CHAPTER 253: CHAPTER 253: WHO’S THE REAL LIAR?

The sachet, cut open and gutted, was tossed aside.

The contents had already been taken out and were now laid out in front of Cindy Lynn.

Instead of harboring suspicions, he decided to directly ask Cindy Lynn what exactly she was doing.

"Vincent, why did you cut open the sachet I gave to Joy?" Cindy Lynn looked surprised, reaching out to pick up the cut sachet. She merely touched it and immediately frowned, "This isn’t the one I gave to Joy."

"What?" Vincent Hawthorne paused slightly, staring suspiciously at Cindy Lynn, "I took this from Joy’s backpack, how could it not be the one you gave her?"

"It really isn’t." Cindy Lynn argued, "Though it looks similar, I embroidered Joy’s name on the sachet I gave her, just to prevent it from getting lost or mixed up."

Vincent did not believe her, his gaze filled with intense scrutiny.

Cindy Lynn shifted her gaze, looking at the pile of materials that had been inside the sachet, now spread out on the table by Vincent.

He had taken everything out!

"Joy hasn’t been sleeping well, so her sachet contained calming herbs and spices based on an ancient recipe. As for these chemical powders, I really don’t know what they are." Cindy turned her gaze to Vincent’s still gloomy face, biting her lip, "Vincent, I don’t know who told you what, but I would never harm Joy!"

"..." Vincent’s thin lips pressed tightly, yet before he could respond, Yvonne Hawthorne burst in from outside.

"Brother, is it Tanya Sinclair gossiping in front of you again, trying to sow discord?!"

Yvonne had arrived with Cindy Lynn, having just checked on Joy before coming to see her brother, Vincent, in the study. Upon reaching the door, Yvonne didn’t enter immediately but stood outside listening. Upon hearing this part, she couldn’t hold back any longer.

Vincent frowned, glancing at her: "This is not your concern."

"Brother! How Cindy treats Joy, don’t you know? She’s been caring for Joy for five years, treating her like her own daughter. How could she possibly hurt Joy?" Yvonne sneered, recalling Tanya, "Whereas Tanya, she’s only been awake for a few months. Though she’s Joy’s biological mother, I doubt she has as deep feelings for Joy as Cindy does!"

"Yvonne." Cindy gently pulled Yvonne’s arm, speaking on behalf of Tanya Sinclair, "No matter what, Tanya is Joy’s biological mother; she surely cares for Joy, otherwise, she wouldn’t have contacted Aunt Tawny in private today. It must be out of concern for Joy."

Upon hearing this, Vincent’s expression shifted slightly, and he spoke: "You said Tanya met Aunt Tawny today?"

She had successfully diverted the topic, so there was no need for Cindy Lynn to speak further.

Yvonne, unable to hold back, immediately became her spokesperson.

"Yes, brother, didn’t Tanya tell you? I was out shopping with friends today and happened to see Tanya and Aunt Tawny having a meal at a restaurant. I even took a video!"

As she spoke, Yvonne showed the video she had taken today to Vincent.

Cindy Lynn quietly leaned in to look.

In the video, Aunt Tawny and Tanya were sitting opposite each other, chatting warmly and laughing, while Vincent’s expression was complex.

Tanya hadn’t mentioned this incident to him, nor had Aunt Tawny, who hadn’t informed him, as their employer, that she had gone out today...

Suddenly, Cindy Lynn’s surprised exclamation sounded: "Isn’t that the Calming Sachet I put beside Joy’s pillow? How could it be in Tanya’s bag?"

Yvonne immediately paused the video.

She zoomed in, and indeed saw the sachet inside Tanya’s open bag.

Yvonne had an epiphany: "I understand! Tanya must have bribed Aunt Tawny to swap Cindy’s sachet on purpose, trying to frame her!"

"What a vicious woman! As if framing Uncle Lynn wasn’t enough, she’s using such despicable tricks to drive a wedge now, knowing you’re about to get engaged to Cindy!"

"..." Vincent’s face remained somber and silent, he didn’t believe Tanya would do such things, but thinking again, he knew she indeed hated the Lynn Family.

If blinded by hatred, she might distort things...

In his mind, it was as if two little voices were pulling and tearing, making Vincent’s head ache.

Yvonne remained indignant.

"Brother, don’t be deceived by Tanya! She pretends to be innocent in front of you, but acts so viciously! Have you forgotten how she bullied me before? I almost..." Yvonne trembled with humiliation at the memory, wishing she could tear Tanya apart.

It was because of Tanya that she nearly had her reputation ruined and was almost sent abroad to avoid the fallout!

Even though they were in the wrong for setting her up, since Tanya had known their plan, she could have just avoided it, yet she had to turn the tables and humiliate her back!

After all, she had called Tanya sister-in-law for years!

The more Yvonne thought about it, the angrier she became, gritting her teeth: "And that day, when she left The Hawthorne Family, she nearly drowned me in water! Brother, Tanya is clearly out for revenge now! She’s alone, and can’t stand seeing you and Cindy happy!"

Vincent remained silent, staring at the pile of red and white powder with a sullen face.

Tanya hated Cindy Lynn and despised him, Vincent was well aware of this.

But he knew even better that Tanya cared deeply for their two children.

No matter what, she wouldn’t harm her own daughter just to get back at them!

Cindy Lynn observed Vincent’s expression closely, gently tugging Yvonne: "Alright Yvonne, let the past be in the past. Say less, your brother has enough on his plate lately, be considerate."

At that moment, a servant knocked on the door from outside. "Sir, Dr. Sullivan has finished examining Miss Joy."

Ian Sullivan was sitting alone in the living room downstairs.

Vincent went to see Joy first.

Joy was in good spirits, eating some snacks. She sweetly called out to her father and happily greeted Yvonne.

"Auntie."

After that, she jumped into Cindy Lynn’s arms and refused to get down.

"Mommy Cindy, can you stay tonight? I want to sleep with you."

Cindy Lynn cheerfully agreed, "Of course, as long as daddy has no objections."

Her eyes flickered, turning to Vincent to seek his approval.

"Daddy, please." Joy clasped her little hands together, her big eyes blinking hopefully at Vincent.

Vincent couldn’t refuse his daughter, gently stroking her chubby little face, agreeing.

"Alright, as long as my little princess is happy, it’s fine with me."

With Joy clinging to her, Cindy Lynn stayed in the room, and Yvonne, who hadn’t spent time with her niece for a while, also stayed instead of going downstairs.

Vincent left Joy’s room, first visiting the study before heading to the living room.

Ian Sullivan was sitting on the sofa, texting on his phone. Hearing footsteps, he looked up to see Vincent coming down the stairs, put away his phone, and stood up, "Mr. Hawthorne."

"Please, sit." Vincent sat opposite Ian, asking directly, "What is causing Joy’s recent sleepiness?"

"I’ve checked her physically; there’s nothing wrong." Ian adjusted his glasses, stating truthfully, "However, Joy’s pulse is weaker than before. Despite sleeping longer, her energy hasn’t been replenished. No other issues have been discovered at this time. I suggest, Mr. Hawthorne, that you find time to take Joy for a more detailed and thorough check-up."

Vincent nodded slightly.

"I’ll arrange it." Then, he took out a bag of something, placing it before Ian, "This was inside Joy’s sachet. Please help me determine its composition."

"Of course." Ian wrapped the items up and took his leave.

Aunt Tawny came over to tidy up the teacups, and Vincent somberly spoke, calling her over, "Aunt Tawny, come with me for a moment."

With that, he got up and headed to the garden outside.