Free Web NovelChapter 32: Chapter 32: Awkward Jealousy Monster
Sonia Quincy was no fool. She knew Renee Sinclair had posted that picture on her social media feed just for her to see.
Renee Sinclair was provoking her.
A playful smirk touched her lips. She saved a screenshot of the post, then immediately closed the app.
She wasn’t angry, or jealous, or even hurt. As if she hadn’t seen a thing, she put her phone away and went to the kitchen to cook dinner.
She knew exactly what wicked schemes Renee Sinclair was brewing. She wasn’t scared in the slightest, nor did she feel any sense of crisis. She just found Renee’s behavior very strange.
In the original novel, Renee Sinclair didn’t show up until after Felix Preston got divorced. Renee had always been in love with Felix, but because she staunchly refused to be a homewrecker, she appeared much later in the story.
But now, with Felix not yet divorced and currently unwilling to do so, Renee Sinclair had suddenly appeared, as if she couldn’t wait. Even knowing she’d be branded a homewrecker, she was still trying to jump in and steal Sonia’s man.
This was a complete mismatch for the proud and dignified heiress of the Sinclair Group described in the novel.
Showing up to deliver breakfast, posting provocative social media updates—these were petty, childish tactics the Renee Sinclair from the novel would never resort to, nor would she ever stoop so low.
Because it didn’t fit her persona or align with her character.
And yet, the Renee Sinclair that Sonia was seeing with her own eyes not only did these things but seemed to be doing them with gusto and brimming with confidence.
’Something’s not right. Something is very wrong.’
’There’s something off about this Renee Sinclair.’
At seven in the evening, Felix Preston returned home.
"You’re back. Go wash your hands and come eat," Sonia greeted him with a smile, just like always, showing no hint of displeasure over Renee Sinclair’s social media post.
She placed the bowls and chopsticks on the dining table and sat down, waiting for Felix to join her.
"Did Mom make all this?" Felix asked, walking over after drying his hands and looking at Sonia.
Sonia scooped rice into a bowl, handed it to him, and replied gently, "Yes. I went over to Mom’s this afternoon. She was worried we weren’t eating properly, so she made all this for me to bring back."
Felix said, "Carrying all this must have been exhausting. Thank you for the trouble."
Sonia shook her head. "It was fine, not tiring at all. Let’s eat."
"Okay." Felix picked up his bowl and took a couple of bites of rice. Seeing that Sonia seemed to be in a good mood, he finally said what had been on his mind all day.
"Sonia, I want to explain about Renee Sinclair bringing breakfast."
"Huh?" Sonia had already forgotten about it. Hearing Felix bring it up so suddenly left her a bit dumbfounded.
"Ahem..." Felix cleared his throat. From across the short distance, he looked directly at Sonia, his expression so serious it was almost wooden.
"Renee Sinclair suddenly started bringing me breakfast every day four days ago, but I never accepted it, not even once. The reason I didn’t tell you was because I was afraid you’d get angry over her actions. You’re pregnant and trying to prepare for work from home. You have enough on your plate already. I didn’t want to bother you with her drama, so I kept it to myself."
Sonia nodded. "Okay."
Felix continued, "Sonia, please believe me. I know Renee Sinclair has feelings for me, but I know where to draw the line. I’ve been rejecting her consistently and have never given her any hope. I didn’t keep this from you because I was hiding something or had ulterior motives; I genuinely just didn’t want you to be upset over it. She’s from the Sinclair Group, so I can’t afford to make her lose too much face right now, or it will make my project even more difficult."
"I understand." Sonia put down her bowl and chopsticks, meeting Felix’s gaze with the same serious expression. "I told you I trust you, and I would have trusted you whether you told me about this or not. Renee Sinclair’s status is unique. If you want to get in with the Sinclair Group, you can’t afford to burn your bridges with her."
"I understand your position, and I know you’re doing this for my sake. I didn’t misunderstand, and I’m not angry. You don’t have to be so tense."
"...Really?" Felix pressed his lips together, his heart still anxious.
"Really," Sonia answered firmly, though she couldn’t resist revealing a little of her own feelings. "But, if something like this happens again, I think you should still give me a heads-up, even a small one. Otherwise, if I find out suddenly, I can’t help but feel a little upset."
"Okay!" Hearing Sonia say that, Felix could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He proactively placed a piece of pork rib in her bowl and obediently confessed about the social media post.
"Renee Sinclair was only at my studio for half an hour today. Evan Yates and I were just talking to her about the project collaboration, nothing more. But for some reason, around six this afternoon, she suddenly showed up at my studio door again, saying she couldn’t get a ride home and asking me to drive her."
"I was going to refuse, but she told me her father was quite interested in the game I’m developing and wanted to schedule a time to meet me. I had my own agenda and wanted to ask more about it, so I drove her home."
"I see," Sonia said with a smile. "As long as it helps your project, giving her a ride home is no big deal."
Felix said, "Mm."
Sonia picked up her bowl and chopsticks again. "Let’s eat."
The topic ended there. Sonia didn’t mention a single word about Renee Sinclair’s social media post, with no intention of telling Felix about it.
Renee Sinclair was acting strangely, and Sonia didn’t want to tip her hand too soon.
After dinner, Felix took the initiative to clear the table, carrying the dishes to the kitchen to wash them.
Sonia had nothing else to do, so she followed him into the kitchen to wash some fruit.
"Alipay transfer received: one hundred thousand yuan."
The sudden transfer notification made both Sonia and Felix freeze.
"Was that your phone or mine?" Sonia asked, her eyes wide with uncertainty.
Felix said, "I think it was yours."
"Oh." Sonia grabbed a couple of paper towels to dry the water from her hands, then pulled her phone out of her pocket with a bewildered look.
On the phone screen, a notification stood out conspicuously: Jasper Linden has transferred 100,000 yuan to you.
It was followed by a note: For the baby. You keep it.
"Hah—" Sonia gasped, her face a mask of shock.
"Who sent you money?" Felix asked curiously.
"..." Sonia was silent for a few seconds, feeling inexplicably guilty. "Jas-Jasper Linden sent it."
"..." Felix suddenly went quiet.
He knew who Jasper Linden was.
"Um... I think I have something I need to confess, too," Sonia stammered, holding her phone out for Felix to see.
Felix gave a low "mhm" in response.
Sonia scratched her head, organized her thoughts, and then recounted her meeting with Jasper Linden that afternoon, detail by detail.
After listening, Felix gave an unreadable smile. "That’s nice. Sounds like a very generous man."
Sonia snuck a peek at his face. Seeing that his expression seemed off, she asked with a cheeky grin, "You’re... not angry, are you?"
"No," Felix replied calmly. "I’m not angry. Why would I be angry? It’s not like you and he did anyth—"
CRASH!
Before he could finish his sentence, the bowl in his hand slipped, fell to the floor, and shattered to smithereens.
