Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 125: Performance

Chapter 125: Performance

INGRID

The heavy glass doors of the Sinclair Construction Corp. headquarters loomed before Ingrid Thornhill like a tempting treasure that she had no rightful claim to.

But Ingrid has never been one to let trifling matters such as "rightful claims" stand in her way.

She did it before, and she’d do it again.

No one can stop her.

Her silk scarf fluttered dramatically in the wind as she adjusted her overly large sunglasses. One would think she was going to an art exhibit instead of wreaking havoc in someone else’s office.

She disliked places like this, not because of the place itself but because of the owners. It was a reminder that her success stood on unstable ground.

Ingrid’s heels clicked against the lobby’s marble floor as she approached the reception desk. A bright-eyed young receptionist greeted her with a cheerful smile, and she was partially ticked.

"Welcome to SCC! How may I help you today?"

She didn’t like young people who kept reminding her of the passage of time and her intensifying fight with aging.

"I am here to see my dear niece, Eliana Sinclair. It’s a family matter of utmost importance, and I hope you can arrange for me to meet her as soon as possible."

Ingrid gripped her chest with her hand, her expression looking distraught and hopeful.

The employee paused momentarily, and that was obvious after hearing the name Sinclair. But true to her job, the receptionist still checked the employee directory only to return with, "I’m sorry, ma’am, but we don’t seem to have such an employee."

Ingrid’s lip twitched, but years of practice had made it easy for her to mask her irritation. It also helped that she was usually irritated the entire day.

"I see. I did expect something like that to happen." She sighed, a calculated pause to emphasize her point.

"She’s been avoiding us, you see. But we are very worried about her and have been looking for far too long."

But if it were just up to Ingrid, she’d rather never see that kid’s face. However, externally, she looked close to crying before the reception desk.

She could already see the uncomfortable gazes of the receptionists, guests, and other employees.

Just perfect.

"I’m so sorry to hear that, Ma’am. Maybe I could help you get in touch with her? Would you happen to have her direct number?" Asked the sympathetic receptionist.

"Oh, no, no. I couldn’t possibly trouble you any further. I’d rather wait for her to stop by." Ingrid waved a dismissive hand before she settled into one of the armchairs in the lobby.

She maintained her elegance even as the others looked at her with pity, making her seem like she was just trying to stay strong.

What a good way to start today’s plans.

In truth, Ingrid was waiting for no one. Since there was no way that Eliana would be here when this wasn’t even her office. What was Alexa for if she couldn’t get even that right? But this performance was crucial. It was even more important than meeting her in person.

That ingrate wouldn’t bat an eye if they were to meet as is, but it was something else to involve another person.

If Eliana’s own clan wouldn’t take her side in controversies, what more for a heavyweight like the Sinclairs? So, isn’t this the best way to irritate them into throwing her out?

But this was crucial to highlighting Eliana’s callousness. She needs to come forward and offer herself for the good of the Thornhills.

She wouldn’t be doing it this way if not for her lifestyle, teetering precariously on the edge of financial ruin.

It was rather apparent since the Chairman kept on making cuts on everything. She didn’t have to have that much financial knowledge to know that something was very wrong.

And it was even more striking when relatives started appearing like mushrooms asking for doleouts.

She did not just spend her life fighting for her rightful place, only for it to collapse like this.

If only this stupid girl cooperated and married Nicholas Bernard, she wouldn’t have this problem right now.

Instead, she went for a Sinclair. Now, it wouldn’t have been an issue for Alexa to marry a Sinclair. The problem was that it was Eliana.

The Sinclairs wouldn’t move unless that girl asked for it because they didn’t need to cooperate with other families to get benefits. They’re self-sufficient.

Anything they would do would be a favor to their in-law. But this ungrateful girl would never do them a favor.

This was partly why she needed to be married off to Nicholas, who promised to bail the Thornhills out.

And then there was the matter of her secret being exposed if she didn’t drag Eliana back to hell.

So, an idea began to take shape in Ingrid’s mind. She needed a strong enough reason to attract Eliana out of her secure domain, and what better way to do that than to use that old woman?

But Ingrid’s musings were disrupted after seeing a familiar face. It was that assistant who followed Lucian around like a dog.

She rose from her chair with the grace of a panther on the floor, wanting to intercept Oliver to create more waves.

"Excuse me," she said authoritatively, "You’re the assistant of my nephew-in-law, right? Perhaps you could help me locate my niece?" Her smile was externally polite but internally venomous.

There was no way this assistant was going to help her, which was perfect for the commotion she wanted to unleash.

"Ma’am, I am afraid you’re asking the wrong person. If you are looking for people, please consult with the front desk." The assistant was curt and prepared to move forward when Ingrid positioned herself to block his path.

Another one that refused to sacrifice for her survival. All these people who refuse to sacrifice willingly... well, Ingrid had never been afraid to take what she wanted by force.

"How... Why, why could you keep her away from us? Or is it because she doesn’t care about her Grandfather’s condition?!"

The assistant looked confused but managed to hold it together.

Good, be more aloof.

"Did she tell you to do this to her own family? Or are the Sinclairs blocking our path to seeing our family member?"

Ingrid smiled internally, thankful that this person decided to pass by at the perfect moment.

See? Even the heavens were helping her.