Chapter 36 The Handsome and Adorable Mr. Sinclair
Feeling a bit awkward, Lillian rubbed her ear and said with a smile, "That's just the way he is. He maintains that attitude with everyone."
Tina continued, "Your husband has an impressive presence, he looks like he could be a big businessman. I didn't have the nerve to ask when I came over to pick up the kids and they have no clue. My husband is in business too, it would be great if we had a chance to collaborate, right?"
Lillian smiled politely but said nothing. Tina was smart and, seeing her smile of refusal, didn’t bring up the subject of collaboration again.
Soon after, the party started. The kids were having a blast, and the performances were excellent. Lucas was very popular in class, so when it was their turn to perform, the other kids cheered loudly.
After the show, they changed their clothes and returned to their seats.
Tina, with her phone recording, couldn't help but laugh and said to Lillian, "Lillian, you guys were great, especially your husband, handsome and adorable. I got it on video and I'll send it to you."
Lillian thought Tina's description was spot-on. She couldn't help but glance at Alexander and whispered, "They're saying you danced well."
Alexander looked at her with his usual impassive gaze, silent and expressionless. He thought to himself, 'For Lucas, I've let go of all my pride, and now I’m being called 'handsome and adorable.''
Once Tina sent the video, Lillian watched it and thought they all danced quite well, with neat movements and spot-on expressions, particularly Alexander, who performed diligently and deserved praise.
She wanted to forward the video to Alexander, but she didn't have him as a contact in her WhatsApp. Concerned that sending the video to Kevin might annoy Alexander, she debated what to do. Eventually, she decided to wait and ask him how to handle it when they got home.
The school’s festive celebration came to an end with much excitement, and the kids had the best time, hopping and jumping around as they left the building. As Lillian was about to get into her car, Tina suddenly appeared, taking Lillian's hand and saying, "Lillian, we should keep in touch, let’s grab coffee when we have the time."
"Sure, goodbye," Lillian replied with a resigned smile before getting into her car.
At home, Lillian returned to her room. After her nightly routine, she started to review French. It was the last day of a three-day deadline, and for the past two days, she had been studying until three or four in the morning. Now only a few pages of exercises were left, which she needed to finish and submit to Alexander by midnight.
Lillian felt that she hadn't made much progress over the three days, perhaps because of her weak foundation, so the review hadn't been very effective. Even without significant improvement, she felt it was important to maintain the right attitude and complete the exercises no matter what.
Lucas had played himself to exhaustion that night and fell asleep in the car. Alexander carried him back to his room. Without Lucas's disruptions, Lillian could work faster, and she managed to finish the exercises before midnight, placing them on the desk in Alexander’s study.
She let out a sigh of relief and crawled into bed. Turning on her phone, she watched a video of the dance, laughing involuntarily, thinking Alexander was both handsome and adorable.
Suddenly, she questioned herself, 'Why am I so focused on him? That's not right! Lillian, you must not let the security he brings fool you because of that previous misunderstanding! I can't lose myself!'
Slapping her face lightly and shaking her head, she muttered to herself, "That's right, it must be for that reason. I don't like him!"
The last day of the year, December 31st, marked the Sinclair Group's annual company gala held at the Celestial Hotel with great pomp and show.
The event took place in a large auditorium that could accommodate thousands, starting with speeches from the leadership and employee representatives, followed by performances, a raffle, and finally, the much-anticipated dinner segment.
Each department was arranged to dine in different halls, and the secretarial department, composed entirely of women, sat together chatting loudly as if they were a flock of ducks.
Lillian and Dora sat together. Dora was very lucky to have won a seven-day trip to Bali in the raffle, much to everyone's envy. A group gathered around them, discussing the best places to visit in Bali.
"Ms. Hill," Taylor approached with a wine glass in hand, a smile brimming on his face.
That evening, as a leader, Taylor had many people toasting with her and had consumed a fair amount of alcohol. Then others from different departments came to toast, and so she continued to drink several more glasses. At this point, her cheeks were flushed, and her steps slightly unsteady.
"Ms. Reed," Lillian picked up her wine glass and stood.
"I think we just got off on the wrong foot before. Let's just blame it on last year and move on, okay?" Ms. Reed stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
"Let's leave last year's misunderstandings in the past," Lillian said as she clinked glasses with Ms. Reed, and they both took hearty gulps of their drinks.
The conversation soon turned to gossip. After Kayla and Sharon had plied Lillian with a few too many drinks, she began to feel tipsy. She sat uncomfortably in her chair, hiccuping incessantly.
"If you can't handle your liquor, don't force yourself," Dora said, glaring at Kayla and Sharon with annoyance. "It's obvious they're trying to get you drunk. Can't you tell?"
"But I don't want to be a spoilsport—everyone's drinking, not just me." Lillian hiccupped, covering her mouth and mumbling, "No good, I need to head to the bathroom."
She trotted to the bathroom and relieved her stomach, feeling much better afterward. Freshening up, she looked at her flushed face in the mirror, only to be startled by the reflection of another person behind her.
With a startled yelp, she quickly turned around, her heart pounding with irritation. "Leo, you scared me half to death!"
Leo had returned from a business trip the day before. Seeing her at the company's annual event had his heart racing uncontrollably.
"Sorry, Lillian, I've been waiting here for you," Leo said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her away.
As people bustled through the corridor, Lillian, anxious about encountering Alexander, wrenched her hand free and spoke hastily, "Leo, you're hurting me. Where are you taking me? If you have something to say, just say it here."
Hearing her complaint, Leo immediately let go, apologizing.
Rubbing her wrist, Lillian looked at him. His cheeks were flushed down to his neck, and the smell of alcohol was strong on him. She frowned and asked, "Leo, how much have you been drinking?"
With a look of dejection, Leo suddenly framed her against the wall with his arm and embraced her, looking down in anguish. "Why do you have to marry him? Am I not good enough?"
Lillian instinctively stepped back, pushing against his chest with her hands, and spoke with patience, "Leo, this isn't the right time to talk about this—please, let's not."
"Lillian, do you know how much I care for you? On Christmas Eve, when I asked you out, I was planning to confess my feelings!" Leo said painfully. "But then you chose to marry Alexander. Are you trying to push me to desperation?"
"Leo!" Lillian urgently covered his mouth, whispering, "Keep your voice down!"
She tiptoed to silence him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist in response. To anyone observing, they appeared to be in a very intimate position.
Just then, this private moment was unfortunately witnessed by Alexander passing by.
