The Night I Left, He Turned Grey

The Sinclair Residence.

Sean Sinclair worked late and didn’t get home until eight o’clock. His sister complained a bit, but he didn’t hold it against her.

As he walked inside, he saw Sarah Lynch sitting at the dining table. He glanced around but didn’t see Leila Jennings.

Sean Sinclair looked at the gift in his hand and said, "Dad, Mom, Leila had something come up last minute. This is what she asked me to bring."

Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair looked over, not believing him for a second.

’Leila is already planning to divorce him, so why would she come to the Sinclair’s? Their son must be completely bewitched by her, trying to save face for her even when she doesn’t show up.’

Thinking that Leila Jennings was finally on her way out of the Sinclair family, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair were delighted and decided not to dwell on this minor issue.

Sarah Lynch, however, nearly ground her teeth to dust when she heard Sean Sinclair mention Leila Jennings the moment he got home.

"Sean, why are you so late today?" She stood up and walked over. Sean subconsciously held out his jacket to her, but Sarah Lynch didn’t take it.

Only then did he realize it was always Leila who took his coat when he came home.

Leila wasn’t here today.

Sean Sinclair hung up the coat himself and asked softly, "Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?"

Sarah Lynch looked surprised. Noticing Cecilia Sinclair glancing their way, she realized what was going on.

’Cecilia is trying to play matchmaker.’

Sarah Lynch said happily, "I didn’t come for you. I came for Cecilia."

"Sarah came for my sake, not yours," Cecilia Sinclair huffed proudly. Then she looked at her brother, who had just sat down, and started complaining again. "I clearly told you yesterday I was inviting Sarah over, and you said it was fine. How could you forget!"

"I’ve been too busy with work, I didn’t read the message carefully." Sean Sinclair took out a jewelry box. "Birthday present."

Cecilia Sinclair eagerly opened it. Inside was a ruby necklace. "Wow!" she exclaimed, putting it on immediately.

"Thanks, Bro!"

’The ruby is a little small, though.’

Seeing her stroking the gemstone, Sean Sinclair explained, "Money’s a little tight recently. I’ll buy you a bigger one next year."

’He didn’t need to fund Sarah’s research anymore, but he had just bought a large luxury apartment, so he only had five or six million in cash on hand. He couldn’t spend it on something like this.’

Cecilia Sinclair nodded. "Oh."

’She knew it. Leila must have taken his money again!’

’That bitch Leila! She can’t earn her own money, so all she knows is how to spend my brother’s. She even takes his money for herself and won’t let him spend it on me or our parents!’

"It’s okay, I’m not mad at you, Bro." Cecilia Sinclair’s mood was much better since Leila Jennings wasn’t there. She raised her glass to celebrate her birthday with her family.

During the celebration, she kept encouraging Sarah Lynch to drink more.

Sarah Lynch agreed with a smile.

But Sean Sinclair stopped her. "Cecilia, don’t keep pushing her to drink. It’ll be hard for her to get back if she’s drunk."

"So what if she can’t get back? She can just stay here. It’s not like we don’t have a spare room," Cecilia Sinclair said dismissively. She wanted Sarah Lynch to stay over, because she knew her brother would definitely be staying here tonight.

It was like this every year. She had even asked the housekeeper to change the bedding in his room in advance.

Sarah Lynch smiled and said, "Alright. Our project isn’t busy lately. We’re just waiting for the bidding process to start."

Mr. Sinclair asked, "Is that the confidential research project?"

Sarah Lynch nodded. "Yes."

Mr. Sinclair didn’t ask anything else, only remarking, "I wonder if it’s connected to Stellaxis?"

Instantly, all eyes in the Sinclair family turned to Sarah Lynch.

Sarah Lynch smiled and said to Sean Sinclair, "You can start preparing. After all, opportunity favors the prepared."

Those words made Mr. Sinclair beam. Mrs. Sinclair also realized what she meant. ’Doesn’t that mean yes?’

Sean Sinclair looked at Sarah Lynch, a little worried. "Will you get into any trouble for this?"

"I didn’t say anything," Sarah Lynch said, winking at him. "Did I say anything just now?"

Mr. Sinclair, catching on quickly, immediately said, "No, not at all. It’s just that what you said is right—it’s better to be prepared than not."

Mrs. Sinclair raised her glass. "Let’s toast to this happy occasion!"

Sean Sinclair smiled as well.

After the family finished dinner, Sarah Lynch was indeed a little dizzy.

Mrs. Sinclair took her hand and said affectionately, "Sarah, just stay here tonight. I had the housekeeper prepare the room next to Sean’s."

"Thank you, Auntie." Sarah Lynch offered a gentle smile, her gaze drifting to Sean Sinclair, who was standing to the side.

Sean Sinclair was messaging Leila Jennings.

[Why didn’t you come back today?]

[Didn’t I tell you that you were supposed to come over tonight? It’s Cecilia’s birthday. It only happens once a year.]

Leila Jennings replied.

[The family doctor came to check on my mentor’s wife. I didn’t have time.]

Sean Sinclair typed again.

[Even if you couldn’t make it, you should have at least sent a gift. Otherwise, what are Mom and Dad supposed to think?] 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

’They already don’t like you very much.’

He kept that sentence to himself, not typing it out.

[But it’s fine. I gave them one for you this time, and Mom and Dad didn’t say anything. Just don’t do this again.]

There was no reply from her for a long time.

"Sean?"

Sarah Lynch was calling him. He turned off his screen, turned around, and said softly, "What’s wrong?"

"I think there’s something I haven’t told you yet." Sarah Lynch patted the spot next to her. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, and her smile was a little hazy.

Sean Sinclair asked the housekeeper to make a bowl of sobriety soup before he sat down next to her.

Seeing the two of them sitting together, the eyes of every Sinclair family member lit up.

Mr. Sinclair: ’As expected, only a lady from a good family is worthy of my son.’

Mrs. Sinclair: ’My son and Sarah Lynch are the perfect match!’

Cecilia Sinclair: ’AHHH! Sarah needs to become my sister-in-law, quick! Kick Leila to the curb and take her place!’

"What did you want to say?" Sean Sinclair asked, turning his head toward her. Noticing a few strands of her hair were out of place, he reached out and smoothed them down.

Sarah Lynch looked at him affectionately. "You know about that tech exhibition hosted by the Cole Group, right? Are you going to the reception tonight?"

Sean Sinclair nodded. "I am."

"Then who are you taking?" Sarah Lynch asked. "People usually bring a date to these kinds of receptions."

Cecilia Sinclair immediately chimed in, "Of course my brother is taking you, Sarah!"

"Then what about Leila Jennings?" Sarah Lynch asked, her eyes wide with feigned innocence.

Cecilia: "She’s not worthy! She’d just embarrass my brother if she went. My brother is the president of Stellaxis Technologies. How could he take a country bumpkin to a reception like that? How could he ever hold his head up high again?"

Sean Sinclair had originally planned to take Leila Jennings, but after hearing Cecilia’s words, he thought she had a point.

Besides, Leila was now Nathaniel Cole’s secretary, which would make the situation even more awkward for him.

’What kind of self-respecting president has a wife who works as a secretary for another man?’

Mrs. Sinclair chimed in as well, "Leila Jennings is suited for cooking and doing laundry at home. A place like that isn’t for her. And if you need a date, Sarah is the most suitable choice."

Sean Sinclair nodded. "Mm."

Having gotten the answer she wanted, Sarah Lynch beamed and, propping her chin on her hand, said, "But I have my own invitation, you know. I can go by myself."

It dawned on Sean Sinclair. "I almost forgot. Your status isn’t ordinary now that you’re back in the country."

"Then, then, then can you take me?" Cecilia Sinclair’s eyes lit up. "Bro, can I go?"

Mrs. Sinclair’s eyes darted. ’That’s right! Sarah has her own invitation, so he can take Cecilia. Maybe she’ll even catch a rich bachelor!’

"Son, take Cecilia with you."

Cecilia Sinclair nodded eagerly.

Sean Sinclair thought that was fine and nodded.

Sarah Lynch deliberately teased him, "It seems President Sinclair has already found another date. Does that mean I can find a male companion to go with, too?"

The second question was a deliberate test.

"Can I, Sean?"

Sean Sinclair said, "No."