hapter 44
“No need, I’m fine.” Anathea shook her head, declining the offer
20 BUNUS
as possible to secure more funds. Thus, when she got home,
She needed to finish the custom floral arrangement project as soon as she worked late into the night, revising the design once again.
Just as she was engrossed in her work, Xander, rubbing his sleepy eyes and dragging a large rabbit plushie behind him, walked over. “Mom, Where’s Dad?”
Hearing this, Anathea recalled the scene she’d witnessed earlier, with Natalie leaning against Gregory’s shoulder. Without even looking up, she replied, “No idea.”
He was probably still at the hospital, keeping Natalie company.
Xander wasn’t entirely convinced by her answer. So, he took matters into his own hands and need his smartwatch to video call
Gregory.
The moment the call connected, he excitedly shouted, “Dad, where are you?”
Before Gregory could respond, Xander spotted Natalie sitting beside him. “Oh, you’re with Ms. Whitman! What are you two doing?”
At the same time, Anathea’s phone lit up with a breaking news notification. “Sinclair Group’s CEO Sets Off Romantic Fireworks for His Girlfriend on Valentine’s Night.”
Chapter 45
“Wow! The fireworks are so beautiful!” Xander exclaimed in awe
The sound of fireworks exploding in the night sky came through from the smartwatch. It was lively and festive.
Just then, Anathea’s phone buzzed with a new message. It was a photo from Natalie.
Under the dazzling fireworks, Natalie sat in a wheelchair, turning her head slightly to look at Gregory, a blissful smile on her face. Gregory’s coat was draped over her shoulders, a silent yet undeniable display of his gentleness and care. His care was reserved for her and her alone.
That was exactly why Natalie had sent this picture. It was a declaration of ownership.
In fact, ever since Natalie had returned from overseas a month ago, she’d been occasionally sending Anathea photos of her and Gregory together. But Anathea had never responded, and this time was no different.
Without a change in her expression, she turned off her phone screen. To be honest, the first time she’d seen such photos, there had been a sharp pain in her chest so intense that it nearly took her breath away. But now, all that remained was an endless calm.
However, Xander was displeased. “Dad and Ms. Whitman are so mean. They didn’t take me to see the fireworks. J want to go too! I want to go too!”
Anathea felt a headache coming gon from his complaints. She reminded him gently, “Xander, it’s already ten o’clock. Time for
bed.
“That’s right, Mr. Xander. It’s time for bed, okay?” Je
Jenny stepped in, trying to guide him back to his room.
“No, I don’t want to!” X.
Xander refused outright, pouting as he walked over to Anathea. “I just want to set off fireworks with and Ms. Whitman. Mom, can you take me there?”
In the past, whenever Xander made a request, Anathea would always do her best to fulfill it. Hence, he was certain that as long as he begged a little, she would give in.
But this time, Anathea didn’t respond. She simply held her p
pen and continued sketching, as if she hadn’t heard him at all.
“Mom!” Xander, who’d always been spoiled, couldn’t tolerate being ignored. He suddenly yanked Anathea’s hand forcefully.
Anathea was caught off guard. Her pen dragged a long, abrupt stroke across the carefully drafted sketch, ruining it in an instant. She froze, staring at the damage in stunned silence.
Xander was completely maware of his mistake. Instead, he raised his voice even more. “Mom, why are you ignoring me?”
Anathea took a deep breath, her gaze turning cold as she watched ander throwing a tantrum. She frowned and spoke in a firm, unwavering tone. “Xander, go to bed.”
There was no room for negotiation.
“Hmph! You’re a bad mother!” Xander was shocked when Anathea spoke to him so sternly: Frustrated, he grabbed her pen and threw it on the floor.
Jenny was startled and quickly stepped forward to stop him. “Mr. Xander, you have school tomorrow. You need to sleep early so you have the energy to learn. Mrs. Sinclair is just looking out for you-“.
“I don’t need her concern!”
Xander shouted, pointing at Anathea, “You’re so mean! No wonder Dad likes taking Ms. Whitman out and never brings you along. I don’t want you either. Go away! You’re not allowed to stay ere. This is Sinclair Villa, not your home.”
“Mr. Xander! You can’t say things like that.” Jenny luimediately stopped him.
Xander stoinped his foot in frustration and then ran off angrily.
