In the main control room of the base, seeing Tanya rush up and hug Declan, Janne felt her heart, which was about to jump out of her throat, finally settle back into her chest. He plopped down onto a chair, letting out a long breath. Thankfully, Ms. Sinclair was here. He was only late by half an hour, hadn’t kept an eye on this master, and he almost got into a fight right in front of the Vice President at the national project base! "Special Assistant Hayes." A middle-aged man in a suit with an exceptional presence walked in. Janne immediately stood up: "Councilman Morgan." The councilman was Zachary Morgan, also a confidant of the Vice President, representing him by appearing here. "The Vice President asked me to inquire if Mr. Pierce was okay? It seems he’s been in the restroom for quite a while." The councilman had a polite demeanor, showing no flaws, but his words made Janne nervous. Clearly, the Vice President was unhappy with Declan’s prolonged absence. Janne replied with a calm face, "Our President Pierce is a bit constipated. I’ll go hurry him up, he’ll be out shortly." In the underground parking lot. Declan looked down at the pair of hands tightly wrapped around his waist, the slim white arms laying against the black fabric, like milk spilled across it. A dry and hot anxiety suddenly surged up to his throat. The violent tendencies screaming for blood within him miraculously calmed down. He had long known that Tanya had this ability. If he was a madman, she was his leash. Vincent naturally saw this scene too, seeing Tanya holding onto Declan tightly. His eyes heated up, as if something was pricking his heart. "President Hawthorne!" Cindy quickly said, "Let’s go!" When Declan stopped, the bodyguards also didn’t approach. If they didn’t run now, there’d be no chance later! Cindy pulled Vincent hurriedly into the car and drove off immediately. Through the rearview mirror, Vincent looked back. Declan’s tall figure completely blocked Tanya, only her hand holding onto his waist was visible. Vincent took a deep breath, the car rushed out of the underground parking lot. Suddenly, he punched the steering wheel with force, the sharp honk startling Cindy. Vincent ignored her, staring hard at the road ahead. But in his mind was the image of Tanya rushing up to hug Declan. At that time, Declan really intended to end him, but Tanya... her words might be harsh, but her heart was soft, still caring for him... He just couldn’t understand, why would Declan value Tanya so much? Was it just because of Janne? No... absolutely not! Declan and Tanya, their relationship was likely not so simple! Moreover, the name Declan seemed familiar from somewhere... Vincent suddenly pulled over to the side. "Cindy, you get off here and call a cab home. I need to go somewhere." Cindy was reluctant: "But it’s not convenient to hail a cab here..." "Then wait by the roadside, I’ll arrange for a driver to pick you up." Vincent’s tone was already impatient. Today’s collaboration with Ethan Carter was likely off, Cindy didn’t dare to further anger Vincent, so she obediently got out of the car. Vincent absent-mindedly responded, the car door closed, and he sped off immediately. Left behind, Cindy stomped her foot in frustration. She took out her phone and made a call: "Mom..." On the other side in the underground garage. After Vincent and the others left, Tanya realized she had acted impulsively, daringly hugging Declan! She quickly let go and stepped back a meter. "Sorry President Pierce, just now it was an emergency, it wasn’t my intention to take advantage of you." Hug and not recognize? Surrender faster than anyone. Seeing Tanya distancing herself, his eyes deepened, emotions more hidden. "Tanya." he called her. A pair of bright and clear eyes, he had seen them filled with affection, just as long as they were not facing Vincent, she was always clear-headed and calm. Declan locked eyes with her from above, suddenly took a long step forward. He thought sinisterly, if Tanya dared to take a step back, he’d retrieve what she just gave him, right here! But he didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. This time, Tanya didn’t run. Declan’s tongue pressed against his cheek, feeling even more irritable. "Weren’t you saying you wanted a divorce? What were you doing just now?" Tanya paused, understanding that Declan thought she had stopped him to protect Vincent... There were other things she could leave unexplained! But this, she had to clarify! "President Pierce, you misunderstood me, I’m genuinely determined to divorce Vincent. Stopping you was not to protect him, but because I was worried about you!" The last half sentence perfectly reached Declan’s ears... The coldness in his eyes melted like ice, his thin lips barely curving, he raised an eyebrow: "Oh?" Implying, elaborate more. Tanya then took out her phone with the message Janne sent, handing it to Declan. She earnestly said: "Assistant Hayes specifically texted me!" So it was just because of this lousy message? So she wasn’t truly worried about him, but acted because of Janne’s request... The just calmed irritation came roaring back. Declan forced a cold laugh: "Okay, very well then!" Why did it seem after explaining, Declan appeared angrier? "President Pierce!" Janne hurried over, "We need to get going now!" Declan glanced at Tanya, turned and walked away. Janne watched as his boss strode over, showing the bitter smile of a hard worker: "President Pierce, you... ow!" It was unclear if Declan did it intentionally or accidentally, but he stepped on Janne’s shoe. Wasn’t he just hugged? Why is he angry again? He didn’t have time to think it through, clasped his hands in gratitude to Tanya at the back, then quickly chased after Declan. After they left, Tanya also drove Belinda’s car back to the office. After parking the car, she took the car keys and went straight to find Belinda, intending to return them to her. As soon as she entered Belinda’s office, she saw a few colleagues in charge of procurement inside. As she walked in, everyone looked at her in unison. Tanya felt a bit puzzled, "What’s going on?" Belinda walked over, placing both hands on her shoulders, speaking with considerable seriousness: "Tanya, be honest, besides Professor Carter, who else do you know?" A colleague from the procurement department exclaimed, "Ms. Sinclair, you don’t know, our phone was almost exploding all morning. All those equipment suppliers who previously refused to work with us are now lining up to apologize, offering a 30% discount!" "Yesterday we were blacklisted by the whole industry, and today they’re lining up to curry favor with us! This is so exhilarating!" "..." Tanya was silent for a moment, realizing who it was, "It’s not because of me, they’re afraid of President Pierce." Belinda was taken aback: "You’re saying, our boss, Declan Pierce?" Tanya found Belinda’s reaction a bit strange as well, "Didn’t you tell President Pierce?" "I didn’t say anything," she looked towards the colleagues from the procurement department. The people in the procurement department shook their heads like rattles. "Manager Belinda, we don’t have the authority to report above our level, even you can’t report directly to President Pierce." It wasn’t Belinda, nor the people from the procurement department, so how did Declan Pierce find out about her being blacklisted? He wasn’t even at the company, and surely he’s not that idle... Tanya frowned, confused. Suddenly it struck her, did she accidentally confess that night?! Belinda said, "Forget it, doesn’t matter why, the matter is resolved now. Let’s keep working! The sooner we finish the project, the sooner we get the bonus!" We’re working to earn money after all. After the procurement colleagues left, Tanya also planned to return to her office. "Tanya." Belinda stopped her, concern evident in her eyes, "Are you okay? If you’re upset about what happened in Professor Carter’s office today, I can talk with you." After all, she had not yet divorced, and Belinda feared that mentioning Vincent Hawthorne and Cindy Lynn’s names would upset Tanya, so she deliberately omitted them. Tanya smiled, "Thank you, Ms. Belinda, but I genuinely don’t care anymore. I’m off to work." Tanya returned to her office, worked for a while, and when free, she took a sip of water and let her mind wander. She thought about Declan Pierce standing up for her, protecting her... and the matter of her being blacklisted by Rhys Lucas. She expected Declan to consider her a troublemaker, but instead, he resolved the issue... Tanya couldn’t understand why Declan suddenly changed his demeanor; after all, back in college, the only one who liked to bully her was Declan. Tanya gently shook her head. Perhaps everyone grows and changes. Tanya also reflected on herself and decided not to look at today’s Declan through the lens of past experiences. She sent a message to Declan: [President Pierce, thank you for today.] The reply came instantly. [Repeat after me: Anyone who insults me, I’ll break their jaw; anyone who hits me, I’ll cut off their hand.] She could already envision Declan’s cold and cocky demeanor as he typed those words. It was indeed something he’d do. Tanya: [What if I can’t beat them?] Declan: [Report it to me.] In a private room at a certain restaurant. Professor Carter personally covered the meal expenses, the vice president had already left, leaving two councilors as representatives. Declan Pierce hadn’t left either; the meal was primarily for him. He chose the furthest corner to sit in, not playing with his phone on the table, but typing under the table. He saw Tanya reply with a meme. —A humble little figure, hands cupping tea [offering tea to the big brother]. Declan’s lips curled slightly upwards. In a pretty good mood. Professor Carter now viewed Declan like a gold-plated deity, and with his benefactor smiling, he personally got up to pour him wine. "Mr. Pierce, let me drink with you. Thanks to The Pierce Family for their contributions to the country!" Declan, knowing the etiquette, stood up with his cup, keeping the rim of the glass low. "Professor Carter, you’re too kind. It’s scholars like you who are truly the backbone of the nation." Professor Carter chuckled, "Mr. Pierce, not only are you handsome, but you also speak well." He thought silently to himself: well, that’s only occasionally pleasant to hear. Declan chatted with Professor Carter for a little longer. Suddenly, he changed the subject. "By the way, Professor Carter, I ran into Tanya Sinclair today. Are you familiar with her?" Declan asked casually while sipping. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾※𝙣𝙚𝙩 Professor Carter had an average tolerance, after a couple of drinks with the councilor and a few with Declan, he was seven-tenths drunk. Raising the wine glass, he said, "Ah, Tanya, Old Truman is still upset with her, I just want her to join my team, to add her to my project! After all, I’m not mad at her, hehe." With the alcohol loosening his tongue, Professor Carter leaned into gossip. "By the way, Tanya’s about to get divorced... Her ex-husband, tsk, it’s complicated! I couldn’t stand it and wanted to set her up with someone new! I believed anyone single at this table would be better than her ex!" At this table, still single. Declan smiled slightly, looking at Professor Carter, a rare politeness: "You’re right." Professor Carter squinted around the table, locking his eyes on Sam Sawyer, who just returned from the restroom! "Sam Sawyer, I think Sam is great! Both in academia, an honest guy, he suits Tanya!" The corners of Declan’s rising lips fell abruptly. And Sam, who just sat down, smiled and scratched his head. Clearly, Professor Carter had drunk too much, so let him say whatever, after all, it’s all drunken talk, and no one takes it seriously. Sam picked up chopsticks to pick a piece of drunken chicken. Suddenly the table began to spin, and the drunken chicken fled from his reach. He looked up and saw Declan’s long-fingered hand pressing on the turntable, casually spinning it, chatting with the councilor beside him. Looks like he didn’t notice Sam was trying to take food. Sam decided to try another dish, aiming for the eggplant, but just as he raised his chopsticks, it spun away again! Forget it, he might just drink some water. Just as Sam was reaching for the purple clay teapot beside him. "Hey." Declan suddenly spoke, gesturing to the waiter standing by the door, "Take away the teapot, no one’s drinking." Sam, who just extended his arm toward the teapot: "???" No, can he really not see him?