The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 129: Face-to-Face Discussion

Chapter 129: A Face-to-Face Discussion

Hugo Hayes finished reading the documents.

They had been well aware from the beginning that Tristan Sterling was married.

Now, the other party had returned to file for divorce, not even wanting any assets, not fighting for custody of their daughter, and was even willing to return the bride price the Sterling Family had previously given.

Furthermore, President Sterling’s marriage had never been publicly announced, so even a divorce wouldn’t cause any media backlash.

Therefore, a divorce would cause President Sterling no losses whatsoever.

But President Sterling’s intention was now clear: he was not in favor of the divorce and wanted to counter the evidence the other party had presented.

"I’ll go back and discuss this with my team now. I will give you an answer tomorrow, President Sterling."

"You may go."

Hugo Hayes took the complaint and the documents and left the office.

Tristan Sterling reached out and pulled out a cigarette.

「That evening.」

Melissa was on a video call with Rachel Royce. Rachel said she would pick her up tomorrow to stay at her house and take her out for the weekend.

Tristan Sterling was right beside Melissa, who didn’t even ask for her father’s opinion before happily agreeing.

Then she asked, "Aunt Evelynn, can you bring Daddy along too?"

Rachel Royce knew Tristan Sterling was listening, so she politely refused. "The place I’m taking Melissa isn’t suitable for her daddy. How about you stay at Auntie’s house for the next two nights?"

Melissa jumped up happily. "Yay!"

After the video call ended, Melissa hugged her little bunny and bounced excitedly on the sofa.

Tristan Sterling put an arm out to steady her. "Alright now, don’t fall off."

Melissa immediately threw herself into her father’s arms, acting cute.

Tristan Sterling stroked his daughter’s head, his eyes filled with doting affection.

「The next day.」

After his workout and shower, Tristan Sterling returned to the bedroom to find Melissa sitting on the bed. Her hair was a mess, and she was wearing cute little bunny pajamas, yawning and rubbing her eyes.

Seeing her father, she said in a soft, sweet voice, "Good morning, Daddy."

Tristan Sterling walked over. "You’re awake, sweetie."

Melissa held out her little arms, asking to be held.

Tristan Sterling picked up his daughter, held her for a moment, then carried her to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash up.

Once they were ready, Melissa ran to the walk-in closet.

"Daddy, hurry and pick a dress for me! I want to wear my prettiest dress to Aunt Evelynn’s house today."

Melissa’s walk-in closet was as large as a spacious single-floor apartment. Most of her clothes were custom-designed by private designers, and her accessories were all high-end, luxury jewelry.

Tristan Sterling picked out a few outfits and let her choose one herself.

In the end, Melissa chose a shimmering, gradient-blue dress and a pair of matching leather shoes.

Tristan Sterling styled her hair into a bun and put on a pearl headband.

She looked just like a Disney princess.

Gazing at his beautiful, adorable daughter, the man’s stern features softened with adoration, as if he wanted to lay all the most wonderful things in the world at her feet.

Melissa was very satisfied with her outfit. "Thank you, Daddy!"

Then she wrapped her arms around her dad’s neck and gave him a loud peck on his left cheek.

Tristan Sterling kissed his daughter’s forehead, then took her downstairs for breakfast.

The nanny had packed Melissa’s things—her clothes and daily necessities.

「Around nine o’clock.」

Rachel Royce drove up to the villa’s gate.

Because she had called ahead, Melissa knew Rachel Royce was about to arrive and was waiting eagerly at the entrance, with Tristan Sterling accompanying her.

Rachel Royce saw the father and daughter. The man was dressed in light-colored loungewear today, his short hair neatly styled in a side part. He lacked his usual cold, imposing aura, especially when standing next to Melissa, showing only the gentleness of a father.

’Melissa really has a good father.’

’Even so, it couldn’t hide his rotten nature.’

When Melissa saw Aunt Evelynn’s car, she waved happily.

Rachel Royce slowly pulled over, unbuckled her seatbelt, and got out of the car.

"Aunt Evelynn!"

Melissa ran toward Rachel Royce.

Rachel Royce went forward and took Melissa’s hand. "Melissa, you look as pretty as a little princess today."

Melissa said, "Daddy picked this dress for me."

Rachel Royce smiled, then stood up and looked at Tristan Sterling. The warmth in her eyes instantly vanished, but for Melissa’s sake, she didn’t let her change in mood show too obviously. "I’m taking Melissa now. She’ll be staying with me for the next two days. I’ll take good care of her."

Tristan Sterling said nothing, simply handing her the luggage and Melissa’s schoolbag.

Rachel Royce reached out and took them.

There were also gifts that Melissa had prepared.

’Of course, the gifts were all suitable for elders; there was no way Melissa had picked them herself.’

Rachel Royce wanted to refuse, but Melissa insisted on bringing them.

"You have to bring gifts when you go to someone’s house," Melissa said.

Rachel Royce could only accept them.

Rachel Royce opened the trunk.

A housekeeper placed the gift bags inside.

"Melissa, let’s get in the car!"

Melissa turned back and waved to her father. "Bye-bye, Daddy."

Tristan Sterling said, "Remember to call Daddy."

"Okay."

Rachel Royce settled Melissa into the front passenger seat.

Rachel Royce strode around the front of the car and got in, not once glancing at the man standing by the roadside.

The car turned around.

Sitting in the car, Melissa waved goodbye to her father.

Tristan Sterling stood in place until the car was a distant shadow before he withdrew his gaze and turned to go back into the villa. Just then, his phone vibrated.

He took the phone from his pocket. Seeing the caller ID, he answered, and his gentle expression immediately hardened.

It was a call from Hugo Hayes.

Regarding the evidentiary materials the other party had submitted, the specific counter-strategy needed to be discussed with him in person.

As Rachel Royce drove away from the villa with Melissa, she happened to pass a car coming from the opposite direction.

Rachel Royce saw Claire Ainsworth sitting in the back seat.

She sneered inwardly.

’Looks like she knew Melissa wouldn’t be home today.’

’Now they can have their little world for two.’

’So she was now certain of one thing: besides deliberately wanting to get back at her, there was likely another reason Tristan Sterling refused to finalize the divorce and marry Claire Ainsworth. The Ainsworth Family was currently in turmoil, and since Tristan had deep ties to Suzanne Sullivan, his position made it impossible for him to get involved.’

Claire Ainsworth was sitting in the car, looking to the side as she took a call, and didn’t notice the approaching vehicle.

Along the way, Rachel Royce drove very slowly.

Melissa was very excited and happy. She suddenly asked, "Will Aunt Evelynn’s mommy and daddy like me?"

Rachel Royce said, "They’ll be delighted. They’re at home right now, looking forward to your arrival."

"Really?"

"Really."

Rachel Royce drove slowly the whole way, so it took nearly fifty minutes to get home.

"Alright, Melissa, we’re here."

Wendy Royce was leaning on a cane, with Florence Preston supporting him. Peter Preston waited by their side.

Seeing the car pull up, Wendy Royce couldn’t help but say excitedly, "She’s finally here."

Although he truly disliked the Sterling Family and Tristan Sterling, he had always been thinking of Rachel’s daughter.

This was his granddaughter, after all!

Florence Preston said, "Alright now, don’t get too excited. You don’t want to scare the child."