novelraw Chapter 216: As If Something Was Lost
Chapter 216: As If Something Was Lost
Charles Sterling’s long fingers clutched the box in his hand, his profound gaze fixed on the empty space outside the window. He felt a deep sense of unease, as if he had lost something important.
He suddenly gave a bitter laugh. ’To think I’d searched for Lynn Chester for so long, only to find her and have to let her go for a reason like this,’ he mused. ’Fate truly is a fickle thing.’
"President Sterling," his subordinate said, "are we just going to keep waiting here?"
Charles Sterling stared at the building before them and fell silent for a long moment before saying softly, "Let’s wait." With that, he leaned back and closed his eyes.
"How about I wait here alone, sir? I can take you back first. Miss Sterling just arrived, so she probably won’t be leaving for a while."
With his eyes still closed, Charles Sterling said, "That won’t be necessary."
Time ticked by, and the sky gradually darkened. Despite the long wait, Charles Sterling didn’t complain. But the thought that this would be his last time seeing Chloe Sterling made the hollow feeling in his heart grow stronger.
He furrowed his brow slightly. ’Why am I feeling this way?’
Over the years, he had poached many talented individuals for his company’s growth. Some attempts were successful, others were not. But never before had he felt such a sense of loss.
"President Sterling, Miss Sterling is coming out," his subordinate suddenly said, looking out the window.
Charles Sterling turned to look. A tall, slender figure emerged from the building and walked toward a nearby parking spot.
"Go."
"Yes, sir."
The subordinate immediately started the engine and drove the car over.
Chloe Sterling opened her car door and was about to get in when a man’s voice called out, "Miss Sterling."
Hearing the voice, Chloe Sterling looked in its direction and saw Charles Sterling sitting in his car. The driver opened the door, and he got out, walking toward her.
"President Sterling! What are you doing here?" Chloe Sterling asked, surprised.
Charles Sterling smiled faintly. "I was just passing by and happened to see you."
"Passing by?" Chloe Sterling was clearly skeptical.
Charles Sterling knew she wouldn’t believe him, nor did he expect her to. It was just an excuse to start a conversation.
"Yes, what a coincidence. This saves me the trouble of having to schedule a separate meeting with you." Charles Sterling held out the exquisite gift box to her. "My wife insisted I give this to you. Please accept it, Miss Sterling. Otherwise, I won’t know how to answer to her when I get back."
Chloe Sterling glanced down at the box in his hand but didn’t take it. "But I can’t accept a reward I haven’t earned."
"It’s not too much for friends to exchange New Year’s gifts, is it? It’s just a bracelet, a small trinket." After a pause, Charles Sterling added, "Or is Miss Sterling worried that my wife and I have ulterior motives?"
"That’s not what I meant."
"Rest assured, Miss Sterling. I’m returning to Country A the day after tomorrow. I likely won’t be coming back to Crestfall anytime soon, so we probably won’t have a chance to meet again. I’m simply delivering a gift on behalf of my wife."
After speaking, Charles Sterling suddenly placed the gift box inside Chloe Sterling’s car. He smiled, his demeanor both gentlemanly and refined. "Miss Sterling, this is goodbye."
Before Chloe Sterling could say anything more, Charles Sterling had already turned away. His tall figure quickly returned to the car. The driver closed the door, got back into the driver’s seat, and drove off.
Watching the car disappear into the distance, Chloe Sterling felt a strange sense of discomfort. ’Perhaps I was overthinking things. Charles Sterling didn’t mean anything by it; he was just delivering a gift for his wife.’
The words "This is goodbye" echoed in her mind, and a sudden pang of bitterness gripped her heart. It felt as if she had lost something that would never belong to her again. On reflection, she figured this feeling was probably because of Ava Rhodes.
But Ava Rhodes was Ava Rhodes, not her adoptive mother. She knew she shouldn’t feel this way, shouldn’t treat Ava as a substitute.
Taking a deep breath, Chloe Sterling got into her car. She picked up the box from the passenger seat and hesitated for a moment before opening it. Inside was an exquisite purple crystal bracelet.
Amethyst symbolizes mystery and beauty—a perfect fit for Chloe Sterling indeed.
She stared at it quietly for a while, then fastened the bracelet around her pale wrist. A few moments later, she called Ava Rhodes.
"Mrs. Sterling, I received the bracelet. I love it. Thank you."
Ava Rhodes’s voice was filled with clear delight. "Oh, you got it! I’m so glad you like it. The moment I saw it, I thought it would be perfect for you."
Chloe said, "Yes, you have excellent taste. I’d also like to wish you an early Happy New Year, filled with peace and good fortune."
Ava Rhodes chuckled. "It’s because you’re so fair and beautiful; anything would look good on you. Chloe, I’m truly happy to have met you. Even though we won’t be able to see each other often anymore, I hope you’ll be healthy, happy, and free of worries."
Chloe said, "Thank you."
The two didn’t talk for long before hanging up. Chloe Sterling placed her phone in the storage compartment and started the car, pulling away. With both hands on the steering wheel, the purple crystal bracelet stood out brilliantly against her pale wrist.
Chloe Sterling did genuinely like it, but her heart ached with a bitter pang. ’If only my adoptive mother were still here.’
She had never told Ava Rhodes that her adoptive mother had passed away. As long as Ava didn’t know, a sliver of hope and longing could remain in Chloe’s heart.
The sky had now completely darkened, and night had fallen over the land.
Seeing that Chloe Sterling hadn’t returned yet, Jasper Lockwood picked up his phone, about to call her. Just then, the butler’s voice came from not far away, "Ma’am, you’re back."
"Yes," Chloe Sterling responded. She was about to ask about Jasper Lockwood but then saw him sitting on the sofa nearby, watching her. She swallowed the rest of her words and walked straight over. Reaching the sofa, she took off her black overcoat, placed it aside, and sat down.
Jasper Lockwood’s eyes immediately fell on the bracelet on her wrist. He suddenly grabbed her hand, lifting it. "Where did this bracelet come from?"
"It’s from Charles Sterling’s wife," Chloe Sterling said.
"You went to see him?"
"No, I ran into him at the entrance to the Nocturne Group."
"That was probably no accident."
"He must have figured out my identity and guessed that I made a deal with Silas Coldwell. But he doesn’t have any other intentions. He’s going back to Country A the day after tomorrow."
"I see." Jasper Lockwood released her hand. "Did things go smoothly at the Nocturne Group?"
"They were okay. I finally made a breakthrough."
"So... can you finish before the New Year?"
Chloe Sterling cleared her throat. "I can’t say for sure yet." After a pause, she added, "Silas Coldwell isn’t even here. Why do you still care about this?"
Jasper Lockwood: "I care."
After a moment, Chloe Sterling said, "But the progress will definitely be faster now."
Jasper Lockwood: "I hope so."
Chloe Sterling hadn’t gotten back early. By the time dinner was over, it was already past nine. She went to her room, took a shower, and planned to go to bed early so she could get an early start at the Nocturne Group tomorrow.
She had just laid down for a moment when Jasper Lockwood returned to the room. She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Are you done with your work?"
Jasper Lockwood walked over. "Why are you going to bed so early today?"
"I have a busy day tomorrow." Chloe Sterling pursed her lips. "You should get to bed early, too. And don’t try anything."
Jasper Lockwood’s thin lips curved into a wicked smile. "Right. No ’trying anything.’"
"..."