Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Do You Think We Have a Chance?
Chapter 286: Do You Think We Have a Chance?
Tristan Sterling’s tone was indifferent. "No matter how important it was, she’s married and has a daughter now. Of course, I will remember today’s favor on Rachel Royce’s behalf."
"Rachel probably doesn’t need you to remember it for her," Alexander Sullivan said.
"It doesn’t matter if she needs me to or not. It’s enough that I remember."
Alexander Sullivan glanced at him and didn’t press the issue. "Who do you think was behind what happened at Rowan’s annual party tonight?"
"We’ll know once it’s investigated," Tristan Sterling said.
「The next day.」
Julian Jennings regained consciousness, but he wasn’t in good shape. His mind was still groggy.
Rachel Royce, Peter Preston, and Thomas Sterling arrived at the hospital together.
June Jennings was also at the hospital.
Seeing them, June Jennings greeted, "Rachel, Thomas, Peter." Peter Preston looked at June and nodded gently.
Rachel Royce walked to the side of the bed and looked at Julian Jennings with concern. "Professor, are you feeling any better?"
Julian Jennings looked pale. He looked back at Rachel Royce, a reassuring smile gracing his gentle, handsome face. "I’m fine. The doctor said I just need to rest for a month or two and there won’t be any major issues. Don’t worry."
Hearing this,
Rachel Royce wanted to apologize, but before the words could leave her mouth, Julian Jennings said, "Don’t you even think about apologizing. There’s no way I could just stand by and watch you get hurt. In fact, I’m glad it was me who got hit. If it had been you, I would have been unable to absolve myself of the blame. I’d never be able to face your brother or Mr. Royce."
June Jennings came forward and linked her arm with Rachel Royce’s, consoling her in a lighthearted tone. "My brother’s tough; he can handle it. See? He’s fine now, so don’t take it to heart, Rachel."
Rachel Royce understood what they were trying to do, so she said no more.
Peter Preston said, "In any case, we’re truly grateful, President Jennings."
Thomas Sterling watched quietly from the side, the fingers of his hand hanging at his side tightening imperceptibly.
「Afterward.」
Joanna Sutton and Ian Quinn both arrived at the hospital.
Ian Quinn was now in charge of the investigation at the hotel. He had received a call from the police today; the investigation was proceeding quite quickly.
They had already identified the worker who had performed maintenance on the chandelier. After questioning him and reviewing the surveillance footage from that time, it was confirmed that the chandelier had indeed been repaired. It was clear that someone had tampered with it afterward.
This could now be classified as a criminal case.
The investigation now had to extend to the company’s own administration department.
"I’ll take charge of the investigation," Ian Quinn said. "Julian, you just focus on resting. The most important thing is for you to recover as quickly as possible."
Julian Jennings hummed in agreement. "Thanks for all your work." Ian Quinn didn’t stay in the ward for long. He and Joanna Sutton returned to the company together.
Thomas Sterling and Peter Preston still had work to attend to. Their companies wouldn’t be on holiday for another few days, so after bidding farewell to Rachel Royce and Julian Jennings, the two of them left the hospital room.
June Jennings walked them out.
"Alright, this is far enough. It’s cold outside," Peter Preston said to June Jennings.
June Jennings was reluctant to see him leave. It had been a while since she had last seen Peter Preston. "Peter, when does your company’s holiday start?" Ever since Ivan Alden had come to Kingsland, she had been feeling on edge, unable to visit Peter as frequently as she used to.
"In about a week," he said, reaching out to pat June Jennings’s head. "For now, please take good care of your brother."
Looking at his gentle face and feeling the warmth of his hand on her head, June Jennings felt her heart grow warm.
She smiled, two small dimples appearing on her cheeks. "I will. You take care of yourself too, Peter."
Peter Preston withdrew his hand. "Go on back inside."
As he turned to leave, he immediately spotted Ivan Alden walking toward them. The man possessed a wickedly handsome face, and as the cold wind billowed the hem of his coat, he exuded an air of frigidness.
The moment she saw Ivan Alden,
the smile on June Jennings’s face vanished, her expression turning grim.
Ivan Alden shifted his gaze from June Jennings’s changed expression to Peter Preston. Though they had long been aware of each other’s existence, they had never actually met.
The moment Peter Preston saw Ivan Alden, he knew who he was.
Thomas Sterling eyed Ivan Alden warily.
"You must be Mr. Peter Preston," Ivan Alden said, taking the initiative to greet him.
Peter Preston met Ivan Alden’s gaze, his own eyes unreadable. He watched as Ivan removed a black glove and extended his hand. "A pleasure to meet you. I’m Ivan Alden, June’s ex-husband."
Peter Preston shook it. "Are you here at the hospital to see a friend, Mr. Alden?"
"I heard President Jennings was injured, so I came to see him," Ivan Alden said.
News of the major accident at Rowan’s annual party the previous night had already spread throughout the industry.
June Jennings cut in, "My brother doesn’t need your visit. You should leave!"
Ivan Alden turned to June Jennings, his tone still one of concern despite her coldness. "So, is your brother all right?"
"He’s fine," June Jennings said.
"As long as he’s okay, that’s all that matters," Ivan Alden replied.
Not wanting to speak with Ivan Alden any further, June Jennings said goodbye to Peter Preston and Thomas Sterling, then turned and headed for the elevators.
After June Jennings had left,
Peter Preston said to Thomas Sterling, "Thomas, let’s go."
The two of them departed.
Suddenly, Ivan Alden called out, "Mr. Preston."
Peter Preston paused and looked back at him. "Is there something else, Mr. Alden?"
With a mild expression, Ivan Alden said, "A man as exceptional as you actually has better choices."
"My affairs are not your concern, Mr. Alden."
Then, Peter Preston and Thomas Sterling got into the car and left the hospital.
Today, Thomas Sterling was riding in Peter Preston’s car.
"Ivan Alden is trouble," Thomas Sterling said. "He clearly still has feelings for June Jennings. You need to be careful of him."
"I can see that. But Rachel said he’s returning to the United States after the New Year."
"The Alden Family’s businesses are primarily in the United States, but they have related partnerships here as well. Thankfully, the divorce was clean. With June here in the country, along with her brother, Ivan Alden can’t do much."
Peter Preston hummed in agreement.
「On the way.」
Peter Preston could clearly sense Thomas Sterling’s dejection.
"What’s on your mind?"
"Nothing," Thomas Sterling said in a low voice.
Peter Preston kept his eyes on the road. "Come on, you can tell me."
Thomas Sterling fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words.
Peter Preston said, "You’re thinking about how Julian Jennings saved Rachel."
A bitter smile touched Thomas Sterling’s lips.
Peter Preston sighed softly. "What Julian Jennings did for Rachel was an immense favor, a huge debt of gratitude. But you can’t repay that kind of debt with romantic feelings. The most important thing for Rachel right now is to sort things out with Tristan Sterling."
Thomas Sterling was silent for a moment before asking, "Peter... even if Rachel divorces my cousin, do you think we’d have a chance?"
Peter Preston’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. He said, "I can’t answer that for you. It all comes down to human effort in the end."
Thomas Sterling said no more.
「The hospital.」
June Jennings said she needed to go home to be with Stella, so she left first.
A doctor came in to change Julian Jennings’s dressing.
Julian Jennings looked at Rachel Royce. "Rachel, why don’t you step outside for a moment?"
"It’s fine," Rachel Royce said. "I can just stay here and watch."
Just as Julian Jennings was about to say something,
the doctor spoke up. "Let your girlfriend watch. Someone will need to help you with the dressing later."
Hearing the doctor’s words,
neither Rachel Royce nor Julian Jennings offered an explanation.
