Chapter 168
Vivian and Catherine also looked around, but they didn’t notice anything unusual.
Catherine: “Are you too nervous? Relax, we’re just having a meal. With you here, we’ll be fine p>
Zack didn’t dare let his guard down.
Throughout the entire meal, he remained at least twelve times as vigilant, watching out for everything around.
Even when Vivian went to the restroom, he took Catherine along, and the two personally escorted Vivian to the restroom door, only resting assured when Catherine stood guard outside the stall.
Catherine, although speechless at his exaggerated behavior, still kept a close eye on Vivian.
Fortunately, the meal ended smoothly.
Catherine still planned to return to The Sinclairs.
“There are some things I want to make clear to them p>
It seems that Catherine still held some expectations for The Sinclair Family.
After being an orphan for twenty-two years, it’s not easy to let go after finally having family, is it?
Vivian hesitated for a moment, then advised: “If things can’t be made clear, retreat before advancing. The important thing is to ensure you have a chance to escape, okay p>
“And if there’s any trouble, under any circumstances, call me p>
Vivian and Catherine said their goodbyes.
The car sent by The Thorne Family was already waiting at the restaurant door, and it left after picking up Vivian and Zack.
On the way, Catherine texted Vivian: “Vivian, could you find out if something happened with Zack p>
“I feel like he’s burdened with worries and isn’t the cheerful brother he used to be p>
Vivian knew Catherine had noticed something.
After all, she was always meticulously observant.
Vivian had just returned to The Thorne Family when Catherine texted again: “Vivian, Zack’s intuition at the restaurant today was right p>
“Just now, my brother blocked me at the room door, asking me who was dining with us p>
“Do you think he’s sick? He actually tracked us down. If it weren’t for Zack, I really can’t imagine if you’d be taken away again today p>
Vivian felt cold fear creeping up her spine, a sense of lingering dread filling her heart.
“Are you safe p>
“Do you want to leave p>
Catherine: “He’s watching me very closely now, knowing I’d escape, so he locked me in the room and even sealed the windows p>
“It seems I really can’t reason with them now p>
“I want to leave p>
“Vivian, please help me p>
Vivian immediately went to find Felix.
“I want the guards at the manor to help me with something p>
“Preferably send Zack p>
Felix, dressed in a tailcoat, smiled courteously and replied, “Rest assured, I will arrange this matter for you properly p>
That night, Zack did not return.
Although Vivian was somewhat anxious waiting, she felt slightly relieved after receiving news that everything went smoothly.
The next morning, Vivian awoke to a text from Catherine saying she was safe.
“Vivian, I have successfully moved into your house p>
“My phone ran out of battery yesterday, and I forgot to update you p>
“Don’t worry, I’m fine p>
“And thank you p>
Vivian smiled at the message, quickly responding: “I’m glad you’re okay. I’ll continue to send people to protect you p>
Catherine: “No need p>
“I asked Zack to take me to my mentor p>
“Staying in your house, I might still be found by The Sinclairs p>
“But with my mentor, they might be a bit more hesitant to act p>
Vivian recalled that Elias was once caught downstairs in her building, making the house indeed unsafe for them.
Was this mentor the one Catherine mentioned last time, who she’s learning traditional medicine from?
Knowing she has such a retreat made Vivian finally sigh in relief.
“Alright. However, if you’re uncomfortable there, you can come to Crestfall Villa p>
“Julian Thorne’s influence is something The Sinclairs dare not provoke p>
That’s a fact.
The Sinclairs watched helplessly as Vivian was taken away by Julian Thorne without being able to stop it.
They don’t even dare to set foot in Crestfall Villa.
Even if Elias is furious, he still wouldn’t openly challenge Julian Thorne.
So, Crestfall Villa could be Catherine’s final retreat.
Catherine: “If necessary, I won’t hesitate to come to you p>
Vivian felt somewhat at ease but didn’t expect Catherine to send another photo.
“By the way, Vivian, there are a dozen bouquets in front of your house, some already wilted p>
“If you don’t want them, should I throw them away for you p>
Various bouquets were neatly placed in the hallway leading to the entrance. Looking at them, Vivian felt both surprised and a chill run up her spine.
Flowers again!
She sent Catherine a voice message.
“Hey, Vivian? I just flipped through these flowers, and they all have cards p>
“And every bouquet has a message p>
“Maybe the sender doesn’t know you don’t live here anymore p>
Vivian: “Could you check if the signature on all of them is ’Crawford p>
Catherine: “Yes, it’s ’Crawford p>
“Why? Is it someone you dislike p>
Vivian clenched her fist nervously: “He’s a psycho p>
“It’s fine, you don’t need to worry about it p>
“I’ll have the housekeeper handle it p>
After hanging up the phone, Vivian immediately called the building’s housekeeper.
“From now on, no matter who sends bouquets, you don’t need to deliver them upstairs, just throw them away p>
The building’s housekeeper then realized they had made a well-intentioned mistake.
“Miss Sinclair, we’re sorry, we didn’t know you didn’t want these bouquets. In the future, we’ll just treat them as garbage p>
After hanging up the phone, Vivian kept staring at the photos sent by Catherine.
The more she looked, the stranger it felt, and doubts began to arise in her mind.
She called Patrick: “The last time I asked you to investigate Caleb Crawford, have you found anything p>
Patrick: “Boss, this Caleb Crawford is quite deeply hidden, so I haven’t been able to find everything yet p>
“Currently, I found out that he’s teaching at Ardis University, serving as a professor of traditional Chinese painting p>
“He has a very good reputation, everyone around him respects him. I went to the university to understand more, and there are no blemishes p>
“This guy seems… quite perfect on the surface p>
“However, all his information from seven years ago seems to be hidden; no matter how I search, I can’t find even a trace p>
His information from seven years ago was hidden?
Moreover, he just returned and went to teach at Ardis University?
Vivian remembers that Caleb Crawford wasn’t even involved in traditional Chinese painting before!
In fact, he didn’t know how to paint at all!
He spent seven years abroad and came back as a professor of traditional Chinese painting?
Moreover, the more perfect someone seems, the more problematic it usually is!
Vivian: “Keep investigating p>
“Tell me if you find anything p>
After hanging up the phone, the strange ominous feeling in Vivian’s heart hadn’t dissipated when the door was knocked.
“Miss Sinclair, are you awake p>
It’s Charlotte.
Vivian went to open the door, Charlotte said with a smile: “Miss Sinclair, sir didn’t come back last night; he went on a business trip to Stellara city p>
“However, he specially called to say he hasn’t forgotten his promise to you today p>
“He wants you to get to the agreed place before ten o’clock p>
“By the way, make sure to bring the paperwork p>
Vivian was startled: she almost forgot, Julian Thorne’s deadline for her was today to go to the civil affairs bureau to get the marriage certificate!
Vivian let out a silent cry of despair as Charlotte pulled her to the bathroom.
“Are you meeting sir today p>
“Then I must supervise you to ensure you dress more beautifully than at the proposal banquet the other night, to make sure sir finds you stunning, and can’t help himself p>
Vivian quickly stopped her: “Stop p>
“There’s no meeting, don’t make a fuss p>
“Hurry, go outside and wait for me, I know how to do it myself p>
“Quick, quick, quick p>
Vivian pushed Charlotte out.
She then returned to the bathroom and splashed her face with cold water, waking up much more.
Since she agreed to the proposal, it seems like it can’t be avoided.
Besides, Julian Thorne wants the status, and the child’s months are growing… Is there any difference between delaying one day or getting the certificate early?
She’s already taken this step, and there’s no chance to regret it now.
After contemplating, Vivian stopped mulling over it and decisively began grooming.
With an exquisite makeup, she deliberately chose a white dress with a bow, pink cashmere coat, tied a scarf and styled her hair.
Then, she went out.
Civil Affairs Bureau.
When Vivian arrived, Julian Thorne hadn’t come yet.
There were still twenty minutes until ten o’clock.
Vivian thought about getting out of the car to breathe some fresh air.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she got out of the car, a familiar figure emerged.
“Vivian Sinclair, what are you doing here p>
Vivian fixed her gaze and was full of surprise: “Austin Grant p>
The disheveled man with a stubbly beard, bloodshot eyes, unkempt appearance, wearing wrinkled clothes that seemed to have been worn for days and looking like a vagabond is actually Austin Grant?
Vivian could hardly believe it.
Has The Grant Family gone bankrupt?
Just as Vivian was about to speak, the accompanying bodyguards, Left and Right, quickly stepped forward to block in front of her.
“Who are you p>
“Get lost p>
“Come any closer, and we’ll break your damn legs within two meters p>
Austin Grant saw her now being protected, with no chance to get close, his expression flashed with fierceness and complexity.
“Ha ha, who am I p>
“I’m the person who lost his wife and child to coercion and seizing p>
“Vivian, it seems this Thorne guy truly treasures you so much that he has people protecting you every step of the way p>
“What’s the matter? Are you so afraid I might take you back p>
Vivian: “Am I some sort of object you can just take back whenever you want p>
Her face full of disdain instantly broke Austin Grant’s defense.
“Then what are you doing at the civil affairs bureau p>
“Vivian Sinclair, you wouldn’t be here to get… married… registered with Julian Thorne, would you p>