Chapter 301: Chapter 301: Doting Dearly
Chapter 301: Deeply Doting
’She knew full well that an arranged marriage was her only option, but she wanted some closure for all her years of pursuit. Even just one night with him, and she would have no regrets.’
Jason Sinclair’s tone grew more serious. "Anna was just being foolish for a moment. But this twist of fate created an opportunity for you and Evelynn, didn’t it?" Tristan Sterling watched Charlton Lawrence with cold, dark eyes.
Charlton Lawrence hurriedly said, "I guarantee something like this won’t happen again. She’ll be engaged before the end of the year." Jason Sinclair added, "Don’t let her be so impulsive. Bianca is several years younger than her; she should learn a thing or two from her." "She’s really not as level-headed as Bianca," Charlton Lawrence admitted helplessly. Franklin Fitzwilliam shot Tristan a meaningful look and said, "Since that’s settled, why don’t you take my spot?" Tristan Sterling replied, "If you want to play, then play." "My luck’s been terrible today," Franklin Fitzwilliam said. "I was just playing in your place, so it’s all on your tab anyway." "Fine." Franklin Fitzwilliam stood up and gave up his seat.
Rachel Royce didn’t go look for Melissa right away. Instead, she sat down on a bench by the pool, extending one leg and tilting her head back to gaze at the vast, clear blue sky. The sunlight spilling over her felt wonderfully warm.
She wasn’t sure how much time had passed. When she finally lowered her head, she let out a long breath to calm herself. Just as she stood up to leave, she saw Franklin Fitzwilliam walking toward her.
Franklin Fitzwilliam smiled at her.
"Mr. Fitzwilliam." Franklin Fitzwilliam said, "Rachel, what are you doing here all by yourself?" Rachel Royce replied with a slight smile, "I just wanted to sit by myself for a bit." "Are you on vacation yet?" "Yes, I am." "Then you can get a good rest. Melissa’s birthday is coming up soon, right?" Rachel Royce hummed in affirmation.
"This is the first birthday you’ll be celebrating with her. She must be very happy." Rachel Royce nodded lightly.
They made small talk for a bit.
Rachel Royce and Franklin Fitzwilliam went to find Melissa and Nina Fitzwilliam.
They were all in the greenhouse picking strawberries.
Melissa was carrying a small basket, with Alexander Sullivan right beside her.
Melissa picked a strawberry and held it to Alexander Sullivan’s lips. "Alexander, try this one." Alexander ate it and said with a smile, "The strawberries Melissa picks are very sweet." Melissa’s eyes curved into crescents as she beamed. Alexander looked at the little girl before him, his eyes filled with doting affection, and reached out to straighten her bangs.
He took out his phone to take a picture of Melissa.
Melissa happily struck a pose.
"Want to take a picture with Alexander?" "Yes!" Alexander Sullivan crouched down, pulling Melissa into his arms. Melissa held up a strawberry, her innocent smile aimed right at the camera.
CLICK.
Alexander Sullivan snapped the photo.
Melissa wanted to see the picture, too.
Alexander Sullivan showed them to her one by one. He immediately set their photo together as his phone’s wallpaper. Looking at Melissa’s smiling face, he felt his fondness for her grow even deeper.
Rachel Royce watched the two of them quietly.
Chloe Cheney walked over and followed Rachel’s gaze. "That Mr. Sullivan is certainly fond of Melissa," she remarked. ’Given Alexander’s relationship with Tristan, it was expected that he would look after Melissa. But no matter how I look at it, his affection for her seems unusually deep.’
Rachel Royce couldn’t quite put a finger on what she was feeling.
Alexander Sullivan seemed to notice something. When he looked up, he saw Rachel Royce standing at the entrance.
Even from a distance, Rachel Royce could feel his gentle gaze on her.
Alexander Sullivan leaned down and said something to Melissa.
Melissa turned and saw her mother.
"Mommy!" she shouted. Melissa started towards her mother, but the strawberry patch was difficult to walk through. Alexander Sullivan took her little hand, guiding her so she wouldn’t fall.
Melissa held the basket up to her mother with both hands. "Mommy, try one!" Rachel Royce reached out, picked one up, and took a bite. It was sweet and refreshing.
The strawberries grown here were all-natural and pollution-free, so you could eat them right off the vine.
"It’s very sweet." Melissa said happily, "Alexander and I picked them together." Rachel Royce lifted her gaze to Alexander Sullivan.
Alexander Sullivan gave her a gentle smile.
After they finished picking strawberries, a servant took the baskets to wash the fruit and prepare a strawberry dessert.
Franklin Fitzwilliam asked if they wanted to play tennis.
Chloe Cheney was the first to agree. "Yes! I haven’t played tennis in ages." Chloe had once been a nationally-ranked tennis player, and though long retired, she still played from time to time.
"Rachel should join us, too." Chloe Cheney tried to pull her along, so Rachel Royce had no choice but to agree.
Chloe Cheney asked Theodore Sterling to look after the children.
Theodore Sterling agreed.
Richard Sterling said, "I want to go cheer for Mom!"
Melissa immediately chimed in, "I want to go cheer for my mommy, too!"
In the end, the whole group went to the tennis court with the children.
The court was equipped with a locker room where clean sportswear was prepared for both men and women.
After changing into their clothes, they went out to the court.
It was just the four of them: Franklin Fitzwilliam, Alexander Sullivan, Chloe Cheney, and Rachel Royce.
Theodore Sterling didn’t join them; he watched the children.
The four of them drew lots to decide the teams.
As a result, Alexander Sullivan and Rachel Royce were paired together.
Alexander Sullivan looked at Rachel Royce. "I’ll be counting on you, partner."
Franklin Fitzwilliam said, "If we’re going to play a match, we have to have something at stake."
Chloe Cheney agreed. "So what would be good for a prize?"
They all thought about it.
Chloe Cheney suddenly said, "Whoever loses has to cook two dishes for the winning side tonight." Then, looking at Rachel Royce and Alexander Sullivan, she asked, "What do you two think?"
Alexander Sullivan said, "I’m fine with that."
Of course, Rachel Royce had no objection either.
They used a phone app to roll dice to see who would serve first.
Rachel Royce and Chloe Cheney rolled for it. Chloe’s roll was a little higher than Rachel’s. Chloe smiled and said, "Looks like I’m going to win today."
