Chapter 316: Chapter 316: Why Put On an Act?
Chapter 316: Who Are You Trying to Fool?
"If you’re so reluctant to let her go, Tristan Sterling, then why are you putting on an act?" The man’s expression grew darker, and the pressure around him became heavy and suffocating.
Claire Ainsworth shot Rachel a sinister look, the corners of her lips curling into a barely-there, provocative smirk. ’She really thinks that just because she gave birth to Melissa, she can do whatever she wants in front of Tristan Sterling.’
No one had ever dared to question him with such an attitude. A man as proud and arrogant as Tristan Sterling couldn’t tolerate being humiliated by others.
Rachel would only make Tristan loathe her even more.
Tristan Sterling suddenly let go of her hand. Rachel pulled her arm back, clutching her wrist, only to hear a cold, low chuckle from the man.
"Rachel Royce, you’re not qualified to lecture me."
With that, the man turned and walked away. As he passed by Rachel, she felt a suffocating presence.
Seeing this, Claire Ainsworth quickly hurried after him. "Tristan." Rachel remained standing where she was.
The night breeze gently lifted the hem of her dress. She let out a long breath and looked up at the boundless night sky, taking a long moment to calm down.
*
Tristan Sterling suddenly stopped walking.
Claire Ainsworth froze, sensing the frigid aura around the man. She stood rooted to the spot, too scared to move, an inexplicable feeling of guilt creeping into her heart.
"Tris... Tristan." She only heard the man’s deep, dangerous voice say, "Stop following me."
It wasn’t until Tristan Sterling’s figure disappeared into the distance that Claire Ainsworth felt a dull ache in her heart.
Rachel returned to the private room.
June Jennings noticed her pale expression and asked with concern, "Why were you gone so long? I was about to go look for you. Did something happen?"
Rachel said, "It’s nothing. My stomach suddenly felt a little upset, but I’m fine now. Don’t worry."
June looked at her and quickly handed her a glass of warm water. "Here, drink some hot water. It’ll warm up your stomach."
Rachel took the glass.
After dinner.
They returned to the villa.
Rachel received a call from Melissa. "Mommy."
Hearing Melissa’s sweet, soft voice, Rachel’s heart melted. She said, "Melissa, did you have fun today?"
Melissa said, "I did! Daddy took me diving and surfing..."
Melissa recounted everything she did that day, and it was clear from her voice that she had a wonderful time.
Rachel listened quietly.
"Mommy, Great-Grandpa is sick and in the hospital. Melissa and Daddy are going back tomorrow. Can you come back with us, please?" Melissa pleaded.
’Tristan taking Melissa away was to be expected.’
Rachel said, "Melissa, you and Daddy go back to see Great-Grandpa first. Mommy wants to wait until she feels a little better before going back, otherwise the flight will be uncomfortable."
Melissa asked, disappointed, "Is your tummy still upset, Mommy?"
"It’s not upset anymore, I just want to rest a bit more. Mommy will call Melissa when I get back."
Melissa had no choice but to give in. Her great-grandfather was sick, and she wanted to go back quickly to see him. "Okay, then. Mommy, come home soon, okay? Melissa will be waiting for you."
Rachel hummed in agreement.
After hanging up with Melissa.
June Jennings asked, "Tristan Sterling is taking Melissa back?"
Rachel nodded. "Master Sterling is sick and in the hospital. Melissa is going back to see her great-grandfather."
June said, "Tristan Sterling isn’t doing this on purpose, is he?"
She looked at Rachel. Her woman’s intuition told her that Rachel and Tristan had definitely had a fight. Of course, she thought that was a good thing; it would be best if Tristan would hurry up and set Rachel free.
「The day before New Year’s Eve.」
Rachel and June Jennings returned to Kingsland with Stella.
Before leaving, the two of them bought quite a few things at the airport’s duty-free shop. It was the New Year, so of course, they had to give New Year’s gifts.
They arrived in Kingsland.
It was already three in the afternoon.
The entire city was already decorated with lights and banners. Red lanterns hung high, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere.
Rachel first went with June and Stella to Azure Cove.
She brought New Year’s gifts for Julian and Mrs. Jennings.
Mrs. Jennings accepted the gift and said gratefully, "Rachel, you’re so thoughtful. Thank you, I love it."
Rachel smiled. "I’m glad you like it, Mrs. Jennings."
Because of his injury, Julian Jennings had decided to spend the New Year in Kingsland to avoid the hassle of traveling back and forth.
June wholeheartedly agreed.
While June went to the bedroom to unpack, Mrs. Jennings went to get Stella a snack.
Rachel asked Julian Jennings about Victor Yates. Victor was now in a detention center. After several days of interrogation, he had, as expected, taken all the blame. He refused to say a single word about the person behind him.
However, they had received information from the United States that Zion Alden was inextricably linked to the matter.
Rachel clenched her fists. ’Zion Alden has every reason to do this.’
"What about Ivan Alden..." Rachel was about to ask something else when Stella walked over and offered her a piece of candy. "Godmother, have some candy."
Rachel took it and didn’t continue her question.
After a while.
Rachel prepared to leave.
Mrs. Jennings asked her to stay for dinner, but Rachel politely declined. "Some other time, Mrs. Jennings. I should be getting home too."
Mrs. Jennings didn’t insist.
After Rachel left.
June said to Julian, "I don’t know what happened, but Rachel and Tristan Sterling had a fight. He showed up in Corhaven two days ago and just took Melissa. It seems like it was a big one."
Julian Jennings was scrolling through messages on his tablet. Hearing June’s words, his fingers paused. He asked, "Did you run into anyone at the bar that day?"
June didn’t know why her brother suddenly asked about that. "We didn’t run into anyone!" Then, it suddenly dawned on her. "Don’t tell me Tristan found out too? And now he thinks Rachel is that kind of woman? Hmph, what right does he have?"
Julian stared at her, his tone stern. "Be more careful in the future."
Seeing her brother like this, June was certain he was jealous. She pressed her lips into a smile and said, "It’s rare to let loose once in a while. I just won’t go anymore."
Rachel returned home.
Thomas Sterling was also at the Royce home today. He and Peter Preston were sitting on the sofa, watching TV and chatting. Florence Preston was in the kitchen preparing dinner, and Johnson Royce was upstairs, putting Bobby to sleep.
"Thomas."
Thomas Sterling saw her and said, "You’re back. Did you have fun in Corhaven?"
Rachel walked over, pulling a suitcase. "Of course."
She put the suitcase down. Thomas Sterling reached out to steady it and opened it. The twenty-eight-inch suitcase was stuffed to the brim.
"What kind of haul is this?" Thomas knelt beside her, watching her organize its contents.
Rachel said, "All good stuff, of course."
With that, she thrust two boxes into his hands, then two more into Peter Preston’s.
Peter took them and asked, "What are these?"
"Open them and see."
Thomas Sterling opened his boxes. Inside were a watch and a men’s necklace pendant. Peter Preston’s contained a diamond brooch, a watch, and some men’s cologne.
As the two of them were looking,
Rachel pulled out two men’s skincare sets and razors. "Men need to take care of their skin too."
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