Mr. Hawthorne, Your Wife Wants a Divorce Again-Chapter 1039: Playing Mind Games with Her

Chief Lynch nodded in deep agreement and said with a sigh, "You were right earlier, Annie truly is a blessing to the Lynch Family."

Initially, when Mrs. Lynch said this, Chief Lynch scolded her for being superstitious and speaking without due consideration.

Now it seems, Mrs. Lynch wasn’t wrong.

If it weren’t for Ann Vaughn’s help this time, Jude Halloway might have already... 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Chief."

At this moment, Secretary Langdon entered from outside the hospital room, quickly approaching Chief Lynch’s side and whispering a few words in his ear.

The Medical Institute of J Country?

Chief Lynch frowned, "Are they trying to pressure Annie through The National Research Institute?"

Secretary Langdon hadn’t thought of this before, but now, illuminated by Chief Lynch’s insight, he sensed something amiss.

Half a year ago, J Country discovered a previously unknown marine microorganism on the deep seafloor, and research proved that a certain substance within it could effectively prevent heart disease.

Once this proof was released, it shocked the entire medical community.

Medical institutes from all countries wanted to send people to J Country to collaboratively conduct this research, including S Country.

However, J Country never loosened its grip, seemingly intent on carrying out the research independently.

Months later, unexpectedly, J Country would extend an olive branch to Ann Vaughn, inviting her to join the research, even sending the basic data of the study to The National Research Institute.

This showed J Country’s sincerity.

But the biggest issue also lay in the word "sincerity."

"That’s odd, Old Linden. I remember you said just two days ago that Old Heston wanted to recruit Annie into The National Research Institute, but Annie refused?" Mrs. Lynch asked curiously, "How did J Country find out about this? And approached Old Heston directly?"

Chief Lynch’s expression grew solemn, "Old Heston indeed only mentioned this to me, but he was set on Annie joining The National Research Institute from the start, so he filed the employment application for her early on. As for the person who leaked that application... Old Heston has already identified them."

The fact that a place like The National Research Institute could have moles from other countries planted in it was a significant oversight.

But fortunately, the research data inside the institute required clearance to access, so no information has leaked out.

And that mole could interact with Dean Hale and remained undiscovered for so many years, which shows he was cautious and held a not-so-low position within The National Research Institute.

However, even that mole probably didn’t expect that their well-hidden operation would ultimately lead to a comprehensive defeat because they misjudged Ann Vaughn’s choice.

Mrs. Lynch’s heart was pounding, "What exactly are they trying to do to Annie with so much effort?"

Mrs. Lynch was fond of Ann Vaughn, treating her no differently than Reese Lynch.

Hearing that someone might harm Ann Vaughn, she couldn’t help but feel worried.

"The reason behind this is still under investigation. In my view, it’s likely related to J Country." Chief Lynch turned to Secretary Langdon, "Go and reply to Dean Hale, tell him not to reject J Country’s invitation directly, but to keep stalling them."

Keep stalling, and eventually, the tails of those foxes will be exposed.

...

Villa No. 8.

Ann Vaughn was still unaware that her refusal to join The National Research Institute not only inadvertently saved her from a disaster but also helped The National Research Institute uncover a mole from another country who had been hiding for a long time.

Even if she knew, she probably wouldn’t be very motivated about it.

—Because Cyrus Hawthorne hadn’t interacted with her for two whole days.

Ann Vaughn spent two days chasing him around the house, using all of her charms, begging, pleading, and even acting cute, but he still didn’t even glance at her.

After going back and forth, Ann Vaughn was almost in despair.

"Clang —"

"Bang —"

Just as Ann Vaughn reached the top of the second-floor staircase, she suddenly heard a loud noise coming from Ian Yardley’s room.

Could someone have fallen from the wheelchair?

With this thought, Ann Vaughn quickly turned on her heel and headed toward Ian Yardley’s room.

The situation was even more severe than she anticipated; the bookshelf against the wall in the room somehow toppled over, scattering books all over the floor, with Ian Yardley half-buried underneath.

Fortunately, he was in the space next to the wheelchair, so the bookshelf’s weight didn’t completely crush him.

Ann Vaughn stepped forward and righted the bookshelf, and without much effort, she lifted the half-conscious Ian Yardley back into his wheelchair, then pinched his philtrum forcefully.

He had only been hit in the head by the books, and because of his anemia, he temporarily lost consciousness. The moment Ann Vaughn pinched him, he quickly came around.

Ian Yardley blinked, looking as puzzled as a lost lamb, sparking a deep protective instinct within anyone who saw him.

Yet he stared at Ann Vaughn for a long time without seeing any reaction from her, so he coughed and meekly admitted his fault, "Sorry, sis-in-law, I was just too bored alone and wanted to read, but I didn’t expect the bookshelf to fall over, causing you trouble..."

"Hmm, as long as you’ve realized your mistake," Ann Vaughn replied coolly, her delicate face showing no expression.

Ian Yardley: "..."

There was no way to respond to that.

Under normal circumstances, wouldn’t she be expected to say something like "It’s no trouble, don’t blame yourself" and make small talk??

Ian Yardley managed a weak smile, "It’s all my clumsiness, I’ll be more careful next time, and not cause you any more trouble, sis-in-law. Sorry."

Seeing Ian Yardley’s expression, Ann Vaughn felt puzzled. Didn’t she save him?

Why does he look like she bullied him??

This question was clearly answered when Ann Vaughn turned and saw the few maids peeking around the door.

— Trying to play mind games with me.

"Just in time, you all," Ann Vaughn’s bright eyes shifted, and then she gestured for the maids to come over, "This bookshelf just fell on Mr. Yardley, it’s too dangerous. Please move it to the storeroom."

"Yes, Miss Vaughn." The maids immediately began to comply upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Ian Yardley hurriedly tried to stop them, "Wait, those books..."

Before he could finish, Ann Vaughn interrupted him, "The books on top knocked Mr. Yardley out just now, so they can’t stay. If there’s another accident, no amount of burning those books will help."

Upon hearing this, the maids quickened their pace in moving the bookshelf, afraid it would fall on someone again if left there.

Ian Yardley watched helplessly as they moved the bookshelf away, unable to complete even one sentence of protest, and his spirits quickly waned.

His body was frail, and he had to rely on a wheelchair to get around. He couldn’t use electronic devices like phones or computers, so he could only read to pass the time.

But now, the books! Are! Gone!

And the mastermind behind it all calmly plucked a flower from a vase and handed it to Ian Yardley.

"If you get bored in the future, just count the petals. It’s safe, eco-friendly, and won’t hurt you."

Ian Yardley: "..." Wants to curse.