Chapter 12 The Trouble-Loving Aunt
When Lillian opened her eyes again, it was already morning.
It was still dark outside, but the blizzard had stopped. The snow under the courtyard lights was beautiful. After freshening up, Lillian went to the kitchen.
Kelly had just set the breakfast on the table when she saw Lillian come in. Smiling, she said, "I figured you'd come down soon, so I brought out your breakfast. Eat up."
"Thanks, Kelly," Lillian said, touched by the gesture.
Lillian had lost her parents when she was young, but she'd never received the kind of motherly warmth from Lisa that she did from Kelly.
While eating, Lillian chatted with Kelly. Learning that Kelly and Quentin had worked their whole lives at the Sinclair Villa without having children, she admired her.
"Kelly, I'm done," Lillian said as she wiped her mouth, "I'll be back late tonight because I'm picking up my brother from the hospital. Don't worry about saving dinner for me."
Kelly asked with concern, "Is your brother going to stay here? What was he sick with?"
"No, he's at a boarding school," Lillian replied. "He's had some heart issues, but he's okay now, so he's being discharged."
"Be careful on the road," Kelly said, affectionately patting her head, and enjoying polite Lillian's company.
Lillian was busy all morning. Around ten o'clock, the receptionist called her to say someone was looking for her. When she reached the lobby on the first floor, Lillian saw Lisa.
Lillian was working when Lisa rose from the couch and approached with feigned concern. “I hope I’m not interrupting your work. I wouldn’t have come over, but you ignored the messages Adam and I sent you. We were worried about how you were adjusting to living in Sinclair Villa, so I thought I’d check on you and your husband.”
Frowning and pulling Lisa toward the door, Lillian replied hastily, “Aunt, I’m fine at Sinclair Villa, so no need to worry about me. Please go back.”
“But now that I’m here, let me see your husband,” Lisa stopped and shouted deliberately.
Glancing around the lobby in panic, Lillian felt lucky that, besides a few security guards, no one else was there since it wasn’t lunch break.
Covering Lisa’s mouth with her hand, Lillian hissed, “Aunt, did you forget what I told you? If people at the company find out I secretly married Mr. Sinclair, he won’t let you off easily!”
Lisa nodded and whispered obediently, “Lillian, I won’t mention your marriage. No one knows. After all, I’m your elder, so I want to meet him. It would be rude of me not to.”
“He’s too busy to blame you for being rude. Lisa, I have to get back to work, so you should leave,” Lillian urged, trying to steer her toward the exit.
However, Lisa had an agenda and wasn’t about to leave. Lillian knew this and wanted her out of the company quickly.
Suddenly, a voice from behind them asked, “Lillian, why aren’t you at your desk during working hours?”
Taylor stood behind them, frowning deeply.
Lillian gaped in surprise as Alexander walked briskly past her. She muttered, “Mr. Sinclair…”
Lisa’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing this. She watched as Alexander left the company building and then sprinted after him, calling out, “Mr. Sinclair! Mr. Sinclair, wait!”
“Aunt!” Lillian had a bad feeling and tried to follow.
However, Taylor blocked Lillian’s way, demanding, “What does your uncle’s wife want with Mr. Sinclair?”
“I don’t know,” Lillian replied, shaking off Taylor and dashing out.
However, Lillian was too late. Lisa had already followed Alexander into his car. The doors closed behind them.
“Ms. Hill, your aunt seems to know Mr. Sinclair pretty well,” Taylor said, half in astonishment, half mocking.
Lillian sighed and reached for the car door, only to find it locked from the inside. She felt a surge of desperation and anxiety, thinking, ‘What if my aunt tells Alexander something? This could be the end of me.’
Taylor couldn't believe it and went forward to pull on the car door but it wouldn't open. She snickered and crossed her arms, looking over at Lillian. Deliberately scanning Lillian from head to toe, Taylor said mockingly, "Ms. Hill, I really underestimated you before. I think I need to get to know you all over again."
"Ms. Reed, you've got it all wrong. It's not what you think," Lillian replied weakly, but she was utterly unable to explain.
Casting a glance at Lillian, Taylor didn't speak but pondered the relationship between Lillian and Alexander in her mind.
About five minutes later, the car door opened, and Lisa got out.
"Alexander, thank you. I feel so relieved knowing Lillian's with you! Let's keep in touch. If you need anything, give me a call. You can always come back and have dinner with me..." Lisa continued.
"Aunt!" Lillian grabbed Lisa, who was still leaning over and holding the car door talking to Alexander. She closed the car door, hugged Lisa, and complained, "What are you saying?"
Glancing back, Lillian said, "You better go home now."
Taylor walked over and locked eyes with Lisa. Nodding faintly, Taylor got into her car.
After the car drove away, Lisa said with a laugh, "I didn't mention marriage. That woman won't suspect a thing."
"Really?" Lillian sighed. "When you were holding the car door and calling for Alexander, that woman was standing right next to me. Lisa, I'm in trouble because of you!"
"Now you're our family's lucky star! How could I possibly harm you?"
"Aunt, what did you say to Mr. Sinclair in the car? Did you ask him for money?"
Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Lisa said directly, "It's normal for him to give me money, but you refused to take it, so I had to be thick-skinned. Lillian, the money isn't for me. You know the condition of our household. Adam hasn't married, and Oscar's hospital bills were astronomical. Harry and I are not in good health. We really need the money! But our family is out of money!"
Lillian closed her eyes in despair and asked, "How much money did Mr. Sinclair give you?"
"Six hundred and sixty thousand dollars!" Lisa boasted, "When I mentioned that number, your husband immediately wrote me a check."
Regrettably, Lisa continued, "Originally, I wanted to ask for more, at least a million dollars or more. However, I figured the house and car together are worth a few million dollars already! I'll find an opportunity to ask him for the rest later."
