The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me

Chapter 207: Tristan Sterling Is Such a Poser

Chapter 207: Tristan Sterling Is Such a Fake

"I am."

"Then come with me to see Professor Michael tomorrow."

Rachel Royce agreed, "Okay." As she spoke, her gaze fell on his injured arm. "Professor, is your arm okay?"

Julian Jennings said, "Typing is a bit difficult, so I might need your help with some work later on."

"Of course, no problem."

「The next day.」

Rachel Royce and Julian Jennings arrived at Professor Michael’s home.

Upon seeing them,

Mr. and Mrs. Michael gave the two a warm welcome.

They hadn’t seen each other in a long time,

so they had endless topics to talk about.

Of course, it wasn’t just small talk; they also discussed the financial markets. Rachel knew Julian’s purpose for coming today—he hoped to gain access to some of Professor Michael’s resources and connections.

The fund project collaboration with Zion Alden was mainly focused on the metals market. Given the unpredictable nature of the current international situation, a fund that might have seen over fifty percent growth last quarter could plummet below the bottom line in the next.

If one could properly manage the market fluctuations and be sharp enough, it was possible to win big with a small investment amidst these changes.

Zion Alden’s goal was clearly to trap Julian Jennings in the fund’s stock market game. It was a matter of who could pull out the fastest, stepping on others to reap the greatest rewards.

This was a declaration of war.

A provocation like this,

Julian had no choice but to accept.

「At noon.」

The two stayed for lunch at Professor Michael’s home.

They stayed until four in the afternoon.

Professor Michael had great faith in Julian Jennings and completely trusted his abilities.

「Next Monday.」

There was going to be an internal financial academic seminar at Stanford University, attended by top figures in the field. Professor Michael told them to go, as someone Julian needed would be there.

"Thank you, Professor."

After they finished their discussion,

the two said their goodbyes and left.

Miles Sheldon drove them back.

"Even if Tristan Sterling knows Zion’s objective, he’ll probably enter the fray," Rachel said.

Tristan Sterling’s style had never been about playing it safe. The risk this time was enormous, but the potential returns were astronomical. Besides, he and Julian already had a competitive relationship.

"I did hear some news yesterday."

Rachel was puzzled. "What news?"

Julian said, "It seems Zion Alden and Tristan Sterling’s talk the night before last didn’t go well. Zion was sent to the hospital with a head injury."

Rachel was shocked. "Tristan did that?"

Julian nodded. "Yes, it could only have been him."

"Then will Tristan still enter the fray?"

"He definitely will. With mutual interests on the line, an injury like that is nothing."

Rachel couldn’t help but frown.

「Over the next few days.」

Besides handling the follow-up work for the share transfer, Rachel also had to manage various stock market data analyses for Julian.

She was, to put it mildly, extremely busy.

But aside from being busy with work, nothing else happened.

Tristan Sterling hadn’t looked for her again either.

She found time to contact Melissa every day.

Thomas Sterling had been staying here for a while, handling his work back home remotely.

「After dinner this evening.」

Rachel was discussing data with Julian when she received a video call from Melissa.

Just then,

the doorbell rang.

Rachel instinctively glanced toward the door.

Melissa said happily, "That must be Daddy! Aunt Evelynn, hurry and open the door."

Rachel froze.

She got up and went to open the door.

There stood the man, holding a bouquet of roses and a gift box.

Looking at him,

Rachel felt a strong sense of dissonance.

"You..."

Tristan Sterling just stared at the astonished woman. He didn’t speak, simply watching her, looking for all the world like he was just a deliveryman sent to drop off flowers.

"Aunt Evelynn, aren’t the flowers Daddy brought pretty? Melissa picked them out!"

Rachel snapped back to her senses, her eyes falling on the roses in the man’s hands.

Because she had stayed at Tristan’s place before, Melissa had always thought they lived together, but she later found out that they didn’t.

Especially last night, when Rachel had asked for her help.

She thought her dad had made Rachel unhappy, so he had to apologize with flowers.

Seeing Rachel remain silent,

Melissa asked, "Aunt Evelynn, don’t you like them?"

Rachel looked at Melissa on the video call and said, "Melissa, I’m going to talk with your dad. I’m hanging up now."

"Okay! Have a good talk with Daddy!"

"Mm, I will."

Rachel ended the call and looked at the man. "Take these back. I hope you can make things clear to Melissa."

She knew Melissa was just trying to set them up.

Tristan Sterling, of course, understood that as well.

"Melissa’s throwing a fit with me. How do you suggest I make it clear?"

Rachel had already told Melissa that she and her father had no special relationship, but Melissa had her own way of thinking. "But Aunt Evelynn and Daddy lived together."

Even though Rachel had explained and Melissa seemed to understand at the time, it was now clear that none of it had sunk in.

No matter how domineering and forceful Tristan’s personality was, he couldn’t control Melissa. In some ways, her personality was a carbon copy of his.

"Then you should go back for today. I’ll talk to Melissa again later."

Tristan said, "Since I brought them, you can do what you want with them."

Rachel looked at him.

Finally, she reached out and took them.

Tristan asked, "Still not done with your business?"

Rachel was about to turn away, but at his words, she stopped and looked at him. "There are still a few things."

Tristan said, "Don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you."

Rachel, of course, knew what he meant.

"I’m not getting involved."

Tristan then asked, "Have you decided when you’re returning to the country?"

Rachel was surprised by his inquisitive tone. Given his usual style, he would never ask her something so calmly.

She replied, "I haven’t decided yet."

Tristan said, "Then I’ll give you five days to sort out your affairs."

Rachel stood frozen, watching the man’s back as he turned and walked away.

Once he was a good distance away,

Rachel returned inside.

Julian Jennings and Thomas Sterling had heard their entire conversation.

As Tristan got into his car,

his cold gaze swept over a white sedan parked not far away before he got in, acting as if he’d seen nothing.

The person inside the car had just captured that exact scene on camera.

The photo was sent to Zion Alden’s phone.

The moment Zion saw the photo, a sinister smile spread across his lips. "Tristan Sterling really is such a fake."

Ivan Alden looked at him and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zion handed him the phone.

Ivan couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the photo. Tristan Sterling was personally delivering roses to a woman. He frowned. "Does Tristan really like her? But I heard he already has a woman."

Zion sneered, "Do you think he’s the type to be faithful to one person? Both Julian Jennings and Tristan Sterling care about her now. It seems we’ll have to get ahold of her."

Ivan reminded him, "It’s better to be cautious. I don’t think Tristan is the type to sacrifice his own interests for a woman."

A calculating glint flashed in Zion’s eyes. "We’ll find out when the time is right."