Sweet Wife So Charming: CEO: Hold Back Your Heart-Chapter 401: Choice

"What does the young President Sinclair mean by this?" Ira Irving placed his wine glass on the table, interlacing his fingers on his abdomen, and spoke calmly.

Zayne Sinclair sat up straight, squinting at the man beside him, smiling wryly: "I just want Mr. Irving to be somewhat prepared, so if there’s a chance, we can join forces against this skyrocketing President Sinclair."

Ira Irving raised the corners of his lips: "Do you have any grudges between you two?"

"Grudges." Zayne Sinclair sneered, "In the business world, who can say they don’t have grudges with others? I’m just concerned that as we pave an increasingly broad path, someone might not like it and come to impede us."

"I’ve heard that this President Sinclair is quite resourceful, ruthless, and malicious."

Zayne Sinclair leaned back: "Mr. Irving, don’t you think we should be prepared in advance?"

Ira Irving burst into laughter: "Indeed, I haven’t misjudged you; you have foresight and strategy in everything."

As he spoke, a dark gleam flashed in his eyes, and his voice grew lower: "But young President Sinclair, how come I remember that this President Sinclair and your Sinclair share the same name?"

"Indeed, it’s the same Sinclair." Zayne Sinclair admitted through gritted teeth.

"Since that’s the case, as brothers, why do you suppress him like this? His company’s bright future should, theoretically, benefit The Sinclair Group more." Ira Irving pretended to be naive.

Zayne Sinclair awkwardly laughed, his mind racing before he spoke to explain: "This matter is long and complicated; I’ll discuss it further with Mr. Irving when the opportunity arises. Today, let’s not discuss work or grievances, let’s drink!"

Zayne Sinclair’s quick topic shift brightened Ira Irving’s expression, allowing Zayne to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Young President Sinclair, let’s not mention personal matters for now. As for business, I have high hopes for young President Sinclair; I trust you won’t disappoint me." Ira Irving laughed heartily, seemingly in good spirits.

"Thank you, Mr. Irving, for your appreciation." Zayne Sinclair humbly bowed his head.

Compared to the lively banquet, the Rhodes family was exceptionally quiet.

At this moment, at the Rhodes family.

"Has Zayne Sinclair’s banquet ended?"

Fiona Rhodes asked the housekeeper across from her, resting her head on her small cushion.

"Yes, Miss."

"Did anything interesting happen?"

The housekeeper raised their eyebrows, glancing at Fiona Rhodes opposite him, and internally sighed.

Since Ira Irving announced the results of the bidding competition, Fiona’s father flew into a rage, berating her before confining her at home, prohibiting her from going anywhere and confiscating her phone, insisting she reflect on her actions at home.

Quentin Rhodes attempted to discreetly help her but was discovered by Fiona’s father, who severely reprimanded him and sent him to live in an outside apartment.

Fiona’s father was resolute in demanding his daughter learn from her mistakes, while Fiona became increasingly agitated since that day, unable to refute due to her father’s tough measures, leaving her no choice but to comply.

After all, she indeed lacked experience and was overly eager for success.

"There was; at the banquet, President Sinclair faced an ambush but resolved it in time."

"Did they find out who did it?" Fiona Rhodes stood down from the sofa to pour herself a glass of wine at the bar.

The housekeeper hesitated behind her: "This..."

Sipping her wine, Fiona Rhodes raised her eyebrows: "No problem, I was just asking casually, anything else?"

"That’s about it; currently, there are many online rumors about the breakup between us and the Sinclair family." The housekeeper relaxed.

This matter, Fiona Rhodes somewhat guessed, for they had a close relationship with the Sinclair family before, which Ira’s intervention directly disrupted.

"It’s okay; we’ll discuss how to handle it when Dad returns tonight."

"Yes, Miss, I’ll excuse myself now."

Fiona Rhodes nodded as the housekeeper turned and left the room.

The next day, online forums were bustling with activity.

"Hey, hey, hey, didn’t you notice that the Rhodes family’s eldest daughter was missing at the banquet?"

"Tsk, isn’t the one upstairs daft."

"Exactly, don’t you know the Sinclair and Rhodes families are currently in a rupture."

"Ira’s move was brilliantly executed, a true double whammy, wasn’t it?"

"No wonder he’s a business tycoon, silent for so long, and his appearance is a heavy blow."

"What do you think the Sinclair and Rhodes families are planning now?"

"The one above is too curious about big companies; why not focus on your work instead of poking into others’ business."

For a while, online discussions were chaotic, as the housekeeper mentioned, with topics ranging from how the Sinclair and Rhodes families would handle things, to probing into Ira’s actions, to discussing Zayne Sinclair’s birthday banquet, with endless gossipy comments.

"Director Sinclair, should the company respond?"

The secretary stood in the chairman’s office, slightly raising their head to inquire of the man before them.

Looking at the neatly organized online information, as the iPad

was set down on the table, Julian’s father said: "No need, it’s not time to speak up yet."

The secretary nodded and left the room.

In the evening, Fiona’s father returned to the old mansion from the company, with Quentin Rhodes following behind.

Given Fiona Rhodes’s recent excellent behavior, her father’s restrictions weren’t as tight as before; she was at least allowed some freedom to move around.

"Dad, should we respond to what’s being said online?"

The family sat at the dining table as Fiona Rhodes glanced at her father and spoke.

"How did you find out?" Her father frowned.

The housekeeper approached: "Miss was curious about outside news, so I spoke a sentence too much."

Her father snorted, waved the housekeeper away: "You can’t keep quiet, can you?"

Glaring at Fiona Rhodes opposite him.

Quentin Rhodes watched the father-daughter duo, lowering his head with a smile.

"Daddy, you’ve confiscated my phone; I’ve agreed to stay home and reflect, but you can’t directly send me back to the Stone Age without any news." Fiona pouted and continued to complain, "Besides, in this rapidly changing era, and given our family’s current precarious situation, if I don’t grasp some situation, once I’m let out, I’d be clueless about everything."

Fiona’s father unemotionally ate the meal, ignoring the two siblings’ antics, merely listening to Fiona Rhodes’s chatter.

Took a sip of soup and said coldly, "With your glib talk, Ira Irving wouldn’t have lost the deal."

"Dad." Fiona Rhodes was a bit annoyed and shouted.

"What, you still won’t let people speak?" Glaring, he continued speaking to the person across who had put down his chopsticks, "Why did I tell you to reflect deeply at home? So many days and you still haven’t figured it out. Let me tell you, keep this matter in mind, think carefully about how you were played, and before thinking about how to deal with Zayne Sinclair, figure out yourself first."

"Dad, Fiona knows she was wrong. She’s been doing nothing but staying calm these days. Please don’t be angry with her anymore; after all, she was dealing with an old fox who is a seasoned player in the business world. I believe she’s learned her lesson this time, right? Fiona."

Quentin Rhodes tried to smooth things over in the middle, reaching out under the table to nudge the woman beside him.

Fiona Rhodes slapped her brother’s hand, expressionless, while looking at her father who continued eating calmly across from her.

"Dad, I was wrong. I will definitely keep this lesson in mind, and I will absolutely get my revenge on Zayne Sinclair."

Mr. Rhodes raised an eyebrow, feeling only relieved, softened his expression, and said, "Good to know, now eat."

"What should we do about that issue, do we need to make a statement?"

"No need, since the Sinclair family hasn’t made a move, neither should we." Quentin Rhodes slowly spoke, serving a bowl of soup to Fiona Rhodes.

"Won’t this be an issue, Dad..."

Mr. Rhodes shook his head, "No problem, this was a unanimous decision by the board. As for whether the two families will break up, Zayne Sinclair doesn’t have that capability yet." He paused and added, "Remember, both of you, in the business world, the most important thing is interests. Focus on that and don’t worry about other matters."

The siblings nodded, and with that, the family meeting came to an end.

A day later, the two families still hadn’t made a statement online. Netizens exploded, and the media headlines were even more intense than before, with countless titles like ’The Sinclair and Rhodes families completely break up, Ira Irving is the ultimate winner’ flooding the scene.

"Unbelievable, I never thought these two families would actually break up."

"Yeah, I saw President Sinclair and Fiona Rhodes together before. Do you think their relationship is over too?"

"Hey, you up there, shut your filthy mouth. No way, my Julian and Fiona CP."

"Haha, business connections, can’t believe some people actually took it seriously."

"Hey, what are you saying? Just because it’s a business marriage, doesn’t mean there’s no true love. Have you checked how many couples truly fall in love?"

"Exactly, even not now, historically it happened too. Ever heard of Princess Wencheng in middle school?"

"...Dude, generally these alliances are just for show, okay? It’s all for the outsiders."

"No way, you guys directly hit the main point of this rumor."

At night, everyone was holding their phones. Seeing this comment, they all became interested.

"Is there gossip?"

"Hey upstairs, spill it, spill it."

"Is it true?"

"What, what, hurry up, totally in the dark here."

"Is this really true??"

...

Sinclair’s old residence.

"Is this decision really not a problem?"

"No, just release it tomorrow."

The person who received the news looked at the bustling scene on the computer, all caused by the message he had just posted, chuckled slightly, and placed his hands on the keyboard.

"Heard that the Sinclair and Rhodes families are going to officially marry."

This statement caused the internet to explode again, instantly shooting to the top of the trending list.

"My gosh, is this true, when did this news come out."

"My male god, no, no, no."

"Hey upstairs, cry a river, my goddess, sob sob sob."

"Picking my nose, just want to know if this scoop is actually real."

The man replied downstairs, "Just wait for tomorrow’s news." After typing, he logged off and deactivated the account.

"Oh my, he replied."

"Is it this explosive, tomorrow."

"Mom, I can’t sleep tonight."

"Me too, thinking my goddess will soon get married, sigh, let me be the groomsman."

"I want my Julian, Julian Julian, ah, my male god."

"Those two really aren’t suited for each other, okay, they don’t look like a couple at all."

"Exactly, is Fiona Rhodes really a match for my male god?"

"Went to bed, waiting for tomorrow’s official announcement."

On the internet, those who were supposed to sleep went to sleep, and those who hadn’t slept were righteously fighting over who matched with whom, energetically, as if they didn’t know exhaustion.

The next day, the Sinclair family’s official account released the news early, and on the Rhodes Group side, the PR department promptly shared it. Various actors and business people sent their congratulations.

Surprisingly, netizens exploded with reactions.

"Was my way of waking up incorrect?"

"Hey, upstairs, wait for me, I’m going to wash my face again."

"Ahhhhh, so lucky, my Julian wasn’t taken by the old witch, sisters, let’s celebrate."

"Tsk tsk, you business people really know how to play, all the previous stuff was just smoke and mirrors."

"Ah, my Julian and Fiona CP."

"Hahaha, who would have thought the brother refused, and the younger brother took over, rich people are really amazing, tsk tsk." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Hey upstairs, shut up, will you, your mouth is so filthy."

...

At the Rhodes’ family, Mr. Rhodes lifted Fiona Rhodes’ punishment of wall reflection.

"Miss, Second Young Master Sinclair is here."

Fiona Rhodes held an iPad in her hand, looking at the comments online, turning her head expressionless.

"I thought you hadn’t gotten up yet."

Zayne Sinclair swung the keychain in his hand and walked in dressed in a suit.

"Something up?" Fiona Rhodes glanced back at the screen, speaking indifferently.

Zayne Sinclair sat next to her, leaned over to look at it, and seeing the comments under the official blog, he smirked.

"Angry?"

"Why wouldn’t I be? Look at what these people are saying."

Fiona Rhodes threw the iPad directly into Zayne Sinclair’s arms.

Zayne Sinclair chuckled, "I’ve already warned you before, pay no attention to what they’re saying."

"But I didn’t expect their words to be so vicious."

"Oh, really? Weren’t you and big brother the same previously, enduring attacks from netizens."

Zayne Sinclair leaned closer to Fiona Rhodes’ ear, speaking softly.

"You!"

Fiona Rhodes turned her head unexpectedly in anger, her lips brushing against Zayne Sinclair’s.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the living room became somewhat delicate.

Zayne Sinclair’s lips curled upward, attempting to get closer, only to be pushed away by the blushing woman.

"Ahem, what are you actually here for?"

Looking at the woman forcefully suppressing her embarrassment and regaining her cold demeanor, Zayne Sinclair pouted, feeling bored, "These days we need to go out more, let the online comments focus on us two."

Fiona Rhodes glanced sideways, "Alright, then come find me these days."

Zayne Sinclair nodded, taking a sip of the coffee delivered on the table.

"You..."

"What?" Zayne Sinclair glanced at the somewhat hesitant woman beside him.

Fiona Rhodes narrowed her eyes, leaning back on the sofa, "Why did you come up with this idea? Will your father and the Sinclair family agree?"

Zayne Sinclair sneered, putting down the coffee cup in his hand, turning to face Fiona Rhodes.

"I haven’t forgotten the promise Miss Rhodes made in the hotel before." He smirked.

Fiona Rhodes blinked and fluttered her eyelashes almost imperceptibly.

"Since we are in a state of re-alliance, marriage is the best way to eliminate previous mistrust."

"Besides, I’ve now gotten the order from Ira Irving, with our marriage, this deal belongs to both of us."

Zayne Sinclair’s cold gray eyes swept over the woman’s lips, his heart itching slightly, his tongue pressed against his cheek as he continued, "Fiona, do you think that’s enough capital for a partnership?"

"Of course." Fiona Rhodes looked at the man starting to lean closer again, reaching out to lift his chin with her index finger, she walked over to the bar.

While making coffee, she said, "So how did you convince your father and the Sinclair family? Does Julian Sinclair agree too?"

Zayne Sinclair sneered inwardly, Julian Sinclair, I bet he can’t wait to shake you off, you foolish woman.

Standing up, he followed her, "My dad and the Sinclair family are easy to talk to, as long as the interests of both families are maintained, they all make money, who marries whom doesn’t matter."

Fiona Rhodes paused with the cup in hand, the words made her heart feel a bit bitter, she tugged at the corner of her mouth in self-mockery and turned around.

"And you?"

Zayne Sinclair chuckled somewhat ambiguously, "Me? Of course, I’m happy about it, after all, Miss Rhodes is a beauty, right? Plus, we both have common goals, if we’re not together then who else should we be with? Besides, I just saw that some netizens said we have a husband-and-wife look."

Fiona Rhodes rolled her eyes, carrying her coffee she walked sideways towards the staircase.

"Can I go up?" Zayne Sinclair followed behind, smiling lightly.

"Hmph, you haven’t become a member of my Rhodes family yet," Fiona Rhodes said biting her teeth as she walked back to her bedroom in slippers.

Sitting at the vanity, thinking about what Zayne Sinclair just said downstairs, she felt it was ridiculous, husband-and-wife resemblance, nonsense.

The hotel revenge, she definitely has to avenge it, marriage alliance, hmph, then make it a big fuss.

Zayne Sinclair sat back on the sofa, spreading his hands behind him on the backrest.

The idea of the alliance was proposed to Mr. Sinclair, though he was scolded by his own father, in the end, he was persuaded.

He later went to find Fiona’s father, and the two discussed it well, Fiona’s father heard that as long as they married, Ira Irving’s order could still be considered part of the Rhodes’. Thinking that all the previous investments could be recouped, he thought about it and agreed directly, Fiona Rhodes was the last to know.

He was quite aware of how angry Miss Rhodes was after finding out, but it was useless, his cold gray eyes deepened a little.

To defeat Julian Sinclair and take over the Sinclair Group’s position, no one can stop him.

"Ready?" Zayne Sinclair heard the sound of high heels stepping on the stairs behind him, he turned as he spoke.

Fiona Rhodes wore a fitted bright red dress, draped in a wool coat, and walked over to Zayne Sinclair opposite him with her makeup accentuated.

Zayne Sinclair licked his inner lip corner, his eyes curving as he wrapped the woman’s hand around himself and took her out.

"Where to?"

Sitting in the car, Fiona Rhodes fastened her seat belt and asked.

"Show off our love."

Zayne Sinclair chuckled, watching the woman next to him roll her eyes, the car sped off.

In the corner of the bushes, clicking sounds filled the awaiting van, which then followed behind and left.

"Eat more."

In the western restaurant, Zayne Sinclair placed the cut steak in front of Fiona Rhodes.

Fiona Rhodes took a sip of red wine, glancing around.

"Did you deliberately find someone to take pictures?"

Zayne Sinclair didn’t stop his movements, cutting a piece of steak and putting it in his mouth, "No, just didn’t stop it."

Fiona Rhodes squinted her eyes, looking at the man across from her. In this aspect, she was indeed not as cunning as Zayne Sinclair, who managed to spread the news without spending a dime.

That evening, another night of lights.

"Mamma mia, wipe your mouth, OMG."

"Excuse me, are there any boyfriends available, give me a dozen."

"Ahhh, this is too sweet, our Zayne Sinclair even held an umbrella and carried the bag for the lady."

"Don’t even mention it, I’m so bitter, eating lemons every day, I’m about to throw up."

"Oh my, Zayne Sinclair is so gentlemanly, is this a reformed playboy?"

"Wow, he’s so handsome."

"I knew our Zayne Sinclair would definitely go on the right path."

"Sisters, let’s take another look at single men, [Zayne Sinclair with gold-rimmed glasses]."

"My blood gauge is empty."

...

Since that day, the interactions between the two have continuously been exposed online, and the hot searches are filled with onlookers begging for mercy.

"President Sinclair, do you need to do anything?"

Julian Sinclair looked at the news on the iPad and shook his head: "No need, it’s just what I want."

As he was speaking, the phone suddenly rang, and the special assistant bowed his head and left.

"Speak."

"How is it, saving a step, right?"

"Yes, it’s just perfect that the time to close the net can be shortened."

"Well, I’ve been preparing on my end, let’s have tea together sometime."

"Alright."

Hanging up the phone, Julian Sinclair snorted coldly and turned over the electronic screen.

The Sinclair family residence.

"When do you plan to get things done?"

The father and son sat facing each other, with a game of Go laid out between them.

Zayne Sinclair held a black piece and placed it on the board: "What thing?"

"The marriage." Father Sinclair snorted coldly and placed a piece.

"Dad, we’re just getting engaged, whether we marry or not is still uncertain."

Zayne Sinclair felt a bit helpless, looking at his father’s slightly furrowed brows with anticipation.

"Uncertain, huh, so when’s the engagement?" Father Sinclair pressed tightly.

He didn’t care about so much; when he first heard Zayne talk about this, although he thought it wasn’t very fair to Julian, after thinking about it, he realized it not only gave his son a great chance to become the successor of the Sinclair Group but also solved Zayne’s marital affairs through alliance.

He was always watching this boy roam around, up to no good, marrying would at least settle him down even if it’s a marriage alliance to see if he’d stop fooling around.

Zayne Sinclair felt somewhat helpless: "Dad, I have to discuss this with Fiona Rhodes." Saying this, he placed a black piece on the board.

"Hurry up, strike while the iron’s hot, it won’t be so easy once the hype dies down in a couple of days."

Father Sinclair said, then looked down at the Go board, his face turning gloomy.

Zayne Sinclair stretched, a sly smile on his face like an old fox.

"Dad, I’m heading upstairs, remember to transfer the money."

"You brat." Father Sinclair, angry, grabbed a nearby cushion and threw it, which Zayne caught.

Looking at the Go board, he saw himself being cornered into a dead end and ground his teeth in frustration, this brat doesn’t even know to let his old man win a bit.

Transfer money, huh, the older I get, the worse my memory gets.

Two days later, in a particular restaurant.

"Engagement, sure, go ahead and announce it."

Zayne Sinclair looked at the woman across from him who readily agreed, slightly surprised, as he thought she would get angry again or say something to delay it.

"Are you sure?"

"What, you don’t want to?" Fiona Rhodes laughed softly.

Zayne Sinclair shrugged: "Why wouldn’t I want to? Being able to marry the great beauty Fiona is something many wish for but cannot attain, I’d be thrilled."

"Good to know." Fiona Rhodes took a sip of red wine, glancing sideways out the floor-to-ceiling window.

White clouds drifted by, it was rare to see such good weather in Vesperia at this time.

"Let’s announce it today." She turned her head and looked at Zayne Sinclair.

Seeing the expression on the woman’s face, Zayne Sinclair curled his lips slightly and tentatively asked: "Right now?"

Fiona Rhodes was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, smiling with her lips raised, and moved to sit next to Zayne Sinclair.

Zayne Sinclair wrapped his arm around the slightly coquettish woman, holding up a camera.

"Once it’s out, there’s no turning back."

Fiona Rhodes nodded, taking a bite of the foie gras that was just served.

At noon, the unsuspecting general public was fed a hefty serving of PDA.

"Can’t people just live in peace?"

"Finally had a day or two without their photos."

"Exactly, exactly."

The crowd looked at the official account’s newly posted photos, not even seriously reading the caption.

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