Anathea paused briefly.
Indeed, this time it was a feigned illness, but who could say what excuse he would fabricate next?
She let out a breath. “I’m going to wash up first,” she said.
Hearing that, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Gregory’s lips.
By the time Anathea stepped out of the bathroom, Gregory had also finished showering in the guest bathroom next door. He looked up at her briefly, then shifted to the side considerately to make space.
“Come,” he said, patting the spot beside him on the bed, like a prince beckoning his chosen queen.
Anathea pursed her lips, then lifted the covers and lay down beside him.
The moment she did, Gregory immediately leaned over, reaching out to pull her into his arms.
But before he could touch her, Anathea said coldly, “Keep your distance.”
Gregory silently withdrew his hand.
“Get some rest,” Anathea said..
After a long and tiring day, she too was exhausted. She turned off the bedside lamp.
Back when she was in Grendova, whether it was due to the unfamiliar climate or something else, she had trouble falling asleep no matter how tired she was from work. But now, as she listened to the steady rhythm of Gregory’s breathing behind her, her restless mind slowly began to calm. She closed her eyes.
Only when her breathing slowed and deepened did Gregory open his eyes. He gently shifted closer and cautiously slipped his arm around her waist.
When she didn’t push him away, he inched closer until his chest rested against her back. With his arms gently wrapped around her, a quiet sense of peace settled over him. At last, he closed his eyes.
That night was the most restful sleep he had had in the past three months. It felt so peaceful that he was reluctant to wake.
It was not until the golden light of dawn filtered through the curtains, bringing warmth to the room, that Gregory slowly stirred from sleep.
He instinctively reached out beside him, only to find the bed empty
He froze for a moment, then abruptly opened his eyes. Anathea was already gone.
He sat up at once and stumbled out of the room, just as he came across Dalia.
“Good morning, Mr. Sinclair,” Dalia greeted him. “Breakfast is ready. Would you like me to bring it up to your room?”
Gregory was only concerned with one thing. “Where’s Anathea?”
“Mrs. Sinclair left early this morning,” Dalia replied. “She mentioned she had matters to attend to.”
Gregory lowered his gaze. A subtle but unmistakable sense of emptiness spread through his chest.
At that moment, his phone rang. It was Louie.
As soon as the call connected, Louie’s irate voice came through. “Gregory! Are you trying to get yourself killed? You’ve barely recovered, and now you’re drinking again?”
Gregory remained silent as Louie continued to vent.
After going on for a while, Louie finally calmed down and asked, “The Lancaster family is holding a welcome home party for
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Chapter 511
their returning heiress today. We’ve all been invited. Don’t you think it’s only right that we show up?”
Gregory didn’t respond.
Louie grew impatient. “Well? Are you going or not?”
“I’m not going! I’d rather die than go!”
Theo slammed a priceless antique vase onto the floor, shattering into pieces.
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“Theo, what on earth are you doing?” Eleanor snapped in frustration. “The Lancaster family is incredibly influential. That arranged engagement from years ago was already a big opportunity for us. Who are you putting on this whole defiant act for?”
She had once believed their chance to form an alliance with the Lancaster family had vanished when the heiress went missing. But now, fate had clearly offered them another opportunity.
Yet no matter what she said, Theo refused to budge.
“That arranged engagement is ancient history!” Theo snapped back. “I’m in love with someone else, so there’s no way I’m going to meet the Lancaster heiress!”
Eleanor felt her temples throb with frustration. “Theo, are you turning against me as well?”
Gregory was ungrateful. Natalie acted without thinking. And now, even her own nephew was going against her.
Theo froze for a second. Seeing the deep disappointment on Eleanor’s face, he felt just as miserable.
“I never meant to go against you, Aunt Eleanor. You’re the one who pushed me too far!” Theo shot back.
napter 512
Chapter 512
