Chapter 176
Although over the past ten years, Sylvia Joyce has gradually emerged from some of her pain and fear.
But she also knows that her actions back then had personally pushed this pair of children further and further away p>
Every time she returned, Stella Thorne either couldn’t recognize her.
Or, recognized her but was very distant, not even as polite as she was with Matron Turner.
She even stopped allowing her to enter her room.
Calling ’Mom’, but not even close as a cordial servant.
Until just now, Sylvia Joyce once again felt that hint of dependence from Stella Thorne.
Moreover, she was the one who most clearly sensed her daughter’s changes!
How could she not be excited?
Sylvia Joyce even shed tears.
“Alright, alright, alright, Mommy is willing, Mommy is very willing p>
“No matter how long you want to strive, Mommy will accompany Star p>
Followed her daughter into the room.
Sylvia Joyce then discovered that the room was mostly filled with paintings.
Paintings were hanging everywhere.
There were paints scattered on the floor.
Even the walls were covered with paint.
Sylvia Joyce couldn’t help but be curious: “Star, do you really like painting p>
“Are all these paintings created by our Star p>
Stella Thorne nodded endlessly like a chick pecking at grains: “Yes, Mom p>
“This one, this one, and that one p>
“They were taught to Star by Sister Sinclair, you know p>
“And this one, Brother said, Sister Sinclair painted a big tiger p>
“Star loves this big tiger the most. Because although it’s lonely, it’s also very majestic p>
“Mom, do you like it p>
Stella Thorne proudly showed Sylvia Joyce around.
For the first time, Sylvia Joyce truly and carefully looked at Vivian Sinclair’s paintings.
Ever since she returned to Crestfall, she had already heard that Vivian Sinclair was the mysterious painter W.
Stella Thorne really liked W.
That’s why Julian managed to painstakingly find Vivian Sinclair and bring her to Crestfall Villa.
With her son’s methods, Sylvia Joyce could imagine he must have tempted Vivian Sinclair with interests and reality thoroughly.
Otherwise, given that child’s situation at the time, it wouldn’t have been possible for her to move into Crestfall Villa.
In the end, it was fate.
By chance, the two even got involved with the child’s affairs.
Eventually, Julian was attracted to the talented W, which was really only natural.
However, the rumored W, whose gender and age were unknown, had now become her daughter-in-law, and Sylvia Joyce felt somewhat proud deep inside.
Only now, while earnestly looking at Vivian Sinclair’s paintings, did Sylvia Joyce experience some different emotions.
Was this child also very lonely before?
Vivian Sinclair and Julian Thorne ate for another half hour.
The two chatted about various topics.
From each other’s childhood to some interesting stories from their youth.
From what Vivian Sinclair did today.
To Julian Thorne asking her: “Do you need me to intervene and help you p>
Vivian Sinclair: “I can rely on myself now. When I need your help, I won’t be polite with you p>
Despite her words, she hasn’t yet become accustomed to depending on him.
Furthermore, Vivian Sinclair didn’t want Julian Thorne to think less of her; stubbornly, she also wanted to prove herself.
However, Julian Thorne’s attitude was clear: “I’m waiting for you to speak up at any time p>
“Remember, I am your husband p>
“You can always borrow any strength from me, it’s all reasonable p>
“Vivi, this is also the biggest advantage I can offer by marrying you p>
What’s his is hers.
His intention was very straightforward, just depends on whether Vivian Sinclair wanted it or not.
Facing such a strong man who was willing to pamper her, Vivian Sinclair found it difficult to persuade herself not to be moved.
But starting today, she no longer needed to restrain the overwhelming emotions, she boldly looked into Julian Thorne’s eyes and responded to his attitude.
“Alright, I know p>
“However, I’ve already borrowed a lot of your resources. Like Dean Caldwell, like the sanatorium, and your people, I’m using them very smoothly p>
While she continued talking, Julian Thorne just supported his chin, listening to her with patience.
Gradually, even the candlelight became a bit ambiguous.
Until Vivian Sinclair’s phone suddenly rang.
Vivian Sinclair saw it was Catherine Sinclair calling, she had to end dinner for now.
She first gave Julian Thorne a glance, then got up and walked aside to answer: “Hey, Catherine p>
Heard that Zack only returned in the afternoon.
Vivian Sinclair hadn’t had time to ask Julian Thorne about Zack before Catherine Sinclair called first.
Vivian Sinclair had to ask first: “Well, are you settled over there p>
Catherine Sinclair sounded in a much better mood than yesterday: “Don’t worry, I’m doing well p>
“However, if it weren’t for Zack today, I would’ve really been caught by Brother p>
“Now it’s fine. At Master’s place, Brother also has to show respect, really doesn’t dare to come in and grab me directly p>
Hearing this, Vivian Sinclair finally felt relieved.
“That’s good. So do you have any plans for the future p>
Catherine Sinclair: “Continue learning traditional Chinese medicine with Master p>
“Anyway, traditional Chinese medicine is profound and extensive, I can’t learn it all in a lifetime. Pursuing it as my career, I’m also enjoying it along the way p>
“Vivian, I don’t want to go back to The Sinclair Family p>
“The Sinclair Family makes me feel suffocated p>
“Although I’ve always longed for family, in these two years… I’ve thoroughly experienced that some relatives are not worthy of being called family p>
The Sinclair Family treats both daughters like this.
Trying to control them, using them to exchange for greater interests and values.
Love, they say?
There is certainly love.
But how much love, really?
In that patriarchal family, Catherine Sinclair and Vivian Sinclair were definitely at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Whenever they were needed, they would be sent out and sacrificed without hesitation.
Vivian Sinclair was a living example.
Luckily, before Catherine Sinclair was forced down the arranged marriage path, she escaped.
Vivian Sinclair was happy for her.
“No, I will always be your family p>
Both smiled happily over the phone at this remark.
As they laughed, Catherine Sinclair remembered the main reason she called: “By the way, I called because Matron Turner sent me some photos p>
“She said that back when the orphanage hosted an event, that nurse happened to be visiting me p>
“Some kind-hearted people from society posed for a commemorative photo. She spent a day before finding this album p>
“I’ll send you the photo right away; the woman in the pink beret is the one p>
After hanging up, Vivian Sinclair immediately enlarged the photo Catherine Sinclair sent.
Pink beret… she spotted it at a glance.
Vivian Sinclair quickly made a note and then sent the photo to Dean Caldwell.
She also sent a text message: “Dean, I still need your help with the investigation I asked about last time p>
“Is the nurse in this photo the one who swapped my identity back then? If so, can the hospital provide me with her complete records p>
The dean replied: “I recall the nurse’s records have long been missing from the archives p>
“They were likely destroyed many years ago p>
“However, I’ll have an answer for Miss Sinclair tomorrow concerning whether this is the person in the photo p>
Although the records were destroyed, there are still elderly people in the hospital who remember the nurse, so Dean Caldwell needs time to gather information.
Vivian Sinclair can only gradually push forward, knowing that impatience won’t lead to an immediate answer.
Suddenly, she turned to see Julian Thorne, who was already up and preparing to leave the restaurant.
Unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t want to seek his help.
Forget it, I’ll wait a bit longer.
Maybe, with a little more time, I can handle this myself.
“Let’s go, I’ll walk with you p>
The young pregnant woman, after eating, indeed needed to digest.
So today, Julian handled all the work ahead of time and instructed Leo Linden not to disturb him as he took Vivian Sinclair’s hand and went into the garden.
Yet, Vivian Sinclair still harbored concerns.
Something felt off.
What was strange?
She seemed to have overlooked a clue p>
Her absent-mindedness irritated Julian Thorne.
“How is it, my wife is busier than I am p>
“So, have you decided if you’ll move into my room tonight, or will I move into yours p>
Vivian Sinclair was instantly snapped back to reality, looking immensely startled: “What p>
She stared at him wide-eyed with fear, only to see Julian Thorne curling a shallow smile.
With his hands in his pockets, he leaned in to look her in the eye and said seriously: “Vivi, we are already married p>
“Being married means sharing a room, isn’t it a given p>
“I want to be husband and wife with you p>
“Not just neighbors p>
“So don’t try to evade the issue p>
Vivian Sinclair blushed red, completely forgetting what she was previously thinking about.
“Can’t we at least continue being neighbors for now p>
“Julian, I’m really not ready yet p>
“I don’t want to move p>
Vivian Sinclair’s voice lacked conviction.
Julian Thorne straightened up, looked down at her, and stroked his chin as if in deep thought: “Oh, you’re scared p>
“What, forgotten who was the first to initiate the kiss when I proposed p>
Vivian Sinclair quickly tried to cover his mouth with her hand.
But Julian Thorne seized the opportunity and caught her hand.
His eyes were filled with an overwhelming affection.
Before Vivian Sinclair could guess what he might do, he had already brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed her palm.
Vivian Sinclair shivered in surprise and tried to retract her hand, but he held it tightly.
Julian Thorne told her firmly, without giving her any chance to run: “Don’t think about escaping p>
“If you don’t move, then I’ll move p>
“After all, I have a wife now p>
“What do you say, wife p>
Vivian Sinclair fled back to her room in a panic.
She locked the door twice.
Sitting down, she realized how hot her face was.
Oh no, tonight it might be inevitable!
She didn’t expect Julian Thorne to be this straightforward.
Now she was so nervous, she felt completely flustered.
What to do, what to do?
Will it come to sharing a bed?
Vivian Sinclair turned to look at her bed, only to notice that the bedding had been changed to bright red without her noticing!
Wait, bright red.
Vivian Sinclair was suddenly alarmed.
She retrieved the photo of the orphanage’s kind-hearted people commemorative photo Catherine Sinclair sent her.
Among them, a little girl in a bright red outfit.
At first glance, she just thought the color was striking, but now the more she thought about it, the more something seemed off.
Vivian Sinclair enlarged the photo.
Then, her gaze fell on the adult behind the girl in red.
A familiar face entered her line of sight.
It was Crawford!