Chapter 86 - 85: The Collapse of the Sinclair Family

Chapter 86: Chapter 85: The Collapse of the Sinclair Family

Lucien did not remember how he had fallen asleep last night; no, to be precise, he did not even know when he had passed out. It was just that when Lucien woke up, he felt as if he had just been in a traffic accident, as though a truck must have run over him several times for his body to be this broken.

He lay still for a moment, his eyes still tightly closed, just listening to the steady breathing beside him. Dominic Vance was still here, his firm arm draped across Lucien’s waist, gripping so tightly that it made Lucien’s already aching waist hurt even more. The faint scent of last night’s lovemaking still lingered in the air, probably because they were too exhausted after the act to clean the room or turn on the air purifier.

He moved slightly and immediately felt the results of last night. His entire lower back felt as if it were about to break apart, and his lower body was so sore that even the slightest movement caused a sharp pain. Lucien cursed inwardly.

Thirty points of flexibility my ass, damn system.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the side quest. The "flexibility" points have been added to your attributes. Thanks to these 30 points, the host was able to wake up this early, otherwise, you would probably have been unconscious until the afternoon.]

"Shut up."

Lucien opened his eyes, the morning light piercing through the curtains making him squint slightly. He turned his head, facing the sleeping face of Dominic Vance. In sleep, Dominic’s sharp features seemed to soften a little, losing the usual coldness. But those thin lips were still tightly pursed, as if even in his dreams, Dominic did not allow himself to fully relax.

Men with thin lips are heartless.

Lucien recalled his thoughts from last night, then looked down at the arm still tightly holding him. He let out a faint, cold smile.

But what if he was heartless? As long as he was heartless to others and it benefited Lucien, that was enough.

He gently lifted Dominic’s hand, trying not to wake him. But as soon as Lucien moved, Dominic Vance opened his eyes. Those dark eyes were instantly alert, without a hint of sleepiness, as if Dominic had never been fast asleep.

"Awake?" His voice was a bit raspy, deep and low in the early morning.

"Yes... I am going to wash my face." Lucien murmured, his voice still incredibly hoarse from moaning too much last night.

Dominic Vance did not reply, only reaching out to pull Lucien closer, leaning down to press a light kiss on Lucien’s forehead. Lucien did not understand why Dominic was so affectionate this morning, but fortunately, it was not too cheesy, otherwise Lucien would not have been able to stand it. Dominic turned and sat up, reaching for the bathrobe hanging on the bedpost.

"I have to go to the company early. You should rest, there is no need to get up early today."

Lucien nodded, his eyes still half-closed. He heard Dominic’s footsteps heading into the bathroom, the sound of running water, and then the sound of the door opening and closing. A moment later, when Lucien had almost fallen back asleep, the bedroom door suddenly opened again.

"Here is your phone." Dominic Vance placed the phone on the bedside table, his voice flat: "But do not read that nonsense anymore. I have already had people handle it."

With that, Dominic turned away, truly leaving this time.

Lucien lay still for a while, waiting for the sound of the car outside the gate to echo and then fade away before slowly sitting up. He reached for the phone, his fingers still trembling slightly from exhaustion. Opening the screen, the first message that caught his eye was from Dominic Vance, sent early in the morning.

[Do not go out today, someone will bring breakfast.]

Not a single wasted word, typical of Dominic.

Lucien clicked his tongue, then opened social media. He wanted to know how Dominic Vance had "handled" it.

After looking at it, Lucien’s brow twitched, and he did not know what to say. Dominic Vance had not even called PR people or lawyers. But... his way of handling things this time was exactly like those CEOs in novels.

This world was definitely a brain-dead teen fiction world.

Lucien raised his hand to rub his forehead, looking at the official page of the Vance Corporation blatantly posting a public announcement to cancel and fully compensate for all collaborations related to the Sinclair family, effective immediately.

Damn it, it looked exactly like those guys in novels who opened their mouths to say, "The weather is getting cold, let the Wang family go bankrupt."

This post from the Vance Group was no different from publicly telling the companies and corporations collaborating with the Sinclair family that they must sever their contracts with them. Or else, they would directly offend the Vance family.

Once the shock passed, Lucien began scrolling through the comments. Public opinion was no longer discussing the rights and wrongs of Mr. Sinclair and his two wives. People were discussing the collapse of the Sinclair Group. Some gloated, some felt pity, some analyzed strategies, and some talked about power. But in short, everyone understood that this was the price the Sinclair family had to pay because Miles Sinclair had dared to touch Dominic Vance’s person.

Lucien scrolled a bit more, and below was an apology post from Mr. Sinclair, which had been uploaded not long ago.

"I would like to extend my sincere apologies to my eldest son, Lucien Sinclair, and the Vance Corporation regarding the inappropriate statements made by my second son, Miles Sinclair, recently. I affirm that those words do not represent the views of the family and the Sinclair Group. At the same time, I declare that, as of today, I officially sever all father-son relations with Miles Sinclair. All actions of this person from now on will have nothing to do with me and the Sinclair Group."

The close bond of father and son, the one who was loved and pampered... when placed on the scale of self-interest, ultimately held no value.

Lucien watched that apology video three times.

Then he burst out laughing.

The laughter was initially just a soft sound in his throat, then it grew louder and louder, until his shoulders trembled and tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He did not know if he was laughing out of satisfaction, bitterness, or pity for the original host—the child who had once endured so much humiliation at the hands of his own biological father.

"See that?" He whispered to himself, or to the deceased soul somewhere within this body: "He is willing to abandon his favorite son overnight, solely for the sake of benefit. He has never loved anyone, never. It was the same for your mother back then, and it is the same for Miles Sinclair’s mother now. Everyone is just a tool."

In his chest, a sharp pang of pain crept in, then gradually faded, as if something had just been lifted, leaving him light and at peace.

Original host, rest in peace. I am helping you take back everything, piece by piece.

Lucien sat still for a while, then continued scrolling online. He was curious to know Miles Sinclair’s reaction.

Disappointingly, there was nothing to see, probably because he had been restrained by Mr. Sinclair. Perhaps that middle-aged man had posted such a statement, but was secretly locking Miles Sinclair up, waiting for the storm to blow over so he could act out the play of deep father-son affection again.

Lucien turned off his phone.

He leaned back on the bed, his eyes staring at the ceiling. The sunlight had grown brighter, casting shimmering beams of light onto the wall. The room was unusually quiet, with only the steady hum of the air conditioner.

Is it over just like that?

So fast.

With just one phone call from Dominic Vance, all those years of humiliation endured by the original host were completely avenged.

Lucien sighed softly. He did not know whether he should be happy or sad. Perhaps he was happy, because the plan was progressing smoothly beyond expectations. But perhaps he was also sad, witnessing family bonds being so blatantly trampled by money and power.

What about me? Staying by Dominic Vance’s side, isn’t it just a form of transaction as well?

That question flashed through his mind, but Lucien quickly brushed it aside.

No. I am different, I do not love him. I am only using him to achieve my goal. Once everything is done, I will leave.

Once this world was dealt with, there would no longer be anyone named Lucien here. As for the person beside Dominic Vance, it could be five or seven other people, or perhaps someone Dominic would silence with money and abandon in the vortex of high society. As long as it was not him, that was fine.