Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Look Forward
Claire Sinclair was heartbroken. So heartbroken she couldn’t pull herself out of it alone. Suddenly, she broke down into uncontrollable sobs.
She cried for who knows how long, still unable to overcome her grief. She was so lost in it that she didn’t even notice the door open or someone enter.
Adrian Quincy strode to her side and gripped her shoulders. "You’re not coming down for breakfast. What are you crying for?" he said coldly.
"You think so too, don’t you? That I should have been the one to die, not my sister?"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" The man pulled her into a tight, angry embrace, his voice a low reprimand. "Your sister is already dead. Do you want her to climb out of her grave just to beat you up?"
"I..."
"Stop letting your mind run wild. Dry your tears and come downstairs with me for breakfast."
"Okay..." The girl sniffled and raised a hand to wipe her eyes, but the man was already doing it for her, acting on instinct.
His motions were rough, but not enough to hurt her. He just wanted to wipe away the tears that pained him to see.
’Silly woman. Why would she suddenly think of something like this out of the blue?’
"Did someone say something to you?"
"No, I was just letting my imagination run wild."
Adrian Quincy’s voice was grave. "You’re asking for a death wish. If your enemies knew you were this fragile, they could use your sister’s death to drive you to suicide. Stop dwelling on a past that can’t be changed. Look forward."
"I understand," Claire Sinclair readily conceded.
No one had ever taught her what she should and shouldn’t do before. Now, someone was suddenly willing to guide her, and she felt a deep sense of comfort.
"Get dressed. I’ll be waiting for you in the dining room." After wiping away her tears, the man left.
It was only then that Claire Sinclair belatedly realized she wasn’t properly dressed...
’Honestly, what on earth was I thinking!’
...
「Outside the room.」
Nancy Lockwood was waiting by the door. When she saw Adrian Quincy emerge, she looked as if she was about to speak.
Adrian Quincy spoke first. "Don’t ever say something like that to her again. She’s Quinn’s sister. No one in this world is more devastated than she is."
Nancy Lockwood nodded in acknowledgment of her error. "Yes."
"Find out everything that happened to her yesterday. Report every last detail to me. I’ll handle this personally."
"Yes!" Nancy Lockwood affirmed.
Adrian Quincy walked away without looking back.
Nancy Lockwood watched his retreating back, a guilty look in her eyes.
...
Breakfast was simple: noodles, steamed buns, milk, and eggs.
Claire Sinclair never imagined that breakfast at Quincy Manor would be this simple. She had expected something on par with a state banquet.
Adrian Quincy had noodles for breakfast, and he didn’t eat much—just a small plate.
He pushed his leftover eggs, milk, and steamed bun toward the girl. "Finish these."
"Do I have to?" asked Claire Sinclair.
"Anyone who wastes food has to run 3,000 meters, and their breakfast is halved the next day. That’s the rule at Quincy Manor. As long as you eat here, you follow it."
"But you’re the one who couldn’t finish! I already ate all of mine."
"I gave them to you, so they’re yours now."
"..." ’Jerk!’
Annoyed, Claire Sinclair snatched up an egg and cracked it forcefully. "I’d rather die than eat breakfast here again!" she said through gritted teeth. "It’s not even good, and you’re making me eat so much!"
A slight smile touched Adrian Quincy’s lips. He raised a large hand and placed it on her head. "This is what we eat in the military. You need to get used to it. In a tougher environment, you might not even get noodles."
"..." Claire Sinclair shook her head, trying to dislodge his large hand.
Adrian Quincy simply moved his hand away and placed it right back. Like two playful children, they were thoroughly enjoying the game.