novelraw Chapter 258: A Price That Cannot Be Paid
Chapter 258: A Price That Cannot Be Paid
Chapter 258: A Price He Can’t Afford
Rachel said, "I can take Melissa home myself." Hearing this, Tristan Sterling didn’t object. His tone remained gentle as he said, "Alright. I’ll have someone prepare some gifts." Rachel didn’t answer. She suddenly added, "I don’t want to see Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt here." "If you don’t want to see them," Tristan replied, "I’ll send them back to the family estate. I can arrange for two new maids to come over." "I’ll find my own." Tristan looked at her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Alright, then." When Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt heard that Mr. Sterling was sending them back to the family estate, their first thought was that Rachel must have said something to him.
They couldn’t believe he listened to her every word.
They had been taking care of him for a long time and had grown used to their lives here. The other maids all had to treat them with deference.
But if they returned to the family estate now, after all these years, there would be no place for them.
Despite their pleading, Tristan simply said, "I’ll speak with Madam Sterling and make sure you’re settled in. Now, go pack your things. The driver will take you there." They knew his temperament well enough; insisting would only annoy him. Resentfully, they turned to look at Rachel, who sat silently to the side.
All they could do was silently agree and head to the maids’ room to pack.
Staff from the department store delivered the designer clothes purchased earlier. Tristan had someone put them away, telling them to wake Melissa in twenty minutes and bring her to her room.
Melissa had indeed woken up, but she’d drifted off again.
Tristan picked up a jewelry box from the coffee table. Inside lay an Australian White Pearl necklace. The pearls had a fine, silk-like texture and a surface as smooth as a mirror, exuding the unique elegance and romance of the highest quality.
He lifted the pearl necklace out. "Try it on," he said, walking around behind her to fasten it around her neck.
The pearl necklace rested against her dark blue turtleneck, the sharp contrast of colors creating a gentle yet elegant look.
Tristan picked up a hand mirror they’d also bought and held it up for Rachel. "It suits you perfectly." Rachel stared at her reflection. The necklace was exactly the style she loved most, but her expression remained impassive.
"Something just occurred to me," Rachel said.
Tristan sat down beside her. "What is it?" "Five years ago," Rachel said, "Claire Ainsworth gave me a flawed pearl. I tried to give it back, but you threw it in the trash."
She turned to stare at him, the corners of her mouth lifting into a faint smile, but her eyes were devoid of any warmth. "When the two of you humiliated me back then, did you ever imagine that one day you’d be giving me a whole necklace of them?"
Tristan reached out and took her slender fingers in his. Even though she spent her days typing on a computer, her hands were still perfectly manicured. One could say that from head to toe, no expense was spared in her upkeep.
"One must pay a price for their actions," he said. "So now, I’m paying you back, with interest." Rachel snatched her hand back, averting her gaze. "Tristan Sterling, you’re so conceited. You really think you can afford any price." Tristan just smiled faintly. "Of course, there are some prices I can’t afford." Rachel’s eyes snapped back to him.
She heard him say, "Right now, all I want is for you and Melissa to be happy and well." His words, sounding like those of a man who cared deeply for his wife, still took Rachel by surprise.
Rachel let out a short laugh. "Is that so?" Suddenly, Tristan leaned in, planting a hand on the sofa beside her. His tall frame cast a shadow that completely enveloped her.
His scent filled her senses as their faces drew near. They stared into each other’s eyes, but there was no trace of passion.
His thin lips parted, his voice low and magnetic. "Want to test that theory?" Rachel shoved him away.
Tristan stumbled back slightly, but he wasn’t angry. A smile played on his lips. "We can try next time, then."
Just then, a maid came downstairs to announce that Melissa was awake.
Rachel stood up and headed upstairs.
Tristan was about to follow her upstairs when his phone buzzed. He picked it up, glanced at the caller ID, and answered, "Hello, Grandma." Madam Sterling’s voice came from the other end. "Tristan, have you and Rachel reconciled?" Sylvia Shannon had been absolutely livid today. She had never suffered such humiliation, and what’s worse, Tristan had been completely indifferent.
His indifference made it painfully clear where his loyalties lay.
Not long after Rachel and Tristan had left the hospital, she found she couldn’t bear to stay any longer and had returned to the family estate.
Then, Sylvia Shannon received a call from Lisa Lawson.
Her mood was already foul, but Lisa’s words made her even more agitated.
’Who else could be responsible for them getting kicked out but Rachel?’
’Apparently, Tristan was taking orders from her now.’
When Madam Sterling woke up, Sylvia couldn’t control her emotions and immediately began to complain.
Madam Sterling wasn’t surprised that Tristan was trying to win Rachel back. As the family matriarch, she was far more level-headed than Sylvia.
"’Rachel is Melissa’s mother, after all,’ she’d said. ’And that woman from the Ainsworth family is not a suitable wife for Tristan.’" Madam Sterling was well aware that Mrs. Ainsworth had been cozying up to the Sterling Family recently; she knew exactly what her motives were.
In terms of family background alone, Claire Ainsworth was a suitable match for Tristan.
She had met Claire Ainsworth once before. The girl was certainly beautiful, but compared to Rachel, she seemed petty and small-minded, lacking a broader perspective.
Sylvia, of course, knew what Madam Sterling meant. She simply wanted her son to care about Claire so that he would finally divorce Rachel.
Her son was no longer under her control, so she wanted a daughter-in-law who Tristan would care for, but who would also be easy to manage and obedient. In her mind, Claire Ainsworth was the perfect choice.
But now, he and Rachel were growing closer and closer instead.
The anger was giving her a splitting headache.
’How could she ever accept a daughter-in-law like Rachel?’
Listening to his grandmother, Tristan said, "It might take a little more time." Madam Sterling was surprised to hear that. She hadn’t expected Rachel to be so strong-willed now.
’They couldn’t control what Tristan did now, nor could they interfere.’
"Reconciliation is fine," she conceded. "It’s all for Melissa’s sake. A child needs a family." Tristan grunted in agreement.
"You’ll bring her to the estate for New Year’s Day." "I will." "Good," said Madam Sterling. Tristan then told his grandmother about sending Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt away.
Madam Sterling said, "They’re getting on in years anyway. We can let them retire to their hometowns next year." "Mm." Rachel stayed the night at Silvermist Bay.
With her mommy staying over to keep her company, Melissa was so happy she practically danced with joy.
「The next day.」
Rachel went back to her own home for a visit. She hadn’t been back all week, and this time, she didn’t bring Melissa with her.
When Florence Preston saw that Rachel was finally home, her heart ached. "Rachel, you’re finally home."