On the Day I Was Kicked Out of the Wealthy Family, I Had a Flash Marriage with a Tycoon-Chapter 197: Confession

Watching the woman’s act, Dean Lynch couldn’t help but laugh. ’To think she’d have the nerve to put on such a clumsy performance.’

Esther Sterling’s eyes grew misty. "Sir, what do you think you’re doing?"

Dean Lynch sneered and ignored her. Sensing someone behind him, he turned to see Tristan Sinclair emerging. It all clicked—he now understood why she had suddenly grabbed him and thrown herself to the ground.

"President Sinclair, what brings you out?"

Tristan Sinclair’s expression was grim, a stark contrast to the roguish smile he usually wore.

"I’ll go with you."

Dean Lynch was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."

A moment ago, Esther Sterling’s eyes had only been misty, but the tears spilling from them now were genuine. Tristan Sinclair had merely shot her a cold glance before striding past. His deep-set eyes held no trace of affection or pity, only endless indifference.

She didn’t understand. He had treated her differently before, had clearly shown concern for her. Why had he suddenly become so cold?

"President Sinclair," Esther Sterling called out, her voice hoarse. She scrambled to her feet and stared at his retreating back. "Why?"

The man left her with nothing but the sight of his tall, indifferent back, offering no response.

After a moment’s hesitation, Esther Sterling chased after him. Mustering her courage, she grabbed Tristan Sinclair’s sleeve. "Why are you being so cold to me?"

Tristan Sinclair stopped in his tracks. His dark eyes, filled with disgust, fixed on her as he said coldly, "Get lost!"

Esther Sterling froze.

Tristan Sinclair yanked his sleeve free and strode away, coldly ordering Dean Lynch, "Find out who leaked my whereabouts!"

Dean Lynch quickly replied, "Yes, sir."

Hearing his order, Esther Sterling’s heart trembled. ’She had pulled so many strings to find out Tristan was here today. If he investigated, all the connections she had just established would be ruined.’

Watching his back disappear into the distance, Esther Sterling called out desperately, "President Sinclair, I’m sorry! I was too impulsive. It won’t happen again."

The man vanished completely at the end of the corridor.

Esther Sterling wiped the tears from her face, still feeling indignant.

Just then, a young waiter stopped in his tracks, his face lit with excitement. "Esther Sterling! You’re Esther Sterling!"

Esther Sterling glanced at him but didn’t say anything.

Seeing her red-rimmed eyes—a clear sign she had just been crying—and her heart-wrenchingly beautiful appearance, the man spoke softly, "I’m a fan of yours... I’m sorry, are you upset about something?"

Esther Sterling sized him up. "You’re a waiter here?"

"Uh, yes," the man replied, looking a little embarrassed.

She felt a wave of disgust, but a sudden thought made her force a smile. "In that case, could I ask you a question?"

"Of course! Ask me anything."

"Do you know who was in President Sinclair’s private room? Or have you happened to overhear anything about him?"

"Uh..." The young man thought for a moment before answering, "I did hear the general manager and some others whispering about it. I think a few directors from the Sinclair Group were in there. They said things are about to change at the Sinclair Group, and President Sinclair has been exceptionally busy lately."

"Things are about to change at the Sinclair Group? What do you mean?"

"Well... I don’t really get it either. It sounds like President Sinclair is about to take full control of the Sinclair Group."

A look of understanding dawned on Esther Sterling, and her eyes instantly lit up.

’So Tristan has been fighting for control lately,’ she mused. ’Does that mean he didn’t actually want to treat me that way? Was he just trying to protect me from getting involved in his power struggle during this critical period?’

Esther Sterling’s lips curved into a smile. "I see. Thank you."

"You’re... you’re welcome." The young man stammered, mesmerized by her charming smile.

A flicker of disgust crossed Esther Sterling’s eyes, but her mood had improved considerably. She turned and walked away.

’I’ll just have to wait a little longer,’ she thought. ’Once Tristan takes full control and has nothing left to worry about, we can finally be together. That must be it. It has to be.’

Just as she reached her front door, Mason Rivers suddenly appeared before her. He looked to be in a bad state.

"Mr. Mason, what are you doing here?"

Mason Rivers stared at her and said slowly, "Esther, I’ve been in a bad way lately. Can you keep me company?"

Esther Sterling stepped closer and said in a soft, comforting tone, "Mr. Mason, you have to take care of yourself. I’m sure the Rivers Family will pull through."

"I like you!" Mason Rivers finally blurted out. "Esther, I like you. I’ve wanted to tell you for so long, but you were always busy. I can’t wait anymore. I need to tell you—I like you."

Esther Sterling feigned shock. "Mr. Mason, you..."

"Do you like me? And... do you mind the Rivers Family’s current situation?"

"Of course I don’t mind..."

Mason Rivers’s eyes brightened, and a smile finally broke through. "I knew it. I knew you were a good person."

"But, Mr. Mason... I’ve always thought of you as a brother. I hope you can always be my brother."

The smile froze on Mason Rivers’s face. "A brother?"

Esther Sterling looked down and said softly, "I’m sorry, Mr. Mason."

"Is that really how you’ve always felt? Or is this about what’s happened to the Rivers Family?"

"This is how I’ve always felt. I’m heartbroken about what happened to the Rivers Family, but that doesn’t change how I feel about you. I’ll always see you as a brother."

’She hadn’t expected Mason to confess to her like this. While she didn’t like him, he had done a lot for her. She wasn’t ready to lose such a useful pawn, so she had to placate him for the time being.’

Mason Rivers gave a bitter smile. "I understand." With that, he turned to leave.

"Mr. Mason, where are you going?" Esther Sterling rushed forward and grabbed his arm, her face a mask of concern.

Mason Rivers glanced sideways at her. "I just want to be alone."

"I’ll keep you company."

"There’s no need."

"Mr. Mason, are you angry with me?"

After a moment of silence, Mason Rivers spoke slowly, "No. This isn’t your fault."

’Esther Sterling breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Mason wasn’t angry with her, she could still make use of him in the future. The Rivers Family might be finished, but as the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Mason still had connections.’

"Oh, Mr. Mason, I’m so glad you don’t blame me. I was so worried you’d be angry. I don’t want to lose my brother."

Mason Rivers looked at her, his voice softening. "You won’t."

The corners of Esther Sterling’s lips curved up as she smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Mason."

Tristan Sinclair was resting in the back of the car with his eyes closed. The incessant honking from outside made him frown, and he opened his eyes. "What’s going on?"

Dean Lynch, who was driving, replied, "We’re stuck in traffic, President Sinclair."

Tristan Sinclair frowned and glanced out the window. His eyes fell on a martial arts studio by the side of the road. Through the glass, he saw a man teaching a woman some moves. The woman appeared rather clumsy, struggling to get them right. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, and she looked frustrated.

The man, however, was smiling and patiently explaining something to her.

Staring at the woman’s striking face, Tristan Sinclair’s eyes narrowed. "Isn’t that your niece?" he asked.

"Hm?" Dean Lynch asked, confused. "Where?"

"In the studio over there."

Dean Lynch turned to look at the studio. Sure enough, it was Jean Kensington. He chuckled. "That’s her, alright. Still hasn’t given up on learning martial arts, I see."

"Is that her boyfriend?" Tristan Sinclair asked suddenly.

"No!" Dean Lynch explained at once. "He’s the owner of the studio. They’re just good friends."