The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me

Chapter 230: The Men of the Sterling Family Are All Like This

Chapter 230: The Men of the Sterling Family Are All Like This

Rachel Royce looked at her father and said, "Dad, I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry about me. You and Mom just focus on taking good care of Bobby." Johnson Royce looked at his daughter, wanting to say more.

"What are you two talking about?" Florence Preston’s voice came from nearby.

Johnson Royce flinched and looked at Florence Preston. "Oh, just some idle chatter." Florence stared at Johnson, who quickly offered a placating smile.

Watching the two of them, Rachel Royce felt that something was off.

"Rachel, you worked so late today. Are you hungry? Do you want me to cook you a bowl of noodles?" Rachel Royce said, "Not really. I’m going to head upstairs. I want to get to bed early tonight." "Okay, you must be tired." Rachel got up and went upstairs.

Florence Preston glared at Johnson Royce, making his heart race. "Honey, why are you looking at me like that? I really didn’t say anything." Florence warned him again, "Johnson Royce, I’m telling you, even if Rachel wants to start a new life, she must finalize the divorce first. Tristan Sterling can be shameless—he has the means and the ability to do whatever he wants. But if Rachel gets involved with someone else, she could be used by manipulative people to ruin her reputation. What would you do then?" Johnson Royce lowered his gaze.

Florence Preston said resentfully, "I don’t think Jane Sullivan cares about Rachel’s reputation at all. She’s probably hoping Rachel will hurry up and get with another man, ruin her own name, and force Tristan Sterling to divorce her."

Johnson Royce said, "Florence, don’t you think you’re overthinking this? She is Rachel’s mother, after all." Florence Preston glared back at him.

Johnson Royce didn’t dare say another word.

"Do you really think she treats Rachel like a daughter now? In her heart, you and your daughter are just obstacles." Johnson Royce quickly tried to console Florence Preston. "Rachel has her own thoughts now. She knows what to do. It’s not like she’ll do whatever we say." Florence said angrily, "I’m just afraid some people will do anything for their own benefit, even if it means disregarding their own daughter." "Alright, honey, don’t be angry. Let’s not meddle in the kids’ affairs. Let them be. It’s getting late. I’ll go to bed with you." Florence shot Johnson Royce a look of utter disappointment, then abruptly stood up and stared at him. "You can sleep in the guest room tonight!" Rachel Royce returned to her bedroom.

She had no idea what had just happened between Florence Preston and Johnson Royce.

After getting ready for bed, she lay down and scrolled through her phone. She opened her social media feed and saw that the post Tristan Sterling had made this morning was still there.

She thought about seeing Claire Ainsworth outside the bar earlier. It looked like she had been deeply hurt.

A cold, mocking smile touched her lips.

「The next day.」

When Rachel Royce got to the office, she called Thomas Sterling. "Your mother invited me to your house for dinner on Thursday. Is there a special occasion?" Thomas was taken aback. "Thursday is my mother’s birthday," he said. "But it’s not a big celebration. She’s just inviting a few of her friends and the family over for a meal." "Oh, I see," Rachel realized. "Then I’ll have to prepare a gift." "Since my mom already asked you, if you have time, Rachel, you should come over for dinner. It’s no trouble," Thomas said. "Okay," Rachel agreed.

After hanging up, Thomas Sterling wondered why his mother had suddenly taken the initiative to invite Rachel.

He called his mother.

Evelyn Fitzwilliam answered quickly.

"Mom, you invited Rachel to dinner on Thursday." "Mm, did she ask you about it?" Evelyn replied. "She was probably just wondering why you suddenly invited her over." Rachel had been back for a while, and by now, everyone in the Sterling Family knew her identity, yet no one had taken the initiative to invite her to the family home for a meal.

Evelyn Fitzwilliam said, "It’s nothing. I just invited her over for a meal. If she doesn’t want to come, I won’t force her." "If it’s just a meal, then of course it’s fine," Thomas Sterling said. Hearing the implication in her son’s words, Evelyn said, "Thomas, the way you say that... What do you think I’m going to do to Rachel?"

The line went silent.

Evelyn Fitzwilliam grew puzzled. "Thomas?" She then heard Thomas Sterling say in a solemn tone, "Mom, I hope you will always be on my side."

Evelyn Fitzwilliam was stunned for a moment before asking, "Thomas, tell me the truth. Is the reason you haven’t considered getting married because of Rachel Royce? Are you in love with her?" Thomas’s voice grew heavy. "Mom, besides Rachel, I don’t think I could ever love another woman." Evelyn had suspected as much. "Even if she divorces your cousin, she will always be Melissa’s mother." "I know. But I don’t want to give up just like that." Evelyn sighed, her tone turning grave. "What if your cousin never divorces her? Are you going to wait forever?" Thomas was silent for a moment, then said, "Rachel will divorce him, no matter what." Hearing her son’s words, Evelyn suddenly didn’t know what to say.

She knew her son. He had been independent and strong-willed since he was a child. Once he set his mind on something, he would never give up until he saw it through to the end.

’The men of the Sterling Family are all like this.’

"Mom understands now," she said. "Just focus on your work for now."

「2:00 PM」

Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton arrived at Haywarden Biopharma.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Alexander Sullivan and Claire Ainsworth.

Rachel Royce was surprised. ’Doesn’t Claire Ainsworth work at Tristan Sterling’s company? How has she suddenly become Alexander Sullivan’s assistant?’

’Then again, it’s not that strange.’

’After all, both Alexander Sullivan and Tristan Sterling dote on Claire Ainsworth. She can follow whoever she wants.’

’But after looking so heartbroken yesterday, she’s in the mood to come out and work today. It seems she’s already been comforted.’

The moment Claire Ainsworth saw Rachel Royce, an unconcealable hatred filled her eyes—a hatred far deeper than before.

Rachel Royce, of course, noticed the deep hatred in her eyes and simply scoffed inwardly.

Alexander Sullivan was here today to discuss a partnership. He was accompanied not only by Claire Ainsworth but also by his personal executive assistant.

Seeing the two women, he nodded at them. "Miss Evelynn, Miss Sutton."

Out of the corner of her eye, Rachel Royce glanced at Joanna Sutton beside her and saw her expression darken. The two had once been engaged, but now they were like strangers.

"President Sullivan," Rachel Royce replied with detached politeness.

She didn’t have a good impression of Alexander Sullivan.

President Archer from the other company saw them greeting each other and said with a smile, "So you all know each other." The people hosting them today were various senior executives from the company.

Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton didn’t linger, taking an elevator straight upstairs.

The problem with the capital management this time was mainly an anomaly in the market value assessment. Rowan’s team would handle it as soon as possible.

Now, they needed to conduct a new round of financial planning based on the other party’s asset data.

The meeting ended two hours later.

Joanna Sutton couldn’t help but ask nosily, "What kind of partnership was President Sullivan of MK Group discussing with your company today?"