"Tanya!" Vincent Hawthorne’s voice carried a trace of panic as he tried to step forward. But Declan Pierce, standing beside Tanya Sinclair, moved even faster. He grabbed Tanya’s arm, pulling her into his embrace, and immediately kicked Claire Walsh in the chest. Even though he held back his strength, Claire was still sent flying two or three meters before landing hard on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood with a loud "wow!" Tanya turned to look at the large hand gripping her arm. Declan’s skin was pale, and the veins on the back of his hand stood out, seemingly taut. Declan naturally sensed Tanya’s gaze. He didn’t look at her, restrainedly releasing his hold, his chest slightly heaving under his shirt, a bloodthirsty ruthlessness forcibly suppressed in the depths of his ink-black eyes. His other side would scare her. Tanya looked at Claire Walsh struggling to get up from the ground. Her expression was manic, her eyes dazed... Tanya frowned slightly, immediately realizing that this woman was not just suffering from mania! And as soon as she heard the report to the police just now, she seemed like a different person... Watching as Claire picked up the knife and staggered to her feet again. "Capture her!" Janne Hayes sternly ordered the bodyguards. "Don’t hurt Ms. Tanya!" Cindy Lynn, who was close, jumped in front of the bodyguards, rushing forward in one swift movement, but the next second, her body froze. Blood, drop by drop, splattered on the floor. The knife in Claire’s hand had stabbed into Cindy Lynn’s abdomen. Cindy staggered back two steps and collapsed directly. "Cindy!" Vincent Hawthorne shouted her name in panic, rushing to catch her. Tanya had never seen Vincent so flustered. When Claire had attacked her with a knife, he had only shouted her name in anxiety. Perhaps it was extreme anger, Vincent’s eyes reddened at the corners as he angrily addressed Claire, who was being pinned to the ground by the bodyguards: "If anything happens to Cindy, I will make sure you pay the most painful price!" Tanya watched this scene indifferently, actually feeling no ripples in her heart. Janne quickly took out her phone to call emergency services. But Vincent couldn’t wait. He picked up Cindy and was about to leave. "Ms. Tanya..." Cindy raised her blood-soaked hand, feebly reaching for Tanya, her face pale as paper, still explaining with grievance, "I really didn’t..." Before she could finish her sentence, she passed out, fainting in Vincent’s arms. The wound was still bleeding, with the blood staining half of her body red. The wound wasn’t shallow, but as a doctor familiar with human anatomy, Tanya knew very well that the place where the knife had entered wasn’t fatal. At this moment, she genuinely admired Cindy, to act to such an extent, risking half her life to maintain the act! But clearly, the effect was immediate. "Are you satisfied now?" Vincent Hawthorne’s cold gaze pierced over like an icy dagger, wishing he could stab a few holes in her too, to avenge Cindy. All that was in his eyes was accusation and deep disappointment. He said, "Tanya, you’re becoming more and more of a stranger to me!" These words sounded amusing to Tanya. It should be her, feeling truly unfamiliar! Now, with her infatuation with Vincent completely erased, Tanya realized how unworthy the man she had loved with all her heart for so many years truly was! As long as Cindy pitied herself, he would be led around like a dog! Behind Tanya, Declan Pierce watched coldly as Vincent carried the woman away in a hurry. Just earlier, the knife clearly was brought upon the woman by her own actions. Declan’s eyes filled with disdain, his gaze cold as ice, but as he looked upon the person before him, the glacier melted away, leaving only a gentle warmth. But it was her who loved in such a way... Seeing Tanya step towards Claire Walsh, Declan’s gaze tightened, and even though Claire had been subdued, with two bodyguards beside her, he still followed without making a sound. Tanya squatted down, examining Claire’s face. She was pale, her eyes vacant, as if disconnected from reality, utterly engulfed in panic. "Don’t be afraid." Tanya soothed her, placing a hand on her pulse, quickly coming to a conclusion. The pulse was slippery and confused, clouding the mind, trapped in a state of heat and restlessness... Claire Walsh was not merely suffering from mania; she most likely had schizophrenia! "That Claire Walsh, really... The colleague she injured is still in the hospital, needing her to pay a large sum in medical expenses. Now she’s stabbed someone again..." The receptionist nearby, having witnessed everything, spoke with fear and trembling, only now daring to approach safely, and couldn’t help but utter aloud. Tanya Sinclair remained silent. This woman just lost her job and helped Cindy Lynn to frame her for money, thinking she could escape, but ended up being caught within half an hour... No wonder she was so agitated when she heard the police; Cindy Lynn must have realized early on that this woman has schizophrenia and deliberately kept provoking her at that critical moment. What she didn’t expect was that Cindy Lynn has such insight and ability... "Ms. Sinclair, the police will be here soon," Janne Hayes said, "We will definitely pursue this matter to the end." Words from a schizophrenic patient who has hurt someone won’t be believed by anyone and it’s hard to convict. Plus, with Vincent Hawthorne guarding her like a treasure, Tanya Sinclair knows clearly that this matter, no matter what, will be hard to trace back to Cindy Lynn. Tanya Sinclair gave Janne Hayes a polite smile and turned to Declan Pierce. "President Pierce, today’s incident was an accident. Rest assured, I guarantee that in the future, my personal feelings will absolutely not affect the subsequent work!" Her face was earnest, almost swearing an oath. In evaluating project partners, an unstable marriage is a demerit, and she remembers Declan Pierce sneered at her relationship with Vincent Hawthorne during college. If Declan Pierce knew she was in the process of divorcing Vincent Hawthorne, he probably wouldn’t feel secure handing such a big project over to her... But she needs this opportunity; she needs the advance payment as her lawyer’s fee! But Tanya Sinclair’s words sounded different to Declan Pierce. Vincent Hawthorne held another woman right in front of her, and she’s still planning to secure this cooperation for him?! In terms of making him have heart palpitations, Tanya Sinclair truly has a skill. Tanya Sinclair saw Declan Pierce’s cold expression and silence, and she suddenly felt unsure. She indeed has absolute confidence in her professional skills, but Declan Pierce is someone who doesn’t follow the usual rules... "President Pierce?" Tanya Sinclair called tentatively, looking at him eagerly. He couldn’t bear to say harsh words to her after all. "Bring the contract to the company on Monday for signing." Getting the answer she wanted, she immediately beamed with joy, "Thank you, President Pierce! I will make you a lot of money!" Tanya Sinclair shamelessly asked, "Can I receive the initial project payment this week?" From drug research to launch, there are several stages, and the initial payment is nothing more than three million. Declan Pierce squinted his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm, "What, after being Mrs. Hawthorne for so many years, Vincent Hawthorne still didn’t give you enough money?" Tanya Sinclair lowered her eyes and smiled a bit, saying nothing. Declan Pierce was too familiar with this expression of hers. When encountering questions she didn’t want to answer, unwilling to offend people, she merely pursed her lips and smiled lightly. Tanya Sinclair is beautiful, with clear, cold features, as exquisite as a fine painting veiled behind Suthern mist and rain, yet when she smiles, the mist vanishes, revealing a hint of vivid spring. Although Tanya Sinclair never used her looks for gain, and even dressed deliberately low-key, she couldn’t hide her stunning looks. Pursed lips and a smile can soften anyone, male or female, giving her leeway. Especially Declan Pierce. But when he softened, it also ached. "Tanya Sinclair." Declan Pierce’s Adam’s apple subtly moved, he whispered, "Say something I like to hear." Like a child who can’t get candy, being unreasonable and sulking. Tanya Sinclair doesn’t know how to flatter people, nor does she abide by sycophantic tactics. She scratched her head and finally said sincerely, "President Pierce, you’re more handsome than seven years ago." Declan Pierce couldn’t help but laugh from frustration. He thought to himself: Handsome, my ass! You’re blind! But saying this might also scare her; Tanya Sinclair can’t take a scare. Like a turtle, she’d retract into her shell if touched. Ultimately, Declan Pierce, with a handsome yet cold face, turned around and left. Reaching the elevator, he couldn’t resist looking back, but Tanya Sinclair’s figure was long gone. Declan Pierce mocked with a corner-pull of his lips. Read full story at novel•fire.net Indeed, he was always the one watching her leave; when had Tanya Sinclair ever stayed put to see him off? Tanya Sinclair hurriedly left after receiving a call from Joy’s class teacher, Ms. Underwood. On the phone, Ms. Underwood’s tone was somewhat stern, "Joy’s mom, I’ve found the surveillance footage you wanted. I hope you watch it carefully! Joy’s problem is very serious!"