Chapter 513: Chapter 513: He Has Been Waiting for You
Back in the newly designed and renovated room that Ian Vaughn had specially prepared, Ann Vaughn’s eyes still showed a hint of redness as she looked around the room.
Though it was rushed in creation, the furniture arrangement and the color of the wallpaper and floors all reflected a careful attention to detail.
Falling onto the soft bed, Ann Vaughn squinted comfortably, feeling the urge to do nothing and just sleep like this.
But then, the cheerful ringtone of her phone abruptly rang. Ann Vaughn reached over to pick it up and saw it was a call from Cyrus Hawthorne.
"Quinn?"
But instead of Cyrus Hawthorne’s voice, what came was—
"Mommy!" A tender, childish voice came from the phone, with a hint of smugness, "The Archfiend went to take a bath, and Kenny grabbed the phone while he wasn’t looking!"
Ann Vaughn sat up abruptly, unable to hide her surprise as she asked Kenny, "Sweetheart, how did you get to Marinia?"
"Kenny came with the Archfiend. It was early... Give me back the phone!" The child’s voice suddenly cut off for a few seconds, as if someone had taken the phone away, and his voice sounded farther away.
Soon after, a deep and magnetic male voice came through, "Hello?"
Upon hearing his voice, Ann Vaughn became a bit annoyed, "Why didn’t you tell me this morning that Kenny was also in Marinia?"
"To avoid suspicion." The man replied concisely with just two words.
"..."
Ann Vaughn was immediately at a loss, choked by the words she used earlier to block Cyrus Hawthorne. Now, it felt like ten thousand kittens were galloping across her heart, indescribably.
Avoid suspicion of what exactly??
"Which hotel are you at now?" Taking a deep breath, Ann Vaughn gritted her teeth and asked.
The man’s voice seemed to carry a hint of laughter, "No more avoiding suspicion?"
"No, more, avoiding!" Ann Vaughn was so frustrated she felt like biting someone; it was no wonder he was so easygoing during the day, daring to wait for her all along.
After getting the address, Ann Vaughn quickly got out of bed, changed her clothes, grabbed her bag, and left the Viridian Palace, rushing to the hotel.
Just as the elevator doors at the hotel were about to close, Ann Vaughn rushed in at lightning speed and then pressed the floor button.
"Ann Vaughn?" A familiar female voice suddenly sounded from behind her. She turned around and was slightly surprised to see Jane Sheridan, dressed elegantly and made up impeccably, but not looking very well.
In an instant, a fleeting scene flashed swiftly through Ann Vaughn’s mind.
She vaguely felt that scene was very important, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t recall what it was specifically.
While pondering, Ann Vaughn stared at Jane Sheridan’s lovely face, slightly furrowing her delicate brows, "Did we meet somewhere a while ago?"
"I resigned from the research institute and have been in Marinia," Jane Sheridan replied calmly, showing no sign of unusualness.
"Is that so?" The strange feeling in her heart lingered, but Ann Vaughn didn’t delve deeper to avoid adding to her worries.
Jane Sheridan originally thought she would be asked more questions, but seeing Ann Vaughn turn away and remain silent, a trace of darkness flitted through her eyes.
When the elevator reached the thirty-first floor, Jane Sheridan left the elevator ahead of Ann Vaughn.
Confirming no one was following, Jane Sheridan tidied her appearance with a portable mirror and knocked on the door of a certain suite.
Meanwhile, a steady and upright figure in black came from the other end of the corridor, followed by a few subordinate figures exuding an intimidating aura.
"Lord Shane, the target has arrived at the hotel, please advise." A rugged man with a visible knife scar near his eye reported in a low voice next to Sutton Jennings.
Walking ahead, Sutton Jennings paused his steps and then made a gesture.
The subordinates immediately fell silent, lowering their heads without a word.
Jane Sheridan was extremely cautious, stepping inside as soon as the door opened and shutting it behind her.
Sutton Jennings narrowed his almond-shaped eyes, his gaze lingering leisurely on the recently closed suite door before turning his head to instruct, "Find out who is in Room 2107."
"Yes, Lord Shane."
...
Running into Jane Sheridan in the elevator didn’t leave much of a ripple in Ann Vaughn’s heart. Upon reaching the top floor, she immediately went to the room where Cyrus Hawthorne and Kenny were.
However, when Ann Vaughn entered, she found Kenny asleep on the sofa waiting for her, and Cyrus Hawthorne was just picking him up to take him to bed.
"He’s been waiting for you ever since we arrived last night." Seeing Ann Vaughn walk over quietly, Cyrus Hawthorne lowered his voice to explain softly.
Ann Vaughn’s heart softened instantly as if a part had caved in, while she also shot Cyrus Hawthorne a reproachful glance, "It’s all your fault for not telling me sooner."
Upon hearing this, Cyrus Hawthorne slightly raised his brow, "The Vaughn Family and your son, you can only care for one."
Ann Vaughn was again at a loss for words, fuming for a moment before finally letting out, "Well, you’re really considerate."
"You’re too kind."
"..." Who was complimenting him!?
Being speechless for a moment, Ann Vaughn suddenly remembered what Ian Vaughn had told her before she entered the room, "By the way, Uncle asked me to tell you, let’s go to Zhenxiang for a meal tomorrow, to formally meet. Do you have time?"
Zhenxiang is an old restaurant under the Vaughn Family name, known for its privacy and often catering to people of significant status, and it is quite famous in Marinia.
"Oh?" A subtle hint of amusement gathered in Cyrus Hawthorne’s eyes, and he lightly pinched her peachy cheek with his long fingers, "Willing to acknowledge me formally, huh?"
Ann Vaughn couldn’t help but feel embarrassed, "I didn’t intend to rush it, but for some reason, Uncle is particularly adamant..."
Almost as if he knew that not only were she and Cyrus Hawthorne married, but they even had a child. She couldn’t delay a few days even if she wanted to.
—Even now, she hasn’t fully digested the fact that she and Cyrus Hawthorne were not actually divorced.
In just one look, Cyrus Hawthorne saw through her thoughts, a faint chill flickering across his handsome and unparalleled face.
Ha.
He knew it.
The next day, at Zhenxiang.
Because Kenny was also in Marinia, Ian Vaughn and Old Mr. Vaughn mulled over countermeasures against Cyrus Hawthorne all night, but none were effective.
What else could they do?
The little dumpling calling out "Great Grandma, Great Grandpa" softened their hearts so much, making Old Mrs. Vaughn and Old Mr. Vaughn smile from ear to ear, leaving them no time to make things difficult for Cyrus Hawthorne.
Watching this scene, Ian Vaughn then looked at the exalted man sitting beside Ann Vaughn, and his gaze began to change.
Could his simple and lovely little niece really handle such a deeply scheming man?
Out of sight, out of mind, and unable to hug the adorable J.B., Ian Vaughn then excused himself to the restroom, leaving the private room.
As soon as he stepped out, Ian Vaughn saw Stanley Sheridan walking towards him, who didn’t even spare him a glance, passing right by him.