Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Deep-Rooted Love
「After dinner.」
Rachel Royce returned to her room, where she showered and got ready for bed.
When Tristan Sterling returned to the room, he saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing essential oil onto her skin. The lines of her back were fluid and graceful, and every inch of her skin glowed with a captivating luster.
Tristan Sterling’s gaze deepened.
He strode forward. "Need help with your back?"
Rachel Royce glanced up at him. "My, you seem to be in a fine mood."
Tristan Sterling’s lips curved into a smile. "Now that you’ve finally agreed to move back in with me, I feel like I should do something for you."
"You make it sound like you’re madly in love with me."
Tristan Sterling simply offered a faint smile.
Rachel Royce said coldly, "That won’t be necessary."
Tristan Sterling didn’t insist. He went to the walk-in closet to get his pajamas and then went into the bathroom. By the time he came out, Rachel Royce was already lying in bed with her eyes closed, resting.
He moved more quietly as he walked to the side of the bed, turned off the main light, and slipped under the covers.
The bedroom was completely silent.
Tristan Sterling stared at his tablet. It was a simple article, something that would normally take him only a minute to read. Tonight, however, it was taking him several minutes just to turn the page.
He lost track of time.
He glanced over at the quiet woman beside him.
Finally, he shut off his tablet, placed it on the nightstand, and turned off the light, plunging the entire bedroom into darkness.
As he lay back down, he shifted closer to Rachel Royce, carefully pulling her into his embrace.
Holding her in his arms, he breathed in her scent—a mixture of her natural fragrance and rose-scented body wash.
He took a deep breath, his fingers tightening around hers, and pressed a kiss into her hair.
In the darkness, the two of them, wrapped in a tight embrace on the large bed, looked the very picture of warmth and affection.
The woman, who had seemed sound asleep, slowly opened her eyes, their depths clear and cold. In truth, she had woken up the moment he embraced her, feeling the slight chill on his skin from his recent shower.
"Tristan," Rachel Royce said.
Tristan hummed softly. "Did I wake you?"
"What do you think you’re doing?" she retorted, her voice unnervingly lucid.
Tristan tightened his hold on her, his voice low and raspy. "Rachel, let’s just try to live a good life together. Let’s raise Melissa together, okay?" In the stillness of the night, his deep voice was exceptionally alluring.
As Rachel Royce listened to his words, her eyes showed no hint of emotion.
Tristan held her like that for the rest of the night, making no further advances. But at four in the morning, he got out of bed, took a cold shower, and went straight to the gym.
Rachel Royce woke up at six and leaned against the headboard, scrolling through the news on her phone.
When Tristan Sterling came back into the room and saw she was awake, he said, "It’s still dark out. Why are you up so early? Why don’t you sleep a little longer?"
"I can’t sleep," Rachel Royce replied.
Tristan walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Your company holiday starts tomorrow, and there are still ten days until the New Year. How about we take Melissa to Kaelen for a bit? We can come back before the holiday. Melissa mentioned she wanted to go there, and it looks like it’s only going to get colder here. It’ll be nice and warm over there."
Today was the last workday at Rowan. After the company’s annual meeting, they would officially be on break.
Her eyes still on her phone screen, Rachel Royce said, "We’ll see."
Tristan hummed in acknowledgment. "It all depends on your schedule."
He really seemed to go along with anything she wanted these days.
「That evening.」
Rowan’s annual meeting was held at a five-star hotel in the city, and their strategic partners were invited to join.
Peter Preston’s company was among those invited, and he arrived at the event with Raymond Reynolds.
This was the first time Rachel Royce had ever met Raymond Reynolds. He was a good bit shorter than Peter Preston, maybe five-foot-nine, with a lean, wiry build. While his looks couldn’t compare to Peter’s striking features, he was still handsome enough to stand out among ordinary people.
Combined with the allure of his current net worth—the inherent charisma that comes with wealth—he was certainly attractive. However, his money had also steeped him in an aura of vice and debauchery.
Standing next to Peter Preston, they were polar opposites.
Rachel Royce greeted him. "Peter, you’re here."
Peter Preston nodded.
The moment Raymond Reynolds saw Rachel Royce, his whole expression changed, his eyes lighting up with unconcealed amazement. "Peter," he exclaimed, "Evelynn is your sister? I’ve never heard you mention it. You kept her well hidden." A moment earlier, someone had come over to greet Rachel, and Raymond’s attention had been drawn to her. He had, of course, long heard of the famous Evelynn.
He had never met her in person but had seen her on television. Now that he was seeing her, she was even more stunningly beautiful than she looked on a live broadcast.
What he hadn’t expected at all was that she was Peter Preston’s sister.
Peter Preston had invited Raymond Reynolds to his home for dinner once, but Rachel Royce had been away at college at the time and wasn’t home, so they’d never met.
Of course, Raymond Reynolds was familiar with Peter Preston’s family situation.
Peter Preston said flatly, "She’s already married." He didn’t enjoy bringing it up, but he hoped it would stop Raymond Reynolds from getting any funny ideas. Upon hearing this, the disappointment in Raymond’s eyes was obvious.
"So she’s already taken," Raymond said, a hint of regret in his voice. "I wonder which man was lucky enough to marry Miss Evelynn." Then, he quickly extended a hand toward Rachel Royce. "Hello, I’m Raymond Reynolds. I’m about the same age as your brother, so please, call me Mr. Reynolds."
Rachel Royce gave his hand a brief, almost-touching shake. "Hello."
"You don’t mind if I call you Rachel, do you? I’ve heard your brother mention you before."
"Of course not."
"I used to watch your live broadcasts all the time, Rachel. Your insights are always so inspiring. You’re truly the perfect combination of beauty and brains, haha! I’ve noticed you haven’t been hosting for a little while, though."
Rachel maintained a polite expression. "Work has been busy, so I’ve had to reduce my hours at the station."
"Ah, I see!"
Just then, Julian Jennings walked over.
Peter Preston greeted him. Raymond Reynolds shook Julian Jennings’s hand and offered some fawning pleasantries. "President Jennings, thank you so much for everything this year. I hope our future collaboration can reach even greater heights."
Peter hadn’t told Raymond about the project Rachel had discussed with him. It was precisely because of Raymond that Peter was still undecided about it.
Julian Jennings and Raymond Reynolds made small talk for a moment.
Julian Jennings then said, "President Preston, President Reynolds, please find your seats."
A staff member led Peter Preston and Raymond Reynolds to their assigned seats.
Julian Jennings and Rachel Royce continued to chat with the arriving VIPs.
Raymond Reynolds glanced behind him, his gaze sweeping over Julian Jennings and Rachel Royce before he asked, "Peter, who is your sister’s husband?"
Peter Preston said, "Why do you ask?"
