Chapter 270 - 269: My Bottom Line
People bully the weak and fear the strong. Simon Lockwood did not look like someone to be trifled with. Standing there, he looked like a cold-faced demon. No one knew who he took after.
Old Master Sinclair was angry. When he saw Simon arrive, he was secretly pleased, but on the surface, he feigned indifference and ignored him.
Seeing Old Master Sinclair’s attitude, the others didn’t dare say anything, all pretending not to notice. Jasper Sinclair, however, stepped forward with a smile. "Simon, didn’t I tell you the time for the family banquet long ago? Why are you just now arriving? If you were any later, Dad was about to go pick you up himself."
His words were lighthearted, but they once again highlighted Simon Lockwood’s tardiness, shifting the focus of the tension back onto him.
’What an ego, showing up this late. Making an elder go and fetch him, too. He really has gotten used to running wild abroad. He has no manners at all.’
In an instant, the gazes of the Sinclair family’s aunts and uncles turned slightly scornful. Noticing this change, an unreadable emotion flickered in Jasper Sinclair’s eyes.
’If he wants to return to the Sinclair Family and fight for the inheritance, he’ll have to see if he can even win people over.’
The atmosphere was eerily quiet. Simon Lockwood didn’t argue. Instead, he calmly pulled a transparent bag from his pocket and placed it on the table in front of everyone.
The object inside the transparent bag made a faint sound as it was set on the golden nanmu wood table, now on display for all to see.
"My apologies. I didn’t know it was the Sinclair Family’s banquet today. I came to return something. I’ll leave as soon as I’m done."
Simon Lockwood’s tone was cool and detached. He had not only slapped Jasper Sinclair in the face but also made it clear that he didn’t consider the Sinclair Family his own.
The moment he finished speaking, the room erupted. The previously silent crowd began to whisper amongst themselves. Old Master Sinclair’s face turned visibly ashen and ugly. "Simon Lockwood, say that to me again!"
Old Master Sinclair was used to being the patriarch in power, high and mighty. He had long been angered by Simon Lockwood’s distance, and these words were the spark that lit the fuse.
"The Sinclair family banquet..." Old Master Sinclair repeated the four words several times through clenched teeth, his eyes wide with rage as he shot back, "So you’re not one of the Sinclairs, is that it?!"
The air grew tense and scorching. Old Master Sinclair was so angry he was gasping for breath, but Simon Lockwood remained coolly indifferent. The aunt of the Sinclair family frowned and tried to smooth things over. "Brother, why are you bickering with a child?"
"Simon just got back to the country. It’s normal for him not to be used to home yet. You have to give him some time."
The aunt of the Sinclair family turned, her expression growing more serious. "Simon, what did you say you were returning?"
Inside the transparent bag was a round, black object. It didn’t look like anything valuable. To think he made a special trip just for this. No one understood what trick Simon Lockwood was playing.
The only one who knew the truth, Jasper Sinclair, felt his face sink the moment he saw Simon Lockwood take out the listening device.
Meeting Simon Lockwood’s emotionless, icy gaze, he instinctively wanted to back away, but the pride of the Sinclair family’s eldest son forced him to hold his ground.
Seeing his reaction, Simon Lockwood let out a soft, humorless laugh, his tone light. "The gift from First Young Master Sinclair was far too precious. My family couldn’t possibly accept it. After thinking it over, I decided it was best to return it."
His words were filled with undisguised mockery. No one had the leisure to care about Simon Lockwood’s use of the title "First Young Master Sinclair"; they were all overcome with curiosity.
The Sinclair family’s younger aunt couldn’t hold back and was the first to ask, "Simon, what is that?"
This was the question on everyone else’s mind as well. Simon Lockwood didn’t answer directly, instead looking past the crowd at Jasper Sinclair. "Young Master Sinclair, aren’t you going to explain?"
He was, after all, the scion of a great family. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Jasper Sinclair quickly came up with the best strategy, forcing a smile. "Simon, what do you mean by this? I’m afraid I don’t understand."
"If this is about the Group’s business, we can discuss it in the study."
Jasper Sinclair’s smile didn’t waver, but a flicker of nervousness crossed his eyes. Simon Lockwood, on the other hand, remained calm and composed. Old Master Sinclair quickly realized what was happening. His gaze fell upon the round, black object, and his expression darkened.
But no matter how angry he was, he knew not to air the family’s dirty laundry in public, especially not on an occasion like tonight. His voice was grim as he ordered, "If you two brothers have something to discuss, go to the study. Don’t make a spectacle of yourselves here."
After speaking, Old Master Sinclair worried Simon Lockwood wouldn’t listen to him. He only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw both men head up to the second floor, and he immediately had someone clear the object away.
「Upstairs, in the study」
As soon as the door closed, the smile vanished completely from Jasper Sinclair’s face. His tone was unreadable. "It seems I underestimated that Miss Kennedy."
"I didn’t expect her to have some genuine feelings for you." Jasper Sinclair sighed, speaking with a hint of regret. "But if Miss Kennedy knew what you did today, I’m afraid she’d be heartbroken..."
Simon Lockwood’s actions today were tantamount to selling out Joanna Kennedy. For a moment, Jasper Sinclair lamented his miscalculation. ’This ’brother’ of mine doesn’t have much affection for that little starlet after all.’
’If he really liked her, how could he bear to drag this out into the open? Isn’t he afraid I’ll retaliate against Joanna Kennedy?’
Jasper Sinclair felt he had wasted so much effort and lost over thirty million. The more he thought about it, the more indignant he became. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll go after that little starlet?"
He was making one last attempt to probe him, but to his surprise, Simon Lockwood said flatly, "You can try."
The man who had been cold and distant since stepping into the Sinclair home lifted his gaze. There was no warmth in his eyes, and his tone was devoid of emotion. "If you dare touch Joanna Kennedy, I will make your life a living hell."
...
It was an arrogant, presumptuous thing to say, but coming from Simon Lockwood, it was somehow utterly believable that he could do it.
Jasper Sinclair narrowed his eyes. "You’d go this far for a woman?"
’He didn’t believe it. He thought Simon Lockwood was just trying to confuse him. If you truly love someone, you should protect them, not expose them like this. Any normal person knows to hide their weakness.’
But in the next second, Simon Lockwood’s words left him frozen in place.
Simon Lockwood’s tone was even as he spoke slowly, "Jasper Sinclair, there’s no need for any more probing. I’ll tell you clearly: Joanna Kennedy is my bottom line."
"I have no interest in the Sinclair Group, nor do I have the energy to fight you over anything. There is only one thing: if you dare to go near Joanna Kennedy again, or if anyone from the Sinclair family dares to go near her, then don’t blame me for what happens next." Simon said, "Even I don’t know what I might do."
’Clearly stating his bottom line, declaring Joanna Kennedy’s absolute importance to him...’ Simon thought. ’I would never pretend not to love Joanna just to "protect" her. That’s what weak people do.’
Simon Lockwood left, leaving Jasper Sinclair standing there, unable to process what had just happened.
After a long moment, he let out a soft laugh, a hint of faint mockery on his face.
’He had thought Simon didn’t like her, but it turned out... he liked her too much. Liked her enough to protect her with his life. Declaring war so directly—what a childish and laughable thing to do.’
’Renouncing the Sinclair family fortune... easier said than done. It would be nearly impossible.’ The mockery in Jasper Sinclair’s eyes deepened.
’He refused to believe Simon Lockwood could actually do it.’