Chapter 641: What a Mess This Is

Claire Sinclair chose a location that was somewhat small, but had an exceptionally elegant and serene tea house design.

Outside the window was a vast bamboo grove, and since the window wasn’t closed, the wind would sway countless bamboo stalks, causing them to lean and sway unsurely.

Cecilia Vaughn swallowed nervously, deliberating for a while before finally speaking with some hesitation.

“Is it because of Doctor Prescott?”

“You actually know?!”

Claire Sinclair looked shocked, clearly not expecting that Cecilia Vaughn was already aware of this matter.

But she didn’t attribute this to Zion Prescott. Although Zion was particularly harsh with her, he was also the type of man who was tight-lipped about many things. Especially when it concerned their personal privacy, revealing it would easily lead to malicious rumors.

After a long silence, Claire felt a bit sorrowful and lowered her gaze.

“Cecilia, did you figure it out on your own?”

Cecilia Vaughn nodded towards her.

“After all, the atmosphere between you two is too strange when you’re together. At the time, I could find reasons not to overthink it. But now, as soon as something happened in the crew, Doctor Prescott rushed to find you. I’ve never seen Doctor Prescott so nervous about anyone. If it was just because he invested in the production and was concerned about the investment failing, it doesn’t make sense.”

Claire didn’t expect Cecilia to realize it this way. She gently raised her beautiful eyes, with hesitation flashing between her pupils.

Looking at this friend who appreciated her so much, the grievances that had been suppressed couldn’t be restrained any longer.

“Cecilia, tell me the truth, do you think I’m being unfair to Jude Grant as well?”

The pain that was once suppressed now began to spread uncontrollably.

Her eyes reddened slightly, looking at the other party with a hint of grievance.

…

Cecilia Vaughn pressed her lips together, then earnestly began to speak.

“Claire, you shouldn’t think like that. But there’s a reason why everyone thinks you’re being unfair to Jude Grant. After all, you kept your first love with Zion Prescott a secret, which may lead to speculation.”

Claire gave a bitter smile, her once bright and beautiful brows appearing somewhat sorrowful.

“Cecilia, you don’t know my hidden struggles.”

What hidden struggles?

Cecilia sensed that this had something to do with Zion Prescott. She recalled recently seeing Zion’s neglectful figure, and suddenly felt a pang of realization.

“Could it be that even a seemingly virtuous person like Doctor Prescott would do something…”

“You don’t believe it, do you?”

Claire Sinclair excitedly placed her hand on the pearwood table, then suddenly turned her head to look out the window, her expression becoming somewhat distant.

Who would believe that a man who seemed to be such a genteel aristocrat in the chaotic world would actually be so unscrupulous in his actions?

Even though he eventually let go.

Claire knew that by saying this, Cecilia might not understand her.

But she was also too shy to share the details.

Even without mentioning the chance encounters with Zion Prescott after their reunion, just the entanglement three years ago between her and Zion felt like a dream. However, for those who weren’t involved directly, they might not understand her pain.

…

Cecilia couldn’t quite picture Zion Prescott as someone who would force others.

But these things aren’t definite, as many people appear gentle but take extreme paths in romantic pursuits.

Doctor Prescott was also incredibly intelligent. With such pride, why would he accept being thwarted in romance?

“So, is he asking you to reconcile or forcing you to break up with Jude Grant?”

Analyzing these two things, they don’t seem to conflict.

Claire Sinclair stared at Cecilia Vaughn mournfully, raising her head steadily.

“What if I told you he demanded I break up and then wanted to ruin my reputation?”

To act so ruthlessly?!

Cecilia Vaughn’s body trembled, recalling the tense confrontation she witnessed between Zion Prescott and Claire Sinclair at the ancient temple.

——Even though their energies clashed, it shouldn’t have escalated to wanting to destroy each other.

Many things are clearer to an outsider; Cecilia, having some affection for Zion Prescott, couldn’t help but defend him slightly.

“Claire, although I’m your friend, in a sense, Doctor Prescott is also my friend, and he’s saved my life. Perhaps he wasn’t very considerate in this case, but I doubt it was to ruin your reputation.”

Seeing Claire Sinclair tightly gripping her wrist, with her reddening eyes, Cecilia realized she might have been biased.

If she were in Claire’s position, her pain might not be less than this girl’s.

——Who could accept finding a good person, only to learn their current boyfriend is their ex-boyfriend’s nephew?!

Cecilia sighed inwardly, feeling a headache brewing in her mind.

What a tangled mess!

Though Adrian Law and Tyson Law were brothers, their relationship wasn’t good. Given their awareness of the situation’s complexity, it seemed less dramatic.

But Claire Sinclair’s situation was clearly different; neither Zion Prescott nor Jude Grant knew they were in love with the same girl.

After a pause, Cecilia’s tone became much gentler.

“Claire, what I’m saying is that the reason Zion Prescott rushed to find you wasn’t to see you get hurt in the explosion, but out of concern for your safety. His feelings for you still linger.”

“Of course, I don’t know the extent of what he’s done to you. I’m not suggesting that you forgive him.”

“I’m just asking from a friend’s perspective, what do you plan to do now?”

Being caught between two excellent but painful men isn’t bliss, nor is it a sweet dilemma.

Cutting the matter cleanly and determining your feelings quickly is likely better for all three of you.

Cecilia reflected on Claire’s comments about Zion Prescott. In her words, there was little warmth and a strong hint of rejection, even fear. From Cecilia’s perspective, a reconciliation seemed impossible, but she wondered if Claire and Jude Grant’s relationship would suffer due to this issue.

Claire Sinclair took a deep breath, focusing on the bamboo swaying outside as her gaze returned.

“Cecilia, I just broke up with Jude Grant.”

“Ah?! Are you sure you want to give up on him?”

Ending a relationship so hastily seems a bit regrettable.

Although Cecilia hadn’t met Jude Grant many times, her initial impression was that he was reliable and tended to care for Claire Sinclair, not coming off as the spoiled rich kid.

Seeing the regret in Cecilia’s eyes, Claire felt as if another knife had pierced her heart.