hummed softly along with the cheerful music.

Zane Shaw couldn’t help but glance at Tanya’s radiant smile, which was exceptionally bright in the morning light.

He couldn’t help but sigh at Vincent Hawthorne’s lack of perception, not appreciating such a wonderful woman.

The next second, Declan Pierce’s stern and grim face suddenly appeared in Zane Shaw’s mind, uprooting the budding feeling before it even emerged.

Even though she’s a beautiful and lovely woman, any man could be tempted, but if he’s tempted by Tanya, he might never have his heart beat again.

Zane Shaw understood well how to weigh the advantages and avoid harm, and he was very perceptive of the situation.

He pushed his glasses up from the bridge of his nose with his index finger, instantly switching to work mode: "Ms. Sinclair, after tomorrow’s shareholders’ meeting, the court appearance notice will be handed to Vincent Hawthorne. Next, we’ll officially start fighting for custody with The Hawthorne Family."

Tomorrow, Vincent Hawthorne will be kicked out of the board seat, lowering his status in the group, which means the group’s legal team will no longer serve him personally.

On this side, with Zane Shaw overseeing, the chances of winning custody are very high.

Tanya’s only concern was the wishes of the two children.

Especially Joy...

Just as she was thinking, her phone vibrated; it was a call from Caden.

Tanya immediately answered.

"Caden dear, why are you calling Mommy at this time? Aren’t you supposed to be in class today?"

Caden said, "I have to attend the group match for the international computer competition semifinals today, so I don’t need to go to school."

Tanya: "Is there anything Mommy can help with?"

"No need, it’s just a group match. Wait until the finals, mom, you can come and watch it live." Caden’s tone was very calm, yet it revealed the unique confidence and pride of a genius, "Watch me win the championship."

Tanya smiled gently and agreed, "Okay, Mommy will definitely come."

She knew Caden wouldn’t have called just to tell her this.

"Caden, is there anything else you want to tell Mommy?"

Caden hesitated for a few seconds before finally asking, "Have you and Dad divorced?"

"Yes."

Tanya admitted directly without a second of hesitation.

On the other side, Caden was wearing headphones talking to Tanya, while Joy sat next to him, tightly holding her brother’s hand, with another headphone in her ear.

She heard clearly that Dad and Mom were already divorced...

Joy’s chubby arm tightly hugged the plush doll in her arms.

Her black grape-like eyes were filled with panic and unease.

Mrs. Lennox was right; Dad and Mom indeed got divorced.

So... Tanya, her biological mom, will abandon her.

In future, she would have her own children, and won’t want her anymore...

Joy suddenly pulled out the earphone, angrily stuffed it into her brother’s hand, and turned away gloomily while hugging the doll.

Caden didn’t understand what had suddenly happened to his sister, he reached out to gently pat his sister’s head comfortingly.

From the earphones came Tanya’s voice.

"Caden, Dad and I still have some things to talk about, after we come to an agreement, I’ll tell you and your sister, okay?"

The divorce was between her and Vincent Hawthorne.

No matter how ugly it got between her and Vincent, she didn’t want to involve the two kids or leave any shadow over them.

"Okay." Caden replied calmly, he lowered his eyes and pursed his lips, then suddenly spoke, "Mom..."

"Hm?"

He said gently, "I support you, I know Dad wasn’t good to you, and neither was the rest of the family..."

Joy knew nothing; even if she knew a little, she wouldn’t understand.

But Caden was different.

Even though all the adults around him deliberately kept him in the dark about what was happening in The Hawthorne Family recently, as a computer genius, he could find out anything he wanted to...

Tanya heard her son’s words, she felt a twinge in her nose, nearly tearing up.

She held back the tears and tried her best to stay calm, "Sweetheart, thank you. Don’t worry about Mommy, Mommy can take care of herself, and in the future, Mommy can also protect you and Joy."

"Mm... I’ll hang up now, I’m almost at the competition venue."

"Okay, sweetie, good luck, Mommy is waiting for your good news."

"Bye-bye."

Caden put down the phone, although Joy seemed to have her back turned, her little ears were perked up, paying attention to what was happening on his side.

Once the call ended, she immediately turned around, awkwardly asked, "Brother, did Mom ask about me?"

Caden was busy sending messages and didn’t pay attention to his sister’s emotions, so he answered casually, "No, we talked about adult stuff."

"Hmph, fine if not." Joy puffed her cheeks, turned her back again, and grumpily squeezed the doll in her arms.

Since Tanya didn’t care about her, she wouldn’t care either!

Just then, her little phone vibrated, she looked at it immediately.

But it wasn’t a message from Tanya, she had already removed her from the blacklist.

Joy’s eyes dimmed a bit, she opened the chat with Cindy and played Cindy’s voice message to her ear, her expression gradually brightening...

Behind her, Caden was sending messages to K with a serious expression.

Caden: [My mom is now single, I’ve reviewed your uncle’s details, he passes. I approve him courting my mom.]

K: [Then from now on, we’re brothers! I’ll call you boss, and you call me brother! We’ll each have our own titles!]

Caden: [...Let’s talk when your uncle charms my mom.]

K: [Boss, you have to give my uncle a chance, right? How about tomorrow night, you bring your mom, I’ll bring my uncle, and we’ll meet offline?]

Caden stroked his chin, thought seriously for a few seconds, and reluctantly agreed.

Caden: [Okay.]

He also wanted to assess on-site whether Julian Poole was qualified to be his future stepfather.