Chapter 313: Chapter 313: Heartbroken
Chapter 313: Heartbroken?
’She knew she could only accept an arranged marriage, but she wanted some closure for all her years of pursuit. Even just one night would be enough; she would have no regrets.’
Jason Sinclair’s tone grew a little more serious. "Anna was just confused for a moment. But thanks to a strange twist of fate, didn’t it create an opportunity for you and Evelynn?" Tristan Sterling stared at Chalrton Lawrence, his dark eyes ice-cold.
Chalrton Lawrence hurriedly promised, "I guarantee nothing like this will ever happen again. She’ll be engaged before the end of the year." "Don’t let her be so impulsive again," Jason Sinclair said. "Bianca is a few years younger than her; have her learn a thing or two from Bianca." Chalrton Lawrence sighed in resignation. "Compared to Bianca, she’s certainly not as level-headed." Franklin Fitzwilliam gave Tristan a meaningful look. "Since it’s all sorted, you take over." "If you want to play, just play," Tristan Sterling said dismissively. "My luck’s been terrible today," Franklin Fitzwilliam replied. "I’ve been playing for you, so it’s all on your tab." "Fine." With that, Franklin Fitzwilliam stood up and offered him the seat.
Rachel Royce didn’t go look for Melissa right away. Instead, she sat on a bench by the pool, stretching one leg out and tilting her head back to gaze at the vast, clear blue sky. The sunlight spilling over her felt wonderfully warm.
「Some time later.」
She lowered her head and let out a long breath. Having calmed down, she stood up to leave.
Just then, she saw Franklin Fitzwilliam walking toward her.
Franklin Fitzwilliam smiled at her.
"Mr. Fitzwilliam." Franklin Fitzwilliam asked, "Rachel, what are you doing here all by yourself?" Rachel Royce curved her lips into a smile. "I just wanted to sit alone for a bit." "Are you on break now?" "Yes." "Then you can get some proper rest. Melissa’s birthday is coming up soon, isn’t it?" Rachel Royce hummed in agreement.
"This will be the first birthday you’re celebrating with her. She must be very happy."
Rachel Royce nodded lightly.
The two chatted for a few more moments.
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. "Uncle Alexander, try this one." Alexander ate it and said with a smile, "The strawberries Melissa picks are very sweet." Melissa’s eyes crinkled with laughter, and Alexander, his gaze full of adoration for the little girl before him, reached out to smooth her bangs.
He took out his phone to take a picture of Melissa.
Melissa was a natural, striking a pose for him.
"Want to take one with Uncle Alexander?"
"Yes!"
Alexander Sullivan squatted down and held Melissa in his arms. Holding a strawberry, Melissa beamed with a pure, innocent smile for the camera.
CLICK.
Alexander Sullivan snapped the photo.
Melissa wanted to see the pictures too.
Alexander Sullivan showed them to her one by one. He set their photo together as his phone’s lock screen, finding that her smiling face made him adore her even more.
Rachel Royce watched the two of them quietly.
Chloe Cheney walked over and followed Rachel’s gaze. "This Mr. Sullivan really dotes on Melissa, doesn’t he?"
Given Alexander Sullivan’s relationship with Tristan Sterling, it was natural for him to look after Melissa. But no matter how you looked at it now, his affection for her seemed unusually deep.
Rachel Royce couldn’t quite describe the feeling in her heart.
Alexander Sullivan seemed to notice something and looked up, seeing Rachel Royce standing at the entrance.
Even from a distance,
Rachel could feel his gentle gaze on her.
Alexander Sullivan lowered his head and said something to Melissa.
Melissa turned and saw her mother.
"Mommy!" she shouted.
Melissa started toward her mother. The strawberry patch was difficult to walk in, so Alexander Sullivan held her small hand to keep her from falling.
Melissa held up the basket with both hands. "Mommy, hurry and try one."
Rachel Royce picked one up and took a bite. The taste was sweet and refreshing.
The strawberries grown here were all-natural and free of any pesticides, so they could be eaten right off the vine.
"It’s very sweet."
Melissa said happily, "Uncle Alexander and I picked them together."
Rachel Royce lifted her eyes to look at Alexander Sullivan.
He gave her a gentle smile.
After they finished picking strawberries, the staff took them to be washed and made into desserts.
Franklin Fitzwilliam asked if they wanted to play tennis.
Chloe Cheney was the first to agree. "Sure! I haven’t played tennis in ages."
Chloe used to be a national level-two tennis player, but she had long since retired and only played occasionally.
"Then Rachel should join us." Chloe Cheney insisted on pulling her in, so Rachel Royce had no choice but to agree.
Chloe asked Theodore Sterling to watch the children.
Theodore Sterling grunted in affirmation.
Richard Sterling said, "I want to go cheer for Mommy."
Melissa immediately chimed in, "I want to go cheer for my mommy too!"
In the end, the group went to the tennis court with the children in tow.
The court was equipped with a locker room where clean sportswear was prepared for both men and women.
After changing, they headed 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 in; he watched the kids.
The four of them drew lots to decide the teams.
As it turned out, Alexander Sullivan and Rachel Royce were paired together.
Alexander Sullivan looked at Rachel Royce and said, "Looking forward to playing with you." Franklin Fitzwilliam chimed in, "If we’re making it a match, there should be some stakes." Chloe Cheney agreed, "So what would be a good prize?" They all thought for a moment.
Chloe Cheney suddenly suggested, "Whoever loses has to cook two dishes for the winning side tonight." Looking at Rachel Royce and Alexander Sullivan, she asked, "What do you two think?" Alexander Sullivan replied, "I’m fine with anything." Rachel Royce, of course, had no objections either.
They used a dice-rolling app on a phone; highest roll serves.
Rachel Royce and Chloe Cheney rolled. Chloe’s roll was slightly higher than Rachel’s. Chloe laughed and said, "Looks like I’m going to win today."
David laughed. "Just asking. No need to be so defensive." Tristan Sterling couldn’t be bothered with him, getting to his feet and striding away.
David called after his retreating figure, "Tristan, where are you going?"
The only response was his cold, indifferent back.
*
When Rachel Royce came down from the stage, her forehead was beaded with sweat from the heat, but she felt utterly exhilarated.
June Jennings was completely mesmerized. She rushed forward and threw her arms around Rachel Royce. "Rachel, you’re the ultimate woman! Your dancing was absolutely amazing."
Rachel Royce just smiled.
The two walked back to their booth, and June Jennings poured her a glass of red wine.
Just then, a man tried to approach and hit on them.
But he was quickly intercepted by tall bodyguards. Three guards stood around them, vigilantly scanning their surroundings and preventing anyone from getting close.
Rachel Royce downed the glass of wine, feeling the blood rush through her veins. The exhilarating rush of dopamine could so easily make one lose their senses.
She leaned back on the sofa and let out a long breath.
June Jennings leaned against her. "I’m telling you, you barely let any of your charm out and men can’t handle it. If you were actually proactive, they’d probably rip their hearts out for you."
Rachel Royce just smiled and took a sip of her wine.
"If only I had half your determination back then," June Jennings sighed again, unable to help herself.
Back then, in order to completely transform herself, Rachel Royce had not only committed to fitness but also learned various forms of dance to sculpt her figure. Only she knew the sweat and hardship that had gone into becoming the person she was today.
"It’s not too late to start now!" Rachel Royce said with a laugh.
Just as June Jennings was about to say something, her phone vibrated. She picked it up and saw it was a call from Julian Jennings.
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