novelraw Chapter 247: Femme Fatale
Chapter 247: Femme Fatale
Chapter 247: Femme Fatale
Tristan Sterling stood up and moved aside.
The nurse removed the nearly empty IV bag and replaced it with a new one.
"When will she wake up?" Tristan Sterling asked.
The nurse, her nerves frayed, answered, "The doctor said she should wake up in about two or three hours." Tristan Sterling grunted in acknowledgment.
The nurse quickly turned and left the room.
Julian Jennings received a call from Ian Quinn and stood up, walking out to the balcony.
"Joanna Sutton and Marcus Sheldon are awake. What’s the situation with Rachel?" Julian Jennings and Ian Quinn had gone to the hotel together to find them.
Joanna Sutton and Marcus Sheldon had been in the private room the whole time and were discovered by hotel staff. When they arrived, Ian Quinn had already sent them to the hospital. They were now in a room downstairs.
"She hasn’t woken up yet. She’s still on an IV. You need to go to Norvane in person."
"Alright, I’m on it," said Ian Quinn.
Julian Jennings then received a call from his assistant. He listened to their report before giving some instructions regarding work.
Tristan Sterling was also outside the hospital room, taking a work call.
Just as he hung up,
he received a file. It was a psychiatric evaluation report.
His phone rang.
He answered.
The person on the other end reported, "Miss Evelynn underwent six months of psychological therapy. This is her diagnosis report. Her therapist said that at the time, she had an extreme aversion to any physical contact with men, frequently suffering from nausea and vomiting..."
In other words, the very idea of sex made her sick. Even though Zion Alden hadn’t forced himself on her, he had been torturing her mentally.
Although it wasn’t clear exactly what Zion Alden had done to her,
based on Zion’s perverse and sadistic nature, Tristan Sterling had a pretty good idea.
’For her to escape Zion Alden with her virginity intact... given the scars on her body, she must be incredibly tough.’
’Her spirit is clearly more than just stubborn and untamable.’
He made a call. "Go to the preschool and bring the young miss to First People’s Hospital."
「Elsewhere.」
Ivan Alden had learned of the situation.
Zion Alden called to ask about it.
"The video wasn’t filmed. Tristan Sterling found her first, but surprisingly, he didn’t even touch her. Then Julian Jennings showed up and took her to the hospital. They’re all acting like a bunch of saints."
Zion Alden asked curiously, "So what exactly happened when Tristan Sterling and Julian Jennings met?"
"Tristan Sterling probably took a punch from Julian Jennings. He had a mark on his face."
Zion Alden snorted, his laughter dark. "A true femme fatale, isn’t she!"
"Evelynn is suing Tristan Sterling for divorce, and Julian Jennings is probably just waiting for her to be free. Those two have never gotten along, and now with Evelynn in the mix, we’re in for a good show."
They’d first grown suspicious of Evelynn and Tristan Sterling’s relationship from the photos Danielle Alden had shown him. It was Claire Ainsworth who revealed they were husband and wife, and seeing Melissa in person had sealed their certainty.
For them to pretend not to know each other when they met in New York... their relationship must be more than just strained.
It was obvious Rachel Royce had abandoned her child to go to the United States, and it had to be because of Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth.
Ivan Alden added, "Evelynn certainly has her methods. Five years ago, she managed to force Tristan Sterling to marry her, and now he’s refusing to divorce her. Do you think he’ll end up falling for her?"
Zion Alden said, "I doubt Evelynn has that kind of power." To them, genuine feelings were the cheapest, most ridiculous things in the world. Just because Tristan Sterling didn’t want a divorce didn’t mean he liked Evelynn; they were the same kind of people.
Ivan Alden’s eyes narrowed slightly. "I wouldn’t be so sure."
Zion replied, "Is that so? Well then, I’ll wait and see."
"I just wonder if Tristan Sterling will deal with Claire Ainsworth for Evelynn’s sake. It’s always the purest-looking women who have the cruelest hearts."
Claire Ainsworth is Alexander Sullivan’s beloved sister, after all. He doesn’t want to divorce Evelynn now, but between Claire and Evelynn, who will he ultimately choose?
"Either way, this whole thing is enough to make him miserable. By the way, any news on Alexander Sullivan?"
The investigation into Alexander Sullivan’s identity had hit a wall. Someone was blocking it, and he suspected it was Tristan Sterling. His power in Kingsland was not to be underestimated.
He had tried to get something out of Claire Ainsworth, but she was on her guard, which proved that Alexander Sullivan was definitely hiding a secret.
"Mm, not yet. It’ll take more time."
*
Rachel Royce didn’t know how long she had been unconscious. As her awareness slowly returned, she opened her eyes to a throbbing pain in her head.
Her trembling eyelids fluttered open, revealing a familiar ceiling.
Before she could process what was happening, she heard Melissa’s voice cry out, "Mommy!"
Rachel Royce’s vision gradually cleared. Turning her head, she saw Melissa’s sweet little face, her eyes full of worry.
"Mommy, you’re finally awake! Does anywhere still hurt? Melissa can rub it for you."
This was Silvermist Bay Villa, in Melissa’s room.
Rachel Royce weakly raised a hand to caress Melissa’s cheek. Her voice was faint as she tried to reassure her, "Mommy’s okay."
The feeling of a thousand ants gnawing at her body was gone, but she still felt incredibly weak.
She needed to use the restroom.
She propped herself up, slowly sitting up in bed. Melissa tried to help, but she was too small and didn’t have the strength.
"Daddy," Melissa called out.
Just as she did, Tristan Sterling pushed the door open. Seeing the woman sitting up in bed, he guessed what she needed. He strode forward, bent down, and scooped Rachel Royce up into his arms.
"You..." Rachel Royce instinctively tried to refuse, but she simply had no strength.
Tristan Sterling glanced at her. "You’re not well. Don’t struggle."
He carried her to the bathroom, set her down on the toilet, then turned and left, closing the door behind him.
Rachel Royce watched him leave before lifting the toilet seat.
After relieving herself, she went to the sink, turned on the hot water, and washed her face. The simple act instantly made her feel more awake. She looked at her still-pale reflection in the mirror.
She vaguely remembered Tristan Sterling wanting her. In that moment, just as her consciousness was about to give out, she had taken the initiative and kissed him.
Suddenly, she let out a derisive laugh.
’How ridiculous!’
’Five years ago, he was utterly disgusted by the idea of sleeping with me. Now, he’s the one who wants me.’
’Men really are just visual creatures who think with their lower half.’
A cold glint instantly flashed in her eyes.
At that moment, a knock came from the door, followed by his voice. "Not done yet?"
Rachel Royce turned and walked on unsteady feet to open the door. Melissa was standing right outside, looking up at her with worried eyes.
"Eat something first," Tristan Sterling said.
The nanny brought up a bowl of millet congee, which was easy on the stomach.
Melissa pulled Rachel Royce over to the sofa and had her sit down.
"Mommy, have some congee." Melissa held the bowl with her small hands and offered it to Rachel.
Her stomach was indeed feeling unsettled from having it pumped, so Rachel Royce reached out and took the bowl. "Thank you, Melissa."
Melissa obediently stayed by her side, watching over her mother.
Tristan Sterling watched the mother and daughter for a moment before leaving the room.