Chapter 7

As for Sean's seven-year-old child, she was actually Sean's elder brother's daughter. His brother and sister-in-law were both big names in scientific research and were often "missing" due to their work. So, he had been raising his niece as if she were his own child. That was why Wendy had to pretend she didn't notice what she touched. After splitting the eggs among them, she pulled out the sandwich and army water bottle that Victoria had packed for her. Sitting quietly by the window, she began her lunch. Sean eyed the egg Wendy handed him with suspicion. His lips pressed into a thin line as he hesitated. She didn't selfishly keep all the eggs for herself. Instead, she shared them, which genuinely surprised him and made him realize he'd misjudged her based on assumptions. However, a person's true nature wouldn't change so quickly. Such unusual behavior suggested that she might be hiding a bigger scheme. After leaving the Stowell residence last night, Sean went to the village chief's house to verify the villagers' accounts, and everything checked out. All he could say was that Wendy was already cunning despite her young age. To climb the social ladder in Bellmire City, she went to great lengths to put on a gentle facade. But this was this, and that was that. After giving Xyla his egg, he opened his blue work notebook and began writing something down with a ballpoint pen. Wyatt knew that Sean had a habit of jotting down notes related to work. Out of the corner of his eye, he stole a glance at the paper and noticed two bold words—"written apology". Sean was actually writing an apology letter to Wendy. He always had a stern expression and drilled them hard. But who wouldn't respect and admire a leader who was strict with himself and reflected on his mistakes? Wyatt grinned, showing his white teeth as he handed his egg back to Wendy. "Ms. Wendy, you can have this. I'm good." "No, really…" Wendy waved her hand. But as she tried to speak, she choked on a bite of egg yolk. Wyatt quickly opened her water bottle and handed it over. But as he did, Sean shot him a warning glare. That look had an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. Wyatt was puzzled about what he might have done wrong. Did Sean have feelings for Wendy and resent him for helping her? Wyatt felt wronged as he was just being polite. He had just seen Wendy struggle with the water bottle, but she hadn't asked anyone for help, so he didn't feel it was right to ask her if she needed help. Wendy accepted the bottle, took a sip, and felt the cool water ease her throat. Grateful, she smiled and thanked Wyatt, "Thank you, Mr. Hudson. One egg is more than enough for me." Victoria had screwed the cap on so tightly, worried it might leak. Wendy had struggled with it earlier and planned to try again later. Now, finally able to drink some refreshing water, she clung to the bottle and gulped down several big sips to quench her thirst. But soon after drinking, she felt the need to use the restroom. The train's aisles were cluttered with luggage and cages of poultry. After much effort, she finally made it to the restroom. Upon emerging, she spotted Sean standing in the aisle. His tall and imposing figure was perfectly straight and serious, resembling a statue. Thinking he was also waiting for the restroom, Wendy tried to pass by without making eye contact. "Here's my apology letter, Ms. Wendy. Please read it over and let me know if there's anything I need to add or correct." Sean's expression remained cold and impassive as he handed her the paper covered in his neat handwriting. Wendy was surprised, not expecting him to really write her an apology letter. "You've already apologized, Mr. Horton. There's no need to be this formal." However, Sean remained expressionless as he extended the apology letter forward with determination. "Apologizing is one thing, but recognizing my mistake is another. If I make a mistake, I must reflect and address it promptly." He was as strict and upright as they came. Wendy had no choice but to take the paper. Her freshly washed hands left a slight smudge on the crisp sheet. As Sean looked at her fair hands, he was suddenly reminded of how they had touched him earlier. But he quickly forced the thought away. "Xyla told me you took the letters I wrote to her. Please return them," he spoke again. His voice carried a chill that felt both oppressive and unyielding. He had only recently learned of this. Xyla was too scared to confront Wendy herself, so she approached him about it. Sean had known Xyla for half a year and had written her only four or five letters. The content was as dull and rigid as a report. They were written in a tone reminiscent of an old man urging her to study harder and stay fit. This was also one of the reasons why the original Wendy wasn't interested in Sean. However, those letters were long gone. The original Wendy burned them in a stove right in front of Xyla, who had even tried to save them. It didn't take a genius to figure out that this was all part of Xyla's scheme. Realizing she couldn't gain the upper hand, she seized the opportunity while Wendy was in the restroom to tear down the graceful image Wendy had just established in front of Wyatt. Her goal was to expose Wendy's true, ugly self to everyone. Wendy's plans for attending school in Bellmire City were clear. Besides securing a stable, well-paying job, she also aimed to cut off ties with people who knew the original Wendy. She wanted to create a new social circle where no one knew her history. After all, in the conservative and isolated 1980s, the fact that the original Wendy almost caused a life-threatening incident just to win over a man would lead to a lifetime of gossip and judgment. This would severely impact her future. Sean and the entire Horton family were on her list of people she planned to cut ties with, so she admitted it openly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Horton, but I've already burned those letters. Xyla..." She wanted to say that Xyla knew about that. But before Wendy could finish, Sean's gaze darkened, and he coldly turned to leave. His silhouette was sharp and imposing as he walked away. It was clear he had no interest in hearing the rest. Wendy didn't mind. She had already seen his aloofness in previous interactions. When she returned to her seat, Wyatt glanced at her with a hint of curiosity but still gave her a friendly smile, which she returned. The train finally pulled into Bellmire City at 7:30 pm. It was dark outside, and rain had started to fall. … At the military base, the Horton residence was quiet. As headlights shone through the colored glass of the second-floor windows, Jacob Horton, who was reading a newspaper on the couch, knew that Sean had arrived with the Stowell sisters. Sitting across from him, the gray-haired matriarch, Moira Tucket, glanced out the window as well. "They're here," she said calmly before returning to her newspaper. The topic of Wendy coming to Bellmire City for school had caused a fierce argument between Jacob and his wife, Linda Sutherland. Linda was adamant that a girl who had nearly killed her own sister should not be allowed to attend school in Bellmire City, much less live with the Horton family.