CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 228: NEVER HELP A MAN GROW UP

Vincent Hawthorne had spoken so plainly that Tanya Sinclair hesitated.

The two children were indeed their only tie at present, and she cared about them the most.

Tanya thought for a moment and decided to agree.

"Alright, I’ll contact Lawyer Shaw; you should bring your lawyer too, and we..."

"Tanya," Vincent said softly, "let’s meet now, just the two of us."

Tanya frowned, about to speak, but Vincent continued first, "I mean, there’s no need to go to court and make a scene. Caden is very smart and will certainly find out about these things. If we can resolve this peacefully, let’s discuss it peacefully."

Tanya was silent for a moment, "Custody is not a small matter. Can you make decisions for your father?"

In the past, when she and Vincent were involved emotionally, she viewed him through a rose-tinted lens. But even then, she knew in her heart that Vincent’s father, Theodore Hawthorne, was the true head of The Hawthorne Family.

Vincent never really dared to disobey Theodore. Even during those two years of their marriage, whenever there was a major decision in work that conflicted with Theodore’s stance, Tanya was always the one to negotiate.

She understood his consistent weakness, yet she loved him, so she shared the burden.

But reality taught her a harsh lesson—not to accompany a man while he grows up, because some men never do.

Vincent seemed to chuckle mysteriously, "My father should be even more reluctant to provoke you now."

Tanya: "..."

Vincent grew serious, "Then send me your current address, and I’ll come over now..."

"No need, let’s meet outside." Tanya didn’t want him to know where she currently lived.

Vincent paused, then said, "Alright, let’s meet at The Cloudside Restaurant. I remember you like the food there."

Tanya: "..."

The Cloudside Restaurant was a place near Vincent’s university.

It wasn’t too far from where she lived, about a half-hour drive away.

Tanya said plainly, "Okay, I’m heading over now."

She directly hung up the call.

Vincent listened to the busy tone in his ear and tugged at the corners of his mouth.

In the past, Tanya would always wait for him to hang up first.

During those years with her, he took all her partiality for granted. Now that she retracted it all, he began to miss it.

"Daddy."

Vincent turned around to see Caden holding Joy’s hand standing behind him.

"What’s wrong?" Vincent forced a smile.

"Are you going to see Mom?" Caden asked.

"Yes." Vincent squatted down to look both children in the eye. Both of them had reflections of Tanya; these were their children.

Joy pursed her lips, "Daddy, did you and Mom divorce?"

"..." Vincent hadn’t properly discussed this matter with the kids because they didn’t spend much time with Tanya. He thought Joy wouldn’t care.

After all, Joy always considered Cindy Lynn as her mother.

Vincent was about to speak when Joy suddenly flung herself into his arms, hugging his neck.

"Daddy, are you going to marry Cindy Mommy next?"

If Daddy really married Cindy Mommy, then she might never see Mom again.

Mom had said she could only choose one...

Moreover, if Daddy married Cindy Mommy, Mom would definitely marry someone else too.

Then she wouldn’t want her anymore.

Suddenly, Joy’s heart ached terribly, and tears began to fall.

Vincent thought Joy was crying because she wanted him to marry Cindy, which made her cry.

He gently comforted her, "Cindy Mommy can come and be with you anytime, don’t cry, sweetheart. Daddy needs to go out now, and I’ll call Aunt Tawny to take care of you both."

Joy cried even louder, sobbing uncontrollably.

Caden pulled her away.

"Daddy, you should go. Aunt Tawny is here, and I can take care of my sister."

Vincent patted Caden’s head, and seeing that it wasn’t early, he went back to his room to change clothes and then drove away.

On the road, he received a call from Cindy Lynn. Vincent glanced at it, took a deep breath, and didn’t answer.

But soon the second call came in, he still didn’t answer, and Cindy Lynn seemed determined to call until he picked up, as the ringtone kept ringing.

Vincent frowned, not realizing Cindy Lynn could be so clingy and annoying.

On the sixth call, Vincent frowned, put on his Bluetooth headset, and answered.

"Hello."

"Vincent, why didn’t you answer my call? I asked Special Assistant Rivers, and he said you didn’t go to the office. Are you at home? I’ll come find you now!" Cindy’s urgent voice bombarded like a string of shells.

Vincent held the steering wheel, trying to keep his voice nonchalant.

"No need, I’m running some errands outside, and my phone was on silent."

"What errands?" Cindy pressed with vigilance.

There wasn’t a single matter of Vincent’s, whether personal or business, that she didn’t know!

Vincent was indeed a bit irritated.

"So, now I have to explain everything to you clearly?"

Cindy heard the displeasure in Vincent’s tone and immediately switched to a soft, innocent tone, "Vincent, I’m just a bit scared, worried that because of what happened at The Kendall Family’s lunch, you’ll have prejudices against me... I’m afraid of losing you!"

"..."

Vincent rubbed his throbbing temples.

At The Kendall Family’s lunch, although he left, wasn’t it a form of escape too?

In some way, he had no stance to blame Cindy Lynn, as The Lynn Family was slandering Tanya, and he was a co-conspirator, choosing silence for his own benefit.

"Don’t overthink," Vincent calmly reassured, "I really have something I need to do today, and you’ve had a tough day too, so eat well and rest well."

"Then tomorrow, can we go to the office together?"

"We’ll see. I’m driving, let’s not talk for now."

Cindy still wanted to say more, but Vincent had already hung up the call.

Cindy listened to the disconnection tone, growing increasingly uneasy.

She paced anxiously back and forth in the living room; no, she couldn’t just wait around like this!

Finally, Cindy fixed her gaze and picked up the phone, dialing Joy’s smartwatch.

"Joy sweetie," Cindy’s voice was tender enough to drip water, "Daddy just called Cindy Mommy and said he went out, asking me to come and keep you and Caden company. I’m coming over now; what would you like to eat? Cindy Mommy will bring it for you."