Chapter 222: Chapter 222: The Fact That He Doesn’t Love You
Wyatt Sterling chuckled sarcastically and added, "Before the Shaw Family comes to call off the engagement, the Sterlings have to strike first. Don’t you agree, Father?"
This reminder sent the old man into a brief moment of contemplation.
Rhea Sterling was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes. "Grandfather, please don’t call off my engagement with Kenneth! I don’t care who’s in his heart! Those complaints weren’t what I really meant!"
Simon Sterling, who had been hesitating, turned livid when he heard Rhea Sterling’s spineless words. "You are Simon Sterling’s granddaughter, the exalted Eldest Young Miss of the Sterling family! To become so pathetic over a man, saying such gutless things... You’ve completely shamed me."
PLOP. A tear escaped and rolled down Rhea Sterling’s cheek.
Wyatt Sterling silently quirked the corner of his lips. His gaze fell on Alice York again, just as her eyes met his.
"Stop those tears! What’s with all this sniveling!" Simon Sterling rose with a grim face. "I’ll have someone find out the Shaw Family’s intentions. If that Kenneth Shaw really plans to call off the engagement, I absolutely will not let him beat us to it. If there’s any calling off to be done, you’ll be the one to do it to him."
After saying this, Simon Sterling left his seat and walked right out.
Rosalind Sawyer called out, "You’re not eating?"
"I have no appetite. Can’t eat."
Tossing those words behind him, Simon Sterling was already out the door.
Rosalind Sawyer sighed. "A perfectly good dinner turned into this... I’ve lost my appetite too. I’m not eating."
Old Mrs. Sawyer snorted, pushing herself up with her cane. "You people have so much drama in this family."
"Mom, there’s no need to say that. Aren’t we all family?" Rosalind Sawyer said, her tone displeased.
"I’m not saying we aren’t family. I’m saying you’re all too noisy, and it’s hurting my ears."
Old Mrs. Sawyer hadn’t eaten much tonight either. She left, leaning on her cane.
Rhea Sterling didn’t leave. She wiped her tears, came over to sit beside Rosalind Sawyer, and held her arm. "Grandmother, please put in a good word for me with Grandfather. I don’t want to call off the engagement with Kenneth Shaw."
Rosalind Sawyer pulled her hand back. "This is about the Sterlings’ honor, Yara. You need to understand what’s at stake."
Her last hope was shattered. Rhea Sterling’s heart was about to break too. The reason she was so worried was because she knew it was probably true that Kenneth Shaw wanted to call off the engagement.
’He doesn’t love me at all.’
’He loves another woman.’
’No matter how many years passed, she could never find a way into Kenneth Shaw’s heart.’
"If you haven’t eaten enough, eat some more. If you’re done, go back, wash up, and get some rest." Rosalind Sawyer couldn’t stand the sound of her sniveling; it was starting to get on her nerves.
Rhea Sterling stood up. Her gaze fell on Alice York. She stifled her anger and turned to leave.
’Alice York, of course, didn’t miss the look Rhea Sterling had just given her. Wyatt Sterling always goes straight for the kill. What he single-handedly set in motion would happen whether it was a coincidence or not. Maybe the Shaw Family hadn’t made a move yet, but now that he’s said what he did tonight, they’re sure to act soon.’
’This time, he was still doing this to stand up for me.’
"I’m finished. Take your time." Alice York stood up and quietly left the dining table.
Nathan Sterling immediately got up to follow her. "I’m full too! Alice York, wait for me!"
Once outside, Nathan Sterling followed behind Alice York, grinning foolishly. "I just knew..."
Alice York was quick. She pinched Nathan Sterling’s mouth shut and looked into the distance. At first, Nathan Sterling didn’t understand why Alice York had silenced him, not until he saw Rhea Sterling standing not far away.
’Whoops, I almost let the cat out of the bag!’
"Were you waiting here for me?" Alice York asked.
Rhea Sterling stepped out from the darkness. Two clear tear tracks stained her face; she must have cried again after coming outside.
"You must be happy now," Rhea Sterling said, stopping in front of Alice York. "I tried to hurt you, but I ended up hurting myself."
’I’ve taken a huge fall this time, and there’s probably no way to recover.’
Nathan Sterling pried Alice York’s hand away and said, "It’s called ’hurting others only hurts yourself.’"
"Don’t you get cocky!" Rhea Sterling’s eyes turned cold. "Tonight turned out like this all because you couldn’t keep your mouth shut."
Nathan Sterling, bold as a young calf, not only didn’t shut up, but he also made a face at Rhea Sterling. "Nyeh nyeh nyeh~"
Alice York gently pushed Nathan Sterling. "Go to bed."
This time, Nathan Sterling was very obedient. He made one more face before leaving.
With no one else around, Alice York spoke frankly to Rhea Sterling. "Third Uncle wasn’t wrong. Kenneth Shaw really isn’t worth it."
"Whether he’s worth it or not isn’t for you to decide! Even if things don’t work out between us, it’s still better than you being someone’s mistress! You’re the one who’s truly despicable!"
Rhea Sterling was so angry she had lost her head, speaking without any restraint.
Alice York just smiled but didn’t refute her.
"And Third Uncle’s attitude this time... I can’t shake the feeling he’s protecting you. Alice York, don’t tell me you..."
Just as Rhea Sterling was about to say it, Alice York, who had originally intended to let the matter drop, suddenly cut her off. "I’ve noticed."
Rhea Sterling froze. "Noticed what?"
Alice York said, "How about this? I’ll give you a little tip."
Rhea Sterling looked completely baffled.
Alice York continued, "If you really can’t bear to part with Kenneth Shaw, then cut off a lock of his hair. In the southwest corner of his bedroom, burn that lock of hair. Then, mix the ashes in water and drink it. If you do that, he will love you with all his heart."
These words made Rhea Sterling go from speechless, to skeptical, and finally to being mostly convinced.
"Does that really work?" Rhea Sterling asked.
Alice York’s expression was complicated.
A smile slowly spread across Rhea Sterling’s face. "So as long as I do that, he’ll love me with all his heart?"
Alice York pressed her lips together. "I completely made that up, but I have a feeling you’d rather drink that hair-water than accept the fact that he doesn’t love you."
"..."
After saying that, Alice York walked away.
When Rhea Sterling came to her senses, she pointed at Alice York’s retreating back. "Is it fun to trick me?!"
’What’s even more ridiculous is that I almost believed that crooked nonsense.’
...
「Back inside the house.」
Almost everyone had left. Only Wyatt Sterling was still eating, with Rosalind Sawyer keeping him company.
The food was all still warm, as no one had touched much of it. As Wyatt Sterling recalled how Alice York had eaten, his own appetite improved.
"Your appetite seems pretty good." Rosalind Sawyer could also see that Wyatt Sterling was eating well.
Wyatt Sterling said, "When you’re hungry, everything tastes good."
"What have you been busy with lately? I never see you in the morning, and you don’t come home at night." Rosalind Sawyer ladled some thick soup and placed it before him.
"It’ll be fine once this busy period is over." After speaking, Wyatt Sterling picked up the soup bowl.
Rosalind Sawyer sighed. After a moment of silence, she asked again, "Your attitude earlier... you were protecting that girl, Alice York, weren’t you?"
It wasn’t that he was being too obvious. It was just that a seed of suspicion was already planted in Rosalind Sawyer’s heart, and with a little thought, she connected the dots.
Setting down the soup bowl, Wyatt Sterling slowly turned his head. His eyes held a complex and obscure emotion. "If you want to know, you have to promise to do something for me. No matter how difficult it is, you must do it."
Hearing this, Rosalind Sawyer’s expression turned serious. "What could be so serious?"
