Chapter 579
However, Anathea dodged Thomas‘ hand on instinct.
Pausing, Thomas gave Anathea a baffled look.
“I’m fine. There’s no need for the salve, thanks.” Anathea was determined to keep things strictly professional between her and Thomas. “How much is the salve? I’ll transfer you the money.”
“Don’t worry about it…” Thomas stared at her evenly. “I got it for you voluntarily.”
Before he finished speaking, Anathea had already wired a hundred dollars into his account and turned away to find Chloe. Thomas swallowed the rest of his words.
“Thea, are you alright?” Chloe asked worriedly.
“I’m alright.” Anathea ruffled the little girl’s hair. “Let’s go home okay?”
“Okay!” Chloe left hand–in–hand with Anathea.
Thomas glanced in Gregory’s direction. Gregory had been watching Anathea the whole time, never once taking his gaze off her. Thomas narrowed his eyes, but his expression returned to normal just as quickly as he hurried after Anathea.
“Do you need something, Mr. Sinclair?” Martin asked, stopping beside Gregory.
Gregory cast a sidelong look at Thomas, then asked coldly, “I had you look into Morgenstein’s background the other day. How’s the investigation coming along?”
“He comes from an ordinary family and was a chef at the Sinclair residence before. He was unemployed for a while after he quit, but three months ago, he went to Grendova and applied to be Mrs. Sinclair–uh, I mean, Ms. Jacobson’s assistant.”
Martin was still not used to calling Anathea anything other than “Mrs. Sinclair“.
When Gregory heard Martin abruptly addressing Anathea by her maiden surname, the corner of his mouth twitched. However, he feigned nonchalance as he drawled, “You can call her whatever you like.”
Martin would take Gregory’s word for it, but he’d been working as Gregory’s assistant for years, and he was trained well enough to read between the lines.
“In short, Mrs. Sinclair and Thomas don’t seem close, not enough for her to let him tag along when she returned from Grendova, at least.”
It only went to show that Anathea didn’t trust Thomas all that much. Gregory considered this for a moment, then nodded once. ” Look into his financials.”
“Is there a problem, Mr. Sinclair?” Martin asked.
“He worked as a chef but didn’t seem to be in a hurry to look for the next job after he quit. And yet somehow, he manages to own a Cayenne…” Gregory trailed off, but Martin understood what he was implying anyway.
Either Thomas came from a wealthy family, or his money came from elsewhere.
And if it were the latter case…
“I understand, Mr. Sinclair.” Martin nodded, then continued, “Would you like me to give you a lift home? It’s getting late.” “No, I’m good.” Gregory began to brood over the thought of going home to an empty villa, every inch of which reminded him of Anathea’s absence. He took his car keys and turned on the ignition then had someone look into Anathea’s whereabouts.
“Mrs. Sinclair dropped the child off at her friend’s place. Mr. Lancaster was there too. But Mrs. Sinclair didn’t stay for more than ten minutes before leaving.”
“Morgenstein gave her a lift?” Gregory guessed.
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Chapter 579
+25 BONUS
“No, it was Mr. Harrington.”
Gregory’s grip tightened on his steering wheel at the mention of Theo’s name. “Find her current address.”
Meanwhile, the Panamera cruised down the lane before finally driving into a neighborhood and pulling up at the curb
Anathea said courteously to Theo, “Thanks.”
She’d told Thomas to take her car for an annual evaluation earlier, and Theo had shown up just as she was about to call for a cab. “You don’t have to be so formal with me.” Theo chuckled, then profluced a small box and opened it. A ring featuring an intricate meteor design nestled within. “I got you an engagement ring. Picked it out myself too. Do you like it?”
Anathea pursed her lips. In the end, she decided to be frank with him. “I’m sorry, Theo, but I don’t think our engagement will work out…”
“How do you know it wouldn’t work out between us?”
Theo leveled a steady look at her and countered solemnly, “You’ve never given me a chance to pursue you, Anathea, yet you seem to have made up your mind about us. So forgive me if I’m unconvinced. Unless, of course, you’re still hung up on Gregory.”
Anathea froze. She avoided Theo’s gaze and retorted stiffly, “No, I’m not.”
“In that case, I say it gives you more reason to give me a chance.” Th
