The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 112: A Woman Even You Can’t Get

Chapter 112: A Woman Even You Can’t Get

The man watched her with cold eyes, the corner of his mouth suddenly hooking into a mocking smirk.

Rachel Royce saw the mockery in his eyes and frowned.

’What does he mean by that?’

Just then, Claire Ainsworth walked up to Tristan Sterling’s side and intimately linked her arm with his. "Tristan, what are you looking at?"

Claire Ainsworth glanced down and saw Julian Jennings and Evelynn, and her expression immediately soured.

Rachel Royce lowered her gaze, averting her eyes. "Let’s go," Julian Jennings said.

Rachel Royce hummed in agreement and walked on with Julian Jennings, soon running into acquaintances who came over to chat.

Claire Ainsworth walked down the stairs, her arm linked with Tristan Sterling’s.

Today, Claire Ainsworth wore a white, form-fitting formal gown, her long hair pinned up and adorned with pearls, making her look pure and flawless. The man beside her was in a wine-red suit, handsome and regal, his deep-set eyes holding a devastatingly devilish charm.

They truly made a striking pair as they walked together.

Many in the banquet hall saw the couple and couldn’t help but mentally compare them to Julian Jennings and his date.

Both pairs, it could be said, possessed absolutely top-tier beauty and charisma.

The simultaneous appearance of these two couples was so dazzling that the surrounding people and even the bright crystal chandeliers seemed to dim, becoming mere backdrops to their splendor.

Upon seeing Tristan Sterling, people approached with wine glasses in hand to make small talk.

Rachel Royce and Julian Jennings were now quite a distance from Tristan and his companion, almost far enough that they were out of each other’s sight.

To Rachel Royce’s surprise, she ran into David, a fellow PhD student from her time at Stanford University. He was from Bregland, blond with blue eyes—a classic Breglish heartthrob.

Back in the United States, he had pursued her quite passionately.

But Rachel Royce had turned him down flat.

David hadn’t held any resentment toward Rachel Royce, though; he’d only felt a sense of defeat. "Evelynn, you’re the first woman who’s ever rejected me," he had said. "But I really admire you. Can we still be friends?"

Rachel Royce did admire David, though her admiration was limited to his professional abilities, not his private life.

He had also saved her once.

They were good enough friends.

After she returned to China, they gradually lost touch due to their busy work schedules.

She’d never expected to run into him here.

"Evelynn, you look absolutely beautiful today. May I have this dance?"

Before Rachel Royce could respond, Julian Jennings politely interjected, "Mr. David, my apologies, but Evelynn is my date for the evening. I’m afraid she won’t be able to dance with you."

David looked at Julian Jennings, then at Rachel Royce’s apologetic smile. He grinned. "Well, I’ll take a rain check on that dance with Evelynn, then."

Rachel Royce gave a graceful smile. "Of course."

David glanced past her. "I see someone I know. Evelynn, let’s chat again later if you have a moment."

Rachel Royce nodded.

As David walked past her, Rachel Royce instinctively glanced over her shoulder and saw Tristan Sterling. A moment later, David was standing before him, and the two men were shaking hands.

Rachel Royce was startled.

’David and Tristan Sterling actually know each other.’ Rachel Royce was taken aback.

"Cedarwood has a partnership with the Kesas Family in the United States."

Julian Jennings’s voice pulled Rachel Royce from her reverie.

She glanced at Julian Jennings but didn’t press the matter.

"Care for a dance?" Julian Jennings invited.

Rachel Royce agreed. "Alright."

The two then made their way to the dance floor. Julian Jennings took Rachel Royce’s hand, and they began to move slowly to the rhythm of the music.

Off the dance floor, David and Tristan Sterling were chatting idly. David’s gaze was fixed on the green figure twirling gracefully in the middle of the floor. He turned to Tristan and asked for advice. "Tristan, tell me, how exactly does one win over a Chinese girl? How do I get her to be my girlfriend?"

Tristan Sterling swirled the wine in his glass, then tilted his head back to take a small sip. A faint smile played on his lips as he chuckled, "A woman even *you* can’t get?"

David’s gaze went straight to Rachel Royce, his blue eyes filled with unconcealable admiration. "Evelynn was the first woman to ever turn me down," he said. "I really like her. I’ve never been able to get her off my mind. I came to China this time just for the chance to see her again."

Tristan Sterling followed David’s line of sight, his dark, bottomless gaze falling on Rachel Royce. "You’re not exactly short on women more beautiful than her. Are you this hung up on her just because she rejected you? Did it pique your desire for conquest?"

David looked back at Tristan Sterling and smiled. "It’s more than just her beauty. She has this special quality about her that I find deeply attractive. You don’t see how different she is?"

Tristan Sterling’s lips curled into a faint, detached smile, his eyes devoid of emotion. "I really don’t see how she’s any different from other women."

David laughed. "That must be because you already have a girlfriend. Miss Ainsworth is very beautiful, too."

Having finished her conversation, Claire Ainsworth walked over. "Tristan, let’s go dance!"

Tristan Sterling handed his glass to a passing waiter and said to David, "If you’ll excuse me."

Claire Ainsworth took Tristan Sterling’s arm, and they headed to the dance floor.

David remained where he was, watching Rachel Royce’s dancing form for another moment before turning to leave. He felt the need to step outside for some fresh sea air.

Tristan Sterling held Claire’s hand and waist, moving in time with the music.

As Rachel Royce spun, she caught sight of the pair, her gaze meeting Tristan’s for a few brief seconds.

Though she desperately wanted to ignore their existence, the sight of them together made her feel physically ill.

Julian Jennings sensed the shift in Rachel Royce’s mood. "Do you want to leave?" he asked.

Rachel Royce looked up at Julian Jennings, then cast her eyes downward. "There’s no need."

’Encounters with Tristan Sterling are going to be unavoidable from now on. Since I can’t escape them, I’ll just have to get used to it.’

"Just try to relax," Julian Jennings said comfortingly.

Rachel Royce hummed softly in response.

Just as the song was about to end, Tristan Sterling received a sudden phone call and walked off the dance floor to take it.

Julian Jennings took Rachel’s hand, ready to lead her off the dance floor. Holding her long, trailing skirt with one hand, Rachel had just turned to leave.

RIIIP!

Rachel Royce froze.

Julian Jennings reacted instantly, shrugging off his suit jacket and draping it over Rachel’s shoulders. Her dress was backless, and its delicate satin fabric couldn’t withstand any amount of force.

Rachel Royce whipped her head around to the sound of Claire Ainsworth’s voice. "Oh, my apologies. I seem to have accidentally stepped on Miss Evelynn’s dress."

Though her words were apologetic, the look she gave Rachel Royce was filled with undisguised malice.

Rachel Royce’s voice was icy. "So, how do you plan on earning my forgiveness? I won’t be accepting a simple apology."

Claire Ainsworth’s lips curled into a sneer. "Do you want money?"

Rachel Royce’s dark eyes narrowed.

Julian Jennings’s voice was stern. "Miss Ainsworth, I suggest you don’t give people the impression that you lack any semblance of class."

Claire Ainsworth’s face turned frigid as she looked at Julian Jennings. "Whether or not I have class depends on who I’m dealing with. And trash like her certainly doesn’t deserve it." She then added with a sneer, "And here I thought you had such good taste, Julian Jennings. Turns out you’re only fit for a low-class woman like this."

Rachel Royce’s fingers tightened into fists.

Just as she was about to raise her hand, a man’s sharp voice barked, "You dare touch her?"

The next second, Rachel Royce grabbed a fistful of Claire Ainsworth’s hair.

"AHHH!!!"