novelraw Chapter 260: Acknowledge Our Relationship
Chapter 260: Acknowledge Our Relationship
Chapter 260: Acknowledging Our Relationship
Rachel Royce had a brief video chat with Melissa before hanging up.
She went downstairs and saw Thomas Sterling.
"Thomas, how’s work been lately?" Thomas Sterling replied, "It’s the end of the year, so it’s anything but easy. I’m just hoping to wrap things up and take a vacation soon. How about you, Rachel?" Rachel Royce said, "About the same for me—incredibly busy. Your company’s profits must have hit a new high this year, right?" The projects Thomas Sterling had taken on in recent years were more often profitable than not; the younger generation of the Sterling Family was indeed full of bright minds.
Thomas Sterling smiled and said, "They’re pretty good. We should be able to break fifty ’small goals.’" Rachel Royce raised an eyebrow and teased, "Truly a young and promising talent!" "Thomas." Peter Preston’s voice called out.
"Peter." The two exchanged a few pleasantries.
Florence Preston called the three of them to breakfast.
Rachel Royce arrived at the office.
Monday was another busy day. She spent the entire morning in a senior management meeting, mainly discussing the project collaboration with TC.
The senior executives were absolutely shocked that such a massive project had landed with Rowan, as they all knew it was originally in Tristan Sterling’s hands.
Ian Quinn was especially stunned when he heard Julian Jennings’s announcement. But when he looked at Rachel Royce, he quickly understood what had happened.
Still, it was shocking enough.
’To think he would give up such a huge project just to maintain his marriage with Rachel Royce.’
After the meeting ended,
the senior executives all had delighted expressions on their faces.
This project could completely make up for the losses Eastgate had suffered from Tristan Sterling’s previous scheme. Looking back now, it was clear he had brought his earlier actions upon himself.
"Rachel, Tristan Sterling didn’t make you agree to anything outrageous, did he?"
Rachel Royce smiled. "Don’t worry, President Quinn. He didn’t."
This only made Ian Quinn more curious. He glanced at Julian Jennings, who said, "Let’s get back to work for now."
When dealing with someone as calculating as Tristan Sterling, one had to be extremely careful. But the two of them must have discussed and confirmed everything before making the final decision.
So, Ian Quinn didn’t press the matter further.
Besides, he was in a good mood. It would be foolish to turn down such a juicy piece of meat.
Julian Jennings looked at Rachel Royce. "I’ll go with you this afternoon for the meeting with the financial bureau and Cedarwood."
"Okay."
「Three in the afternoon.」
Rachel Royce and Julian Jennings arrived at the location.
As their car slowly pulled to a stop,
a Rolls-Royce smoothly parked in the spot across from them.
Julian Jennings grabbed an umbrella, got out of the car, and quickly walked around to Rachel Royce’s side.
The weather today was a mix of sleet and snow.
The moment the car door opened,
a blast of cold wind hit her. Rachel Royce couldn’t help but shiver. The rain landing on her skin was bone-chillingly cold.
"Come on, let’s get inside quickly."
Rachel Royce grabbed her bag, got out, and stepped under Julian Jennings’s umbrella. As she walked toward the lobby, she saw the man getting out of the car across from them.
Tristan Sterling also glanced in their direction.
Inside the lobby,
it was much warmer.
The group filed into the conference room and exchanged greetings. At this moment, Rachel Royce and Tristan Sterling were merely business partners, shaking hands in greeting.
But just as she was about to pull her hand back, the man suddenly tightened his grip.
Rachel Royce looked at him.
Tristan Sterling smiled, his tone gentle and concerned. "Your hand is a little cold. You should wear more clothes. Your health is more important."
Rachel Royce stared at him.
The man smiled and withdrew his hand.
The others who overheard Tristan Sterling’s words couldn’t help but look at him. They vaguely remembered President Sterling giving Evelynn a hard time at the financial summit a few months ago.
Besides, he wasn’t the type to say such caring things in public, and his tone was noticeably different.
It was as if he were speaking to the person closest to him.
Rachel Royce didn’t respond.
It was just a small interlude. The three parties took their seats one after another.
The meeting lasted for more than two hours.
Although Cedarwood and Rowan were competitors, both sides were very proactive in this collaboration, so the project was proceeding smoothly.
A dinner was arranged for the evening.
Inside the restaurant’s private dining room,
there was a table that could seat sixteen people.
Everyone began to take their seats.
Julian Jennings pulled out a chair next to him for Rachel Royce.
Rachel Royce sat down.
Just as Julian Jennings was about to sit, Tristan Sterling walked up to him and said, "President Jennings, could we switch seats?"
Hearing this,
Rachel Royce couldn’t help but frown and glare at Tristan Sterling.
’Doesn’t he know this is a public setting?’
’Leave it to a scumbag to not know when to stop. Give him an inch, and he’ll take a mile.’
Julian Jennings refused him directly and bluntly. "Sorry, no."
Seeing this,
the onlookers understood everything.
’Tristan Sterling and Evelynn definitely have some kind of relationship.’
’It wasn’t surprising that he would be interested in Evelynn. After all, she’s such an outstanding and beautiful woman; it’s only normal for men to fall for her.’
’No wonder Tristan Sterling’s attitude toward Rowan was so courteous during the meeting today.’
’But Evelynn is one of Julian Jennings’s most capable subordinates.’
’It made one wonder what the competition between Tristan Sterling and Julian Jennings would be like in the future.’
Tristan Sterling wasn’t annoyed by Julian Jennings’s refusal.
Julian Jennings sat down in his seat.
Tristan Sterling walked over to the seat on Rachel Royce’s other side, a spot that, according to protocol, belonged to Julian Jennings’s assistant.
When Tristan Sterling motioned to sit, the assistant was put in a difficult position. He couldn’t refuse as directly as Julian Jennings had.
At that moment, everyone in the private room was watching Tristan Sterling.
Rachel Royce turned and glared at him, her eyes filled with a warning that seemed to say, ’Behave yourself.’
Tristan Sterling looked at the people watching him and said with a smile, "Apologies, I’d like to be with my..." He hadn’t yet said the word "wife."
Rachel Royce, guessing what he was about to say, immediately cut Tristan Sterling off and said to the assistant, "Why don’t you take the next seat over."
The assistant agreed.
She had no intention of publicly acknowledging her relationship with Tristan Sterling.
"President Sterling, please."
Tristan Sterling sat down.
Everyone else then took their seats.
The waiters began to serve the dishes.
During the meal,
Rachel Royce was speaking with Julian Jennings, her chair positioned noticeably closer to him.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her chair and started pulling it closer in one direction. Just as the chair moved, another hand grabbed it and held it firmly in place.
Rachel Royce could clearly feel the straining tension coming from the chair, and her grip on her chopsticks tightened.
She took a deep breath to compose herself.
Then,
she stood up.
Everyone looked at her.
Rachel Royce forced a polite smile. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom." She then shot a look at Tristan Sterling, her meaning obvious.
Rachel Royce exited the private room.
Tristan Sterling got up and followed her out.
Everyone watched this scene unfold.
After the two had left,
President Fowler curiously asked Julian Jennings, "President Jennings, what is the relationship between Evelynn and President Sterling?"
Julian Jennings’s hand, holding his wine glass, tightened.
In front of a railing some distance from the restaurant’s entrance.
"Tristan Sterling, keep your distance from me in public," Rachel Royce said, her voice already strained with restraint.
Tristan Sterling looked at the anger in the woman’s eyes, a smile playing on his lips. "My apologies, that was inconsiderate of me," he said. "I’ll wait until I can find a suitable time to acknowledge our relationship."