On the Day I Was Kicked Out of the Wealthy Family, I Had a Flash Marriage with a Tycoon

Chapter 214: Powerhouse Alliance

"Absolutely not!" Rose Lynch’s voice was sharp, her expression severe—a first for her with Esther Sterling. "Esther, I will not allow you to do anything to hurt Chloe!"

Stunned by her mother’s tone, Esther Sterling couldn’t believe it. Hurt and heartbroken, she asked, "Mom, why have you suddenly changed? Aren’t I the one you’ve always doted on?"

Realizing she’d been too harsh, Rose Lynch softened her tone. "Esther, you’re the one who’s changed. You were never like this. You used to be so sweet and obedient. Why are you so full of malice now?"

Esther Sterling was speechless for a moment. She had always maintained her ’good girl’ image for the sole purpose of making her parents love only her. But ever since Chloe Sterling arrived in Crestfall, she had slowly changed. She started losing control of her emotions, and lately, she flew into a rage at the slightest provocation.

"Why am I so full of malice?" Esther Sterling’s voice cracked. "It’s all because of Chloe Sterling! I could have let everything she did before slide, but I can’t forgive her for causing trouble between me and President Sinclair. I like him, I really, really like him. He was starting to show interest in me, but now, because of Chloe Sterling, he won’t give me the time of day.

Tristan Sinclair is in complete control now. The entire Sinclair Family and the Sinclair Group belong to him. This was supposed to be my moment to stand by his side, to be at the top of the world with him. Chloe Sterling ruined all of it. I hate her. I hate her so much."

"This... Does this really have to do with Chloe?" Rose Lynch was skeptical.

"Chloe Sterling’s friend works at The Sinclair Group. I saw her with my own eyes, walking into the Sinclair Group building with President Sinclair. She must have bad-mouthed me to him. That’s the only reason he’d suddenly start ignoring me."

Rose Lynch clenched her fists. It was a shame that Esther Sterling had failed to secure Tristan Sinclair, but she didn’t believe their connection was so fragile that a few words from someone else could ruin it.

"Esther, President Sinclair is a smart man. If he was truly interested in you, he wouldn’t write you off over a few words from someone else. There must be another reason. Think. Was there some kind of misunderstanding between you and him?"

At her mother’s words, Esther Sterling froze. Her expression slowly filled with disappointment. "So you don’t think this has anything to do with Chloe Sterling? You think it’s my fault President Sinclair is ignoring me? That it was all in my head?"

"Of course that’s not what I meant..."

"Mom," Esther Sterling cut her off, her voice flat. "I just remembered I have something else to do. I’m leaving."

Without another word, she turned and left.

Rose Lynch frowned, her heart a tangle of complicated emotions.

Her heart aching, and with no one to turn to, Esther Sterling went to the Rivers family’s home to find Ruby Lynch.

The Rivers Family’s situation had recently taken a turn for the better, thanks in part to Tristan Sinclair’s help, and Ruby Lynch could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Although her branch of the family wasn’t part of the direct line of succession, their primary income came from companies under the Rivers Group. Their fortunes were tied together—if the group prospered, so did they, and if it fell, they would fall with it.

"What’s wrong, Esther? You look terrible."

Esther Sterling slumped onto the seat beside her, looking utterly miserable. "It’s that bitch, Chloe Sterling. Who else?"

"What did she do now?"

Esther Sterling pressed her lips together, hesitating. She knew her aunt had high hopes for her. If Ruby Lynch found out that Tristan Sinclair wouldn’t even speak to her anymore, she would be deeply disappointed.

Seeing her hesitation, Ruby Lynch pressed, "What is it? You can’t tell your aunt?"

"I..." After a moment’s hesitation, Esther Sterling said, "Auntie, I think my mom has changed. She’s suddenly started caring about Chloe Sterling, and I don’t understand why. She can’t seriously believe Young Master Rivers would marry Chloe, can she? He’s in charge of the group now. If he gets married, it’ll be to an heiress from an equally powerful family to form a strong alliance. Who does Chloe Sterling think she is!"

"What?" Ruby Lynch’s eyes narrowed. "Your mother is concerned about Chloe Sterling now? What is she scheming? Don’t tell me she’s still dreaming about..." She stopped abruptly.

"About what?" Esther Sterling asked, suspicious.

Ruby Lynch remained silent, her expression complicated. ’Does Rose want to use Chloe to rekindle her old relationship with Charles Sterling?’

’If Chloe is officially acknowledged by Charles Sterling, then marrying Damian Rivers isn’t out of the question. With the might of Apex Group behind her, that would truly be a powerful alliance.’

’With support from both Charles Sterling and Tristan Sinclair, it would be that much easier for Damian to rebuild the Rivers Group. But if Chloe Sterling really becomes Damian’s wife and the lady of the Rivers Group... my life will be anything but easy.’

’If they find out I was the one who abandoned Chloe in the countryside all those years ago, they’ll never forgive me.’

At that thought, Ruby’s expression darkened. ’No. I absolutely cannot let Chloe be acknowledged by Charles Sterling. And I certainly can’t let her become the matriarch of the Rivers Group.’

"Auntie, why aren’t you saying anything? What do you mean?" Esther Sterling asked again.

Ruby Lynch looked at her and said slowly, "Has your mother ever told you about her relationship with Charles Sterling?"

"Aren’t they... friends?"

Ruby Lynch scoffed. "Friends? They were lovers. Your mother only abandoned him to marry your father because the Sterling family went bankrupt back then. She probably never dreamed he’d become who he is today. I’m sure she regrets it now."

"Then..." A terrible premonition washed over Esther Sterling, her voice trembling slightly. "What does that have to do with Chloe Sterling?"

"Why do you think your mother disliked Chloe Sterling from the start? Why didn’t she want to acknowledge her? Because Chloe is her child with Charles Sterling."

The words struck Esther Sterling like a bolt of lightning. Her mind went blank, and all the color drained from her face.

Ruby Lynch continued, "Charles Sterling is handsome and powerful now. It’s no surprise your mother regrets her choice. But she’s being naive. There’s no way Charles Sterling would ever forgive her. The most he’ll do is acknowledge Chloe as his daughter."

"That... that’s impossible," Esther Sterling muttered. "How could Chloe Sterling be Charles Sterling’s daughter? How could she..."

"I know it’s hard to accept, but it’s the truth. Still, we can’t let your mother act so recklessly. If this gets out, how could your father ever show his face in public again? And what would happen to you?"

Esther Sterling couldn’t even begin to imagine such a scenario, much less accept it. It took her a long moment to collect herself. "Auntie, you’re right. We absolutely cannot let Mom do this. We have to stop her."

"Good." Ruby Lynch nodded. "Where’s your mother now? I’ll go talk to her."

"I don’t know. She’s probably at home."

"Never mind, I’ll just call her." With that, Ruby Lynch picked up her phone and dialed.

Charles Sterling had already returned to Country A, but some urgent business had brought him back alone for the past couple of days. He sat in the study of his old family home, holding an exquisite box. It was a New Year’s gift from Ava Rhodes for Chloe Sterling; she had insisted he deliver it to her in person.

He could tell that Ava Rhodes genuinely liked Chloe, and he just couldn’t bring himself to tell her that Chloe was Rose Lynch’s daughter.

He stared at the gift for a long time, but in the end, he didn’t dial Chloe’s number. Instead, he called for his assistant.