CHAPTER 258: CHAPTER 258: CINDY LYNN’S ABILITIES ARE FAR FROM ENOUGH

The night deepens, and half the city is already asleep.

But on the other side, neon lights make it as bright as day.

In The Scarlet Bar, the explosive waves of music keep pushing the atmosphere to its peak.

Yvonne Hawthorne is swaying her body recklessly on the dance floor with a few friends, indulging in the music.

Having just left her brother Vincent Hawthorne, who she said she was going back to rest, she actually turned around and called a few friends out to play.

The time abroad almost suffocated her.

She had already moved out of The Hawthorne Estate, giving her much more freedom, and the online gossip updated daily, with her scandals already turned over.

"Yvonne, my cousin just came back from overseas. How about I set you guys up to meet?" The girl speaking was Sylvia Sheridan, whose family is in the lumber business and ranks last in their circle.

Yvonne was also aware of her cousin, whose family was slightly better off than the Sheridans but not much, and he himself wasn’t particularly good-looking. Naturally, Yvonne had no interest.

She ignored it, acting as if she hadn’t heard, and Sylvia didn’t bother to embarrass herself, forcing a smile before turning to engage in a heated dance with the young male celebrity she brought.

Yvonne declined two men’s advances, planning to return to the booth for a drink.

The lighting was dim here, and she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Sorry." The man reached out to support her gentlemanly, his voice magnetic and deep, highly distinctive.

A chill ran through Yvonne, recalling the man who had recently helped her out abroad, she suddenly looked up to see the familiar, handsome face of the man, momentarily stunned.

Felix Kendall had seen such expressions countless times.

He nodded politely, intending to let go and leave.

Tonight was intended as a gathering with a few friends before departing, and the time was nearly up. So, Felix was planning to retreat for some peace, but the woman caught hold of him.

"Wait a minute!" Yvonne was somewhat excited, "Mr. Kendall, it’s you!"

Felix hid his impatience well, his gaze pausing on Yvonne’s face for a few seconds, evidently unable to recall this fairly attractive face.

There was no shortage of beautiful women around him.

"Do we know each other?"

"Yvonne Hawthorne. Mr. Kendall, you helped me before when I got mugged on the street abroad."

"..." Felix recalled, as he had gone to Country M’s embassy some time ago to handle some affairs.

On the way back to the hotel, passing through a not-so-safe area, Yvonne, carrying several branded bags, had her car approached and robbed by local gangsters.

If she hadn’t yelled for help in Chinese, Felix would have been reluctant to deal with such a foolish woman.

Wearing gold, flaunting attention-grabbing logos in such areas is practically inviting a robbery!

"It was just a minor matter." Felix pried Yvonne’s hand off and made his way outside, while Yvonne hurried to follow him.

"Mr. Kendall, my brother is Vincent Hawthorne, you probably know him." Yvonne pulled out her phone to save Felix’s contact, "I’m really grateful for what you did last time. I’d love to treat you to a meal someday..."

Felix had already pulled open the car door. As far as the Hawthorne Family was concerned, he wasn’t just disinterested but quite averse, "The best reward for me would be if you and the rest of your Hawthorne Family could keep your distance from me."

With that, Felix got into the car and drove off with a swift tap on the gas.

Just after the car took off, Felix received a call from the fund manager.

"Mr. Kendall, five years ago, the fund you specifically set up for the families of soldiers sacrificed during rescue missions has all been distributed again this year."

"Mm, just make sure it all reaches the soldiers’ families." Five years ago, he led a mission for the first time, responsible for rescuing a team of Doctors Without Borders trapped in a war-torn zone. During that mission, one party disregarded the ceasefire agreement and suddenly opened fire.

Under him, seven soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives to protect the civilians and doctors, with several others wounded. Additionally, a couple who were part of the Doctors Without Borders was tragically killed while returning to base to retrieve antibiotics to save the injured soldiers.

This incident deeply affected Felix.

Though there were military compensations, Felix personally contributed funds to set up a fund that annually provided money to the families of the martyrs.

Among them, the sacrificed couple of doctors hailed from Aris, leaving behind a child who was less than a year old at the time, now being raised by an uncle’s family.

The fund manager was calling about that child.

"Mr. Kendall, since those two doctors’ kids were taken in by her uncle’s family, upon reaching school age, they sent her directly to a prestigious school. The education-related fund applications are overwhelming!"

Felix calmly responded, "It’s normal to want the child to receive a good education. Simply cover the excess from my private account, as before."

"Understood, Mr. Kendall."

He remembered the sight of her parents dying before him, and often dreamt of that mission, waking up in cold sweats each time.

To the extent that he hardly dared to visit the child, only ensuring that her yearly red envelopes were consistent.

Materially, he’s willing to generously fill her needs, as long as the child grows up well and safe.

"Mr. Kendall, before you leave this time, do you want to visit the child? Her name is Abby Monroe."

"No." Felix declined as usual, and after a moment of thought, he added, "Maybe after I return from this assignment."

"Alright, Mr. Kendall."

On the other side.

Yvonne Hawthorne, who had been unceremoniously dismissed by Felix, felt increasingly unreconciled.

— How did the Hawthorne Family offend Felix Kendall?

She distinctly remembered Cindy Lynn mentioning before that her brother Vincent Hawthorne’s company was likely to collaborate with Felix Kendall! They even had a meal together!

This time, Yvonne rushed back to the country upon hearing of Felix’s return, intent on finding a chance to deepen their acquaintance!

Yet, she hadn’t even done anything and suddenly found herself disliked by Felix?

Abroad, after Felix saved her, he even politely picked up her bag and cautioned her to stay safe...

Confounded, Yvonne called Vincent Hawthorne, compelled to get to the bottom of it.

"Brother, how did the Hawthorne Family cross Felix Kendall?"

Vincent was in his study, having just wrapped up an online meeting, drumming in his head from the squabbling department heads under him.

Leaning back in his chair, fatigued, and pressing his brow, upon hearing his sister, his eased brow furrowed once more.

"Why are you asking about Felix Kendall? You wouldn’t be considering him, would you?" Vincent sat up straight, sternly reminding her, "Yvonne, understand your place. The Kendalls are not a family for you to reach!"

The Kendall Family might keep a low profile, yet it’s not because they’re unable to flaunt.

Vincent was acutely aware that the Hawthorne Family still trailed behind the Kendall Family. Among the wealthy elite, Yvonne only really settled into mediocrity.

"Oh, come on, brother. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t you ever support me? Why always douse my ambitions!" Yvonne pouted, sulky after the scolding, continuing to press, "Didn’t Sister-in-law mention before that your company is set to collaborate with the Kendalls? Why does Felix suddenly harbor such antipathy towards us? Brother, did you offend him?"

"..." Vincent inevitably linked it to the incident at Old Master Kendall’s birthday banquet, recalling the day with Tanya Sinclair and... his own silent departure, cowardly leaving seat without speaking up for her.

Vincent’s tone cooled, impatiently saying, "I’ve told you, don’t set your sights on Felix Kendall! Mom’s been looking for a suitable match for you recently, you’ll find a good home."

"Brother!"

"Are you still out at this hour? Get home now! In half an hour, I’ll call your current residence. If no one answers, I’ll suspend your card in the country!" Vincent threatened.

Irritated, Yvonne hung up the phone.

If Vincent wouldn’t tell her, she’d find out herself!

Vincent, listening to the dial tone, dropped his phone feeling somewhat drained.

He lay back, eyes shut, drifting off into a muddled sleep. Half-asleep, he sensed someone entering the room and coming to his side.

With blurry eyes, Vincent strained to see, momentarily believing he saw Tanya Sinclair’s silhouette. She picked up the documents before him, flipping through them while gazing at him with gentle concern.

’Take a break, dear husband, I’ll handle these. Or you’ll end up with a stomach ache again later.’

Vincent suddenly grabbed her hand, the word "Tanya" nearly slipping out.

"Vincent?" Cindy Lynn’s voice pulled Vincent back to his senses, fully awakening him. Before him, instead of Tanya Sinclair, stood Cindy Lynn, delivering a midnight snack.

Wearing pajamas with her long hair draped over her shoulders, at a glance, her silhouette truly resembled Tanya Sinclair.

But ultimately, she was not Tanya Sinclair.

Cindy Lynn’s abilities could not help him manage these thorny work matters...