Chapter 290: Chapter 290: You’re Different from Them
Last night, when exchanging messages, Sutton Jennings learned she was going to Marinia. Coincidentally, he also had business there, so they agreed to go together.
Unexpectedly, Cyrus Hawthorne saw those messages and misunderstood... thinking she intended to elope with Sutton Jennings.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Sutton Jennings shook his head slightly, "Not yet, just a bit of bread will do."
"You’re still the same, not having a proper breakfast can easily lead to stomach problems." Ann Vaughn settled her luggage before sitting in the front passenger seat and handed over the breakfast box she had prepared in advance.
He, like Eli Sheridan, had the habit of skipping breakfast, which Ann Vaughn was already accustomed to, so she brought an extra meal box downstairs.
There wasn’t much she could do to help with the Yan Gate incident, but she could handle small matters like these.
Sutton Jennings wasn’t aware of what Ann Vaughn was thinking, as he held the still-hot meal box. His weary eyes softened, "At least Annie cares about me."
"Which of the Yan Gate brothers doesn’t wish to treat you like a god? Plenty of people care about you," Ann Vaughn thought he was feeling down, so she patted his shoulder to comfort him.
Given that Sawyer Jennings was still at the training base, it was normal for him to feel lonely.
Sutton Jennings chuckled lightly, "You’re different from them."
"How am I different?"
"Have you ever wondered why I’ve stayed by your side for over three years?" Sutton Jennings countered with a rare seriousness in his eyes.
In an instant, a subtle change swept over Ann Vaughn’s face as she met his gaze.
"Brother Shane, I understand..." After a moment of contemplation and under Sutton Jennings’ illuminating gaze, Ann Vaughn spoke, "Elliot also mentioned this to me before, are you..."
Sutton Jennings tensed up, his fingers trembling involuntarily as they held the meal box.
He had never been this nervous, even when faced with the Eight Gates coup for power.
He could only hear Ann Vaughn’s conflicted words—
"Are you planning to groom Kenny as the next Yan Gate leader, which is why you’ve been protecting us?"
"Cough, cough—" Sutton Jennings choked a bit at her words, looking uncharacteristically amusing with his usually composed face, "It’s not what you think."
He was well aware of Kenny’s significance to Ann Vaughn. Even if he once harbored such thoughts, he dismissed them because of her.
He never imagined she wouldn’t perceive it at all...
"Isn’t it?" Ann Vaughn was puzzled now, had she and Elliot both guessed wrong?
She had been pondering over how to politely make him abandon that idea...
"I got it!" Ann Vaughn thought for a moment and suddenly came to a realization, looking at Sutton Jennings as if saying, "Why didn’t you say so earlier?"
At that moment, Sutton Jennings had a very ominous premonition.
"Brother Shane, you can just tell me, I won’t laugh at you, really! You just want to apprentice with me to learn medicine, right? There’s nothing to be shy about, you have a knack for traditional Chinese medicine, I’ve always had high hopes for you!"
No wonder she thought it was strange for Brother Shane, as a Yan Gate leader, to be so interested in her traditional Chinese medicine books, eagerly learning and humbly asking questions.
She didn’t think much of it before, but now it seemed likely he wanted to be her apprentice, otherwise, why be so keen on learning it!
Back then, she tried to learn more about traditional Chinese medicine by quietly sticking around her grandfather, looking more whether she understood it or not, because seeing is gaining.
The awkwardly demoted Sutton Jennings: "..."
"That’s not it, I didn’t learn these to become an apprentice, I was doing it because..."
Forget it.
The girl he liked was perfect in every way, except her emotional intelligence was a bit low.
Sutton Jennings shelved the topic, quickly finishing the sandwich in the meal box, "It tastes good, let’s head to the airport."
"Oh." Ann Vaughn felt he seemed to have something more to say earlier, but for some reason, he didn’t finish.
Since he didn’t pursue it, she didn’t delve. Everyone has their little secrets, after all.
After a flight of three and a half hours, the plane landed at Marinia Airport.
Contrary to the bleak and chilly late fall of The Imperial Capital, Marinia was warmer, with lush greenery lining the streets and a faint scent of herbs in the air.
It’s very vibrant and lively.
Ann Vaughn stretched comfortably, "The climate and scenery here are quite pleasant."
Just feeling the fresh air here made her relaxed and content.
It could be a nice little vacation to unwind.
"Pardon me, are you Doctor Aquarelle?" At that moment, an elderly butler in a black tailcoat with a monocle approached to inquire.
Following the information given by Miss Quinn, it should be this girl in a white knit coat.
Ann Vaughn turned around and remembered that Quinn had told her someone would meet her at the airport, so this must be the person sent by them.
"Hello, sir, I am Aquarelle," Ann Vaughn slightly nodded, greeting him politely.
"You—" The old butler was stunned upon seeing Ann Vaughn’s appearance and couldn’t help adjusting his monocle for a closer look.
This girl looked so familiar...
But as time had passed, the butler couldn’t quite recall where they had met.
"I apologize for my rudeness," the old butler said apologetically before taking Ann Vaughn’s luggage, "Please follow me, I’ll take you to see the madam after we’re settled."
Ann Vaughn was about to respond when Sutton Jennings, who had just finished a phone call, returned. His eyes subtly scrutinized the old butler before speaking to Ann Vaughn.
"Can I accompany you?"
Seeing his concern, Ann Vaughn shook her head and said, "No need, you have your tasks to attend to, I can take care of myself."
The wealthiest Sheridan Family in Marinia wouldn’t believe the rumors outside and treat her unjustly over something baseless.
Besides, she trusted Quinn wouldn’t lead her into the lion’s den.
Seeing her insistence, Sutton Jennings didn’t say more, but after watching her get into the Sheridan’s car, he ordered his men to keep a closer watch on the Sheridan’s activities.
Once in the car, Ann Vaughn closed her eyes to rest to prepare for what was to come.
The old butler sitting opposite of her kept quietly observing her, but whenever a familiar visage surfaced in his mind, it would disappear the next second.
He just couldn’t recall it.
The Sheridan Residence was situated in the most expensive area of Marinia, surrounded by lakes and forests, boasting the most stunning and upscale natural scenery in the entire city.
Passing through the banyan tree avenue and a small bridge made of white jade, they could finally see the grand and imposing medieval-style building standing amidst it.
Truly worthy of a billionaire’s home, just the exterior alone could rival a palace.
Ann Vaughn thought to herself but wasn’t amazed enough to gawp around.