Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 96: Black Coffee

Sebastian Prescott held her and walked forward for over ten meters, only stopping when he heard the sound of a car engine starting behind them.

Sienna Monroe also heard the sound of the car speeding away, letting out a long sigh of relief, her gaze suddenly meeting his deep, phoenix eyes.

Their gazes held in the air for a few seconds, and Sienna immediately extracted herself from his embrace, awkwardly scratching her cheek.

"Sorry, I... had to act quickly just now..."

Sebastian nodded, indicating he wasn’t bothered, then expressionlessly adjusted his cufflinks, casually asking, "Did you drive here?"

Sienna didn’t see any displeasure on his face and replied, "I took a cab."

Ever since Caleb Sinclair forbade her from driving, her travel has indeed become quite inconvenient.

Either she takes a cab or borrows Nora’s car.

"Let’s go, it’s on the way," Sebastian’s voice was indifferent as he stepped towards the parking area.

Sienna was momentarily stunned.

Come to think of it, although Serena Art Museum and Aethel Law aren’t on the same road, the entire route is straight without any turns required.

From here, it seems they would pass by the art museum.

Since the route was convenient, she didn’t hesitate and followed him.

The car drove smoothly, reaching the entrance of the art museum in about twenty minutes.

Sienna unbuckled her seatbelt, thanked him, and then pushed open the car door to get out.

Sebastian watched the disappearing silhouette, his thin lips pressing into a straight line.

After some time, he finally withdrew his gaze and restarted the car. After passing one intersection, he dialed the number of Killian Sheffield, the top executive of Sheffield Group.

"Check all transport vehicles under The Lockwood Group, and once found, send me the vehicle types and license plate numbers."

The Sheffield Group and The Lockwood Group had cooperated for many years, although now they’ve become enemies.

But they understand each other’s backgrounds, making the investigation straightforward without wasting time.

Killian Sheffield and Sebastian Prescott are about the same age and old classmates. When the Lockwood Family got involved in a contract dispute, he directly approached Sebastian.

Originally, Sebastian didn’t want to take this case, as he was already handling other cases, but Killian Sheffield convinced him with a mix of reason and old favors, even bringing up the time in elementary school when Sebastian borrowed an eraser and never returned it.

In the end, unable to resist Killian’s persuasion, he agreed.

Killian agreed and then asked, "The families of the victims and the injured have been comforted, but with The Lockwood Family, what’s your plan going forward?"

"No rush, let’s talk next Friday," he reminded, "I need the vehicle information tonight!"

Killian, hearing this, couldn’t help but ask, "Why are you suddenly interested in the transport vehicle..."

Beep!

The call was already disconnected.

Killian: "..."

Upon returning to the law firm, Hannah Nash approached to report all the calls and emails received that morning to Sebastian.

Sebastian nodded casually to indicate he understood, then Hannah said, "I’ll get you a cup of coffee."

"Mm."

He replied faintly, and as Hannah reached the door, he suddenly called out, "Wait. No black coffee."

Hannah paused, then nodded, "Alright."

About half a month ago, Leo Prescott seemed to have lost his taste for black coffee.

Every time he drank it, he would frown.

Sebastian Prescott had been drinking black coffee since he went abroad for studies, and it’s unclear whether it was psychological or due to other reasons.

After discussing things with Sienna in this office last time, he found the taste bitter, and subsequently, every time he drank it, it seemed exceptionally bitter.

He tried it many times, but today he didn’t want to give it another go.

*

Just after five in the evening, Sienna had finished touring the exhibition progress with Director Dawson and Nora Joyce but hadn’t yet managed to relay her instructions when Caleb Sinclair’s figure appeared outside the gallery.

"Not done yet?" Caleb looked at her gently, smiling as he asked.

"Not yet... Why are you here?"

"I came to pick you up."

Sienna moved her lips, trying to muster a smile, "Then wait for me a moment."

"No hurry, take your time."

Sienna retracted her gaze and continued discussing matters with Director Dawson and Nora Joyce, only after about ten more minutes did she go upstairs to fetch her coat and bag.

Caleb first took her to the supermarket to buy the ingredients she wanted to eat that evening.

She stood in front of the supermarket entrance in a daze for quite a while.

Since graduating college, it seems they hadn’t visited a supermarket together.

After a year and a half of long-distance relationship, when Caleb returned from abroad, he didn’t take long before proposing to her. After marriage, Caleb got involved in a company under The Sinclair Group for training, barely having time or considering this aspect.

"Does it feel nostalgic?"

Sienna snapped out of her thoughts from his gentle voice, responding with a faint smile, not answering his question, but rather exclaiming, "It’s really been so long since I’ve come to a supermarket."

Saying that, she started to walk inside.

Caleb paused, perhaps feeling overwhelmed with guilt over the past two days, he constantly sought something to distract or numb himself, ultimately realizing that only bits and pieces with Sienna could overcome these feelings of guilt.

He caught up to Sienna’s pace, a hint of a smile in his eyes, asking quietly, "Do you remember our first time in a supermarket?"

Sienna, hearing this, instinctively looked up at him.

Suddenly, she understood why he brought her to the supermarket.

Nostalgic for the past?

Making up for the infidelity that hurt her, or for what he lacked?

Thinking about it, although they were together for six years, the most carefree and sweetest time was during college.

Back then, they often went grocery shopping together, buying their favorite fruits, snacks, bread, and other things.

Those things might indeed be worth reminiscing about.

But not particularly necessary.

The current ironic and tragic ending doesn’t do justice to those beautiful and exuberant memories.

Does he think he can play the emotional card from the past?

How utterly ridiculous.

"It’s been a while, I don’t really remember." She naturally grabbed a shopping cart, wanting to avoid this topic, the more she said, the more ironic it felt.

She casually suggested, "Let’s make short ribs tonight."

Hearing this, Caleb Sinclair’s eyes flashed a trace of disappointment.

Doesn’t remember?

Does she really not remember?

Or does she just... not want to remember?

No way...

Six years is indeed quite a while.

It’s normal not to remember.

Yes, that’s right.

He consoled himself that way, responding with a smile, "Okay. I’ll cook it for you when we get back."

Perhaps influenced by Caleb Sinclair, her interest waned, and after making a round, she didn’t buy much.

Most of the items were things Caleb mentioned she used to like or enjoy eating.

Caleb’s attempt to please was too obvious.

So obvious that it gave rise to a slight annoyance within her.

But she couldn’t show it, so she excused, "Let’s check out now, I’ve been feeling tired easily lately and want to go home and rest."

"Sure."

Caleb paused for a moment, queued up and paid, then took her hand and walked toward the parking area.

Sienna Monroe pressed her lips together, restraining herself from pulling her hand away.

When they reached the car, as if she had reached her limit, she withdrew her hand, "Why don’t you put the stuff away?"

Having said that, she opened the passenger door and sat inside.

As soon as the door closed, her phone suddenly rang from within her bag.

[Vivian Nash sued Jenna Sherman for slander and defamation, damaging her personal reputation. The case will be officially filed this afternoon, and the police will examine the photos, confirming they are composites tomorrow.

Jenna Sherman will face a nine-month prison sentence and sixty-four thousand yuan in damages and medical expenses. June Ewing will secretly get Jenna out.]

Jenna Sherman?

The name was unfamiliar to her.

But it wasn’t hard to guess who it was.

The "original wife" June Ewing specifically found to play the role.

Vivian Nash’s move today might catch June Ewing off guard, but it wouldn’t leave her flustered.

June Ewing saving someone is understandable.

Although those photos were composites, the fact that Vivian was a third party, given her family condition and current economic condition, the BMW could barely be accounted for.

But what about the villa in Rippling Crest Estates?

It’s worth twenty to thirty million, and even if she robbed a bank, she couldn’t get that much.

Not to mention her wardrobe full of designer labels.

Since June Ewing is involved, the "third party" label on Vivian Nash is one she can’t expect to shake off her whole life.

Regarding this, she’s actually not worried.

Returning home, Caleb Sinclair didn’t even change his clothes before heading into the kitchen, while Sienna Monroe lay in her room for a while. When she came down for dinner, Vivian Nash was just returning to Rippling Crest Estates from the police station.

As she passed the gate, the security guard gave her a peculiar look but still managed to squeeze out a smile, "Miss Nash, when you left with the police this afternoon, the door wasn’t closed,

I closed it for you, and by the way, there’s a package that arrived for you this afternoon, would you please sign for it."

Vivian Nash caught the flash of disdain in his eyes, and she tightened her fists, using her remaining rationality on the brink of explosion to suppress the anger within her heart.

She had been holding back all afternoon, and couldn’t afford to lose it now.

She had always presented herself as weak and gentle.

Moreover, the matter from this afternoon had certainly already stirred up quite a fuss, and she had to use the words of others to restore her innocence.

Thinking this way, she smiled gently, her clear, alluring phoenix eyes glistening with tears, along with the injuries on her fair, beautiful face, eliciting some sympathy.

"Thank you. I’m sorry for causing trouble with the events this afternoon," her voice sweet and soft, with a hint of choked emotion, "I truly apologize."

The security guard, seeing her like this, genuinely felt a shred of pity, "What did the police say?"

"The matter of damaging my reputation has been filed."

This implied that she was indeed innocent, right?

The security guard smiled, "Then you should go back and rest, and make sure to take care of the injuries on your face."

Vivian Nash thanked him, signed for the package, and headed back home.

Once the door closed, she let out a rage, smashing several vases and decorations in the house onto the ground.

Not until the indignation in her chest had almost dissipated did she stop.

Her gaze, filled with malice, fixed on the mess on the floor.

She simply didn’t believe that the person behind the scenes would remain indifferent while Jenna Sherman, that bitch, is in prison!