Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Jasper Shaw: I’m Older Than You, You Can Call Me Uncle
"I’m sorry, but no."
A sense of crisis washed over Mr. Sinclair, and without a second thought, he took the item from Chloe Sinclair’s hands.
This was the first gift his daughter had ever given him, and it was priceless. He would never sell it, no matter how much money he was offered.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Mr. Thorne’s eyes, but his mood remained good. He turned his head. "Miss Sinclair, I was wondering if you might be interested in joining the Calligraphy Association?"
Chloe Sinclair shook her head, keenly aware of her own limits. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me, but my skills are still lacking. I’m afraid I’ll have to decline."
This time, Mr. Thorne was truly disappointed, and his whole demeanor seemed to deflate.
After all, the Calligraphy Association was currently propped up by a bunch of old-timers. The younger generation was in no position to take up the mantle. Seeing such a talented young woman, he couldn’t help but want to nurture her gift.
"But if you’d like, I can send some of my practice sheets to your home in a few days."
Mr. Thorne’s eyes lit up, and he began nodding frantically.
Nearby, Nina Sinclair was utterly shocked.
’What in the world is happening?’
’Why is Mr. Thorne looking at Chloe Sinclair with such admiration?’
’And why would he want to buy the Hundred Longevity Map?’
Nina Sinclair’s face was ashen. She could feel the gazes of those around her shifting.
She could no longer hold her smile. She stumbled back two or three steps, only steadying herself when she bumped into a dining table behind her.
When she looked up, she saw Ethan Sinclair’s thunderous expression and shivered from head to toe.
Mr. Sinclair also gave Nina Sinclair a long, hard look, his face etched with unspeakable disappointment.
But after this little incident, he said nothing. Instead, he simply told Chloe Sinclair to go take a walk on her own.
Seeing this, Nina Sinclair opened her mouth to protest, but Ethan Sinclair immediately escorted her home.
—
「Early Morning」
A pristine white moon played peekaboo with thin clouds as a cool breeze drifted by.
Chloe Sinclair walked alone down a quiet, secluded path on the hill behind the hotel, flanked by the warm, yellow-orange glow of a few lamps.
And at the far end of the lamplight stood the tall figure of a man.
When she saw the man’s face clearly, Chloe Sinclair froze. Her eyes reddened slightly, but she managed to compose herself. With a smile, she said softly, "Mr. Shaw, it’s been a while."
"Yes, it has been a long time."
Jasper Shaw walked over slowly. His face was expressionless, but Chloe Sinclair could somehow sense he was in a good mood.
"You handled yourself well at the banquet today."
Jasper Shaw watched Chloe Sinclair quietly, a smile now in his eyes. "Little girl, don’t be so naive anymore. Otherwise, anyone will be able to walk all over you."
Chloe Sinclair froze.
In her past life, Jasper Shaw had said the exact same thing.
He had told her not to trust Nina Sinclair so much. He told her to speak up when she was wronged and to get revenge when she had a grudge.
But she had always thought Jasper Shaw was just trying to drive a wedge between her and Nina Sinclair, and she had given him the cold shoulder for a very long time because of it.
She’d never imagined that Jasper Shaw had seen through Nina Sinclair’s true colors so long ago.
Her feelings now were incredibly complicated.
After a long moment, Chloe Sinclair finally spoke. "Yes, I won’t let anyone walk all over me anymore."
Her voice was soft. Head bowed under the yellow-orange lamplight, her expression was impossible to see.
For some reason, Jasper Shaw suddenly felt a pang in his chest, followed by an inexplicable sense of panic.
It was as if the desire to keep her from being sad was carved into his very bones.
"That’s not what I meant," Jasper Shaw explained hurriedly.
Chloe Sinclair shook her head. "I’m fine. But you’re right. From now on, I’ll speak up when I’m wronged and get revenge when I have a grudge. I definitely won’t be so foolish again."
Jasper Shaw breathed a sigh of relief.
His investigation had shown that the girl’s relationship with Nina Sinclair was unusually close, so he’d been a little worried she would be upset by his words.
But seeing how clearly Chloe Sinclair understood the situation, a deep sense of pride welled up inside him.
Jasper Shaw raised his hand. His profound gaze rested on the top of Chloe Sinclair’s head for a moment before he hesitated, then finally placed his hand on her soft hair.
"I’m older than you. From now on, you can just call me Uncle."
