Chapter 185: Chapter 185: You’re Not Wary of Me, Your Love Rival?

Noelle Sutton raised her hand, her expression neutral. "I have something to do."

"Go on, then."

Tristan Lawson didn’t make things difficult for her. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Although they hadn’t said much, neither of them seemed angry. It was a rare moment of harmony.

For this very reason, Tristan Lawson didn’t overthink it, simply assuming she was there for a follow-up on her throat.

He went to the testing center and submitted the materials.

He had provided a hair sample, and even with rush processing, it would take two to three business days.

The testing center told him they would send a text notification to come pick up the paternity test results when they were ready.

After taking care of that, Tristan Lawson had his driver take him to the apartment complex where Noelle Sutton lived.

He arrived but didn’t get out, sitting in the car and glancing up at Noelle’s floor a few times.

He sat in the car for a full hour before telling the driver to take him back to the Hughes family’s home.

Old Mr. and Mrs. Hughes could no longer contain their desire to meet Noelle Sutton. When they saw Tristan Lawson return, Old Mrs. Hughes suggested to him that since he could get around in a wheelchair now, he should go bring Noelle to their home.

"We’re still on the outs."

’He wanted to bring her, but Noelle Sutton wouldn’t give him the chance.’

Old Mrs. Hughes said sternly, "If you had a falling out, why don’t you go apologize? A husband and wife shouldn’t let the sun go down on their anger."

’Their problems weren’t something a simple apology could fix.’

"We’ll see."

"You child, you’ve been married for seven years. What do you mean by never letting me meet your wife? Your mother never had the chance to meet her daughter-in-law, so you should at least give your grandmother a chance to see her on your mother’s behalf."

At the mention of his mother, Tristan Lawson inevitably felt a pang of sadness.

During her pregnancy, his mother had left behind many letters, all written for him and his sister to read.

For his mother, it was a regret that she couldn’t raise them, and an even greater regret that she couldn’t see them get married and have children of their own.

A dark, complicated look filled Tristan Lawson’s deep eyes.

Sitting to the side, Sophie Hughes had the faint feeling that his feelings for Noelle Sutton were no longer ordinary.

’He had hidden his marriage for seven years and had never planned on bringing Noelle Sutton to meet his grandparents. But now he was hesitating, conflicted. It was clear he no longer planned to keep Noelle hidden. Yet, he hadn’t promised his adoptive parents he would bring her over immediately, which must mean Noelle was the one who refused to come.’

"Grandma, I’ll find some time to go and apologize to her."

"Why wait to ’find time’? Why don’t you just go to her now? A couple’s conflicts can’t be left to fester; they only get worse. Listen to me and go soon."

’He had just come from her neighborhood and hadn’t even gone up to see her.’

’Hugo Sterling was right. He should give her some time.’

’He shouldn’t push her too hard.’

’He hadn’t been too demanding today, and she had actually treated him with some civility.’

"Grandma, it’s not convenient for me to go apologize in my current state. If she decides to run off and avoid me, I can’t even chase after her. Just wait a little. I promise I’ll let you meet her, okay?"

’Nathan Fulton had a point, too. When a couple fought, a verbal apology alone was useless. You needed kisses and hugs, or even sleeping together, for a better chance at success.’

’In Tristan’s current condition, the chances of a successful apology were slim.’

So, the old lady didn’t press him any further.

In front of their adoptive parents, Sophie Hughes still deliberately kept her distance from Tristan Lawson.

She didn’t say a word the entire time. Deep down, she desperately wanted to take care of Tristan Lawson, but she could only suppress the feeling.

Back in his room, Tristan Lawson stood up on one leg, sat on the bed, and called Hugo Sterling while reclining.

"What’s up?"

Hugo Sterling asked, getting straight to the point.

"Yeah. My grandfather and grandmother want to meet their granddaughter-in-law. Help me think of a way."

Hugo Sterling felt a headache coming on. He said, "Tristan, the Yates family’s second son sees me as a love rival and is wary of me. Aren’t you?"

’He was trying to find a reason to refuse.’

"If you hadn’t brought it up, I might have been. But since you’re so open about it, there’s nothing to be wary of. It’s been seven years; it’s time I had her meet my grandparents. Can you help me talk to her?"

’Of all the people he knew, Hugo Sterling was the only one who could get through to Noelle Sutton.’

’As for Hugo Sterling, what was there to be wary of?’

’He might be my brother-in-law.’

’He wouldn’t mind no matter how well Hugo Sterling treated Noelle Sutton.’

"It’s too difficult. Besides, I’m being serious. You should be wary of me. You’re expressing so much trust in me, I’m afraid I’ll feel too embarrassed to steal your wife."

In short, he wanted to refuse.

He didn’t want Noelle Sutton to think he was just trying to smooth things over between them without taking a side.

"Do you still want to find your younger sister? I have a lead. The probability that it’s her is quite high."

Tristan Lawson had to play his trump card.

Hugo Sterling immediately changed his tune. "It is a bit difficult, but I’ll accept the challenge. If I can’t pull it off, don’t blame me."

"I have faith in your abilities."

"So, what’s the lead?"

Hugo Sterling knew Tristan Lawson well. With Tristan’s personality, he wouldn’t have mentioned it so readily if the probability wasn’t significant.

"I’ll tell you once I’ve confirmed it. I don’t want to get your hopes up for nothing."

Hugo Sterling didn’t press the issue. Even if he found out now, he would still have to wait for the final results.

Since Tristan Lawson was on the case, he’d just leave it to him. There should be an answer in a few days.

After hanging up, Hugo Sterling still wasn’t sure how he was going to talk to Noelle Sutton.

’Tristan Lawson really knows how to boss him around.’

Resigned, Hugo Sterling headed out anyway.

Noelle Sutton was at home, starting her work.

The work today wasn’t too difficult. The character concepts she had designed previously were also based on research she had done for a show called *Smith*.

However, she needed to redesign a style to fit the show’s specific needs.

The follow-up work could only begin once the character designs were finalized.

She was focused, working at her computer.

The doorbell rang.

She got up to open the door and found Hugo Sterling standing there.

Hugo Sterling was carrying several bags of fruit and some pastries.

Noelle Sutton poured him a cup of coffee.

There happened to be a pen and paper on the coffee table, so Noelle Sutton wrote a note: "Mr. Sterling, thank you for the fruit and pastries."

She couldn’t eat any of it yet, but she had to thank him for the kind gesture. It was basic courtesy.

"You’re welcome. I’ve actually come to ask for a favor."

Noelle Sutton, who had just been wondering how to thank him, quickly wrote for him to tell her. If it was something she could do, she definitely would.

A debt of gratitude was the hardest to repay.

’She had to seize this chance to return the favor.’

Hugo Sterling’s gaze was fixed on her. "It might put you in a difficult position."

Noelle Sutton gave him a puzzled look, then quickly smiled and wrote a line in her elegant script.

"It’s fine. Just tell me."

’If she couldn’t do it, she would say so then.’

’As long as it was within her power, she would give it her all.’

"Here’s the thing. Tristan’s maternal grandparents immigrated here years ago. They know you’re in town and are insisting that Tristan bring you to the Hughes family’s home to meet them. Given your recent situation with Tristan..." Hugo Sterling paused. "He knew that if he asked you himself, you’d definitely refuse, so he asked me to come talk to you on his behalf."

Noelle Sutton pressed her lips together and wrote out her response. "We’ve been married for seven years and I’ve never met his grandparents. Now that we’re on the verge of divorce, there’s even less reason to meet them. He should be well aware of that himself, yet he still sent you to talk to me. Does he put you in a very difficult position?"