Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 90: Sowing Discord

Vivian Nash walked out of the curator’s office and paused when she reached the work area, but she didn’t receive any concern from her colleagues.

Even those who usually got along well with her didn’t even bother to stand up.

She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.

She couldn’t quite describe the feeling. Disappointment? Sadness? Resentment?

All of them.

But she couldn’t elaborate.

These feelings intertwined repeatedly, forming a gigantic cage that oppressed her, leaving her breathless.

Friendships maintained by interests are the most fragile.

She took a breath, tugged at the corner of her mouth, didn’t even pack her personal belongings from the desk, and amidst all those gazes behind her, stepped into the elevator and left the art museum.

She first returned to Rippling Crest Estates, but as she was about to change clothes, she stopped.

Instead of investigating the photos herself, she might as well ask Caleb Sinclair to look into it.

This way, there would be no worry about those photos being discovered by him, and she could take the opportunity to explain clearly, proving her innocence.

Playing the victim to garner sympathy could work too.

With her mind made up, she decisively dialed Caleb Sinclair’s WeChat video call.

But as soon as the ringtone started, Caleb Sinclair hung up.

Vivian Nash was stunned for a moment, staring blankly at the chat window with him, her expression darkened, and she clicked her tongue irritably.

Lately, for some reason, Caleb Sinclair had been giving her the cold shoulder, and now being hung up on by him only magnified the disparity in her heart.

Everything that happened today made her extremely agitated and angry.

Not a single thing went smoothly!

She forcefully resisted the urge to throw her phone, gritting her teeth as she redialed the video call.

The ringtone sounded for about half a minute before the video was finally picked up.

But she didn’t see that familiar face, though the man’s gentle, pleasant voice reached her ears.

"What’s the matter?"

"Honey, I’m in so much pain..."

Vivian Nash didn’t bother to ask why he hadn’t answered earlier, whining weakly and with a hint of crying in her voice.

On the other end of the video, Caleb Sinclair adjusted his phone, and upon seeing the numerous scratch marks on the face on the screen, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by a hint of coldness.

His eyebrows furrowed, and with a tone of concern, he asked, "What happened? Who did this? Are you... at home now?"

"Yeah, I’m home, just about to change clothes to go to the hospital."

Vivian Nash didn’t mention the photos or the fight.

Because she needed to discuss it in front of Caleb Sinclair, letting him see her innocence and grievance for himself so he’d believe her.

Sympathy through a screen is superficial; she wanted something substantial.

With reddened eyes and a slight mist in her gaze, her soft voice was filled with pity and worry.

"I’m planning to go to the hospital. Can you come with me? What if... what if the doctor says the scars on my face can’t be healed? Honey, I’m so scared..."

As he listened to her sobbing, a part of Caleb Sinclair’s heart slowly caved in, and without hesitation, his voice turned even softer.

"Don’t cry. Change into your clothes first. I’ll come pick you up."

Vivian Nash detected the shift in his tone, and her heart eased.

The tension in her back and nerves relaxed completely at this moment.

Caleb Sinclair still held some tenderness and affection for her, so those moments of hot-and-cold and disparity didn’t matter anymore.

Currently, she was suspended from her job, and she had no idea when she could return to the art museum. All she could do now was hold onto Caleb Sinclair like a lifeline.

Only he could ensure her quality of life.

As for the one who sent her those photos...

She suppressed the surge of venom and malice in her heart, nodded obediently, and smiled joyfully, "Really? Then I’ll wait for you. You better hurry."

*

At lunchtime, Sienna Monroe had quite a good appetite, whether it was because she got Vivian Nash kicked out of the art museum or because Auntie Miller’s food was delicious today.

As she was enjoying herself, the phone covered on the table suddenly chimed with a notification.

It was a message from that unknown number.

[After Vivian Nash returned to Rippling Crest Estates, she called Caleb Sinclair. Caleb Sinclair has already taken her to the hospital.

June Ewing sent those composite nude photos and intimate pictures of Vivian Nash to Serenvale.]

Her movement halted, and the light in her eyes froze instantly.

Vivian Nash would seek sympathy from Caleb Sinclair and act innocent and pitiful, something she had anticipated long ago—it didn’t surprise her at all.

After all, Vivian Nash had perfected this tactic long ago.

But what surprised her somewhat was June Ewing’s two-pronged approach.

It turned out that not only did she send them to the art museum, but she also sent a set to Serenvale.

She had known Vivian Nash for so many years and was quite familiar with Vivian Nash’s family situation.

Serenvale is located in the south and is about three thousand kilometers from Imperial City.

Vivian Nash’s family is ordinary but not poor. She has a younger brother, her father is a middle school teacher, and her mother is a primary school teacher. The family atmosphere is strict and somewhat oppressive.

Vivian Nash had complained to her more than once, saying she didn’t feel like her parents’ daughter but like a student lodging in their house.

She couldn’t feel love; they only cared about grades.

Now it seems, Vivian Nash really is an ungrateful wretch.

If her parents didn’t love her, they wouldn’t care about her at all. If it weren’t for their strictness, she wouldn’t have gotten into Capital University.

If they knew that their daughter, who they painstakingly raised, was the marriage-wrecking third party, how devastated would her parents be?

And once this news spreads in the school where they teach, could they still hold their teaching positions?

June Ewing doesn’t just want to ruin Vivian Nash, she wants to destroy her parents too.

Sympathy?

Sienna Monroe asked herself this in her heart.

Perhaps there’s sympathy, but it’s for Vivian Nash’s parents.

In a few years, they’re due for retirement, yet now they have to deal with disgrace because of their daughter.

How tragic.

But she sympathizes more with herself, feeling sorry for how her sincerity over the years has gone to waste.

So that twinge of melancholy only lingered briefly before it vanished.

A little past three in the afternoon, Sienna Monroe got a call from Caleb Sinclair, saying he was going on a business trip to a nearby city.

Sienna thought he was calling to say he’d be working late or attending a dinner engagement, but she didn’t expect it to be a business trip.

She already guessed what he planned to do on this supposed trip.

He intended to stay close to Vivian Nash, to properly comfort her for a few days.

She remembered how, a couple of days ago, when Caleb Sinclair saw that fruit tea report, he was so tender and lingering, constantly concerned about her and comforting her, even delivering lunch to the art gallery himself.

He even cooked dinner and made soup for her that evening.

Attentive and considerate, taking care of every detail.

Yet just two days later, he went to console the one who wanted to harm her and their child.

How ironic.

She chuckled softly, suddenly feeling that the winter weather this year was rather erratic, and all the biting frost and wind seemed to be seeping into the wound in her heart.

It didn’t hurt as much anymore, mostly, it was just cold.

So cold she couldn’t help but shiver.

A thin layer of frost glazed over Sienna Monroe’s eyes. She didn’t ask anything and simply responded with "okay" before hanging up.

Outside the window, a light drizzle began to fall at some point. She gazed at the rain curtain, her thoughts drifting far away. After a long while, her focus returned, and a sneer passed through her eyes.

With Vivian Nash’s meticulous planning, shouldn’t she let her mother-in-law know?

As it neared six o’clock in the evening, she walked to the Sterling Estate in the cheerful rhythm of the rain.

She crossed the courtyard holding an umbrella, and as soon as she put it away beneath the eaves, a graceful figure emerged from the main building’s doors.

It was Susan Sinclair.

Their eyes met, and Sienna Monroe offered a gentle and serene smile, "Long time no see, Susan. When did you get back?"

Susan Sinclair paused, habitually showing a look of irritation and disdain. Quickly, as if recalling something, her expression broke slightly, unconsciously softening a bit.

But the innate arrogance was hard to contain. She raised her chin, pouting, "Back this afternoon for a meal."

"Now heading back to school?"

"Uh-huh."

The smile on Sienna Monroe’s face remained constant, "Safe travels."

Just as she was about to turn away, Susan Sinclair hurriedly called out, "Hey..."

She never acknowledged Caleb Sinclair as her brother, so she couldn’t bring herself to call Sienna "sister-in-law."

Sienna Monroe turned back to her, noticing the conflicted look on her face and knowing what she was thinking, she merely smiled, "What is it?"

Susan Sinclair awkwardly scratched her chin, hesitated to speak, her eyes avoiding Sienna Monroe.

"Um... the art exhibition..."

Sienna Monroe watched her awkwardly fidget, and the amusement in her eyes deepened.

This little girl is really adorable.

Her voice was as gentle as the rain beyond the eaves, "The joint exhibition of Audrey and Faye Irving will start ticket sales on the platform next week. The exhibition will run for 14 days, and on the opening day, both of them will be there. If you’re interested, you can go directly that day."

Susan Sinclair’s face immediately flooded with joy and excitement, unable to conceal it.

Sienna Monroe covered her mouth, chuckling softly. Since the first time she saw her, she knew the matriarch had raised her very innocently, with not a hint of ill intent.

Her dislike and disdain for them were solely because of June Ewing and her son.

She never took it seriously and advised, "Have the driver go slowly, drive safely."

Having said this, she didn’t linger and turned to walk towards the side building.

When she arrived, June Ewing was just having her meal, surprised to see her, "Sienna? What brings you here? Have you eaten?"

"Not yet! I just didn’t want to eat alone, so I thought I’d join you for a meal."

June Ewing’s servant brought her a set of utensils, laughing, "Then you came just in time. This fish today, your dad had it flown in from Orionne. Have a taste."

Sienna Monroe picked up her chopsticks and tried a couple of bites, "Delicious. Where’s Dad?"

"He’s on a business trip in Orionne, won’t be back for a couple of days."

June Ewing gestured with her eyes for someone to serve her a bowl of soup, recalling her earlier mention of "not wanting to eat alone."

"Where’s Caleb? Is he working overtime?"

"He’s on a business trip too, left today." Sienna Monroe raised her head, voiced her helplessness, "I was just afraid I’d start overthinking if I ate alone, so I came to you."