The two got into the ride-share, and Wyatt Wallace didn’t waste a second. He pulled a notebook from his bag, then looked at Leon Sterling. "Lay out Vincent Hawthorne’s methods for me, one by one. I’ll look for clues."
Seeing his earnest expression, Leon Sterling paused before asking, "You just got back from overseas. Shouldn’t you get some rest?"
"You must be exhausted from the trip. Get a good night’s sleep and we can deal with this tomorrow."
But Wyatt Wallace waved a dismissive hand. "Bro, I’m jet-lagged. I won’t be able to sleep tonight anyway."
If he couldn’t sleep, he might as well use the time to look into the case.
"You just need to help me get the patent and the royalties back."
’The royalties from that patent should be worth at least twenty, if not thirty, million.’
’Vincent Hawthorne had to pay up. If he didn’t, he could forget about using that smart assistant.’
’There were so many cars on the market, and customers had plenty of options. A car without a smart assistant was definitely a mark against it.’
"That’s simple enough," Wyatt Wallace nodded.
The two arrived downtown. After checking into the hotel, Leon Sterling took him to a nearby food stall.
Wyatt Wallace sat at the stall, menu in hand. "This one, this one, and this one..."
He pointed to several dishes, then ran off to grab some barbecue skewers.
Leon Sterling ordered a few items and added two bottles of beer.
"Bro, you’ve really downgraded your lifestyle in a big way," Wyatt Wallace said, clinking their disposable cups. "Eating at street stalls now, huh?"
"But the food at this stall is great. Everyone loves it."
The two talked for a long time. Finally, Leon Sterling, cup in hand and face slightly flushed, asked, "Wyatt Wallace, do you think she doesn’t like me anymore?"
"She had Liam Lancaster over today, and even asked him to stay for dinner. What’s more, she’s meeting him again tomorrow."
"Is Hazel going to leave me? Does she want a divorce?"
"But she already swore to me that she wouldn’t divorce me, that she’d be with me for life. I’m still so anxious."
Leon Sterling grabbed his best friend’s hand, his own eyes turning red. He had always been so strong, but he couldn’t hold it back.
Wyatt Wallace looked at his friend’s state and couldn’t help but ask, "Weren’t you indifferent to her before? So what if you get divorced?"
"She’s so beautiful. How could I ever be indifferent to her?" Leon Sterling retorted.
From the first moment he saw her, when Hazel Sinclair gave him that sweet smile, Leon Sterling’s heart had begun to race.
After Hazel Sinclair married him, she spent most of her days at home, rarely going out except for various musical performances.
Whenever he knew Hazel Sinclair had a performance, Leon Sterling would have his secretary buy him a ticket so he could go watch.
They didn’t chat or spend much time together at home. Leon Sterling was busy with his company, leaving early and returning late every day, while Hazel Sinclair stayed home practicing her piano and violin.
She would stop at 10:30 p.m. sharp to rest, keeping a very regular schedule.
Even after three years of marriage, their relationship was more like that of roommates.
If it weren’t for the bankruptcy, Leon Sterling felt he never would have had the chance to truly get to know Hazel Sinclair.
He never would have seen this vibrant side of her.
’But now she was getting close to another man. Would she just turn around and leave him?’
"Bro, I’m panicking," Leon Sterling said with dead seriousness.
Wyatt Wallace studied him, remaining silent for a long moment before saying, "They’re just discussing business. Don’t overthink it."
"If Hazel Sinclair really planned on leaving you, she wouldn’t be hiding it. Come on, man, have some confidence!"
’What happened to the Leon Sterling who handled everything with ease and faced any difficulty with a level head?’
’He was so insecure and anxious.’
"If you really don’t want to lose her, then work hard, make some money, and have a kid with her."
"Don’t people online say that having a kid makes a woman more willing to compromise? You could give it a shot." Wyatt Wallace scratched his head, unsure of how else to comfort him.
’Then again, isn’t suggesting he trap her with a baby a little messed up?’
’After all, a woman Hazel Sinclair’s age should have more she wants to accomplish in life.’
The two drank and talked until Leon Sterling was tipsy, though his mind was still clear.
"Let’s go. I called a cab to take you home," Wyatt Wallace said with a sigh, seeing him just sitting there in a daze.
"You should really go to a temple to pray for better luck. You’ve had a terrible year. Is it your zodiac birth year or something?"
"No..." Leon Sterling mumbled.
Wyatt Wallace pulled him into the car, grabbing a few plastic bags from the stall owner on his way.
’Just in case this guy decided to puke in the car. The cleaning fee would be at least two hundred.’
He stuffed a plastic bag into Leon’s hands, thoughtfully opening it for him and rolling down the window for some fresh air.
"Is your friend going to puke?" the driver asked, watching these preparations.
"Hard to say. He’s not totally wasted, so probably not. Besides, I’ve got a bag. We’re good," Wyatt Wallace replied.
When they arrived at his apartment complex, Leon Sterling staggered out of the car and glanced at the cheap watch on his wrist.
It was already 11:20 p.m.
"I need to hurry, I have a curfew." He glanced down at himself and added in frustration, "I’ve been drinking. Now I’ll have to sleep in the guest room tonight."
"This is all your fault for insisting I go drinking," Leon Sterling grumbled, glaring at him.
Wyatt Wallace was speechless.
’Who was the one ordering bottle after bottle? Who was the one who, after a few drinks, started wailing about how his wife didn’t love him? Who was the one acting like it was the end of the world?’
’And now it was all his fault?’
’When did Leon Sterling become such a character?’
"It’s your fault I’ll have to sleep in the guest room," Leon Sterling said with a completely straight face.
Wyatt Wallace said, exasperated, "I didn’t force you to drink."
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Wyatt Wallace shoved him inside. "Get in. You’re embarrassing me."
"You think I’m embarrassing?" Leon Sterling retorted. "How am I being embarrassing?"
When they reached the 16th floor, Wyatt Wallace found Leon’s keys, opened the door, and shouted from the entryway, "Sister-in-law, could you come out for a moment?"
Hazel Sinclair, who had been lying in bed scrolling through videos, heard the shout and came out of the bedroom. She saw two men standing in the entryway and paused for a second at the sight of the stranger.
’Who was this?’
’He looked vaguely familiar.’
"Sister-in-law, he’s had a bit too much to drink," Wyatt Wallace said quickly. "I’ll help him to the bathroom, and you can help him get changed."
"Honey..." Leon Sterling called out as soon as he saw Hazel Sinclair.
"Honey, I’m not drunk."
"He tricked me into drinking. Can I sleep with you tonight?" Leon Sterling asked, looking at her nervously.