Chapter 139: Going to Meet a Highly Respected Old Gentleman

The crowd around them stopped jeering.

After all, enough was enough. Being too rowdy and flashy would only become obnoxious. Even though the atmosphere had mellowed out compared to earlier, a lingering sense of joy still filled the air.

Ash Sinclair had sobered up a bit. He sat to the side with his head bowed, his ears burning red.

After receiving a message from Ethan Sinclair, Rian Sinclair said flatly, “Let’s go. The car is here.”

Ash immediately scrambled to his feet, only to stumble hard and land square on his butt. Just watching him made Rian wince in sympathy.

Seeing him make a fool of himself, she reached out helplessly. Just like when they were kids, she pulled him up from the ground after a nasty fall.

The current situation perfectly mirrored scenes from his childhood memories. Ash froze for a moment before placing his hand in hers, using her grip to pull himself up. Rian supported him by his arm, letting him lean his weight against her as they walked toward the main road.

They even received quite a few compliments from bystanders as they passed. Just like that, Ash made it out of the crowd with a bright red face.

Seeing Miss Sinclair, Ethan quickly hurried over and took the reeking Ash off her hands. He dumped the drunken man into the backseat and looked at Rian apologetically. “Miss Sinclair, I’m afraid you’ll have to take the passenger seat.”

Rian didn’t say anything. She opened the door and got in, so thoroughly exasperated by Ash that she didn’t want to utter another word.

Ethan got into the driver’s seat. Catching a glimpse of her resting with her eyes closed, he stayed silent for a moment before carefully leaning over to buckle her seatbelt.

Sensing someone approaching, Rian opened her eyes and saw Ethan hovering inches away. He froze instantly, then immediately sprang back into his seat. Rian gave him a puzzled look, snapped the seatbelt into place herself, and drawled with half-closed eyes, “Thanks.”

Ethan responded with a soft grunt of acknowledgment. Rian didn’t think much of his actions. After all, he was a butler purchased from the System Store; his loyalty to her had been strictly verified by the System itself.

Rian had actually drunk much more than Ash, and her head was feeling a bit heavy, so she simply rolled down the car window.

The cool breeze drifted in, ruffling her hair.

As she enjoyed the wind against her face, Ethan drove at a steady, leisurely pace. The night scenery outside the window possessed a unique charm. The breeze blew away their drunkenness and cooled off everyone’s heated emotions.

In the backseat, Ash was thrashing around like a wild monkey. She realized that his earlier moment of sobriety had just been an illusion. Fortunately, he was only acting crazy all by himself now and wasn’t causing another public scene.

Although Ash didn’t bother Ethan while he was driving, a giant face and head suddenly popped up on Rian’s left side. Rian tolerated it for as long as she could before reaching out in disgust to shove his face away. Just looking at him right now annoyed her.

But Ash tirelessly leaned over again. She held back over and over, until she finally reached her absolute limit and gave him a hard smack on the head.

Glaring at him, she snapped, “Sit properly!”

It was hard to tell if Ash was hurting from the smack or intimidated by Rian’s harsh tone. He sat obediently in the backseat looking pitiful, completely resembling a bullied little fox. Rian didn’t care what kind of expression he was making. As long as he stopped acting crazy, she was thankful enough.

After they arrived at the villa, Ethan tossed the drunk Ash onto his bed.

Rian leaned against the doorframe of Ash’s room, glanced inside, and asked coldly, “Is he done throwing a fit?”

Ethan smoothed out his own slightly messy hair. “He’s still a bit fussy. We’ll just have Auntie Alden keep an eye on his room later.”

Rian rubbed her temples. Ash’s antics had really left her dumbfounded. He was a total lightweight. She then returned to her own room to wash up and go to sleep.

Early the next morning, the System’s voice chimed right on time.

[You are currently at a valid sign-in location. Does the Host wish to sign in now?]

“Sign in,” she replied.

[Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the Host on acquiring a modern luxury mansion in Oakhaven Hills.]

The properties she obtained from signing in were all managed by Donovan Sinclair, so she didn’t even know exactly how many assets were under her name now.

Due to Ash’s drunken incident that night, Rian was recognized once again and went viral on the internet for quite a while. Her follower count skyrocketed. The original video was also leaked, making Ash’s ridiculous antics go viral as well. Consequently, many people gained a better understanding of him.

However, Ash had acted so crazy that night that anyone who didn’t already know him wouldn’t even be able to recognize him. Meanwhile, Ash took advantage of his free time—and some money—to get his driver’s license in short order.

When Rian first heard that Ash knew how to drive, she was puzzled for a good while. Later, since Quentin Sinclair managed businesses that included driving schools, she actually saw a video of Ash street racing.

She was stunned for a long time after hearing the news. Eventually, the video of Ash’s drunken frenzy was quickly replaced by other trending topics online.

Afterward, Ash regretted his actions for a long time and consciously started building up his alcohol tolerance. Initially, she was worried that the alcohol might damage his reflexes and brain, but seeing that he knew his limits, she didn’t say much.

She stopped asking about Ash’s subsequent situation and didn’t deliberately check on him. She knew he had a good head on his shoulders. However, she never skimped on his living expenses. His monthly allowance transfers were increased from a thousand or two to eight thousand.

As for clothing, the latest seasonal collections from various top brands were delivered straight to the house she had bought for him, and he would go pick them up whenever he had free time.

Just like this, for several consecutive days in Kyoro, she basically shuttled back and forth between her home and the company. Even after Donovan Sinclair and Quentin Sinclair filtered through the previously shelved contracts, there were still many that required her personal review.

One day, she and Quentin Sinclair were at a coffee shop.

She was leaning against her seat, resting her mind with her eyes closed, when her phone suddenly rang. The caller ID showed an unsaved, unknown number. Not many people knew her private number. Upon answering, a deep, magnetic male voice came through.

Rian frowned and pulled the phone away to look at the screen. She wondered if she had accidentally left her number with a male model she had ordered before. That shouldn’t be the case.

She brought the phone back to her ear. “Who is this?”

“Hello, Miss Sinclair. I am Ronan Ford, Commander of the Kyoro Central Command.”

Rian was slightly taken aback. This person’s rank was several levels higher than Wyatt Shepherd’s. She had found out about him when she previously had the System investigate Wyatt’s identity. But why was he calling her?

“Is there something you need?”

“Miss Sinclair, I apologize for the intrusion, but a certain gentleman would like to meet with you.”

Rian’s mind raced, and several faces flashed through her thoughts. “Leader Young?”

“No.”

After hearing the denial, Rian thought of Elder Collins, but quickly dismissed the idea. Given Elder Collins’ status, he wouldn’t send someone of Ronan’s rank to invite her. Then, she heard Ronan’s voice again. “It is the Old Gentleman.”

Rian drew in a sharp breath. She hadn’t expected the person wanting to see her to be the Old Gentleman. He was the person she admired the most. Upon hearing this, a deep sense of reverence welled up within her.

She immediately sat up straight. “Whenever the Old Gentleman wishes to see me, I will make the time.”

Ronan paused for a moment before replying slowly, “His side wishes to meet as soon as possible. Someone will be there to pick you up shortly.”

Rian gave a soft “Mm” and hung up the phone.

Quentin Sinclair, who was standing beside her, saw her end the call and asked softly, “Are you going to see a friend, Miss Sinclair?”

Rian smiled and shook her head. “No, I’m going to see an old gentleman I deeply admire.”