CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: THE BRIGHT MOON SHINES ON ALL BUT HIM

The man shouted harshly, "What do you want to do? Are you going to commit violence in public?"

This voice... it sounds strangely familiar.

Tanya looked at the man through her sunglasses, and the more she looked, the more familiar he seemed.

A flash of insight hit her, and she suddenly remembered that this was the man who helped her out last time at The Treasure Pavilion.

She remembered his name—Janne Hayes.

... One of President Pierce’s subordinates.

Tanya felt a bit of a headache and worried that Declan Pierce might suddenly show up like last time.

Others wouldn’t matter, but Declan Pierce... she really didn’t want him to see her in such a wretched state.

"Who are you? Mind your own business!" Yvonne Hawthorne forcefully withdrew her hand, sizing up the man in front of her.

Although there was no obvious logo on his business suit, it was clearly not cheap, his watch was worth at least seven figures, and his demeanor was extraordinary—definitely a rich man.

Seeing Tanya standing behind the man with her aloof yet pitiful demeanor... Yvonne instantly understood.

No wonder this bitch Tanya had the nerve to be so arrogant now—she had found herself a sugar daddy, a backer!

"I see..." Yvonne sneered knowingly, glaring viciously at Tanya, "Shameless slut, just you wait!"

With those words, she turned and left.

Janne watched Yvonne’s retreating figure with disdain.

Looks like President Pierce’s lesson wasn’t enough for her...

Turning around, he gave Tanya a friendly smile.

"What a coincidence, we meet again."

Tanya forced a smile, "Yes, really a coincidence. Mr. Hayes, you’ve helped me out again."

If he hadn’t shown up, Yvonne would probably be lying on the ground by now.

Janne dared not take credit and quickly waved his hands, "It was our President Pierce who saw it and asked me to come over and help."

"..." Tanya’s smile froze on her face.

Janne warmly invited, "Where are you going? Let me give you a ride."

Tanya didn’t even think before she was about to refuse, "No..."

Before she could finish, a short honk sounded from behind her.

Tanya instinctively turned her head and saw a black luxury car parked half a meter away from her.

"Get in; no parking is allowed here." Janne had already stepped forward to open the back car door for her, and the seat near the door was empty.

But through her sunglasses, Tanya could see the other side of the back seat, a corner of a man’s black suit pants, stiff and unyielding.

Janne was already extending an arm to guide her thoughtfully.

Tanya, "..."

The car behind was honking impatiently.

Tanya had no choice but to brace herself and plan to get in the car.

Just then, from the back seat, a man’s cold, magnetic voice sounded, "Sit in the front."

Tanya secretly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately agreed, "Okay."

Declan lifted his eyes, his dark, deep gaze watched through the car window as Tanya walked toward the front passenger seat, her figure exuding a sense of ease, as if a burden had been lifted.

In the depths of his eyes, there was a penetrating cold light.

In her eyes, was he an all-devouring beast?

After getting in, Tanya said, "Please take me to the main gate of Northwood University." Her tone was consistently gentle and courteous, impossible to find fault with.

She wouldn’t, of course, reveal her villa address, Northwood University was not far from here, and she could just hail another taxi after getting off.

Tanya subconsciously glanced back through the rearview mirror.

With the limited view, she couldn’t see Declan’s face, only his long, beautiful hands holding a phone, occasionally scrolling the screen, completely treating her as air.

The tension in Tanya’s back gradually relaxed.

Declan probably didn’t recognize her.

Tanya sat in the front passenger seat, so Janne had to sit in the back. It was his first time sitting next to his boss, and he placed his hands awkwardly on his knees. He glanced at President Pierce beside him, coldly playing on his phone, then at Tanya in the front, sitting upright without tilting her head.

Janne, "..."

The car was filled with an inexplicable, strange atmosphere.

Janne tried to find a topic, "By the way, miss, how should I address you?"

Naturally, Tanya wouldn’t introduce herself in front of Declan, so she lifted her left hand to reveal the wedding ring on her ring finger, lowering her voice, "I’m already married, not a miss, but someone else’s wife."

"..." Janne awkwardly turned his head, cautiously glancing at Declan beside him.

The man’s cold, handsome face was in shadow, revealing no excess emotion.

It seemed like he didn’t care about Tanya’s words.

Fifteen minutes later, the car stopped in front of Northwood University’s gate.

Tanya opened the door and got out, just about to say a polite goodbye, but the car swiftly and coldly drove off in front of her.

In the back seat, Declan’s dark eyes were cold as he watched Tanya in the rearview mirror, standing still, her slender, fragile figure seemingly about to be blown away by the wind.

He saw her lower her head, caressing the ring on her ring finger; even though he couldn’t see her face, he could imagine her expression at that moment—surely very gentle.

She was infatuated with everything about Vincent Hawthorne.

That poor wedding ring, with its pathetically small diamond, was treated like a treasure by her, always proclaiming her status as Mrs. Hawthorne, afraid people wouldn’t know!

To him, she pretended not to see, unrecognizing.

After all, in her heart, Vincent Hawthorne and him, Declan Pierce, were worlds apart.

Declan closed his eyes, recalling that night many years ago,

Tanya stood on the steps, bathed in moonlight, looking at him with eyes full of cold disappointment.

’Declan, someone as wicked as you doesn’t deserve to be compared with Vincent Hawthorne.’

The moon always hung high, never shining on him.

Declan sarcastically tugged at the corner of his mouth, a layer of dense ink seemingly stained the depths of his eyes, chillingly gloomy.

Tanya, your taste in men is truly appalling.

Janne recalled Yvonne’s fierce attitude towards Tanya, furrowing his brows unconsciously.

"President Pierce, that Yvonne Hawthorne doesn’t seem to have learned her lesson."

Declan lazily leaned back in the seat, speaking unhurriedly, "Then let the entire Hawthorne Family help her remember."

The casual tone sent chills down one’s spine.

...

After getting off the car, Tanya removed the wedding ring from her ring finger.

This ring was very cheap, or more accurately, a free promotional gift.