Chapter 5 I Don’t Have a Sister
“Here. Wipe your mouth.” A hand reached over and gently pressed on the corner of Cynthia’s mouth with a napkin.
Cynthia flinched and pulled away, as if shocked by electricity.
Colin chuckled, unfazed by her reaction. To others, the air was thick with intimacy.
Colin leaned back lazily, not glancing toward the door but instead turning his head to look at Cynthia. “Are you full?”
Cynthia wished the ground would open up and swallow her. Though she didn’t look, she could feel Brian’s gaze from the doorway.
One second… Two seconds… She was on pins and needles.
“Cyn,” Brian’s voice, tinged with anger, rang out from the door.
Cynthia stood up immediately.
With a soft click of his lighter, Colin lit a cigarette, then flicked the lighter back onto the table. His tone was calm, but there was an undeniable air of intimidation. “Sit down.”
Cynthia halted her steps, glaring at Colin.
There was no mistaking it—he had deliberately brought her here to provoke Brian. How shameless!
Colin raised his eyebrow and exhaled a puff of smoke arrogantly. He didn’t repeat himself as he had made himself clear.
She sat back down and bit her lip, her body tensing. She was so angry that her shoulders trembled.
Colin smiled with satisfaction, then placed the spaghetti in front of her. “Eat more.”
“Collie, let’s talk,” Brian spoke again from the door.
“Is that you, Mr. Shears? What a coincidence!” Kyle chuckled, exaggerated and dismissive. “Sorry, but we’re having a private gathering today, Mr. Shears.”
Brian’s tone turned cold. “This is a family matter.”
Cynthia lowered her head even further.
Colin asked, “Not to your taste?”
Cynthia shook her head, then speared her fork into the spaghetti. She quickly shoveled a large bite into her mouth. A shadow fell over her as Brian stepped closer and took her hand, pulling her toward the door.
Cynthia sniffled but allowed him to drag her along.
Kyle called after them, “Hey, Mr. Shears, this is…”
Brian glanced back, his gaze sharp as he addressed Colin at the head of the table. “I’m taking my sister with me.”
Kyle was about to stop Brian, but upon hearing the word “sister”, he stopped himself and asked, “Colin, that’s your sister?”
Everyone knew and acknowledged that Colin was the only legitimate heir to the Jenkins family. They also knew about Brian, the illegitimate heir, who occupied the position of the eldest son of the Jenkins family. And then, there was an adopted child.
Cynthia was the most insignificant of them all—the adopted sister.
As they stepped out of the private room, Cynthia heard Colin’s cold words from behind. “I don’t have a sister.”
…
Inside the car, Cynthia anxiously waited for Brian to finish his phone call. She wondered how to explain herself.
She knew that Brian was in a difficult position in the Jenkins family, and she didn’t want him to worry about her on top of everything else.
Brian sat in the driver’s seat, his voice softer than before. “Didn’t you say you were going back to the university?”
Cynthia lowered her head. “I’m sorry.”
Brian seemed a little weary. After a moment of silence, he said, “Cyn, are you going to lie to me, too?”
Cynthia wanted to shake her head, but her tears fell before she could respond. They felt like lead as they dripped onto her hand, and she froze, unable to move.
Brian noticed her crying and didn’t have the heart to berate her further. He took a tissue and handed it to her.
“I’ll take you back to the university.”
Cynthia took the tissue, feeling wronged and guilty at the same time. She kept her head lowered and stayed quiet the whole way.
This time, Brian drove directly into the university and stopped in front of the research building. In the past, he would only take her as far as the bridge near the university entrance.
Brian always stood out—he was the most striking presence among the board members at every opening ceremony of the university. He was also the benchmark she had spent years striving to reach.
Cynthia clutched the tissue in her palm, composed herself, and said after taking a deep breath, “Today…”
The sound of his phone ringing interrupted her. Brian frowned slightly. When he saw the caller ID, he answered.
“Brian, why aren’t you here yet? My parents are almost here.” The woman’s voice was gentle and refined.
Cynthia didn’t recognize her voice, but it wasn’t hard to guess who it was. She had heard that Brian had been seeing the Walker family’s daughter, Quinn Walker, for a while now. Had they already reached the stage of meeting each other’s parents?
Brian replied, “I’m on my way. Give me 20 minutes.”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”
After hanging up the phone, Brian’s gaze fell on her again.
Cynthia forgot what she was going to say, but when she noticed a luxurious ring box in the bag at his feet, a bitter feeling rose in her chest. “You have something to do, right? Go ahead.”
Brian raised an eyebrow. “What were you going to say?”
Cynthia pushed open the car door and stepped out, pretending she hadn’t heard his question. She said, “Thanks for sending me back, Brian.”
