Chapter 39: Chapter 39: A Surprise for Noelle Sutton

Tristan Lawson had emphasized in his message that tonight’s guest was very important and that she must prepare well.

Noelle Sutton couldn’t help but scoff.

Usually, when they had guests, he would make her stay out of sight.

This time, he had sent bodyguards to forcibly keep her at home, and now he was telling her to prepare to entertain a guest.

She wouldn’t let him order her around unconditionally like before.

Because of this whole mess, she couldn’t attend Director Ford’s exhibition today.

For seven years, he had refused to publicly acknowledge her as his wife.

With only six months left to live, she had even less need for him to acknowledge her existence.

She sat for a while, turning it over in her mind, and decided she had to go out.

Noelle Sutton picked up her phone and sent a message to Tristan Lawson.

"I have something important to do today. I have to go out."

Tristan Lawson replied quickly.

"What’s so important?"

"I want to go to an anime convention."

She didn’t mention that she wanted to see Director Ford.

In her current state, she couldn’t bear for anyone to know she was Director Ford’s student, and she especially didn’t want Director Ford to find out about her condition and feel sorry for her.

Ten minutes passed after she sent the message before Tristan Lawson finally replied.

"What’s so great about an anime convention? You don’t know anything about that stuff. Taking care of the house is what you should be doing."

This was Tristan Lawson.

When he forbade something, she had no room to refuse.

She had told him she majored in animation in college.

But he still said she didn’t know anything about it. Clearly, he had never taken her words to heart.

Perhaps he had never even really listened.

Noelle Sutton put her phone away, not wanting to reply.

She got up, went into the study, and turned on her computer, wanting to catch up on the latest trends in animation.

Tessa Lawson arrived in Aridia and called Tristan Lawson as soon as she got off the plane.

"Tristan, which hotel are you staying at? I’ll come find you."

Tristan Lawson furrowed his brow.

"You’re in Zentha?"

"Yeah. Who told you to be so much trouble? I’m seeing you first, then I’ll go see Grandpa."

Tessa Lawson wanted to have a serious talk with Tristan Lawson about him and Noelle Sutton.

"Why didn’t you say anything when you called me yesterday?"

Tessa Lawson was pushing her suitcase, heading out of the airport.

"What was there to say? I can fly whenever I want."

Tristan Lawson’s voice came through the phone. "By the time you contacted me yesterday, I was already back in the country."

"What?"

Tessa Lawson stopped in her tracks, her voice edged with impatience. "Why didn’t you say so sooner?"

Tessa Lawson was extremely frustrated.

She had made this trip specifically for Tristan Lawson.

"Alright, since you’re there, go see Grandpa. Joshua is still there. Bring him back with you when you return."

Tessa Lawson was instantly displeased. "Why didn’t you bring Joshua back with you when you left? What’s the point of leaving him here?"

’So annoying!’

’That little brat Joshua can’t tell right from wrong. How can he be allowed to stay with Sophie Hughes?’

"It was Grandpa’s first time meeting him; he didn’t want him to leave so soon."

"Fine, fine. I’m done talking to you."

Tessa Lawson hung up. She couldn’t sort out the issue with Tristan Lawson and Noelle Sutton over the phone anyway. She’d deal with Tristan properly after she dragged that little stinker Joshua Lawson back home!

’What a troublesome pair of father and son.’

After closing his phone, Tristan Lawson called Mrs. Miller and told her they were having a guest that evening. He asked her to lend Noelle Sutton a hand in preparing a good dinner.

After Mrs. Miller took the call, she looked at the time. It was almost four o’clock.

If a guest was coming, they needed to start preparing early.

But the madam hadn’t made a single move.

So, Mrs. Miller went to the study to find Noelle Sutton.

"Madam, the master said we’re having a guest tonight. He asked me to help you prepare dinner. What do you think we should make?"

Noelle Sutton casually picked up a pen and paper from the desk and wrote down two words.

"You decide."

Mrs. Miller was a bit stunned.

The madam prepared all three meals a day at home; the chef had even been dismissed.

When guests came to the house, the madam would get everything ready and then leave.

The master’s guests were all very distinguished people. Her own cooking skills were only good enough for some simple, tasty home-style dishes—hardly suitable for entertaining such guests.

"Madam, I’m afraid I’m not up to the task."

Noelle Sutton understood Mrs. Miller’s concern, so she wrote on the paper: "It’s fine. You can order food from a hotel for delivery. I’ll pay for it."

Tristan Lawson had given her a credit card, and money was transferred to it on the first of every month like clockwork.

It was for household living expenses and the servants’ salaries.

That card essentially covered all the necessary monthly expenses for the entire Westhill Villa.

Tristan Lawson had extremely high standards for his lifestyle, so he wasn’t stingy with household expenses. The funds he provided were more than sufficient.

Tristan Lawson himself was not short on money, but Noelle Sutton never spent a single penny more than necessary.

She meticulously recorded every single expense.

She tried so hard to do her part, wanting to show him that what she was after had never been his money, nor his status and position.

But what good did it do?

He simply turned a blind eye to all her efforts.

Seeing that Noelle Sutton’s attention was fixed on the computer and she seemed unconcerned about the guest, Mrs. Miller didn’t dare say more and retreated from the study.

In the past, the madam had always handled these matters with delight, keeping the house in perfect order.

She had been the model of a virtuous wife in a wealthy family.

Because the madam took on so much, her own workload had been much lighter. Now that the madam refused to do it, it was all part of her job anyway.

She had no complaints, but she worried about the relationship between the madam and the master. She felt that things couldn’t go on like this.

After Mrs. Miller left, Noelle Sutton redrafted the divorce agreement.

’When Tristan Lawson gets back, we’ll have a proper talk about the divorce.’

「Nightfall.」

Tristan Lawson’s car returned, rolling through the twilight.

Today, he had successfully invited Tutor Ford.

In fact, he had rushed back specifically for this occasion.

He remembered Noelle Sutton often did paper crafts with Joshua Lawson.

This time, when he contacted Director Ford, she had surprisingly brought up wanting to visit his home to see Joshua Lawson’s handicrafts.

It was all thanks to Noelle Sutton that Director Ford thought so highly of Joshua.

’Noelle Sutton will surely be thrilled when she finds out.’

This would also be the perfect opportunity to discuss with Director Ford the matter of accepting Sophie Hughes as her final disciple.

Tutor Ford stepped out of Tristan Lawson’s car and looked at the massive villa, feeling reassured.

’No wonder Noelle Sutton chose love.’

’Tristan Lawson was a true catch—a titan of the business world, handsome, wealthy, and exceptionally cultured. He was indeed the kind of man who could capture a young girl’s heart.’

The reason she had come was also to see Noelle Sutton.

After seven years, she missed her.

She had kept it from Tristan Lawson, wanting to give Noelle Sutton a surprise.

Director Ford followed Tristan Lawson inside.

Mrs. Miller came forward to greet them.

"Where is the madam? Tell her to come out and greet our guest."

"The madam is in the study. I’ll go get her."

Mrs. Miller quickly helped with the slippers, took Tristan Lawson’s coat and bag, hung them on the coat rack, and then hurried toward the study.

She pushed open the door.

It was completely empty inside.

Mrs. Miller stood frozen in the doorway.

’But I didn’t see the madam come out.’

Tristan Lawson glanced over at Mrs. Miller, noticing she hadn’t moved.

"What is it? Is she not in there?"

As he spoke, Tristan Lawson started walking over.