Chapter 42: You Like Her? 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The fireworks and drone show started at 7:30 p.m. The square by the riverbank was already packed with people.

Their group, of course, didn’t join the jostling crowd, especially with Rachel being heavily pregnant.

They went straight to the central tower.

The top floor offered the best viewing spot.

The group took the elevator up.

The top floor housed a high-end restaurant. Their table had been booked in advance, and the limited capacity meant it was quiet and relatively uncrowded.

Although the show hadn’t started yet, overlooking the splendid city nightscape was a visual feast in itself.

Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton were taking pictures with their phones, snapping selfies together. They also took photos of their male companions, who disliked being photographed—not including Ian Quinn, of course.

"Come on, everyone look here! Give me a peace sign!"

Ian Quinn held up his phone. Everyone looked at the camera, while Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton made a finger heart pose.

Just then,

a few familiar figures came into view.

Looking up,

they saw Tristan Sterling, Suzanne Sullivan, Simon Shaw, Claire Ainsworth, and Nancy Willow. Claire Ainsworth was walking at the front, arm-in-arm with Tristan Sterling. They looked like a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman.

The two groups glanced at each other.

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

Rachel Royce looked at Tristan Sterling. Their eyes met briefly. This was the first time they had seen each other since the incident that had angered her so much she ended up in the hospital.

But their gazes held only cold indifference.

Both parties quickly looked away, acting as if they were strangers.

Joanna Sutton rolled her eyes and couldn’t help but complain, "Why do we run into filth everywhere we go?"

Fortunately, she hadn’t said it loudly, and Tristan Sterling’s group wasn’t seated next to them.

Ian Quinn said with a smile, "Should we go to a temple to exorcise the evil spirits?"

Joanna Sutton replied, "That’s not a bad idea."

"..."

Rachel’s mood, which had been calm lately, was now in turmoil after seeing him. She could only force herself to stay composed, not wanting to ruin everyone else’s evening.

But even though she hid it well, the others still noticed something was wrong.

Joanna Sutton suggested they just go downstairs to watch from the ground.

As soon as she said it, no one objected.

Rachel knew it was because of her, and she felt a little guilty. However, she truly didn’t want to stay there any longer.

One by one, the group got up to leave.

Joanna Sutton supported Rachel as they led the way out. The men followed, with Thomas Sterling at the very back. He couldn’t help but glance in Tristan Sterling’s direction, his expression grim.

Tristan Sterling also glanced at him. Thomas averted his gaze and turned to leave with the others.

The group took the elevator back to the ground floor.

The fireworks show was officially starting.

They could still see the performance from the base of the tower, so they watched the fireworks and drone show from there. The magnificent and ever-changing display gradually eased the discomfort Rachel had felt earlier.

Until the performance ended.

Peter Preston decided it was time to take Rachel Royce home.

When they reached the parking lot,

Rachel Royce said goodbye to the others.

"Rachel, go home and get some rest. We’ll get together again soon," Joanna Sutton said.

Rachel replied, "Okay."

Peter Preston said his goodbyes to the group.

"Drive safe."

"I will."

Peter Preston got into the driver’s seat and drove away.

Ian Quinn pulled Julian Jennings and Joanna Sutton along to go for a drink, and invited Thomas Sterling to join them.

Thomas Sterling wasn’t in their circle before and didn’t know them, but they had all gotten along well today. They exchanged contact information, marking the start of a new acquaintance.

Thomas Sterling smiled and politely declined, "Maybe next time. It’ll be my treat then."

"Alright then."

"..."

They each got into their cars and drove off.

「The next day.」

Rachel Royce received a call from Madam Sterling, asking her to come to the family estate today.

Rachel had no choice but to go.

Around eleven o’clock,

Peter Preston drove her to the Sterling estate.

The car stopped outside the main gate of the estate.

Thomas Sterling had stayed over last night. Knowing Rachel was coming, he was waiting for her at the gate. When he saw Peter Preston drop her off, he went up to greet him.

"Rachel, you and Thomas go on in!"

"Okay."

Thomas Sterling looked at Peter Preston and said, "Peter, since you’re here, why don’t you come in with us?"

Peter Preston said, "No, it’s fine. You go in with Rachel."

All this time, the Sterling Family had never once invited anyone from the Royce Family to any of their affairs. If he went in now, it would indeed just make things awkward for both sides. Thomas Sterling didn’t insist. "I’ll take good care of Rachel. I can drive her back later."

"Mm."

Just then,

a Bentley drove toward them and slowly entered the estate.

Rachel Royce recognized it as Tristan Sterling’s car.

"Let’s go,"

Thomas Sterling said.

The two of them entered the estate.

Rachel’s belly was so large now it was obvious she was close to giving birth. She walked extremely slowly, one hand on her lower back and the other supporting her stomach.

She chatted idly with Thomas Sterling, which made her feel less tired as they crossed the courtyard toward the main house.

They finally reached the main hall.

Madam Sterling and Sylvia Shannon were already seated in the living room. Tristan Sterling was not there.

Rachel Royce walked forward and called out, "Grandma." When her gaze fell on Sylvia Shannon, she finally called out, "Mom."

Sylvia Shannon gave her a cold look and didn’t respond.

"Come, sit down!"

A maid came forward to help her to the sofa.

Madam Sterling looked at Thomas Sterling and said, "Thomas, go find your cousin. He’s playing chess with your grandfather in the study right now. We want to have a word with Rachel."

Thomas Sterling glanced at Rachel and said, "Alright then."

He went to the study.

He saw Tristan Sterling standing by the French windows, talking on the phone. After Tristan hung up, Thomas walked over. "Cousin."

But this time, his tone was serious.

Tristan Sterling looked at him and grunted in acknowledgment. "What do you want to say?"

Thomas Sterling stuffed his hands in his pockets, his fingers clenching slightly. They were about the same height, standing face to face in a silent standoff. After a moment, he spoke. "Cousin, don’t you think you’re going too far?"

Tristan Sterling’s dark, profound eyes seemed to see right through people. He looked at Thomas and asked in a low voice, "You like her?"

As soon as the words were out,

Thomas Sterling froze. ’So it’s true,’ he thought. ’Nothing escapes his eyes. I can hide it from everyone else, but not from him.’

He turned away, looking out the window, and didn’t deny it. "Yes. We’ve known each other since middle school. I’ve liked her for many years. Maybe you think she’s not good-looking, not worthy of you, cousin. But Rachel used to be gorgeous. I can tell you that Claire Ainsworth isn’t even a tenth as beautiful as she was. And her beauty was the least of her virtues."

Tristan Sterling listened, his calm expression unchanging.

"I heard from my mom that Rachel drugged you, that’s how you slept together, and that’s how she got pregnant." He suddenly let out a sarcastic laugh. "But the Rachel I know would never do something like that, no matter how much she liked you."

As he spoke,

he turned his head to look at Tristan Sterling’s handsome, expressionless face. "Of course, I’m in no position to lecture you, cousin. But as a man, shouldn’t you have some basic respect for your pregnant wife?"