Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

With that, Simon Lockwood turned and left without hesitation. Before he walked out, he placed a document he had already prepared on the table.

’He never should have agreed to come back. It was just asking for trouble. He had wanted to leave everyone with a bit of dignity, but now it seemed the Sinclair family didn’t deserve such consideration.’

Perhaps he never expected anyone to dare defy him. It wasn’t until Simon was long gone that Old Master Sinclair finally processed what had just happened.

’Simon Lockwood had actually just walked out. Right in front of everyone! He hadn’t left a shred of dignity for the Sinclair family, or for him, his own father!’

This is utter rebellion! Utter rebellion!

Old Master Sinclair’s face flushed crimson with rage as he gritted his teeth, muttering, "What a curse, what a curse..." He looked as if he might have a stroke at any second.

"Sinclair, have some tea and calm down." The head of the Pemberton Family was also unhappy about this public humiliation; this happy occasion now made it look as if his family was desperately forcing the issue. But he couldn’t let his displeasure show. He tried to smooth things over, "Young people are all like this nowadays. They don’t like their lives being arranged by their families. Simon... he certainly has a strong personality."

’Openly defying his elders, abandoning everyone, and just walking out... that’s certainly a "strong personality." Even Jasper Sinclair wouldn’t dare be so brazen!’

Recalling Simon Lockwood’s cold and indifferent words, Old Master Sinclair felt the blood rush to his head. He took a fierce gulp of tea, finally managing to quell some of his rage. "Pemberton, I am truly sorry about today’s events. The Sinclair family has been a poor host."

"Oh, Sinclair, don’t say that. Our families are practically one and the same. We were hoping to forge an even closer bond, but who could have expected..." The head of the Pemberton Family let his words hang in the air, shaking his head in regret. "This has completely backfired. It’s my fault for proposing it in the first place. I certainly shouldn’t have brought my Michelle here."

It was a strategic retreat, designed to put Michelle Pemberton at the forefront. As expected, Old Master Sinclair’s expression darkened even further.

’Every child is precious to their family, and in matters of marriage, it’s always the woman’s side that has more to lose. If word of what happened tonight gets out, how will people view the Sinclair family?!’

"Michelle, my dear, Uncle Sinclair owes you an apology. You’ve been terribly wronged today."

Michelle Pemberton’s mind had been in turmoil from the moment Simon opened his mouth to refuse. After he walked out, her face went deathly pale.

Her fingers, gripping her handbag, dug into the leather so tightly they left indentations. Hearing his words, she forced a smile. "Please don’t say that, Uncle Sinclair. This was just an introduction. Everyone has the right to refuse..."

’Even after such a public humiliation, she remained poised and proper. She clearly has an excellent upbringing. How wonderful it would be for a girl like her to marry into the Sinclair family! How could Simon Lockwood possibly not like her?!’

Old Master Sinclair couldn’t wrap his head around it. With the Pembertons—father and daughter—watching him, he felt he couldn’t just let it go. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Michelle, you’re a good kid. Simon Lockwood is the one at fault. I’ll make him apologize to you in person."

Once Butler Wright had seen the guests out, Old Master Sinclair’s face finally darkened completely. "Contact Simon Lockwood. Tell him to get his ass back here immediately. If he’s not back by nine, he need never set foot in the Sinclair home again!"

Butler Wright hastily agreed and quickly dialed the number. Nearby, Jasper Sinclair, who had just come downstairs, narrowed his eyes but remained silent.

The call connected and rang a few times before being abruptly hung up. Hearing the automated female voice say, "The number you have dialed is currently busy," Butler Wright looked helplessly at Old Master Sinclair.

’He says a few indifferent words, then just ups and leaves, and now he won’t even answer his phone!’ Old Master Sinclair could no longer contain his fury. He violently swept the teacup off the marble table.

CRASH! With a sharp crack, the million-dollar Artisan Grove teacup shattered into countless pieces on the floor, a testament to his peak fury.

Warm tea splashed onto his pant cuffs. Gazing at the wreckage in the living room, Jasper Sinclair narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips twitching into an imperceptible smile.

"Dad, don’t be angry. My little brother is still young and reckless... perhaps he just has his own ideas," Jasper Sinclair said, his comforting words only fanning the flames.

As expected, Old Master Sinclair only grew angrier. "You don’t need to speak up for him. I know exactly what he’s up to!"

’Young and reckless? Simon Lockwood is anything but! He’s far too "mature," if you ask me. Look at that unflappable attitude of his. Does he have an ounce of respect for anyone?!’

"Butler Wright," Old Master Sinclair said, "go and freeze that little monster’s bank accounts."

"Restore his access when he finally realizes he was wrong and agrees to apologize to the Pemberton girl."

’He’s just a college student who recently returned to the country, he doesn’t even have a job. Cutting off his funds will make his life impossible. We’ll see how long Simon Lockwood’s arrogance lasts then!’

Old Master Sinclair had made up his mind, and Butler Wright didn’t dare argue. "Yes, sir. I’ll attend to it immediately."

Butler Wright left, leaving only the Sinclair father and son in the living room. Jasper Sinclair was in a wonderful mood, though he didn’t let it show. Instead, he offered a "thoughtful" reminder, "It looks like my little brother forgot something."

Simon Lockwood had placed a manila envelope on the table before he left, but Old Master Sinclair, addled with rage, had completely forgotten about it. He only recalled it now that Jasper Sinclair mentioned it.

"What could possibly be in a manila envelope?" Old Master Sinclair’s eyebrows shot up. "Throw it away!"

’He’s gone now, what’s the point of leaving something behind!’

But Jasper Sinclair had already opened it. He stared at the contents, then pulled them out as if in disbelief and read them over carefully. It took him a long moment to compose himself. His expression was complicated as he said, "Dad, you’d better see this."

The hesitant look on his face piqued Old Master Sinclair’s curiosity. Though too proud to admit it, he took the papers. As he did, something slipped out from within the envelope.

It landed on the floor with a soft clatter. It was a bank card.

The contents of the A4 sheet inside the envelope were simple and straightforward, clearly itemizing every cent the Sinclair family had spent on Simon Lockwood over the years.

It was impossible to know when Simon Lockwood had started preparing this, but he had calculated everything with shocking precision, down to the last dollar. Any unverifiable amounts were simply listed as round numbers.

Looking at the final, meticulously calculated total, Old Master Sinclair was so enraged his hands began to tremble.

’Just how desperately does he want to cut ties with the Sinclair family?! When did he start harboring these thoughts, to have prepared something so thorough?!’

"Good... Very good..."

After spitting out the last word, Old Master Sinclair clutched his chest and collapsed. Jasper Sinclair, reacting in a flash, caught him. The maids and the butler, hearing the commotion, rushed in and frantically called for the family doctor.

That night, the Sinclair household descended into chaos.

Meanwhile, the "culprit" behind all the turmoil felt nothing at all. Waiting at a red light, Simon Lockwood slowly tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his eyes a mask of cold indifference.

’Retrieving the financial records wasn’t hard for him; all he needed was a computer. As for the money...’

’The wealth he had accumulated in Southland hadn’t disappeared; he had brought it with him into this world. And he couldn’t be short on cash when it came to providing for Joanna Kennedy.’

Joanna Kennedy, however, was oblivious to all of this. She was incredibly busy at the moment. Following the "romance" incident, her popularity had soared to unprecedented heights.

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