From Trash to Treasure: The Sinclair Family's Beloved Genius

Seeing Chloe Sinclair’s determined expression, Jasper Shaw found the young woman surprisingly cute.

"Take it. I’m sure we’ll have many more opportunities to work together in the future."

Chloe Sinclair considered it seriously for a moment before finally signing her name on the line for Party B.

The contract was in duplicate. Chloe Sinclair put her copy into her bag.

"Are your college entrance exam scores out yet?"

Jasper Shaw took a sip of his coffee, a slight smile playing on his lips, his manner suggesting a familiar ease with Chloe Sinclair.

Chloe Sinclair, however, didn’t find anything unusual about the way they interacted. She answered honestly, "Not yet. The results should be out in about half a month."

Jasper Shaw nodded in understanding and asked again, "Do you have any plans for the near future?"

Chloe Sinclair replied, "There are still many unresolved problems with high-temperature superconductivity. I expect I’ll be at home researching for the next two months."

Jasper Shaw frowned, a note of disapproval in his voice. "You’re still young. Don’t work yourself to the bone and ruin your health. You should go out and have fun with your classmates sometimes. I saw you doing parkour the other day... You’re quite good."

Chloe Sinclair was startled. "You knew?"

"Yes, I’ve happened to see you a few times."

Chloe Sinclair’s heart jumped.

’She couldn’t figure out how he had discovered her daily parkour sessions, especially when the system hadn’t even alerted her.’

As if he knew what she was thinking, a flicker of amusement crossed Jasper Shaw’s eyes. "In the old district next to Number One High School. I’ve seen you there every day after school lets out at five-thirty."

Chloe Sinclair froze, her composure cracking slightly.

’She’d thought her daily routine was a secret, but it turned out he just hadn’t bothered to expose her.’

Watching her subtle expression, Jasper Shaw’s tone grew light and teasing. "I never knew our Miss Sinclair had this side to her."

A tremor went through Chloe Sinclair’s heart.

Before she could speak, she heard Jasper Shaw say, "I wonder if Miss Sinclair would be interested in joining me for a meal?"

If it had been anyone else, Chloe Sinclair would have refused without a second thought. But the person in front of her was Jasper Shaw.

She couldn’t possibly say no.

So she agreed.

Ian Winters had already booked the restaurant. By the time Chloe Sinclair arrived, the entire place had been reserved for them.

Chloe Sinclair wasn’t surprised.

She knew Jasper Shaw had this habit.

’In her past life, Jasper Shaw always booked out the entire venue whenever he ate out, though he generally preferred to eat at home.’

Chloe Sinclair ordered a few dishes she knew Jasper Shaw liked, then handed the menu to him.

When Jasper Shaw saw the dishes Chloe Sinclair had checked off, he raised an eyebrow, a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Finally, a smile lifted the corner of his mouth. "I didn’t realize my tastes were so similar to our Miss Sinclair’s."

Chloe Sinclair scoffed internally but just gave a couple of silly laughs, playing dumb.

During the meal, however, Jasper Shaw didn’t say much.

Just as they were about to leave, Jasper Shaw said, "The lab in Emberfall probably won’t be ready until after school starts. I’ll be heading back to Emberfall soon. I’ll wait for you there."

Chloe Sinclair paused. Only then did she remember that Jasper was indeed planning to move his base of operations to Emberfall around this time.

Although Kennet was a first-tier city, its resources were far inferior to Emberfall’s.

It was only natural for him to shift his focus.

Hearing this, Chloe Sinclair nodded in understanding. "I’ll find you when the time comes."

"Contact me anytime if you need anything."

"Okay." Chloe Sinclair paused, a teasing look on her face. "Whatever you say, Uncle."

Jasper Shaw choked on his words, feeling as if a fishbone were stuck in his throat.

Seeing Jasper Shaw’s flustered reaction, Chloe Sinclair burst out laughing.

A wave of helplessness washed over Jasper Shaw. He flicked her forehead with his index finger. "You little troublemaker."

Afterward, they both froze.

Jasper, in particular, was surprised at his own actions. He was so taken aback that his hand remained suspended in mid-air.

To hide his awkwardness, he quickly said, "Let me drive you home. Otherwise, Director Sinclair will start to worry."

...

「In the car.」

Chloe Sinclair sat by the window, her dark eyes watching the scenery blur past, but her ears were bright red.

Jasper Shaw kept his head down, silently staring at the contract in his hands.

But both of their minds were in a turmoil. They glanced at each other several times, but neither knew how to break the silence.

It wasn’t until they reached the villa’s entrance that the butler, hearing the car horn, hurried out to check.

Seeing Chloe Sinclair in the car with an imposing-looking man beside her, he asked frantically, "Miss, where have you been?"

As he spoke, he opened the car door and helped Chloe Sinclair out.

The awkward atmosphere immediately eased. Chloe Sinclair breathed a sigh of relief and turned to introduce the man to the butler. "This is the chairman of the Shaw Group."

The butler didn’t know the specifics of what Chloe Sinclair was involved in, but he understood that she was offering an explanation.

The butler glanced at Jasper Shaw, silently moved to shield Chloe Sinclair behind him, and then smiled at Jasper Shaw.

Jasper Shaw said, "Ian, let’s go."

He didn’t linger, just said, "See you next time," to Chloe Sinclair and left.

Watching the black car disappear from view, Chloe Sinclair felt a slight pang of disappointment.

She glanced at the butler and saw he looked like he had something difficult to say. "Uncle, what’s wrong?"

The butler hesitated, glancing at Chloe Sinclair before lowering his voice. "Mrs. White is here."

Mrs. White was Chloe Sinclair’s maternal grandmother.

Chloe Sinclair was somewhat surprised by her grandmother’s arrival.

After all, since her mother’s death, Yvonne White had cut off all contact with the Sinclair Family. They only saw the old woman when they went to visit her in the countryside each year.

’So...’

The look in Chloe Sinclair’s eyes changed, and she frowned.

"I understand. You can go back to your duties."

With that, she walked toward the main door, changed into a pair of slippers in the entryway, and entered the living room.

"Chloe, you’re back."

Just as she came in, Nina Sinclair suddenly appeared and tried to link arms with her.

Chloe Sinclair reacted quickly, stepping back and not letting Nina touch her.

A flash of hurt crossed Nina Sinclair’s eyes. She glanced resentfully at Chloe Sinclair, looking pitiful.

Yvonne White watched all this, a displeased look on her face. "Nina, why are you even talking to this brat?"

"Grandma..."

Chloe Sinclair ignored them both, her gaze sweeping over. "Why are you at my house?"

Nina Sinclair froze, lowering her head with a wronged expression.

Yvonne White’s mood instantly soured upon hearing this. "What, does our Nina need to report to you before coming to her own home? Started putting on airs now that you’re a rich young lady?"

Yvonne White scanned Chloe Sinclair from head to toe. "Look at you. Where’s the slightest resemblance to a proper young lady?"

Chloe Sinclair was speechless.

She instinctively looked down at herself. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The butler, however, was clearly unhappy. He stepped in front of Chloe Sinclair and said threateningly, "Mrs. White, please watch your words. The master will be back soon."

"Am I not allowed to lecture my own granddaughter?"

Yvonne White had been headstrong and decisive in her youth, and even more so in her old age.

Ultimately, the butler couldn’t go head-to-head with the old woman. Despite his anger, he didn’t dare say another word.

Instead, it was Chloe Sinclair who said coldly, "That’s not what you said a while ago."