Xo Novel
Chapter 24
Chapter 24
“Sis, what’s wrong?” Shirley noticed the change in her expression.
“Nothing. You just get some rest.” Cynthia’s eyes darkened slightly as she stood up with her phone. “I’m going to make a call.”
Shirley simply nodded.
Cynthia stepped out into the hallway and dialed her father’s number.
Mr. Yates answered quickly, as always. “Cyn.”
“When did he tell you?” Cynthia got straight to the point, with no beating around the bush.
“Just now.” Mr. Yates did not hide anything from her. “Nexuria’s director called my secretary, saying Joshua is very interested in Yates Group’s new project and wants to discuss it.”
Cynthia pondered the situation.
Her intuition told her that things were not as simple as they seemed.
“Can you refuse?”
“Not really.” Mr. Yates spoke from a business perspective and explained his reasoning, “If I refuse, Joshua might become
“When are you meeting?”
Spicias
“The Neal Group suggested for us to meet tomorrow, but it depends on my schedule.”
“If it’s just about a collaboration, then go.” Cynthia quickly came up with a plan. “If he asks if you know me or if you have any other daughters besides Shirley, say you don’t know her, and you don’t have any.”
Mr. Yates hesitated, holding the phone.
Cyn was not trying to sever their father–daughter relationship, was she? Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“It might not be a good idea to say that…” he finally spoke after much consideration.
“It’s fine.” Cynthia was direct and indifferent. “I don’t want him to know my identity before the divorce, nor do I want the divorce to be difficult.”
Upon hearing the word ‘divorce‘, Mr. Yates felt complicated. Still, after much thought, he agreed.
They discussed a few more details, and in the end, Mr. Yates asked, “Can you tell me what happened between you two?”
“Later.” Cynthia used that sentence as her closing statement and hung up the phone, returning to the hospital room.
Seeing her expression, Shirley guessed immediately, her eyes full of mischief. “Did you call Dad?”
“Yes.” Cynthia did not hide it.
“Actually, he’s been missing you these past couple of years.” Shirley played the mediator.
He’s always worried that you’re unhappy and not well taken care of.”
Cynthia did not respond.
Seeing another message from her father, she replied with a tap of her finger.
Shirley’s feelings were a bit complicated. “Sis, can you tell me what exactly happened between you and Dad?”
She had asked her father many times over the past two years.
However, he always remained tight–lipped, either shifting the conversation to her studies or asking about her post–graduation plans, always adeptly avoiding her questions.
She really wanted to know.
“It’s nothing.” Cynthia did not want her to know. “I’m going to get you something to eat, and once you’re feeling better, let your boyfriend know you’re okay.”
Hearing this, Shirley’s thoughts were immediately diverted, and her cheeks flushed as she nodded.
Cynthia left the hospital, asking Jimmy to look after Shirley for the time being.
As she walked aimlessly along the streets outside the hospital, her mind was filled with the questions Shirley had asked.
Old Man Yates had done things that Shirley must never know about. If she found out, her image of her father would be shattered, as would her faith in him.