novelraw Chapter 215: Gift
Chapter 215: Gift
"President Sterling, you were looking for me?" the assistant asked, walking into the study.
Charles Sterling handed the box in his hands to his assistant and instructed, "Take this to The Medical College for Miss Chloe Sterling. Tell her it’s a New Year’s gift from my wife."
The assistant took the box and nodded. "Of course. Should I deliver it now?"
Charles Sterling looked out the window. "Deliver it now."
"Understood, I’ll go right away." The assistant left the study.
Charles Sterling’s brows furrowed, a deep frustration welling up inside him. ’Why? Why does such an exceptional girl have to be Rose Lynch’s daughter?’
An hour later, the assistant returned. "President Sterling, Miss Sterling isn’t at The Medical College. The people there said she hasn’t been to The Medical College in a long time."
Charles Sterling suddenly recalled seeing her at the Nocturne Group before. ’To hide her identity, she must have made a deal with Silas Coldwell. She’s probably working for him now.’
The assistant added, "Why don’t you call Miss Sterling and ask where she is? I can deliver it to her then."
Charles Sterling pinched the bridge of his nose. "No need. Just leave it here for now."
"Understood." The assistant placed the box back on the desk. "I’ll take my leave, then. Call me if you need anything else."
"Go on."
Charles Sterling stared quietly at the box on the desk, his emotions in turmoil. After a moment, a video call came in from Ava Rhodes.
"How are things coming along?"
Charles Sterling wiped the displeasure from his face, forcing a small smile. In a gentle voice, he said, "It’s almost resolved. If everything goes smoothly, I’ll be back the day after tomorrow."
"That’s good to hear." After a pause, Ava Rhodes asked, "By the way, did you give Chloe the gift I prepared for her?"
"Not yet."
"Why not? Didn’t you have time?"
"I just got free. I’ll contact her in a bit and have it sent over."
"Well, you should get some rest first. There’s still time tomorrow, anyway. Just make sure she gets it before you come back."
"Okay, I’ll take care of it."
The two of them chatted for a while longer before ending the video call.
Glancing from the box on his desk to his phone, Charles Sterling finally dialed Chloe Sterling’s number.
「Meanwhile.」
Chloe Sterling was at The Lockwood Residence, poring over medical books, when a thought suddenly struck her. She immediately stood up.
Seeing this, Jasper Lockwood, who was beside her, asked, "What’s wrong?"
Chloe Sterling looked at him. "I’ve figured something out. I need to make a trip to the Nocturne Group."
"Now?"
"Yes."
The word had barely left her lips when her phone rang. Chloe Sterling glanced at the caller ID—it was Charles Sterling. After a few seconds’ hesitation, she picked up. "Hello, President Sterling."
Over the phone, Charles Sterling’s voice came through. "Miss Sterling, you haven’t been at The Medical College recently?"
"That’s right. I’ve been busy with other things lately, so I haven’t been to The Medical College. Is there something you need, President Sterling?"
"I’m back in Crestfall for a couple of days. Are you free right now, Miss Sterling? Would it be possible to meet?"
"I’m sorry, President Sterling. I’m afraid that won’t be possible today."
"Please don’t misunderstand," Charles Sterling explained. "I’m not trying to trouble you with anything. My wife prepared a New Year’s gift for you and insisted that I deliver it to you personally."
"A New Year’s gift?"
"Yes. I’m only in Crestfall for a few days; I have to return to Country A the day after tomorrow. I probably won’t be back in Crestfall again anytime soon, so I wanted to give it to you in advance. Otherwise, I won’t have the chance."
"Your wife is too kind."
"It’s nothing expensive, just a piece of jewelry that you girls like. My wife saw it while she was out shopping and said it would suit you perfectly. She really wanted you to have it, also as a way to thank you for your previous help."
"I’ve already accepted the payment you gave me before, President Sterling, so there’s no need for further thanks."
"Then don’t think of it as a thank-you gift, just a simple New Year’s present." After a pause, Charles Sterling added, "If you don’t accept it, I won’t know how to explain it to my wife."
"President Sterling, I’m very grateful to your wife, but it’s really not necessary. I have something I need to take care of, so I’ll hang up now."
After a two-second pause, Charles Sterling said, "Alright, then. Go on and take care of your business."
Chloe Sterling hung up the phone, her expression complicated.
"What are you thinking about?" Jasper Lockwood asked, walking over to her side.
"I just have a feeling that Charles Sterling has figured out my identity. I don’t think anything Silas Coldwell did escaped his notice," Chloe Sterling said.
"You suspect he has ulterior motives for giving you a gift?"
"I’m not sure. But he tested me back when Serena Lockwood exposed my identity. He left Crestfall after that, so I thought he believed me and wouldn’t contact me again. I didn’t expect him to suddenly show up in Crestfall again. I don’t know what his purpose is."
"Whatever his purpose is, he can forget about having any designs on you."
"Forget it. I’m not going to worry about him for now. I’m heading to the Nocturne Group."
Jasper Lockwood grabbed her arm. "Do you really have to go now?"
"I’ve thought of a method and I want to go test if my approach is correct." Chloe Sterling had always been a person of action, and of course, she also wanted to complete the Nocturne Group’s project as soon as possible.
"Then I’ll go with you," Jasper Lockwood said.
Chloe Sterling suddenly laughed. "You’re going to the Nocturne Group?"
"Can’t I?"
"If you show up at the Nocturne Group at a time like this, they’ll definitely think you’re there to take advantage of their misfortune. We’d just end up fighting with their people again. Let’s not."
Chloe Sterling didn’t want a repeat of last time, and besides, it wasn’t appropriate for Jasper Lockwood to go to the Nocturne Group.
"Then I’ll drive you there, drop you off without going in, and come back."
After a moment of silence, Chloe Sterling asked tentatively, "You really just want to drive me there, and that’s it?"
Jasper Lockwood’s deep eyes locked onto hers as he retorted, "Are you really worried I’m going to take advantage of their misfortune?"
"You probably wouldn’t. Let’s go." With that, Chloe Sterling started to head out.
But Jasper Lockwood remained standing where he was. When Chloe Sterling reached the door, she noticed he hadn’t followed and turned back to look at him. "Why aren’t you coming?"
Jasper Lockwood suddenly strode toward her on his long legs. Before she could react, he had pinned her against the door and lowered his head to kiss her.
Chloe Sterling: "..."
After a moment, Jasper Lockwood lifted his head and said in a husky voice, "I’ll wait for you at home. Don’t come back too late."
Chloe Sterling looked surprised. "You’re not going anymore?"
Jasper Lockwood: "I’m not going. Wouldn’t want you to worry that I’ll take advantage of their misfortune."
"..."
After that, Chloe Sterling went to the Nocturne Group by herself.
Arriving at the same time was Charles Sterling. However, his car didn’t approach the Nocturne Group building; it was parked far across the street. He had originally intended to see if Chloe Sterling would come out of the building, but he hadn’t expected to run into her arriving instead.
’Looks like she really is working for the Nocturne Group. She must be Lynn Chester.’
His subordinate said, "President Sterling, Miss Sterling really is at the Nocturne Group. Could she actually be Lynn Chester?"
Charles Sterling’s eyes darkened slightly. "It must be her."
"She’s actually cooperating with the Nocturne Group. I’m afraid she won’t agree to our terms easily."
A flicker of resentment flashed in Charles Sterling’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by calm. ’It doesn’t matter anymore,’ he thought. He had already decided to give up on this top-level pharmacist and have nothing more to do with her.