Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Playing Dumb While Knowing the Truth
This kick wasn’t light, not holding back at all.
Without looking up, Sean Bell knew who did it.
Thea Lynch was wearing high heels today, which were easier to distinguish from the rest of the men’s shoes present.
The pain made his expression change slightly, and Julian Zimmerman noticed immediately, asking with concern, "Sean, are you feeling unwell? Why does your face look so pale?"
Hearing this, Ian Preston glanced over at Sean Bell.
Silas Cheney was sitting right next to Sean Bell but hadn’t noticed anything. He turned his head and saw that Sean did indeed look unwell, which startled him, "Weren’t you fine just a moment ago?"
Sean Bell regained his composure and had no intention of paying them any mind. Suddenly, he looked up, his gaze fixed straight on Thea Lynch: "Did you kick me?"
"..."
With that, the room fell into silence.
Julian Zimmerman hadn’t been back in recent years and hadn’t been keeping up with their affairs in the country. He had no idea what was happening at the moment.
He watched for a while but couldn’t discern anything, especially from Thea Lynch, who looked calm.
"Did I kick you?" Thea Lynch asked naturally, smiling gently, "I’m sorry. My leg was numb, so I stretched it out, and maybe I accidentally bumped you."
Though Julian Zimmerman couldn’t tell, Ian Preston and Silas Cheney understood.
That kick was definitely intentional.
Thea Lynch wanted Sean Bell to shut up; her intention was obvious.
And Sean Bell was playing dumb while knowing exactly what was going on.
As Sean Bell was about to say something, Ian Preston narrowed his dark eyes and gave him a warning look, saying coldly: "Eat."
"..." Sean Bell had no choice but to comply.
Julian Zimmerman chuckled, "Let’s eat. Why are you two still behaving like you did when you were kids?"
Back in the day, Thea Lynch and Sean Bell were famously at odds.
But whenever they argued, it was always over trifles, often intentionally instigated by Sean Bell.
Others might not understand, but Julian Zimmerman knew. Young boys often behave like that to get the other’s attention; it’s normal.
In serious matters, Sean Bell never argued with Thea Lynch, always unconditionally siding with her.
So from Julian Zimmerman’s perspective, their antics were just childish squabbles.
Afterward, Sean Bell quieted down, saying nothing more that might cause embarrassment.
Once he stopped talking, Thea Lynch breathed a sigh of relief and also relaxed.
She focused on her meal, listening to her second brother and Ian Preston chat, with Silas Cheney occasionally chiming in.
They discussed recent developments in Coronet over the past two years.
At the end, the second brother expressed concern about Old Master Cheng, saying he’d visit him at the manor tomorrow.
"It’s no big deal. You’re busy these days; you can wait a couple of days," Silas suggested he focus on work first.
"I have a two-day leave from work," Julian Zimmerman insisted on going.
Thea Lynch hadn’t intended to join the conversation, but upon hearing this, she couldn’t help but chime in: "I’ll go too."
As soon as she spoke, she felt a scorching gaze on her face from the side.
She tried her best to ignore it and said to Silas and the second brother, "I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had time to visit Grandpa Cheng at the manor. Since you’re going, I’ll join you."
Julian Zimmerman, of course, had no objections.
Silas Cheney had no issues either but, thinking of Ian Preston, swallowed the words he intended to say and instead suggested, "Why don’t Third Brother and Sean Bell come too? It’s been a while since Second Brother came back; let’s have a gathering at home tomorrow."
"Sounds good," Julian Zimmerman, being an easy-going person, was generally open to others’ suggestions as long as they weren’t too demanding or crossed any boundaries, constantly accommodating everyone.
Silas grinned, "Then it’s settled."
"Tomorrow morning, Thea and Third Brother can come over together."
Hearing this, Julian Zimmerman hesitated, turning to look at the two sitting together, his puzzled gaze shifting between them.
He clearly had questions but refrained from asking out of respect.
Since he didn’t ask, naturally no one mentioned anything.
But Sean Bell just had to stir the pot, "Third Brother lives with Thea now, so it’s convenient."
Thea Lynch: "..."
Upon hearing this, anyone would easily misunderstand and let their imagination run wild.
"What?" Julian Zimmerman was visibly shocked by the statement.
Thea Lynch opened her mouth, eager to explain, but the person beside her spoke first: "No."
She paused, looking up at Ian Preston.
The man’s chopsticks hadn’t moved much, only a few times to pick dishes that she couldn’t reach across the table. At the moment, he sat upright, his black shirt unbuttoned at the collar.
His hands rested casually on his knees, his cuffs rolled up, revealing his empty wrist.
Thea Lynch hurriedly shifted her gaze, just in time to catch sight of the man’s profile, his sharp jawline clearly visible from her angle.
Ian Preston’s thin lips parted slightly, his voice low and slow, "It’s just the same community."
Being among familiar company, he spoke in the authentic Coronet dialect.
The local accent wasn’t forced; it flowed smooth and mellow to the ear.
"I see," Julian Zimmerman nodded, "Where does Thea live now? Not in the compound?"
Thea Lynch’s attention was on Ian Preston, so she didn’t hear Julian Zimmerman’s question.
It wasn’t until Ian Preston glanced her way, his deep, unreadable dark eyes meeting hers, that she realized she’d been caught stealing glances, and she averted her gaze with feigned nonchalance.
Ian Preston seemed in good spirits, offering a slight smile, "Second Brother asked why you don’t live in the compound."
It was unclear if he was genuinely being helpful or playfully teasing her.
Thea Lynch’s ears reddened slightly as she turned to respond to her second brother: "No reason."
The man next to her kept his gaze fixed, making Thea Lynch’s cheeks flush from his intense stare.
She could only redirect her attention, engaging in casual conversation with her second brother.
"The commute from the compound to the company is too far, and the traffic during rush hours is horrible, so I moved near the company."
"Bought an apartment?" Julian Zimmerman was concerned for her safety, particularly since she lived in the same community as Ian Preston, but staying at someone else’s rental wasn’t ideal.
"..." Thea Lynch shook her head, "No, it’s... Fourth Brother’s apartment. But I’m planning to have Fourth Brother transfer it to me."
She instinctively started to say Third Brother, but thankfully shifted to Fourth Brother as the sounds were initially similar.
Silas smoothly joined in, "Of course, we can’t let her rent a place alone outside; what if it’s unsafe? Our family lacks for nothing, especially in terms of property."
"That’s good to hear."
After several rounds of drinks, Julian Zimmerman, unable to handle his liquor, became slightly tipsy after just a couple of drinks from Silas and Sean Bell.
"Where does Second Brother live now? We’ll take him home."
"I stay at the apartment allocated by the company, though it hasn’t been tidied up yet. No one’s been at the family house for a while either."
After a moment, Julian Zimmerman didn’t hesitate to ask, "I might need you guys to host me tonight."
In the end, Sean Bell volunteered, letting Second Brother stay with him.
"I live alone, so there’s plenty of space. As long as Second Brother doesn’t mind."
"Of course not."
At that, Sean Bell chuckled, "I invited Thea over to stay last time, but she was clearly unimpressed."
Thea Lynch: "..."
