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Chapter 31
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Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 32
For the last few days, Anathea had been getting up early to go to work and hadn't returned until late into the evening. Xander had gone to bed without bedtime stories during her absence, and he was starting to feel neglected, which explained his sudden needy behavior toward Anathea.However, Anathea gently nudged him away and said, "Start dinner without me, Xander. I need to take care of something."Anathea had just received a customer's order details for a floral arrangement. She needed to pick out the materials to complement the venue of choice and come up with a design proposal.Xander froze. He'd heard Gregory humor him with the same excuse plenty of times whenever he went into Gregory's study. "I need to take care of something," the man would say impassively."Mom…" Xander pouted, looking like an abandoned puppy. "It's been so long since you spent time with me. Can't you have dinner with me tonight?"Anathea grew exasperated when she saw the tears in Xander's eyes. He looked
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 33
For a moment, the air went still, and the tension at the dining table thickened. Most of it came from Gregory, though it lasted only a few seconds before he returned to eating his dinner in silence.Xander blinked and wondered if he'd said something wrong.Natalie was the first to break the silence, sounding baffled as she mused, "I didn't think you'd find a job, Ms. Jacobson. Are you…worried that the Sinclairs can't provide for you?"Anathea heard the provocation in Natalie's words, yet smiled and said, "Yes."Even if the Sinclairs gave her 100 thousand dollars every month, it would take her two and a half years to come up with the money for Fiona's surgery. But Anathea didn't feel like bringing this up.Natalie was surprised by Anathea's frankness. She went still at first but quickly regained her composure. She gave Gregory a subtle look and said, "I'm assuming you haven't told Greg about your new job, Ms. Jacobson."Anathea didn't think telling Gregory about her new job was ne
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 34
Anathea's brows furrowed at Gregory's tone. He hadn't been all that surprised or angry when he first learned about her recent employment, so why was he getting so worked up now? It was as if he'd turned into a different person entirely.He stared at her intently as if he could see through her and continued darkly, "Or is this another one of your dirty tricks?"Anathea was used to hearing his accusations, and she wasn't in the mood to explain herself. She raised a hand and shoved him away. "It's none of your business. If you're done throwing a fit, Mr. Sinclair, I suggest you leave.""Why should I leave? This is my room, after all," Gregory countered, his gaze growing more suspicious as he assessed her. "I presume you're in a hurry to get rid of me because you're hiding some big, dark secret."Anathea didn't, and she had no desire to understand the inner workings of Gregory's twisted mind. But at that moment, her phone chimed with a new message. Gregory snatched it out of her hand
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 35
Anathea let out a muffled sound of protest. How had things come to this? Gregory's fist knotted in her hair at the back of her head, holding her still as his free hand roved lower down her body. Her eyes widened, and she immediately shoved him away as she cried, "No!"They shouldn't do something so intimate when they were on the verge of a divorce!"No?" Gregory repeated incredulously, scoffing. "Just two weeks ago, you were clinging to me and getting so riled up that you couldn't help moaning my name. And now you're pulling this pure-and-chaste act?"Anathea winced under his sharp, contemptuous gaze. She was surprised that he would say such insulting, filthy things to her."As long as you're my lawful wife, Anathea, you will not mingle with other men behind my back without my permission! I will not tolerate you getting up to any funny business!" Gregory seethed.Shock barreled through her when she heard his warning. She sensed a stronger emotion that underlined his rage—the pol
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 36
Anathea's phone screen lit up again with a text from Evangeline inviting her to the team-building event on Friday that also doubled as a welcoming party for Anathea.Anathea stared at the screen blankly until it dimmed and blacked out entirely. Only then did she pick up her phone, brace her weight on her knees as she stood, and reply to Evangeline. "I've got plans on Friday. Go ahead without me."She sent the same text to the male colleague who had messaged her earlier.In truth, Anathea had never been a fan of social gatherings like team-building events. Besides, she wanted to maximize her time to make as much money as she could.William had told her that he'd wire the three million dollars to her account the next day to help her with Fiona's surgery bills. Anathea was grateful to him, and she knew she could count on him to support them in times of need.However, Anathea spent the better part of the next day waiting to hear from William about the money but to no avail."What's g
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 37
Anathea asked, "Is something wrong?"The question spurred her colleagues' anger and prompted them to rant. "For some reason, the potential customers we've been liaising with and were close to signing contracts with us suddenly had a change of mind!""Yeah, and even those who have already signed contracts with us chose to go back on those deals. They paid compensation, of course, but what will we do with the flowers we've gotten for their arrangements?""One of the customers phoned us up and said they were only following orders. I wonder whose orders it could be and why that person is butting into something as menial as floral arrangements!"Upon hearing this, Anathea went still. She could only think of one person in Castenea who was powerful enough to go to such lengths to pick on Eden Studio—Gregory. She wasn't surprised that he'd go after the Jacobsons' family business, but for him to target a floristry studio was unexpectedly petty behavior.Why was Gregory so intent on takin
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 38
Standing before Sinclair Group, Anathea drew a deep breath and slowly made her way through the entrance.She'd been allowed entry the last time she delivered Gregory's lunch, but this time, she was stopped by the security guard. He refused to let her through without an access card."I'm here to see Mr. Sinclair," Anathea tried to reason with the guard."Listen, if I let everyone who comes here to see Mr. Sinclair through, his office would be swarming with people." The guard pulled her aside and said in a business-like manner, "I'm afraid we can't let you through without an appointment."Anathea had no choice but to fish out her phone and call Gregory, but he didn't pick up. She frowned and called him several times. It wasn't until the tenth call that he finally answered his phone, not that he seemed to be in a hurry to put her through."Yes?" Gregory asked impassively."I'd like to speak to you. Are you free now?" Anathea asked.Gregory seemed to know the reason for her visit. H
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 39
A million questions bubbled up in Anathea's mind, but she resisted the urge to ask them and shook her head. "Nothing."Gregory stared at her for a few seconds. When he found nothing amiss in her expression, he took her word for it and sat on the couch. He crossed his legs casually and said, "Cut to the chase."He spoke to her so indifferently that she might as well be a stranger. His treatment of her now was worlds apart from last night when he'd pinned her against the door and degraded her.For a moment, Anathea couldn't tell which was the real Gregory, not that it mattered now. She had come here for a purpose."Mr. Sinclair," Anathea began.However, Gregory snorted as soon as the words left her mouth. "Oh, are you addressing me as 'Mr. Sinclair' now? You had no trouble calling me by my first name last night."Stumped as Anathea was by his sarcasm, she maintained a placid expression and said courteously, "I came here to apologize for overstepping last night. I should have known
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Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 166
This had been the most relaxing day since Hannah had wrapped up her latest project.But the moment she spotted a black Bentley parked just ahead, her heart, which had finally settled, suddenly shot up into her throat. Her grip on Anathea's arm tightened instinctively."What's wrong?" Anathea stopped and looked at her in confusion."I, uh… just remembered I've got something urgent to take care of." Hannah's tone sounded a little awkward.But Anathea didn't think much of it. Given Hannah's line of work, sudden plans were common. "Okay, go ahead. I'll get the markers for Chloe myself.""Oh, can you also take Chloe home? Don't let her sneak out." Hannah grasped her hand, looking serious. "You know how scary some obsessed fans can be. If they found out I had a daughter…""Don't worry. I understand." Anathea nodded. "I'll take her home and be with her. She'll be safe."The apartment's security was tighter than the hospital's."Thanks, Thea." With that, Hannah turned and walked off. S
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 165
Anathea was surprised herself. Before she'd found out about the pregnancy, her morning sickness had been unbearable, but now that she knew, it had gradually faded. And after she'd left Castenea, it had almost disappeared completely.When she was pregnant with Xander, she'd been violently sick. It was so bad that she'd ended up in the hospital multiple times. Toward the end of the pregnancy, it felt like her body was being torn apart by the chaos inside her.So, after seven months of carrying Xander, Anathea had been mostly confined to bed since she couldn't move around much.This baby, however, was far calmer. That was why Anathea guessed that it was a girl.Hannah thought so too because she'd experienced something similar when she'd been pregnant with Chloe."Looks like she's looking out for her mom." Hannah smiled as she glanced at Anathea's belly.After a brief pause, she leaned in closer to Anathea and asked, "She's such a sweet little angel. Are you really going to give he
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 164
The air reeked of blood. Gregory's eyes turned red with fury.Pain was the fastest way to awaken a man's buried hunger. And in that moment, it brought every dark instinct inside him roaring back to life."Anathea."Gregory kept saying her name over and over again, grinding it between his teeth. Even though every syllable scraped raw against his heart, his eyes only burned with growing obsession for her."No matter where you run, I'll be right behind you. I swear it, Anathea. You're never getting away from me."…"Ah-choo!"While working on her floral arrangement at Syntherra, Anathea suddenly sneezed and quickly covered her mouth with her hand."What's wrong? Are you catching a cold?" Fiona asked gently while handing her a tissue."I don't think so. Someone's probably missing me," Anathea joked as she took the tissue."Bingo!" A lively girl's voice rang out.Just as Anathea found the voice familiar, the door to the ward swung open.In walked a girl dressed in a cool little
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 163
Back then, Gregory stared coldly at Anathea's face and felt that her smile was unbearably grating. Disgust had flashed in his eyes.With a derisive scoff, he spat, "You got what you wanted, Anathea. Are you happy now?"And as he watched the color and smile fade from her face because of his words, a twisted satisfaction washed over him—like some petty revenge had been served.Since he couldn't share her happiness, she would have to bear the brunt of his rage.Only now did Gregory realize how cruel and absurd his actions had been.How could he say those hurtful words, trying to pull an innocent person into the same abyss as him?Now, those very words had come back like a boomerang, plunging straight into his own heart.Gregory clutched his chest. The pain lanced through him so sharply he staggered.His phone crashed to the floor with a heavy thud."Mr. Sinclair!" Martin rushed forward to steady him. His voice was tight with alarm as he asked, "Are you all right? Should I call th
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 162
Gregory clenched his jaw tightly.Anathea had really left him.Martin spoke up cautiously, "Mr. Sinclair, the date on the divorce agreement is from a month ago."Gregory's eyes dropped to the bottom of the page.It really was a month ago. Anathea had planned to leave him a whole month ago.At that moment, Gregory stood frozen with his eyes cast down. It was like someone had hammered him to the ground, turning him into a statue.It felt like a claw had ripped straight through his chest.And then came the voice of the one to blame, whispering in his ear, "So, Gregory Sinclair, how does it feel? You've always had someone by your side. Suddenly, it's just you. And from now on, it'll always be just you."A crushing wave of emptiness slammed into him, drowning him instantly.Gregory gripped the divorce agreement so tightly that his fingertips turned white.And even then, he didn't realize that Anathea had left him something far worse than a farewell and divorce agreement.His phon
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 161
Martin's voice felt like a dull hum, buzzing in Gregory's mind, almost as if it were going to puncture his skull.Gregory's grip slackened, and the phone slipped from his hand."Mr. Sinclair!" Jenny saw what happened and quickly caught the phone. "What happened?"But Gregory didn't answer. He snatched the phone from her hand and strode straight for the stairs.Cyrus, seeing the urgency in Gregory's movements, was confused. He'd never seen Gregory so frantic, almost as if he were chasing something.In the garage, Dexter had just parked the car when he spotted Gregory walking toward him. Gregory's face was stormy, like a thunderstorm with gale-force winds, as though everything in his path could be torn apart.Gregory was in a foul mood.Dexter immediately felt a chill run down his spine. He stammered to greet Gregory, but before he could even open his mouth, the latter snatched the keys from his hand. Gregory then marched straight to the car and slammed the door shut.Dexter quic
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 160
"Speed up," Gregory said suddenly.Dexter flinched in surprise and glanced uneasily at the current speed. It was already close to 60 miles per hour."Speed up!" Gregory ordered again."Yes, sir!" Dexter's heart skipped a beat as he pressed down harder on the gas.What was originally a 30-minute drive was cut down to 15.By the time Dexter finally brought the car to a stop, his facial muscles were twitching, and his right foot wouldn't stop shaking.Cyrus looked surprised when he saw Gregory. "Mr. Sinclair?"Gregory rarely came back this early.Gregory stepped out and slammed the car door shut behind him with a loud bang. His heavy footsteps echoed as he strode into the house."When was the last time Anathea came back here?" he asked."About a week ago. She hasn't returned since the day she left." Cyrus was confused. "Is something wrong?"Something was very wrong.That meant ever since that night Anathea had walked out, she hadn't come back. If it hadn't been for that whole
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 159
As Gregory watched Xander's face scrunch up in distress, he was at a loss.Because of his busy work schedule, he rarely had time to spend with Xander. To him, Xander was just someone he was connected to by blood. There wasn't much emotional attachment beyond that.As the CEO of Sinclair Group, Gregory could handle major projects and manage relationships with shareholders and directors with ease, but he had no idea how to handle a crying child. Right now, watching Xander cry so hard, he didn't know what to do.Xander continued sobbing while repeating, "I want Mom! I want Mom! Did I make her angry? Is that why she doesn't want me anymore?"Gregory's head was pounding from the sound of Xander's crying. He glanced at his phone and saw that Anathea still hadn't responded to his message.What was going on with her?A cold anger formed at the edges of Gregory's brow.Could Anathea really be so heartless that she didn't care about Xander at all? If she didn't care about Xander, did that
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 158
Gregory's expression darkened in an instant. He quickly stood up and called the family doctor, Mateo Nielsen, to head over to Xander's location.When they arrived at Natalie's house, they found Xander collapsed on the floor. His face was flushed bright red."Xander!" Gregory rushed forward and lifted him into his arms. When he checked Xander's forehead, he found it burning hot.Xander had a fever."Dad…" Xander weakly opened his eyes. His throat felt like it was on fire, and his whole body ached.Usually, when he felt like this, Anathea would be by his side. She would stay up all night to care for him and check his temperature again and again.He suddenly missed her. "Where's Mom? I want… Mom…"Gregory didn't respond. Instead, he handed Xander over to Mateo, who quickly started checking his temperature and running tests."Mr. Xander has been eating too much unhealthy food lately, which caused an infection and triggered this high fever," Mateo explained. He gave Xander an inject
