Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Seeing Through Without Exposing
Ian Preston, being such a smart person, hit the nail on the head with one sentence.
Thea Lynch’s breath halted, her pupils constricted.
Even if it was just a momentary reaction, it was precisely caught by Ian Preston.
It seems he guessed right.
Thea Lynch’s face was expressionless, afraid he might notice something. After some thought, she softly said, "No."
Ian Preston stared into her eyes for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed lightly, "Liar."
Thea Lynch: "..."
The man’s eyes were dark and profound, as if they could see through everything.
Under his gaze, Thea Lynch’s every thought was laid bare before him, with nowhere to hide.
This feeling of having no secrets made Thea Lynch a bit uneasy.
Once again, she was forced into a passive role.
Ian Preston once again took charge of everything, just like in the past.
Back then, Thea Lynch was led by Ian Preston’s nose, living in his shadow.
Taking a deep breath, Thea Lynch also smiled, "Third Brother, being like this really makes it easy to have no friends."
As the saying goes, pointing out the truth without exposing it makes you good friends.
But Ian Preston insisted on pushing step by step.
"I just want to confirm whether it has anything to do with me. As for what specific wish you made, I won’t ask."
Thea Lynch: "..." He had already asked to this extent; what’s the difference from asking about the specific wish?
"Move aside first." She raised her hand to push him away, her hand touching his chest, like being burned, she withdrew immediately.
Ian Preston retreated to a safe distance.
One stood and one sat, making it really not convenient to talk.
Thea Lynch was just about to stand up with the armrest when a shadow fell before her, blocking the light above her head. She was stunned and the next second saw Ian Preston crouching slowly in front of her.
In a single-knee kneeling posture.
Her cheeks, already flushed from the alcohol, grew even warmer.
Thea Lynch subconsciously retreated, forced to lean against the chair to distance herself from him, trying to draw herself into a safe zone.
"Shall we stand up and talk?"
If elders saw them like this, they might jump to conclusions.
"Did Grandma say something to you?"
Ian Preston could clearly feel that Thea Lynch didn’t seem as resistant to him anymore.
Even though she still kept her distance, with eyes darting around, there were no obvious rejections.
So he suspected that perhaps her grandparents had talked to her today.
"..." His ability to guess was really infuriating. Thea Lynch pursed her lips, resignedly said, "We talked a little. You already know, they all like you very much."
He asked, "And you?"
"..."
This time, Thea Lynch didn’t answer, saying something ambiguous: "I have my own thoughts."
She looked directly into his eyes, no longer following his lead, and said, "Third Brother, no need to ask anymore. When the time comes, everything will have an answer."
On the way back from Westmere, Thea Lynch had made up her mind.
She now had her own plans.
Throughout the journey, she carefully reviewed their current relationship and thought about the future.
She had her own considerations.
But for now, she wasn’t planning to reveal her hand to Ian Preston.
——
After seeing off the elders, Thea Lynch leaned back on the sofa with a long sigh. She draped her arm across her forehead, trying to ease the headache.
The hangover medicine had already been taken, but the residual effects of the alcohol still made her uncomfortable.
"Thea."
Suddenly, her second brother called out to her.
Thea Lynch opened her eyes and saw Julian Zimmerman coming out of the dining room, hastily preparing to stand up.
"No worries, you sit down, we can talk while sitting."
"Okay." Thea Lynch saw him sit down next to her.
The living room was just the two of them. Julian Zimmerman, with average drinking capacity, hadn’t drunk much tonight; no trace of intoxication on his face, his eyes clear as opposed to Thea Lynch’s condition.
"My parents will probably return to Coronet the day after tomorrow."
"Really?" Thea Lynch was taken aback, "Is it confirmed? Are uncle and aunt both coming back?"
"Yes." Julian Zimmerman nodded, "They mentioned it in a phone call this afternoon. But they are just coming back to visit, only staying for two days."
Thea Lynch responded, "Then I’ll take two more days off."
"No need." Seeing her obedient demeanor, Julian Zimmerman couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Pick a day when you’re free in the next two days and have dinner together; they want to see you."
In recent years, Julian Zimmerman’s parents came back to Coronet every year, though not on fixed schedules or for long stays. But each time, they would visit the family compound to see everyone.
This time, Julian Zimmerman’s parents specifically wanted to meet two people: Julian himself and Thea Lynch.
"I’m available anytime. Doesn’t have to be evening; I’m free whenever."
When elders wish to meet her, she can’t possibly say she doesn’t have time.
Even if busy, she’d make an effort to find time.
"Are uncle and aunt arriving at the airport or somewhere else? I can go pick them up with Second Brother."
Seeing that she truly had time, Julian Zimmerman thought for a moment and did not refuse.
After this was settled, Thea Lynch immediately gave Foreman Chandler and the others a heads-up.
She had initially said she’d only take these two days off, but now it was backtracking.
Foreman Chandler quickly replied, "No worries, Foreman Lynch, do what you need to do; the company is taken care of."
After thanking him, Thea Lynch put away her phone.
Because they had plans to see Aaron Lynch tomorrow, Silas Cheney and the others didn’t play too late tonight, wrapping up around nine-ish.
Thea Lynch wasn’t planning to stay in the family compound tonight; everything she was bringing for Aaron was at her apartment.
If she stayed here, she’d have to go back and get it in the morning, which was completely out of the way.
As she was leaving the compound, sitting in the car, Thea Lynch caught sight of Norbert Rhodes at first glance.
"What are you looking at?"
Both were sitting in the back seats; from Ian Preston’s angle, he couldn’t see the scenery on her side well.
"...Nothing."
Thea Lynch thought for a moment but still didn’t mention Norbert Rhodes’ name. There was no need to bring it up.
Mentioning it would only create trouble for herself.
She really didn’t understand what Norbert Rhodes was insisting on.
Was it because she hadn’t been clear enough? Or was Sean Bell’s warning last time too mild?
What exactly was his intention...
After so long, she had almost forgotten about him, yet he suddenly reappeared.
Thea Lynch was certainly confident in herself, but didn’t think she was so beautiful that Norbert Rhodes couldn’t let her go.
Many people liked her, and over the years, she had encountered pursuers abroad frequently.
But none were as persistent as Norbert Rhodes.
When she rejected people, she left no room for ambiguity. Everyone understood her meaning.
So, no one wasted time on her further.
Norbert Rhodes seemed stubborn, fixated on her, not bothering to find another goal.
After a hundred days of rehabilitation for his injuries, calculating the time, his leg should have just healed. And he came looking for her again...
There wasn’t even a hint of being touched; Thea Lynch just felt her headache growing worse.
——
The next morning, Thea Lynch was washed up and ready by six, standing in the hallway waiting for Ian Preston.
