Chapter 37 Alexander Didn't Believe Her Explanation
Lillian’s eyes widened in shock as she watched Alexander and the company's executives stride by. His gaze was sharp as a knife.
Lillian pushed Leo away forcefully, her expression uneasy as she watched Alexander enter the restaurant.
Leo, who'd also caught Alexander's stern visage, felt smug inside, although he didn't show it. Feigning concern, he asked, "Did he see us?”
With a tense face and concern knotting her insides, Lillian fretted that Alexander might lash out at her or make life difficult for Leo at work. "Leo," she said seriously, facing him, "please don't ask me about marriage again. Things are complicated enough as it is. I've always thought of you as a brother, and nothing more. I hope you find your true love."
Having said her piece, Lillian turned to leave but Leo seized her wrist with a trembling voice, "Is he the man you love?"
"Do you think this is an appropriate question?"
Kevin interrupted their exchange as he walked over.
"Mr. Martin?" Lillian called out nervously.
Kevin nodded slightly and said, "Didn't you tell Dora you were stepping out? I saw her looking for you."
Realizing the underlying message, Lillian responded, "Oh, I forgot. I'll go tell her now."
"Wait, Lillian!" Leo tried to stop her.
Kevin quickly took hold of him, pushing him aside, and warned, "Ms. Hill is with Mr. Sinclair now and you can't just call out her name like that. Remember your place in the company and don't create trouble for yourself."
Leo shrugged off Kevin's hold, straightened his clothes, and left angrily, aware that he couldn't afford to cross someone like Kevin at Sinclair Group.
Returning to their private dining area with a heavy heart, Lillian was still shaken by Alexander's piercing look. She dreaded the punishment that might await her tonight.
"What’s wrong?" Dora looked at her, puzzled. "You look pale. What happened?"
Lillian, lacking in energy, just shook her head and said, "It’s nothing, I think I've had a bit too much to drink."
"Then don't have any more. When they come around to toast again, I'll cover for you."
Taylor didn’t come over again, engrossed in a conversation with her close colleagues. Lillian and Dora chatted softly, but Lillian’s thoughts were elsewhere.
Taking advantage of Dora's departure to the restroom, Lillian messaged Kevin.
Lillian: [Mr. Martin, when does Mr. Sinclair's dinner end?
Kevin: [Still ongoing. Ms. Hill, do you need me to pass on a message to Mr. Sinclair?]
Lillian looked down at the conversation box on her phone, pondering over what to reply. After some thought, she typed back.
Lillian: [Then I'll wait to leave with Mr. Sinclair.]
Minutes ticked by, and the noise from outside grew louder. The activity from the secretaries' event was winding down, and Taylor lifted her glass in a toast.
As everyone started to leave, Dora noticed Lillian wasn't moving and asked, "Aren't you leaving?"
"My cousin's picking me up but he hasn't arrived yet," Lillian replied.
"I'll go on ahead then," said Dora.
In a blink of an eye, the once-bustling restaurant emptied, leaving Lillian alone.
She decided to send Kevin a message.
Lillian: [Mr. Martin, please let me know when you and Mr. Sinclair are leaving. I'm in the restaurant.]
Kevin: [Got it.]
After sending the message, Kevin whispered to Alexander, "Mr. Sinclair, Ms. Hill is waiting in the restaurant to leave with you."
Alexander's face darkened, and he said in a low voice, "Tell her to head back on her own!"
"Yes, sir."
Upon receiving Kevin's message, Lillian felt dejected. She had waited not only to apologize to Alexander but also because it was dark, and she didn't know her way around. She had wanted to ride back with him.
Nevertheless, Alexander had told her to go back by herself, so she left.
Exiting the hotel, Lillian didn't recognize any streets and couldn't make sense of the maps, so she had no choice but to take a cab home.
The taxi headed towards Maple Grove Estate. Lillian watched the night scene pass by, with the silhouettes of the trees rushing alongside.
"Just stop ahead," Lillian instructed the driver to stop where she usually caught the subway, to save on fare.
She braved the bitter cold to get home. Lucas was still awake, watching TV. Seeing her return, he ran over excitedly and hugged her, asking, "Lillian, you're back? Was the annual meeting fun?"
"It was alright," Lillian replied, her face and ears beet red from the cold. She quickly shed her down coat and curled up on the sofa under a blanket.
Lucas considerately took her hands and asked, "What about Alexander? Why didn't you come back together?"
"He's still there." Lillian huddled close. A twenty-minute walk on such a chilly night was unbearably cold.
Kelly walked over and said, "How did you get back like this? You're frozen! Let me pour you some hot coffee."
Lying comfortably on the sofa, surrounded by the care of Lucas and Kelly, Lillian felt the warmth of family.
After finishing the hot coffee, she checked the time and urged Kelly to go get some rest. Lucas, afraid to sleep alone, stayed up watching cartoons beside her.
As her body slowly warmed up, Lillian got up to wash and change before returning to the living room. She found Lucas fast asleep, his body almost slipping onto the floor.
She settled Lucas on the couch and then she herself lay down to rest. She had drunk quite a bit that evening, and now, warmed by the alcohol, she felt drowsy.
As Lillian was about to fall asleep, a faint voice seemed to be pushing her from her reverie. She slowly opened her eyes to see a tall figure standing there, silhouetted against the light, indistinct. Despite this, she recognized him because of his familiar and formidable presence.
"Mr. Sinclair, you’re back," Lillian said hurriedly, sitting up and looking at him timidly.
Kevin carried Lucas upstairs, and then it was just the two of them left in the living room.
Alexander sat on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other, eyeing her sideways with a smirk. "Did you forget what I told you?" he asked, laughter tinting his voice.
"Mr. Sinclair, there's really nothing between Leo and me, please believe me!" Lillian rushed to explain. "He had too much to drink tonight, and he asked me some things, he didn't mean it."
"He asked you some things?" Alexander tapped his fingers on his knee, a sneer forming on his face. "What did he ask?"
Lillian looked down, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Nothing really, he just asked if I am going to Lisa's tomorrow."
"Oh, is that so..." Alexander drew out his words mockingly, as if he understood. In a teasing tone, he asked, "Then how come I saw you two embracing? You seem quite close!"
