Free Web NovelChapter 31: Chapter 31: The Process Was Intense
’So, after he failed to get his way with me yesterday, he went straight to Vivian Linton.’
’And by the looks of it, things got intense.’
Holly Sinclair’s expression remained neutral, but her heart twisted painfully.
Seeing that Holly Sinclair hadn’t lost her composure, Vivian Linton was very dissatisfied.
"Tristan, a new restaurant just opened in the mall across the street. Why don’t we go try it for lunch?"
Vivian Linton hooked her arm through Tristan Sterling’s, her eyes sparkling with adoration as she gazed at the cold-faced man.
Her sweet, soft tone was coquettish.
A public display of affection, as if no one else existed.
"Alright."
"Then you can come pick me up."
"Mm."
Tristan Sterling nodded, then strode into the building first.
Connor Grant followed close behind.
Before leaving, Tristan Sterling shot Holly Sinclair a fleeting glance.
His gaze was chilling and inscrutable.
After seeing Tristan Sterling get into the elevator, Holly Sinclair walked impassively toward the staff elevator.
Vivian Linton hurried to catch up with her.
When the elevator arrived, Holly Sinclair and Vivian Linton stepped inside.
Just as others were about to enter, Vivian Linton said, "You all can wait for the next one."
The others exchanged glances, but not daring to disobey, they could only step back.
Even though it was the peak of the morning rush and everyone was anxious to clock in, no one dared to object to Vivian Linton’s unreasonable demand.
After all, Miss Linton was the Second Master’s woman.
And they couldn’t afford to cross her.
The elevator ascended.
"Holly Sinclair, you look so worn out. Didn’t you sleep well last night?"
The elevator walls were mirrored. Vivian Linton watched Holly Sinclair’s reflection and smiled maliciously.
Holly Sinclair couldn’t be bothered to respond.
Vivian Linton feigned a seductive gesture, brushing back her hair to once again reveal the hickey on her neck. "I didn’t sleep well either. It’s all Tristan’s fault. He kept me up all night. You know how much stamina he has."
Her delicate voice oozed with bliss and sweetness.
But every word was a dagger to Holly Sinclair’s heart.
"Vivian Linton, are you afraid people don’t know you’re a homewrecker? Do you need me to publicize it for you?" Holly Sinclair turned to glare at Vivian Linton, sneering.
The smile on Vivian Linton’s lips froze for a second, and a venomous look entered her eyes. "Holly Sinclair, in any relationship, the one who isn’t loved is the real third wheel!"
"What? Feeling superior for being a homewrecker? Too bad for you. The one on The Sterling Family’s official register is me, not you. I’m the legitimate Mrs. Sterling!"
"Tristan has never publicly acknowledged you. What kind of Mrs. Sterling are you?"
"Do I need to slap you in the face with my marriage certificate to Tristan Sterling?"
"..."
Vivian Linton was so choked with anger she could barely breathe.
She had intended to break Holly Sinclair’s composure, but she was the one who nearly lost it.
Secretly clenching her fists, she sneered in frustration, "Holly Sinclair, what do you have besides the title of ’Mrs. Sterling’? They say you can tell if a man loves you by how much money he’s willing to spend on you. Not only did Tristan set up my studio for me, he even gave me this entire floor.
"Do you know how much this floor is worth? Based on your monthly allowance of a hundred thousand, it would probably take you several lifetimes to—AH!"
Before she could finish, she saw Holly Sinclair suddenly raise her hand.
Vivian Linton reflexively recoiled.
But she accidentally twisted her ankle.
Her prosthesis came off.
Her face paled, and she scrambled to pick up the prosthesis and put it back on.
She fumbled, a picture of complete disarray.
Her comical, pathetic appearance was a far cry from her smug gloating just a second ago.
The hand Holly Sinclair had raised now gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
The elevator reached her floor.
With a mocking smile, Holly Sinclair walked out of the elevator with elegant composure. freewebnøvel.com
Behind her, Vivian Linton’s face was twisted in hatred, her teeth clenched.
Holly Sinclair had only feigned a move, yet it had scared her into losing her composure.
It was simply...
Damn her!!
...
Vervain Studio
Vivian Linton gave Holly Sinclair a tiny room to use as a restoration studio.
She also assigned her an assistant.
Then, she dropped the "hot potato" of the antique qipao into her lap.
Leaving her fully in charge of it.
Holly Sinclair said nothing, simply took the qipao and threw herself into the restoration work.
She wasn’t familiar with the place and didn’t know where to find the materials and tools.
Right then, the assistant Vivian Linton had assigned her was sitting outside the door, feet propped up on a small table, leisurely playing a game.
"Zack, please help me find some silk thread in this color," Holly Sinclair said politely to the assistant.
"Can’t you see I’m busy? The thread is over there. Get it yourself."
The assistant, Zack, didn’t even look up. She just pointed with her foot to a shelf on the left and snorted.
Her attitude was arrogant and dismissive.
Holly Sinclair wasn’t going to put up with it.
She walked over and swept Zack’s feet off the table with one hand.
Zack was knocked so off-balance she nearly fell out of her chair.
Furious, she yelled, "What are you doing?!"
"Go find the thread," Holly Sinclair said coldly, enunciating each word.
Zack was taken aback, momentarily intimidated by Holly Sinclair’s aura, but she quickly recovered. "I work for Luna! Who are you to order me around?" she retorted defiantly.
Luna was Vivian Linton’s English name.
Holly Sinclair’s face was frosty as she stared coldly at Zack. "If you’re not going to do anything, then don’t be an eyesore here."
’She knew perfectly well that Zack would only dare to be so negligent on Vivian Linton’s orders.’
’Is she trying to kick me out?’
’No way!’
’Luna told me to watch her.’
Zack rolled her eyes and looked down her nose at Holly Sinclair, sneering, "Who do you think you are? This is Vervain Studio. It’s not your place to—"
"Not going to look for it? Fine. Any delays in the project will be on you."
Holly Sinclair cut her off, nodded, and turned back into the restoration room.
Then she picked up her phone and started scrolling through videos, making it clear she wouldn’t start working until the thread was brought to her.
"You—" Zack gritted her teeth in fury.
She couldn’t afford to take the blame for delaying the project.
Gritting her teeth hard, Zack could only storm off to find the silk thread Holly Sinclair needed.
’Luna was right.’
’This Sinclair woman really is a bitch!’
’How dare she order me around.’
’Just wait and see how I’ll deal with her later...’
...
「Lunchtime」
"Tristan."
Seeing Tristan Sterling arrive, Vivian Linton immediately rushed forward to greet him happily.
She had been ready for a while, just waiting for him to pick her up.
"Connor Grant has already booked a table. Let’s all go together."
But to her surprise, Tristan Sterling had invited the entire studio. freewēbnoveℓ.com
A flash of disappointment crossed Vivian Linton’s face.
She had wanted it to be just the two of them.
"Wow! The Second Master is treating us to a meal?"
"This is great! We have Luna to thank again. Thank you, Second Master! Thank you, Luna!"
"We’re in for a treat!"
Hearing that Tristan Sterling was treating them to a meal, everyone in the studio gathered around.
They all started talking at once, thanking him profusely.
Vivian Linton heard this, felt her ego boosted, and began to feel a bit better.
She smiled graciously at the crowd. "Alright everyone, pack up, and let’s go together."
With that, she took Tristan Sterling’s arm and was about to leave.
But Tristan Sterling didn’t move.
Puzzled, Vivian Linton looked up at him.
"Miss Linton, someone isn’t here yet," Connor Grant said.
Vivian Linton looked around. "Everyone’s here."
"Miss Sinclair isn’t here yet."
