novelraw Chapter 189: He Has No Family By His Side
Chapter 189: He Has No Family By His Side
Chapter 189: He Had No Family By His Side
Tristan Sterling stood rooted to the spot, his dark, brooding eyes fixed on the woman’s departing back. The pressure in the air around him was terrifyingly low.
On her way back, Rachel Royce received a call from Julian Jennings. Although it was a holiday, they were both busy people who needed to work.
He had just finished his own work when he heard the news.
Only then did Rachel learn what had happened online that afternoon.
’Tristan Sterling really moves fast.’ The incident showed her the power of his resources; he could erase all traces of himself in such a short time.
’But who on earth would want to publicize this matter?’
"Tristan Sterling didn’t give you any trouble, did he?"
Rachel, now completely calm, said, "No."
"That’s good. But Rachel, why did you suddenly do that?"
Rachel took a breath and said, "I’ve been holding it all in. If I don’t let it out when I have the chance, I’ll be the only one who gets hurt."
She was being as diplomatic as possible. After all, she still had to consider President Hale and couldn’t afford to drag others into her mess.
They chatted for a few more moments before hanging up.
Even on her days off, Rachel had to stay busy with work.
Florence Preston had already packed her luggage.
Seeing the downcast look on her mother’s face, Rachel went to her and hugged her. "Mom, it’s not like I’m never coming back. Don’t be like this."
She was going abroad for two reasons: first, to handle work over there, and second, she had decided to let things with Tristan Sterling cool down for a while. Going abroad would keep her from getting trapped in an endless quagmire.
She would definitely return.
Florence Preston patted her shoulder. "What about Melissa? She’s so attached to you now. If you suddenly leave like this, Melissa will be heartbroken."
At the thought of Melissa, even in front of Florence, Rachel couldn’t stop her eyes from turning red, no matter how hard she tried to stay calm. She took a deep breath, sat on the edge of the bed, and said, "But there’s nothing I can do right now."
She didn’t know what to do either. She knew that Melissa longed for a mother’s love, and it was causing her immense pain right now.
It was just that she couldn’t continue her marriage with Tristan Sterling.
As a fellow mother, Florence Preston understood her feelings.
Rachel couldn’t get a divorce now, nor did she dare to openly acknowledge Melissa. Tristan Sterling truly didn’t feel an ounce of her pain.
"Then go abroad to get away for a while. But you must come back."
"Mm, I know."
Just then, Johnson Royce knocked and came in. "Is everything ready?"
They were going out to eat later.
When Florence Preston saw him, she turned her face away and ignored him.
An awkward expression appeared on Johnson Royce’s face.
As they went downstairs, Florence Preston walked ahead, holding the baby, making it clear she had no intention of speaking to Johnson Royce.
It was only then that Rachel belatedly realized something was off between them. It seemed they had been in this state for some time.
"Dad, what’s wrong with you and Mom?"
Johnson Royce smiled and said, "It’s nothing. Dad will handle it. Don’t you worry."
So Rachel didn’t ask any further.
Rachel drove, and the family arrived at the restaurant. It wasn’t just their immediate family eating together today; close relatives of Florence Preston’s parents were also there. The large family was having a reunion dinner.
Business at the restaurant was exceptionally good today, with many families gathering for a meal.
They arrived at their reserved private room.
They were early.
Peter Preston was working overtime today. Ever since the company ran into trouble, he hadn’t had a proper day of rest and was still on his way.
Some people from the Preston Family hadn’t arrived yet.
Johnson Royce and Florence Preston were waiting outside the restaurant.
Rachel was inside the private room with Bobby.
Just then, a Bentley slowly pulled into the parking lot. As Alexander Sullivan got out of the car and walked toward the restaurant, he noticed Florence Preston and Johnson Royce standing by the entrance.
He didn’t pay them much mind and walked straight past them into the restaurant.
Johnson Royce was busy greeting an elder. With so many people coming and going, he didn’t notice Alexander Sullivan.
"Johnson Royce, aren’t you going to go take what’s in Uncle’s hands?" Florence Preston’s scolding voice rang out.
Alexander Sullivan, who had already walked into the lobby, stopped dead in his tracks.
In an instant, it was as if a hand had suddenly seized his nerves. His feet, feeling as if they were filled with lead, became rooted to the spot, unable to move.
The sound of conversation behind him grew closer.
He slowly turned to the side, his gaze falling upon Johnson Royce.
Twenty years had passed. The young father had grown old; his face was wrinkled, and his figure had filled out. He no longer looked the way he once did.
When Johnson suddenly smiled, it was as if Alexander was pulled back twenty years to the sight of his father’s face, wreathed in a loving grin. His hand, hanging at his side, began to tremble uncontrollably.
Johnson Royce was happily chatting with the Preston Family.
"Johnson, you’re really something else. To have a son in your fifties, you’re a lucky man! Haha!"
Johnson Royce laughed heartily. "It’s just that Florence had to suffer, giving me such an adorable son like Bobby."
"Then you’d better treat her well."
"Of course. These days, if she tells me to go east, I wouldn’t dare go west. I’ll spend the rest of my life cherishing mother and son, haha."
"..."
Johnson Royce and the Preston Family members laughed and chatted, completely oblivious to Alexander Sullivan standing there.
Alexander Sullivan stood stiffly on the spot, his eyes fixed on the group’s departing figures, watching the heartwarming scene between Johnson Royce and the people who were now his family.
He had long known that his father had remarried and started a new family. He even knew about the new son. And he had long grown accustomed to solitude. But seeing it all with his own eyes, an empty, icy chill shot up from the soles of his feet to his heart, as if all the warmth in the world had abandoned him.
He stood there, stock-still, for he didn’t know how long. Suddenly, a dull ache started in his temples, and he quickly raised a hand to support his head.
A staff member hurried over. Seeing his pale face, they couldn’t help but ask with concern, "Sir, are you feeling unwell?"
Immediately after, his body slumped to one side.
"Sir!"
By the time he woke up again, he was lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by stark white walls and the strong, pungent smell of disinfectant.
He glanced at the IV drip hanging above him and knew what had happened. His headaches had acted up again.
Just then, a nurse came in.
Seeing the man’s handsome face, the young female nurse couldn’t help but blush.
Alexander Sullivan saw the nurse and asked about his situation.
It turned out that just after he had fainted, a friend he was supposed to meet for dinner happened to call him. A staff member at the restaurant answered, and his friend immediately called for an ambulance and arranged for a nurse to look after him.
The nurse changed his medication and then left the room.
Just then, the sound of a phone vibrating broke the silence.
He reached for the phone on the bedside table. When he saw the caller ID—Jane Sullivan—he frowned and immediately rejected the call.
Immediately after, Jane Sullivan called again.
Annoyed, he turned the phone off completely. Leaning back against the headboard, he closed his eyes and listened to the hollow echo of footsteps from the hallway. The surrounding quiet became increasingly unsettling.
On a day that should have been for family reunions, he had no family by his side.