novelraw Chapter 264: Even Worse
Chapter 264: Even Worse
Chapter 264: Even Worse
Rachel Royce sat in the car, her gaze darkening as she read the agreement in her hand. ’So, it’s finally come to this.’
’Tristan Sterling, you’d better be able to keep up this act forever.’
She tucked the agreement securely into her bag.
Back at the office.
Joanna Sutton found her and asked Rachel to go with her on a blind date.
Joanna had finally given in and was willing to accept her family’s arrangements. All those years of resistance now seemed like a pointless, illusory battle. Sometimes, she herself didn’t even know what she had been holding out for.
So, for the blind date her family had arranged this time, she had adopted a calm mindset, ready to communicate with the man.
The man was from Portington, so they had chatted online for a while and exchanged photos.
Rachel Royce had also seen the man’s photo. While he was no match for men with the top-tier looks and charisma of someone like Alexander Sullivan, he was definitely a high-quality catch among more ordinary-looking men.
The man was very enthusiastic about Joanna Sutton, having already sent her many nice gifts and constantly checking in on her.
Joanna had been very resistant at first, but she forced herself to accept his attention.
Today, the man had come to Kingsland and invited her to dinner for their first formal meeting.
He was two years younger than Joanna and was in the process of taking over his family’s business.
"I’ll go with you. It’ll be less awkward with three people." "What’s there to be awkward about? You can help me vet him."
「That night.」
Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton went to the restaurant.
Of course, Julian Jennings went with them as well.
Seeing that their daughter still had no plans to marry, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton were very anxious. Mr. Sutton had therefore asked Julian Jennings to give her a little push.
For this meeting between Joanna and her blind date, Mr. Sutton had called Julian beforehand and asked him to keep an eye on things, to make sure she didn’t screw it up again.
So, Julian Jennings and Rachel Royce entered after Joanna Sutton, taking a sofa seat diagonally across from her and her date.
The two of them ordered their meal.
Rachel Royce got a look at the man’s face. He looked even more handsome and refined than in his photo. His ears were flushed red—perhaps from seeing someone he liked. In contrast to Joanna Sutton’s composure, he was particularly effusive.
"He does look quite young, like a guy in his early twenties," Julian commented. He had his back to Joanna and her date, having only glanced at the man on his way in. "Looks are just superficial. We have to see how he behaves."
Rachel Royce nodded, not paying the other table much more attention as she chatted idly with Julian Jennings.
"Ivan Alden isn’t planning to go back to the United States yet?" Rachel Royce asked.
Julian said, "Stella wants her dad to be with her for the New Year. She wants her mom and dad to get back together and remarry." He continued, "Originally, Ivan Alden had a new project with the Wyatt Family, so he had to stay in Kingsland. My side managed to block that project, but now Stella wants her dad with her for the holiday, and he doesn’t want to make her unhappy."
A child of that age is at the peak of needing love from their parents.
Rachel Royce couldn’t help but scoff. "Ivan Alden is just using Stella to emotionally blackmail June. All men are the same." ’How is his behavior any different from Tristan Sterling’s?’
"Remarrying is out of the question," Julian said. "Even if June wanted to, I definitely wouldn’t let her remarry Ivan Alden. Stella is just a child now; she’ll understand when she’s older."
Rachel Royce nodded lightly. "Still, Stella should have less contact with Ivan Alden. We can’t have him whispering things to her. They’re already divorced; Stella can’t be allowed to become too dependent on him." She was worried that if this continued, it would make it impossible for June to move on to a new relationship.
It was clear that even though June was divorced, she couldn’t escape her entanglement with Ivan Alden because of their child.
And Tristan Sterling would only be even worse than Ivan Alden, not better.
’He just wants me to compromise completely and return to a domestic life.’
’He says he’s willing to pay any price, but how could I give in so easily? If I did, what would the five years of suffering I endured all be for?’
Julian Jennings noticed the change in Rachel Royce’s expression. "Rachel, what’s wrong?"
Rachel snapped back to reality, shaking her head slightly and forcing a smile. "It’s nothing. June mentioned she was taking Stella back to Portington. When are they leaving?"
"June already arranged for time off with the teacher today. They’re heading back to Portington tomorrow," Julian said.
Rachel hummed in acknowledgment. "Then we’ll have to strictly limit Stella’s contact time with Ivan Alden."
"..."
As the two were talking...
Rachel Royce happened to look up and saw two people walking in from the entrance: Tristan Sterling and Alexander Sullivan.
Tristan Sterling’s eyes locked onto Rachel Royce instantly, and he strode directly toward her. At the same time, Alexander Sullivan saw Joanna Sutton.
As Tristan Sterling walked over, Joanna Sutton instinctively glanced toward Alexander Sullivan.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Alexander Sullivan gave Joanna Sutton a slight, polite nod and a faint smile.
Joanna averted her gaze.
Danny Willow noticed the shift in Joanna’s mood and quickly asked, "Is something wrong?"
Joanna collected herself. "It’s nothing. Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
"Okay."
Joanna stood up, asked a server for directions to the restroom, and walked past Alexander Sullivan as if he were a complete stranger.
Tristan Sterling stopped in front of Rachel Royce. He saw Julian Jennings and offered a gentlemanly, perfunctory greeting. "President Jennings."
Julian glanced up at him and simply nodded.
Rachel had just noticed Joanna leaving. She said to Julian, "I’m going to go check on Joanna." With that, she completely ignored the man standing beside her and hurried off in Joanna’s direction.
Tristan Sterling watched her retreating back, then his gaze shifted to the young man sitting across from where Joanna Sutton had just been.
He understood the situation in an instant.
"Are you here chaperoning Miss Sutton on her blind date?"
Julian Jennings, holding his wine glass, said coolly, "That doesn’t seem to be any of your business, President Sterling."
Tristan Sterling’s lips curved into a faint smirk. "The New Year is almost here. President Jennings should be thinking about his own marital prospects instead of always coveting the mother of another man’s children."
"You needn’t concern yourself with my affairs, President Sterling."
Tristan Sterling said nothing more, but the curve of his lips deepened with a hint of mockery before he turned and walked away.
He walked up to Alexander Sullivan and said, "Let’s go."
How could Julian Jennings not have caught the man’s earlier sarcasm? His grip on his glass tightened, the veins on his wrist standing out in sharp relief.
Rachel Royce found Joanna Sutton in the restroom. Joanna looked outwardly calm.
"Joanna."
Joanna was standing at the washbasin, washing her hands. Rachel Royce pulled a paper towel for her.
Joanna took it. "Thanks."
"So, what do you think of him?" Rachel asked.
Joanna tossed the paper towel into the trash bin. "He’s considerate, knows how to talk to people, and he’s more handsome than his photo."
Rachel Royce listened to her friend’s praise, but she could tell it was all superficial. None of it had truly registered with her heart.
And of all the rotten luck, they had to run into Alexander Sullivan and Tristan Sterling here today.
Compared to Alexander Sullivan, Danny Willow didn’t stand a chance. There was simply no comparison.
It really proved the saying: meeting someone too dazzling when you’re young can ruin you for anyone else for the rest of your life.
Rachel Royce couldn’t help but ask, "Joanna, back when you were with Alexander Sullivan... do you think he truly liked you?"