novelraw Chapter 261: You Looked Like You Were Crying
Chapter 261: You Looked Like You Were Crying
Chapter 261: You Looked Like You Were About to Cry
Upon hearing this, Rachel Royce stared at the man in disbelief, then suddenly let out a laugh. She knew exactly what he was up to. She sneered, "I guess a man like you doesn’t need a reputation."
Tristan Sterling smiled warmly. "Of course I do."
"Is that so? Well, I have my pride too. I don’t want people pitying me behind my back."
As she turned to walk back, she saw Julian Jennings approaching. "Finished talking?"
Rachel Royce hummed in acknowledgment.
Julian Jennings glanced at Tristan Sterling, then said to Rachel, "Let’s go back inside then."
Back in the private room,
Rachel Royce sat down directly in Julian Jennings’s seat.
And just like that,
Julian Jennings and Tristan Sterling were seated next to each other.
These two men, who could be called mortal enemies in the business world, were now sitting side by side. The scene was bizarre, to say the least.
President Fowler started a new topic of conversation.
As they discussed business, the atmosphere became less awkward.
Fortunately, the conversation flowed harmoniously for the rest of the dinner.
The only exception was the occasional pointed remarks between Julian Jennings and Tristan Sterling, which hinted at an underlying rivalry.
The dinner ended at eight in the evening.
「Before they left.」
Tristan Sterling said to Rachel Royce, "Head home early when you’re done. I’ll be back late tonight."
It sounded like a concerned husband telling his wife about his plans.
Rachel Royce glanced at him. "You don’t need to tell me your schedule."
Tristan Sterling just smirked at her words, then turned to Julian Jennings. "Goodbye, President Jennings."
Julian Jennings and Rachel Royce got into the car and left.
Julian Jennings said, "Rachel, no matter what, you need to be on your guard against him."
A faint, cold smile touched Rachel Royce’s lips. "He’s putting on an act with me, so I’ll just play along."
"Protect yourself," Julian Jennings said earnestly.
Rachel Royce nodded. "Don’t worry, Professor. I will."
At this point, there was nothing more for Julian Jennings to say.
Tristan Sterling went to Alexander Sullivan’s company. As his car slowly approached the main entrance, he saw Alexander Sullivan and Johnson Royce standing at the doorway.
Johnson Royce was holding an insulated lunch box.
Alexander Sullivan was bent over slightly, listening intently as his father spoke. The look in his eyes held the meekness and obedience of a child listening to his father.
His usual defenses against the outside world were lowered, replaced by a desire to cherish the warmth of the moment.
No matter how powerful a person becomes, in their father’s eyes, they are always just a child.
This was the first time Tristan had seen this side of Alexander Sullivan.
Finally, Johnson Royce patted his arm, waved, and then turned to get into his car.
Alexander Sullivan stood there, his eyes filled with reluctance as he watched the car drive away.
He only looked away when another car slowly pulled up in front of him.
A staff member stepped forward to open the car door, and Tristan Sterling got out.
He walked up to him and said, "You looked like you were about to cry just now."
Alexander Sullivan didn’t answer. "Let’s head up first."
The two of them walked into the lobby.
"Have you eaten?"
Alexander Sullivan’s lips curved into a smile. "Just did. My dad brought me some dumplings."
Tristan Sterling looked at him and laughed. "And now you’re showing off to me."
Alexander said, "I didn’t say anything when you were showing off about Melissa."
"So you’ve been holding a grudge all this time."
"..."
The two rode the elevator to the office.
"Julian Jennings accepted your contract."
Tristan Sterling grunted in acknowledgment.
Alexander Sullivan said, "So this whole year was for nothing."
There was no trace of regret in Tristan Sterling’s eyes, only resignation. "I had no choice. If I didn’t give it to him, I couldn’t let Melissa lose her mother, could I?"
Alexander said, "I don’t think your wife will give in that easily. You’d better be prepared."
Tristan said, "Who knows what the future holds."
The matter they were supposed to discuss at noon had been postponed until now.
Rachel Royce returned to Silvermist Bay that day.
Tristan Sterling wasn’t there.
"Is Melissa asleep?" Rachel Royce asked the nanny.
The nanny replied, "Not yet. Mrs. Sterling is in the bedroom with Melissa."
Rachel Royce froze for a moment upon hearing this.
’Sylvia Shannon is here.’
Rachel Royce went upstairs and stood at the door, hearing Melissa’s laughter coming from the bedroom.
Having her grandmother with her, Melissa was in high spirits.
Rachel Royce went back downstairs, sat on the living room sofa, and turned on the TV.
「About half an hour later.」
Rachel Royce heard a noise from upstairs but didn’t look over.
The moment Sylvia Shannon saw Rachel Royce, her expression changed instantly.
She walked over, sat down in front of Rachel Royce, crossed her legs, folded her arms, and raised an eyebrow, her matriarchal aura on full display.
Rachel Royce met her gaze with a blank expression, saying nothing.
She just listened as Sylvia Shannon began to speak. "Five years, and you’ve certainly learned a few tricks. Getting plastic surgery to look like this... it was all so you could move back in here today, wasn’t it?"
Rachel Royce scoffed. "That’s right. I did it all for today. So what? But you, Mrs. Sterling, don’t seem to have changed at all."
Sylvia Shannon’s eyes darkened. "You’ve certainly become sharp-tongued."
"You flatter me, Mrs. Sterling."
"It seems you think very highly of yourself. But Rachel Royce, the days ahead are long. Don’t get too carried away."
Rachel Royce said, "Then I’ll thank you for the reminder, Mrs. Sterling."
With that,
she picked up her bag and went upstairs, not wasting another word on Sylvia Shannon.
Staring at Rachel Royce’s retreating back, Sylvia Shannon seethed with anger.
It wasn’t until Tristan Sterling returned. "Mom, when did you get here?"
Sylvia Shannon said, "Melissa called me, so I came."
Noticing his mother’s expression, Tristan Sterling asked, "What’s wrong?"
Sylvia Shannon’s tone was grave. "Tristan, I don’t think this Rachel Royce has good intentions. I think she was just playing hard to get, all for this moment. Don’t let her fool you."
Tristan Sterling said, "Mom, please stay out of this. I know what I’m doing. Besides, Melissa needs a mother."
Sylvia Shannon felt helpless. It was an undeniable fact that Rachel Royce had given birth to Melissa.
"I’m just worried about you!" She couldn’t help but sigh. "You’ve been like this since you were a child, never letting me get involved in your affairs. But I still hope you’ll tell me what you’re thinking. You’re my son. No matter what you do, I will always be on your side, unconditionally."
Hearing his mother’s words, his gaze softened as something came to mind, and a smile touched his lips. "Of course, I know that. Thank you, Mom."
Sylvia Shannon was taken aback by his thanks.
Her mood improved slightly.
She didn’t say anything more.
"It’s getting late, Mom. You should head back and get some rest. I’ll come see you and Dad before New Year’s Day, and our family can get together."
His words were a pleasant surprise to her. It took her a moment to react. "Oh, good. It’s been so long since you’ve come home for a meal. I’ll cook for you myself then."
"Okay, sounds good."
After watching Sylvia Shannon get in the car and leave, Tristan Sterling turned and went upstairs.
Rachel Royce was taking a shower in Melissa’s bedroom.
When she came out of the bathroom, she saw the man sitting by Melissa’s bed.