Chapter 103
Vivian Sinclair had just returned to her house when she received a text message from Julian Thorne.
“Congratulations p>
Clearly, he already knew the news.
She hadn’t had time to reply when Tina Archer called: “Vivian, did things go smoothly today p>
Vivian Sinclair: “I’m treating you to dinner tonight, what do you want to eat p>
Whether it went smoothly was hidden in the answer.
Tina Archer couldn’t help but cheer for her: “Vivian, congratulations to you p>
“Then I’m going to eat a lot this time! I want to eat p>
Listening to Tina Archer list them one by one, Vivian Sinclair simply said, “I’ll order all the takeout you want to eat to my place, you come over p>
After hanging up, Vivian Sinclair looked at Jasmine beside her.
“Did your dad really make up his mind p>
Jasmine placed a large bouquet of flowers on the table.
“Mm p>
“He said he’s going back to the family’s ancestral home to buy an old house, then do some simple renovations and plans to settle down p>
“And grow some crops, raise some chickens and ducks, sort of retiring early p>
“Vivian, my dad was not a good person in the past, but he saved so much money for me and left a house… I’ve almost completely let go of the hatred I felt towards him p>
“Do you think I’m not assertive enough p>
“And he also explained to me, that some things he did were just for show to Lillian Rivers, because he knew about her secret from back then, and Lillian also knew he knew something, so she was afraid Lillian would use me as a leverage p>
“Dad originally planned to use this to force me into marriage, then give me a chance to escape p>
“As long as I could escape elsewhere, retake the adult college entrance exam, it would be better than actually marrying just anyone Lillian pointed out p>
“But he was too embarrassed to say these things p>
“And he said… sometimes seeing me reminded him of my mom, said he did hit and scold me sometimes, realizing he wasn’t a good father, nor a good husband, so he ended up being both self-destructive while still hoping my future would be somewhat better p>
“But he didn’t expect that after all his efforts, he risked sending Lillian Rivers out of The Grant Family to save Gia Grant, then sent them to meet Dylan Drexler. Dad thought Lillian would spare us father and daughter, allowing us to leave Grant Family with a way out, considering his loyalty p>
“This was the only condition Dad had p>
“But Lillian Rivers was too vicious p>
“She didn’t care whether Dad lived or died, when Dylan Drexler said he feared Dad would leak secrets and had him taken away, she didn’t even try to stop it p>
Speaking of this, Jasmine wiped a tear, and continued furiously: “Later they tried to completely eradicate, tricking me into coming over p>
“They originally planned to sell me off to Kymar p>
“As for Dad, they’d probably sell his organs and then kill him p>
“Vivian, these people are too cruel p>
“Everything they secretly do is this kind of dirty business p>
Vivian Sinclair was also chilled to the bone.
“He won’t meet a good end p>
“Fortunately, fortunately I managed to get you out p>
“Since your dad decided to leave, let him leave. Staying is more dangerous p>
“As for you, be careful these days p>
“After returning to school today, don’t go out casually p>
Jasmine nodded: “Okay, I understand. I think so too, otherwise running back and forth to you might expose your whereabouts p>
Vivian Sinclair: “You don’t need to worry about me p>
“I’ll have Patrick Powell find a female bodyguard and place her at your school p>
“That way, I’ll be at ease p>
The moment Vivian Sinclair finished speaking, Jasmine was moved to hug her tightly again.
“Vivian, knowing you is truly my greatest fortune in this life p>
“You don’t even know how much I love you p>
Vivian Sinclair found her words too mushy, “Alright, alright, the bouquet you just brought in, handle it p>
“I’m going to order takeout p>
Vivian Sinclair, feeling unexpectedly light-hearted, sat down and opened a mobile app.
Jasmine hummed a song while opening the large bouquet, then saw the card.
“Vivian, it seems a Mr. Crawford sent these flowers to you p>
Crawford?
Vivian Sinclair puzzled over it for a long time but couldn’t recall who it was.
However, precisely because she couldn’t remember, she immediately became alert.
This bouquet was handed to her by the butler downstairs, saying someone sent it early in the morning, but since no one was home, the delivery person couldn’t enter and left it at the front desk.
Vivian Sinclair felt this was very bizarre, and unease spread in her heart.
“Let me see p>
Vivian Sinclair took the card, which read: Little Vivian, wishing you well.
The signature was indeed someone with the surname Crawford.
Vivian Sinclair couldn’t even tell if the person was male or female.
“Vivian, is it someone you don’t know p>
Vivian Sinclair’s skin crawled with goosebumps.
“Throw the flowers away p>
No matter who it was, her whereabouts seemed exposed again!
Tina Archer still hadn’t come.
Vivian Sinclair’s takeout was getting cold.
She quickly called, only to hear Tina’s tense voice say: “Vivian, I was just about to call you, your teacher had an accident p>
“He fell from the third floor, now at the hospital for emergency treatment p>
“Vivian, you must come to the hospital p>
Vivian Sinclair felt her brain buzz.
It took her a long time to find her trembling voice again: “Which teacher p>
“Sis, which one of my teachers p>
Tina Archer: “Of course, it’s Teacher Tris whom I also know p>
“Vivian, hurry over p>
“I’m afraid if you go too late… you might never see your teacher again p>
After saying this, Tina hung up the phone.
Vivian Sinclair, pale-faced, immediately got up, grabbed her coat, and rushed out.
Seeing this, Jasmine quickly followed: “Vivian, take it slow p>
Looking at the table full of food, Jasmine stomped her foot, but still stuffed everything into the fridge before chasing after her.
Vivian Sinclair couldn’t even drive.
Her hands were shaking severely.
She was completely out of strength, with tears constantly streaming down.
Luckily, Jasmine had called the Major and Minor Brothers who were nearby.
When the two heard that they were heading to the hospital, they thought something had happened to Vivian Sinclair and frantically looked her up and down.
Jasmine shouted in frustration, “It’s not Vivian! You guys hurry up, you’re driving me crazy with worry p>
On the way, Vivian Sinclair reminisced about many memories with her teacher.
She became a disciple of Fiona Rhodes at thirteen.
At sixteen, she made a stunning debut in the design world. Fiona was pleasantly surprised to discover Vivian Sinclair also had a talent for design, so she introduced her to her friend—an iconic master in Aurehua’s design industry, Teacher Tris.
Tris was a little old man in his sixties, not very tall, wearing a pair of round little glasses, looking kindly and approachable.
He treated Vivian Sinclair like a daughter, teaching her meticulously and sincerely imparting all his skills to her.
“Vivian, you are a good seedling. Teacher is delighted to receive such a naturally talented apprentice like you at this old age p>
“And the rare thing is, you haven’t let your skills make you arrogant; you can keep yourself grounded, which is a quality many young people lack nowadays p>
At sixteen, Vivian Sinclair had two sincerely devoted teachers, fueling a year of rapid growth, frantically absorbing two seemingly similar but actually distinct forms of art.
At seventeen, Fiona suddenly left.
Vivian Sinclair then only studied under Tris.
The unexplained departure of Fiona left a wound of abandonment in Vivian Sinclair’s heart, so most of the time she was frantically painting.
That year, her paintings were full of dark elements, even evoking sighs from Tris.
But he never pressured Vivian Sinclair, instead patiently using his works to gradually pull her out of depression.
For instance, today, he might suddenly bring a valuable design sketch for Vivian Sinclair to review, claiming his old eyes can’t see the designs clearly.
Tomorrow, he would bring out a handmade pottery piece in a huff, saying no one appreciates his treasure, breaking one or two in frustration.
And the next day, he would directly throw an unfinished design to Vivian Sinclair, requiring her to complete it within the stipulated time.
Each time a different style.
Every time, all Vivian Sinclair could do was helplessly help him review sketches, find designs, redo pottery, continue completing his works p>
Gradually, Vivian Sinclair was led by the old man out of Fiona’s shadow.
At nineteen, Vivian Sinclair got into college.
This period gave her more time to learn with Tris.
She started gradually making her mark in the design world, until graduation with immense fame.
Collaborating with Serenity Studio, every piece of work she released was eagerly snapped up and loved by the public.
Vivian Sinclair gradually regained some confidence, returning to her previous vigor and spirit.
One could say her times with Teacher Tris were more frequent and richer in shared experiences than with Teacher Fiona.
Their bond was also deeper.
At twenty-two, Vivian Sinclair graduated from college.
She discovered that her background might have issues, and in the final moments to retain her family’s affection, she hesitated between marriage and further academic pursuits.
At that moment, Jordan Vance and Old Madam Grant conspired to push her out of the art scene.
Vivian Sinclair decided to suspend all her career activities for the Sinclair family’s marital alliance.
Tris felt deeply disappointed upon knowing.
He scolded Vivian Sinclair fiercely.
“Do you realize that your talent, and the fame you possess, is something others dream of yet cannot imagine p>
“Fame at a young age, with inherent talent p>
“And you just say you’re giving it up so lightly p>
“How insecure are you, how desperately you beg for your family’s affection to make such a foolish decision p>
“No wonder Fiona abandoned you back then p>
“She must have seen your weakness, hence left p>
“I don’t want to teach you anymore, you’re on your own now p>
Then Tris resolutely left Ardis, going to Stellara to join his daughter, living a life surrounded by grandchildren, never speaking to Vivian Sinclair again.
Yet, before leaving, he still left Vivian Sinclair some dowry.
All treasures made by his own hands.
Now, Vivian Sinclair regrets deeply.
Regrets not visiting her teacher at the first opportunity when he returned to Ardis, not kneeling in apology before him.
She thought there was still time, wanting to find a more suitable chance, waiting for her career to regain momentum, for her divorce to succeed p>
Then she would go to her teacher and admit how profoundly she had erred, conceding that all the scoldings were entirely justified.
But before such an opportunity arose, her teacher fell gravely injured p>
Vivian Sinclair wiped her tears and suddenly remembered the intervention by Julian Thorne when Old Tanner was in critical condition, which created a turnaround.
If her senior sister wasn’t mistaken, she heard the teacher had also suffered a head injury and was in emergency care.
Vivian Sinclair had checked before; that J who saved Old Tanner was an authoritative expert in craniology.
Only, his identity is mysterious, making it impossible for ordinary people to find him, let alone invite him to come out!
If Julian Thorne could intervene again to find that J to help, maybe her teacher could be saved from crisis?
Vivian Sinclair thought and immediately dialed Julian Thorne’s number.
Yet once, twice, three times p>
Julian Thorne’s phone was never answered.
Until Minor said: “Miss Sinclair, we’re at the hospital p>
Vivian Sinclair had called Julian Thorne over a dozen times without any response, which now sank her heart to rock bottom p>