Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The Second Miss is Causing Amusement Again

Alex Warren was dumbfounded, unable to react for a good while.

“She can’t be…” He struggled to find the right word, finally settling on two tactful ones: “So… simple?”

Ethan Lowell walked over to where Aurora Sinclair had been sitting, sank to the ground, and pillowed his arms behind his head, gazing quietly at the vast, cloudless blue sky.

“You might not believe it if one or two people say so, but what if everyone around you says it? Would you believe it then?”

“Yeah, I would…” Alex Warren understood what he meant. He sat down casually beside him, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and offered one to Ethan Lowell.

“Only people who have experienced true pain learn to be so cautious…”

Alex Warren froze. He suddenly saw a flicker of self-mockery in Ethan Lowell’s eyes.

’What’s gotten into him?’

***

After school, Aurora Sinclair slung her bag over her shoulder and walked slowly out of the classroom. This time she was alone, a solitary figure deliberately avoiding the crowds.

Just as she reached the school gate, a figure blocked her path.

“Aurora Sinclair, wait up!”

Ethan Lowell stood before her, clutching a large jar of colorful lollipops. Alex Warren and the other boys who were usually with him were nowhere in sight.

“This is a thank-you gift for earlier!” Ethan Lowell looked awkward, his movements a bit stiff.

He had deep-set eyes, and the sharp arch of his brows held a hint of aggression. With his high-bridged nose and thin lips, he looked rather intimidating when he wasn’t smiling.

’Master always said people with features like his are either incredibly kind or completely ruthless. But from the looks of it, he must be one of the kind ones.’

Aurora Sinclair looked down at the candy jar that had been thrust into her hands. Her expression remained blank, but she managed to say two words: “Thank you…”

A cocky grin spread across Ethan Lowell’s face. “Remember, I’ve got your back in Class Six from now on! If anyone messes with you, you tell me!”

Aurora Sinclair paused for a moment, then nodded.

Butler Sinclair, standing not far away, saw the entire exchange.

’Is a boy pursuing the Second Miss?’

Butler Sinclair’s composure instantly vanished!

He sized up Ethan Lowell for a long time, his heart a jumble of conflicting emotions, as if all the spices in the kitchen had been knocked over and mixed together. He felt torn and uneasy.

By the time Aurora Sinclair was in the car, he had already been waging a long internal battle.

He asked delicately, “Second Miss, who was that boy just now?”

Aurora Sinclair looked down at the pretty candy jar and replied meekly, “A classmate.”

“What’s his name?”

“Ethan Lowell.”

’Lowell? Could he be from the Lowell Family?’

Butler Sinclair grew even more flustered.

“Is he a new friend you’ve made, Second Miss?”

“Mhm…”

That evening, when Butler Sinclair gave Master Sinclair his daily report on Aurora Sinclair, he made a point to mention that the Second Miss had made a male friend.

Master Sinclair was practicing his calligraphy when the call came. His hand slipped, and the brush trembled, leaving an errant dot on a perfectly formed character.

“You’re saying a boy is pursuing Aurora? And he might be from the Lowell Family of Kingsford?”

Master Sinclair’s brow furrowed deeply. He wasn’t very familiar with the Lowell Family. They were in the gold, silver, jade, and jewelry business and had no dealings with the Sinclair Family.

He clasped his hands behind his back and paced around the room. Suddenly, he remembered that the Quincy Family had close business dealings with the Lowells. The Quincys were in fashion and luxury goods, and he recalled some major brand collaboration between the two families.

He immediately pulled out his phone and called his third daughter, Jade Sinclair, to ask about this Ethan Lowell’s background.

Jade Sinclair, of course, knew of Ethan Lowell. She briefly explained his situation to Master Sinclair before asking, “Dad, is something wrong?”

Master Sinclair didn’t hide anything, telling her how Ethan Lowell had waited outside the school specifically to give Aurora Sinclair some candy.

Jade Sinclair chuckled. “Dad, you’re being oversensitive! Isn’t this perfectly normal? Aurora is a beautiful girl, so it’s only natural for Young Master Lowell to give her a small gift. Jean receives gifts from boys all the time.”

But Master Sinclair was still worried. He added, “Our Aurora isn’t like Jean. She’s too simple and naive; she could easily be tricked…”

***

After hanging up the phone, Jade Sinclair spotted her daughter walking past in her pajamas. She smiled and asked, “Jean, do you know Young Master Lowell, Ethan Lowell?”

Jean Quincy’s heart skipped a beat. She thought her mother, Jade Sinclair, had discovered her crush on Ethan Lowell. She replied, her expression stiff, “I know of him. What about him?”

“It’s your grandfather! Butler Sinclair saw him giving candy to Aurora today and assumed the boy was trying to woo her. It scared your grandfather half to death, so he called me to ask about Young Master Lowell’s character! Do you know him? What’s he like at school? Does he get good grades?”

The color drained from Jean Quincy’s face, and her hands at her sides balled into tight fists.

“Jean, what’s wrong? You look so pale. Are you not feeling well?”

Jean Quincy immediately waved her hands and shook her head, terrified Jade Sinclair would see through her. She turned and ran upstairs.

Back in her bedroom, Jean Quincy grabbed a doll from her bed and punched it viciously several times, her face contorted with rage. Glancing at her phone on the bed, she snatched it up and called Stella Sinclair for help.

Stella Sinclair was the only person she had told about her crush on Ethan Lowell; she had even asked her for advice on how to win him over.

The phone rang for a long time, but no one picked up.

She immediately sent Stella Sinclair a text.

“Stella, what do I do? I think Ethan Lowell likes that hick!”

Meanwhile, Stella Sinclair was in a traditional Chinese painting class at the Calligraphy Association. The president, Zane Guthrie, rarely found the time to teach the association’s junior members himself.

Although Zane Guthrie had not yet formally accepted Stella Sinclair as his disciple, he had already publicly acknowledged her as his student.

Jensen Guthrie was also there today. He was a Level 2 member of the Calligraphy Association, with numerous pieces on display in the association’s exhibition hall for outstanding works.

His talent and skill in traditional Chinese painting were widely recognized, and he was even part of the national project team for restoring priceless ancient scrolls, making him the envy of many.

Most of the young women at the association had joined because of him. They would often approach him with their own paintings in hand, just for the chance to exchange a few words and ask for his critique.

A girl from one of the Great Families, who was on good terms with Stella Sinclair, saw she was empty-handed and quietly nudged her. “Stella, why didn’t you bring a painting?”

Stella Sinclair smiled. “I haven’t finished anything new recently.”

“I’m so jealous! Mr. Guthrie is going to take you as his disciple, and Young Master Guthrie clearly favors you. Everyone here envies you so much!” The girl’s eyes were filled with admiration and envy.

Stella Sinclair offered a few humble words in reply, but a flicker of smugness glinted deep in her eyes.

After finishing his lecture on theory, Zane Guthrie let the members practice on their own as he walked among them, offering pointers to each.

Soon, he arrived at Stella Sinclair’s side and said kindly, “Stella, there’s a major traditional Chinese painting exhibition at the National Art Gallery next weekend. You should go and learn from it.”

Zane Guthrie had high hopes for his new student. Her innate talent for traditional painting was truly remarkable; the *Child Feeding Chickens Painting* she had exhibited at sixteen was nothing short of stunning.

The entire piece depicted the child and the mother hen with such lifelike detail. The intricate, layered texture of the feathers was something that could only be captured through extensive, firsthand observation.

It was a testament to her incredible focus and talent.

Though for some unknown reason her style had changed in recent years and she had yet to produce another such breathtaking piece, he still held high hopes for her.

’I look forward to seeing how far she’ll go with her skills! If she can catch *his* eye, then it will be her destiny!’

Stella Sinclair accepted the ticket, suppressing the thrill in her eyes and offering a perfectly composed thank you.

“I look forward to you creating another piece like the *Child Feeding Chickens Painting*,” Zane Guthrie said, patting her on the shoulder before leaving with a smile.

The smile in Stella Sinclair’s eyes slowly faded. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her knuckles whitened as she gripped the paintbrush.

***

The painting class ended around 9:30 PM. The Sinclair family’s driver was waiting on time at the association’s entrance to pick up Stella Sinclair.

Sue Quinn, who was waiting by the car, immediately stepped forward to take the art portfolio from her hands.

“Miss Stella, did you see Young Master Guthrie today?”

Stella Sinclair nodded wearily, not looking like her usual self.

Sue Quinn’s brow furrowed slightly. ’Has she been under too much pressure lately?’

Once in the car, Sue Quinn turned back to Stella Sinclair and, with a smile, began to tell her a funny story.

“Miss Stella, the Second Miss was the source of some amusement today. Young Master Lowell gave her a jar of candy, and Master Sinclair immediately thought the boy was trying to court her. He even called Madam Jade to ask about Young Master Lowell’s background. Isn’t that hilarious?”

A faint smile finally touched Stella Sinclair’s lips. “Which Young Master Lowell?”

“The one from the Lowell Family of Kingsford. The illegitimate son who was officially recognized!”

Stella Sinclair froze, her brow slowly furrowing. She immediately pulled out her phone and, sure enough, saw the text from Jean Quincy.

“What is Aurora Sinclair thinking?”

A sneer touched Sue Quinn’s eyes. “I heard she put the candy jar on her desk like it’s some kind of treasure. Hmph! She should take a good look at her own station. Is Young Master Lowell someone she can even dream of?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep