Chapter 15 Anathea knew exactly what Xander was thinking . To him , she was stan incompetent mother who couldn't compare to Natalie , whom he adindred so much . That was why he didn't want her to take him to school anymore . I was embarrassed by her . She didn't call him out on It . Instead , she simply smiled and let Cys drive Xander to school . Then , she turned her attention to her own matters , Once they left , the massive estate felt emply again ; Anathea had been left alone in the silence . Later , Jenny wheeled a cart filled with fresh blooms into the backyard , saying , " Mrs. S Irs . Sinclair , here are the flowers you asked for . Jenny had no idea what Anathea planned to do with them , but she'd followed her instructions and bought everything on the list . Still , she couldn't help but feel concerned about Anathea's indiffernce toward Gregory and Natalie's relationship , as well as her apparent disregard for Xander's opinions . She continued , " Mrs. Sinclair , we can take care of the flowers for you . You should really focus more on Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Xander , or else … " She didn't finish her sentence , but Anathea already understood what Jenny meant - if she kept turning a blind eye , Natalie would completely replace her sooner or later . " Thank you . " Anathea accepted the flowers without addressing the real issue . Jenny parted her lips as if to say something but hesitated . Eventually , she swallowed her words and said , " I'll get you some scissors . " Anathea had already changed into practical clothes . Taking the scissors and tools Jenny brought , she got to work on the flowers , But this time , she didn't just trim them like before . Rather , she shaped them into something more intricate . As she arranged the flowers , a breathtaking image took form - a majestic bird spreading its wings . The tall was made of bluebells , their petals swaying lightly in the breeze , making it lookas if the bird could take flight at any moment . " " That's beautiful ! " Jenny gasped in awe , unable to hide her amazement . She knew Anathea had a talent for floral design , but she hadn't expected something this extraordinary . She exclaimed , " It looks like a piece straight out of an art exhibit ! " ry from a work of art . " Anathea merely smiled , though it didn't quite reach her eyes . " It's still a far cry With tha that , she calmly started dismantling the entire arrangement , plucking the flowers one by one . Jenny was baffled by h her actions . Anathea had spent two hours creating that masterpiece . Why was she destroying it now ? Jenny asked , " Mrs. Sinclair , why are you taking it apart ? " " I was just practicing . " Anathea sounded casual , but a hint of regret flickered in her ga gaze .. It seemed her skills had dulled over the five years , and she needed to start from scratch . Since large - scale designs were d were difficult to control , she would have to begin with smaller pieces , Once Anathea left the Sinclair family , her financial support would be completely cut off . Fiona would be in for a long recovery period after her surgery , so Anathea would need money for all the medical expenses . Floral design was her only real skill - the only way she could make a living . Hence , she had no choice but to pick it up again . Sadly , things weren't going as smoothly as she'd hoped . Since she'd abruptly left the industry years ago , the colleagues who'd once supported her seemed to have lost faith in her . Even after several days , no one had responded to her messages . +25 BONUS Anathea lowered her gaze , feeling blue . Just then , her phone chlined with an email notification . When she saw the sender's name - Professor Aspen Langley - her eyelashes trembled slightly " This upcoming exhibition is themed around Modern Tranquility We've already reached out to the renowned floral artist , Ms. Aspen Langley , and we're in talks to feature her latest work as the centerpiece of the main exhibit , " Natalie announced , going through a presentation in the conference room . " That concludes our proposal , " she said . The room immediately erupted into applause . Someone praised , " est as expected from Ms. Whitman ! She managed to come up with such a detailed and flawless plan in such a short time ! " Even Gregory's best friend , Theo Harrington , nudged him playfully " Man , Ms. Whitman is a powerhouse ! She's definitely the kind of woman who'd make the perfect right - hand partner. You're one lucky guy . " Gregory's expression remained unreadable , but he still gave Natalie's proposal his approval . " Go ahead with it . If Sinclair Group's involvement is needed anywhere , just let me know . " " Oh , look at that ! The project hasn't even started yet , and you're already playing favorites . " Then clicked his tongue , shaking his head . " Back when I was running projects , I don't remember you ever bring this eager to help . Mr. Sinclair , you've officially ditched your friends for a pretty face ! " That's because you're incompetent , and helping you wouldn't have made a difference , " Gregory replied bluntly , cutting straight to the point . " Hey , now that's just harsh ! " Theo protested , " You're acting like you've ever actually helped me before . " Then , he turned to Natalie e with a teasing smirk . " I swear , you wouldn't lift a finger for anyone except your dear Ms. Whitman . " Hearing that, Natalie blushed slightly , her fair skin tinged with pink " Theo , don't say that . Greg's not like that at all . " " Look at that ; she's already defending him . " Theo sighed dramatically . " Fine , just leave me out whenever you two are together . I don't need to torture myself like this . " " Then you're out of luck , " Gregory replied flatly . " My mom's birthday is this weekend , and she specifically asked for you to come. " Theo smacked his forehead . " Shit ! I almost forgot about that . If Aunt Eleanor finds out I didn't prepare anything , she's going to kill me ! " He shot up from his seat , ready to leave . However , before stepping out of the conference room , he paused and glanced back . With a sly grin , he asked , " By the way , is your ' better hall ' going ? " Seeing the amused glint in Theo's eyes , Gregory simply replied , " She never does . " On the day of Eleanor's birthday , Brisa's driver , Arnold Winston , hesitated as he looked at Natalie , who was dressed elegantly and looked radiant . Sounding uncertain, he said , " Mr. Sinclair , Mrs. Sinclair Senior instructed me to take you , Mrs. Sinclair , and Mr. Xander to the Sinclair residence . " Gregory's gaze shifted toward the stairs just as Anathea descended gracefully . Unlike Natalie's striking look , Anathea wore a soft blush - pink silk dress that tell just above her knees . Her long , silky hair was pinned up with a pearl clip , making her look gentle and refined . " Mom's coming too? " Xander asked in surprise , Eleanor's birthday parties had always been a family event , yet Anathea had never attended before . Why was she suddenly going Chapter 15 +25 BONUS this time ? And if she was going , that would likely inran there wouldn't be a snt for Natalie . Tot Xander had already promised her they would go together . Gregory barely spared Anathea a glance before looking away , his expression indifferent . " Mr. Xander , please get in the ear , " Amold said , holding the door open " But there's not enough space ! We're supposed to go with Ms. Winan ! " Xander protested , hugging Natalie tightly . Arnold looked conflicted , lowering his voice as it trying to negotiate . " Mr. Xander , how about this ? You , Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair go first , and I'll come back to pick up Ms. Whitman . Does that work ? " " No ! " Xander's face scrunched up in frustration . " I want to go with Ms. Whitman ! " Seeing his distress , Natalie quickly softened her expression , het voice gentle and understanding " Xander , sweetheart , go with your parents first . I'll take another car and meet you there , okay ? " " No ! " Xander pouted , shaking his head . " We already planned this ! Mom never went before - why does she soddenly have to go now ? " Anathea stood quietly , watching Xander's reaction . Although she was his mother , at this moment , it felt like she was nothing more than an outsider a villain ruining their plans . " Mom , can't you just not go ? " Xander asked , looking at Anathea pleadingly . Chapter 16 Chapter 16