Chapter 86
Julian Thorne: “Escort Miss Sinclair back to her room p>
Vivian Sinclair hadn’t finished her glass of milk when she heard Julian Thorne’s mother had returned, and immediately put down her cup.
She got up, knowing she should step aside.
Julian glanced again at the seat she had just occupied and instructed Truman, “Prepare another breakfast for her and send it over p>
The maids entered the dining room one by one.
As she passed by a girl, Vivian Sinclair recognized her as the one who had tried to sneak into Julian Thorne’s room last night and gave her an extra look.
The girl trembled with fear, keeping her head down, afraid that Vivian Sinclair would expose what she did last night.
Vivian Sinclair said nothing.
She merely glanced back at Julian Thorne, then walked away.
Although nothing was said in that glance, Julian Thorne focused intently on that maid for a moment.
Soon, a stylishly dressed woman stormed into the dining room in high heels, full of anger.
“Julian Thorne p>
“Look at the mess you’ve caused p>
A stack of documents was thrown at Julian Thorne, and suddenly papers were flying all over the dining room, on the floor and even on the table.
Julian Thorne looked up at his mother, “Are you here to settle accounts with me p>
He didn’t stand up and stared expressionlessly at his enraged mother, “What’s wrong? Didn’t things go your way, leaving you furious p>
“You’re someone who usually can’t be summoned, yet today you come so early just to hold me accountable p>
“Did I commit some heinous crime p>
Sylvia Joyce’s heart skipped a beat meeting her son’s cold gaze.
However, in her anger, she didn’t care about Julian Thorne’s feelings and only felt she had been grievously wronged: “No faults? Did you not smash Leo’s car to pieces p>
“It was a 20th birthday gift from your uncle to her; don’t you know how much she’s cherished it over the years p>
“And yet, you heartlessly crashed it, and when she kindly brought you a document, you gave her a cold shoulder, wouldn’t even say a word to her p>
“Julian Thorne, you’re truly aloof, so high and mighty no one can reach you p>
“You’re so great; have a look at this lawsuit she filed against you p>
Truman handed Julian Thorne the documents he’d picked up from the floor: “Sir, there are appraisal reports, accountability notes, and… the lawsuit p>
All angrily signed in Miss Joyce’s handwriting.
Julian Thorne was unmoved.
He clasped his hands together, calmly instructing, “Let the group’s legal team handle it p>
“The basement garage surveillance can be activated; Miss Joyce intentionally blocked the car first p>
Sylvia Joyce’s chest heaved with anger hearing his cold words, “Julian Thorne p>
“Why did you do this p>
“What’s wrong with Leo p>
Julian Thorne: “Mom p>
He stood, pressing one hand on the table, coldly glaring at Sylvia Joyce, his eyes full of warning: “No matter how good Bianca Joyce is, she’s still your niece; don’t forget that p>
“And yesterday, using such vile means to set me up, you have the nerve to come and accuse me p>
“Don’t you feel even a trace of guilt towards your own son, Mom p>
Julian Thorne’s words tore through the facade between mother and son.
Sylvia Joyce’s face finally revealed a hint of shame, “I… wasn’t I doing this for your own good p>
“Besides, Bianca is just uncle’s stepdaughter; you have no blood relation with her p>
“Weren’t the two of you quite close in high school p>
“Why have you become so different since taking over The Thorne Group, treating Bianca colder than a stranger p>
“How many grievances has Bianca borne for you p>
“I was just thinking of fulfilling you two yesterday, but who knew you’d be so unromantic p>
The more Julian Thorne listened, the more absurd it all seemed, his temple veins prominently throbbing under extreme restraint.
His lips had pressed into a thin line.
His hands turned pale from clenching tightly.
Truman was watching these details from the side, his heart beginning to tremble, constantly signaling his mother, Matron Turner, hoping she’d stop the lady’s words.
But Matron Turner knew it wasn’t yet the best time and could only helplessly shake her head and sigh.
Julian Thorne didn’t interrupt his mother, letting her continue publicly exposing his privacy in front of all the servants: “You’re twenty-seven, yet show no interest in women p>
“Even in yesterday’s situation, you didn’t make a move on Leo; are you sick p>
“Julian, if you’re ill, let’s get it treated p>
“But the Thorne family’s bloodline cannot end with you p>
Upon hearing this, Julian Thorne let out a cold laugh: “You don’t treasure the living, yet place your hopes on the next generation p>
“Are you afraid of facing Dad without shame in the afterlife p>
Sylvia Joyce looked confused by his words: “What are you saying p>
It was as if she didn’t comprehend the meaning behind Julian Thorne’s words.
Julian Thorne stared at her, mercilessly exposing, “Mom, do you truly love your children p>
“Since returning to The Thorne Family, have you remembered you have another daughter, Stella Thorne, who has been battling illness for twenty years p>
“Have you asked about her even once p>
“You’ve been away from Crestfall Villa for years; how many times have you cared about Stella p>
“You feel for Bianca Joyce, you stand for her justice p>
“Are you without a daughter yourself p>
Sylvia Joyce couldn’t bear it and slapped Julian Thorne’s face.
“I’m your mother; why do you speak to me like this p>
“Didn’t I do all this for your own good p>
“As for Stella… If I had to stay under the same roof with her, not only would she go crazy, I’d lose my mind too p>
“Do you need a crazy sister and a crazy mom to finally be happy and satisfied p>
Facing Sylvia’s emotional outburst, even that slap just now, Julian did not dodge.
Rather, he locked eyes with his mother’s intense gaze.
And mine.
I’m your son.
Why are you plotting against me?
Why do you protect others and not care for me?
Why did you abandon Stella and me, to escape everything and leave us?
These words Julian never spoke aloud, words he would never utter.
He just gradually let go of the anger and the lingering warmth in his eyes, leaving behind only cold indifference as he turned away.
“It seems we have nothing more to say p>
With this, Julian strode away. Before going up the stairs, he seemed to remember something, turned back, and pointed at the maid Vivian had just looked at, saying, “If she’s one of your informants, take her with you if you don’t want her dead p>
“Or, you’ll experience your son’s methods of punishment p>
The maid dropped to the ground, crying and pleading, “Sir, it’s not the Lady’s fault, please forgive me, I was bewildered, sob sob sob p>
Truman seemed to understand something, his face changed.
He stepped up and landed a slap on the maid’s face.
“You knew the rules of this house, why did you betray Sir p>
“Indeed, you cannot be kept p>
He gave a nod to a nearby servant, who immediately came to drag her away.
It was Sylvia who couldn’t watch any longer, reaching out to stop them: “Let her come with me p>
“She’s the one I bribed and instructed p>
“You want to intimidate me, I understand. I’ll leave and never come back p>
Having said that, Sylvia looked at this house with immense disappointment.
The house was no longer her home.
At this moment, Matron Turner came up to Sylvia with teary eyes.
“Madam, this is the Thorne Family, the place you and Julian’s father married and loved each other, don’t you want it anymore p>
“Matron Turner knows you’re having a hard time, but Julian and Stella, they are suffering too p>
“Why torture yourself and them this way p>
“Julian does not hate you, he only hurts the most over your manipulation of him. He’s only twenty-eight, with no one close by, do you really want to force him to the edge p>
“I’ll take the liberty to speak from my seniority and age some heartfelt words p>
“Julian is not someone who settles easily. You need to give him time p>
“Just like when you resolutely left Crestfall back then, didn’t he also give you time p>
At this, Matron Turner couldn’t help but shed tears from heartache.
Recalling past events, Sylvia took a step back in defeat, eventually dropping into the chair.
Just then, a clear voice came from the stairs: “Mom p>
Upon hearing this voice, Sylvia trembled all over.
Then a lively and bright figure burst into Sylvia’s view.
Stella Thorne bounced over, sat beside Sylvia, reached out to pull her: “Mom, you haven’t come to see Stella for a long time p>
“I didn’t expect that when Stella opened her eyes, she saw you p>
“Stella is so happy p>
After saying this, Stella dependently leaned against Sylvia’s shoulder for a moment.
But it was just for a moment, she soon began eating properly by herself.
Seeing Stella, looking seemingly normal, Sylvia was full of shock.
She looked incredulously at Matron Turner, “Stella, she’s p>
Matron Turner nodded with tears of joy.
“Stella has made great progress lately p>
“She just fell yesterday, so there’s a bit of bruising on her face p>
“But compared to before, she no longer stays in the darkness, always casting herself in shadows p>
“This is a great joy, Madam p>
Sylvia still couldn’t believe it.
She reached out her hand, remembering Stella’s uncontrollable screaming scenes from before, and in the end, she didn’t dare to take the step.
“Maybe it will just be fleeting p>
She rose with red eyes and quickly left the dining room as if escaping.
After she was gone, Stella lowered her head in disappointment.
“Mom left again p>
Matron Turner hugged her with sympathy: “Stella, be good, give your mom some time. She’s just too hurt p>
“Ever since your dad left, she couldn’t hold on anymore p>
“If she hadn’t left Crestfall, she wouldn’t have made it today p>
“Everyone is going through hard times… She’s just sick p>
Stella responded with an ’Oh’ and showed a smile: “It’s okay. Let mom recover well then p>
“After all, I have Sister Sinclair, she’ll be with me p>
However, Vivian Sinclair also has to miss an appointment today.
She received a call from Patrick Powell, the voice on the other end was anxious: “Boss, there’s a problem p>
“Jasmine has gone missing at the underground casino in the east of the city p>