Tanya Sinclair slightly frowned, barely noticeable; she hadn’t expected Vincent Hawthorne to be here as well. "Is something the matter?" When Vincent walked over, Tanya directly addressed him with a business-like tone. Vincent’s expression was one of helplessness. It seemed she’d looked for him everywhere to no avail and was now giving him the cold shoulder. "Alright, Tanya." Since she had rushed here so earnestly, Vincent offered her an olive branch, "The equipment just arrived, and I let the second research department use it first; it was indeed my oversight. But now, Manager Lynn has already started working on the experiment..." Before Vincent could finish, Tanya interrupted with a frown, "Cindy Lynn has already started the experiment?" The reason this piece of equipment was rarely introduced domestically, aside from its exorbitant price, was due to its high demand for operators’ computer skills. Even a top-notch computer expert would need at least two days to become proficient with it. How could Cindy possibly use it immediately after getting it? Tanya recalled the man she had seen entering the second research department with Cindy Lynn earlier. Although she only caught a glimpse of his back, his extraordinary presence suggested he wasn’t an ordinary person. Not only did he help Cindy crack the three-tier security lock of the supercomputer, but he also assisted her in manipulating the equipment for the experiment... "Yes." Vincent hadn’t noticed anything unusual about Tanya. He ’considerately’ continued, "I have already informed Manager Lynn to synchronize the experimental data with you. This will facilitate the merging of your projects going forward." Was he implying that she had agreed to merge projects with Cindy Lynn? Tanya frowned, "Who said I was going to merge with her?" Vincent hadn’t expected that even after laying the groundwork for her, Tanya would still put on airs. Vincent’s expression turned slightly cold, and he adopted a tone halfway between helplessness and warning, "Tanya, dragging this on further will serve no purpose." Tanya realized that Vincent seemed as though he couldn’t comprehend her words, and she didn’t wish to waste any more words with him. She regarded Vincent as her superior and reiterated her stance one last time, "President Hawthorne, I’ll say it once more. My project will never carry Cindy Lynn’s name!" Having said that, Tanya turned to leave. Vincent took a deep breath, rushed forward, and grabbed her hand, right where her palm was covered by a medical dressing. He did not control his strength, pressing down on her torn wound, making Tanya frown in pain. Vincent realized his mistake and released her hand. He glanced at Tanya’s palm and couldn’t help asking, "Who helped you treat the wound?" "..." Tanya was caught off guard, belatedly realizing something. Vincent hadn’t asked why she was wearing a dressing; he was curious about who treated her wound... which meant he already knew she was injured! Tanya looked towards the direction Vincent came from; it was the lounge area. From there, the entrance was clearly visible without any effort. Suddenly, Tanya realized. When she fell at the entrance, Vincent had been sitting comfortably in the VIP lounge, watching it unfold like a spectator... Even Principal Preston, whom she hadn’t seen in seven years, showed concern about her injury when he noticed her hand. Yet, this man in front of her, whom she had loved for over a decade and shared children with, merely sat nearby with indifference. She wanted to laugh, but there was a strange bitterness in her throat. Cody Crawford observed Tanya’s countenance and realized she had figured out that they had been sitting in the lounge, watching her fall. Indeed, what Vincent Hawthorne did was not honorable. Cody felt pity for Tanya yet a bit guilty since, all these years, he had always stood by Vincent and Cindy Lynn... Tanya’s unusual silence made Vincent slightly uneasy, and he reached out for her again, but Tanya took two steps back. Vincent’s hand grasped at the air, remaining awkwardly in mid-air for a moment before slowly retracting. He calmed his temper to coax her, "Tanya, stop being stubborn, alright? Let’s discuss any further requests you might have for cooperation with Manager Lynn." Even at this point, all he thinks about is persuading her to cooperate with Cindy Lynn! Tanya wanted to shout that the project was clearly hers! Her dedication! But she knew that Vincent wouldn’t listen. Cindy Lynn had stolen her data; Vincent had turned a blind eye, and in the end, demanded she share the achievements with Cindy. Tanya lowered her eyes to look at the medical gauze on her palm, fresh lines of blood seeping through, painfully prominent against the pure white fabric. This was caused by Vincent grabbing her and further injuring it earlier. She tugged at the corners of her lips in a self-deprecating manner, then looked up again, already composed. She looked directly at the man before her, "President Hawthorne, don’t forget that the machine is mine; we signed an agreement." There was another half of the sentence she didn’t say. If the machine isn’t handed over to her this week, she will directly hire a lawyer to sue! She simply didn’t have the time right now. Until Saturday, she’s too busy to handle these things. Speaking too much would just give Vincent Hawthorne a heads-up, letting him fortify his defenses for Cindy Lynn, getting tangled with him unnecessarily. Tanya Sinclair turned and left the restaurant, hailing a cab at the door. "Driver, to Northwood University." Through the rearview mirror, she saw Vincent Hawthorne chasing after her, but he stopped at the door, taking no further action. He wouldn’t come after her. Tanya Sinclair knew this well. In Vincent Hawthorne’s world, she was always the one chasing after him; he would never condescend to accommodate her. It had always been this way. She smiled at herself in bitter mockery, closing her eyes as years of fatigue washed over her like a tide. In this relationship, she had long been tormented physically and mentally, scarred and weary. Cody Crawford followed Vincent Hawthorne out, watching Tanya Sinclair get into the car and leave. He couldn’t help but suggest, "Brother Hawthorne, why not drive after her and have a good talk with your wife?" Vincent Hawthorne was about to speak when Rhys Lucas’s figure approached from behind, overhearing Cody Crawford’s comment. He sarcastically remarked coldly, "Why chase her? Tanya Sinclair’s started putting on airs now. If Vincent chases her actively, she might just get more demanding!" Vincent Hawthorne said nothing. He pressed his thin lips tightly, his eyes dark, staring at the cab taking Tanya Sinclair as it merged into the traffic at the intersection, disappearing without a trace. She was clearly here to find him. After all, Tanya Sinclair wouldn’t have known anyone else among the patrons at this restaurant. She ran out in such a hurry, almost breathless when she entered. Such a Tanya Sinclair easily stirred Vincent Hawthorne’s memories. In those years, every time she came to see him, she would rush over. Today, her attitude was so cold. She must have been disappointed for not seeing him, bottled up inside with grievances. Vincent Hawthorne suddenly recalled the wound on Tanya Sinclair’s palm, probably pinched so hard by him that it bled then. At that time, he hadn’t thought she’d fall so harshly. But even so, she shouldn’t have treated him with such an attitude! Discontent grew within Vincent Hawthorne. She could show vulnerability, act coy, even shed a few tears; he wasn’t above putting aside his pride to coax her! As for the project, he knew Cindy Lynn wasn’t capable enough, which is why he let Tanya Sinclair lead; she remained the primary manager of the project! He didn’t know what Tanya Sinclair was still dissatisfied with! Rhys Lucas had already arrived beside him and commented softly, "Tanya Sinclair has really changed since she woke up. Previously, she wouldn’t dare throw tantrums , getting into a car and leaving if things went wrong." Vincent Hawthorne’s eyes held a layer of frost. He took out his phone and made a call, "In my name, send out a notice that the instrument procured today is limited to use by the second research department!" Vincent Hawthorne knew very well that without the instrument, Tanya Sinclair wouldn’t be able to produce two important sets of experimental data! Since Westgard Pharmaceuticals had acknowledged Cindy Lynn’s project, Tanya Sinclair was no longer his only lifeline, which meant there was no rush on his part. Vincent Hawthorne’s eyes grew cold. If Tanya Sinclair couldn’t produce precise experimental data, Westgard Pharmaceuticals would definitely choose Cindy Lynn between the two cooperation plans. For original chapters go to N0veI.Fiɾe.net In any case, he wouldn’t lose out. But this project was Tanya Sinclair’s first project since her reinstatement, vital to her, one she couldn’t afford to lose. Vincent Hawthorne’s lips revealed a subtle, hard-to-detect cold smile. He originally wanted to resolve the issue peacefully. Merging the two projects was the optimal solution. But... his Mrs. Hawthorne was just too unruly this time; she needed a lesson. Vincent Hawthorne calmly put away his phone. He was confident that by tonight at the latest, Tanya Sinclair would obediently come to him, admitting her mistake!