Gwen sat on the sofa, glancing around every corner of the room, and said with a smile, "I’ve heard for a long time that Miles has a sister, but she’s very mysterious and few people have seen her. I’ve always been curious, and today I finally have the chance to meet her."

Vanessa Sterling awkwardly smiled with her lips pressed together, not knowing how to respond. After hesitating for a few seconds, she said, "...Actually, I’m not his sister. I’m a child the Sterling family adopted..."

Her intention was to convey that she didn’t have a deep relationship with the Sterling family.

But Gwen understood it differently: "So, you and Miles aren’t related by blood."

Vanessa was stunned for a moment and then nodded.

Gwen continued to ask, "Do you consider him your brother?"

Vanessa was again at a loss for words. She didn’t know how to describe it, and she felt it wasn’t something that could be explained in a few words.

But in Gwen’s heart, she seemed to already have an answer and said, "Anyway, it seems he doesn’t treat you like a sister."

Vanessa remained silent, not knowing what to say, and gradually sensed Gwen’s true intention.

"I also heard that you used to live together all the time. Isn’t it inappropriate for siblings who aren’t related to live together for so long?"

Vanessa hurriedly explained, "That was a long time ago. Now..."

Before Vanessa could finish, Gwen pressed on with another question, "Have you ever had a romantic relationship with each other?"

Vanessa was taken aback, wishing it weren’t true, but the nightmares that frequently jolted her awake were real experiences.

Gwen observed Vanessa’s expression and reaction, already having an answer in her mind.

She laughed self-deprecatingly and said, "It seems I shouldn’t have come and interfered with you two."

"No, it’s not like that!" Vanessa said anxiously, "I have nothing to do with him anymore, and we won’t have any contact. You don’t need to worry about me or worry that I’ll get in your way. I won’t disturb you."

"I hope you mean what you say. But it seems Miles doesn’t think that way."

Vanessa looked at Gwen in confusion, listening as she continued, "I briefly met him the day before I got married. It might sound funny, but at the wedding, I was alone; he never appeared. Even now, I have no idea where he is."

Vanessa pressed her lips and said, "Then you must have come to the wrong place; he’s not here, and I don’t have any contact with him."

Gwen asked again, "Hasn’t he looked for you?"

Vanessa thought for a moment and said, "If he does come, can I call you to let you know?"

Gwen laughed mockingly, and it was unclear what exactly she was scorning.

She took out a business card from her bag and handed it to Vanessa, "I really hope I don’t have to rely on you to find him. But if he really does come to you, I’d appreciate it if you could speak to him clearly and let him know he should be with me and let go of any illusions. Don’t say one thing to my face and another to his."

"Rest assured, Miss Grant."

Vanessa felt that Gwen must have misunderstood something or perhaps Gwen didn’t truly understand Miles Sterling, leading her to believe that Miles had feelings for her.

Gwen stood up with her bag, appearing ready to leave.

Vanessa got up to see her out, but then Gwen paused as if remembering something and asked, "By the way, you said you’re a child the Sterling family adopted. Have you found your own family now?"

Not understanding why Gwen asked this, Vanessa politely replied, "There’s no need for Miss Grant to worry about my affairs."

Gwen smiled, "I mean, if you have other family, maybe it’s time to return to them, instead of staying in Rivia."

In the past, Vanessa might have meekly accepted such words, but now they made her uncomfortable. Her tone was less polite as she replied to Gwen, "Where I choose to live is my right. If Miss Grant is worried about managing your own husband, you could choose to move to another city with him."

Gwen gave a mocking laugh and said, "Hypocritical as expected. But let me be clear, even though you two aren’t related by blood, you’re still siblings in name. Even if you fall in love, it’s not something to be proud of."

Vanessa couldn’t help but say, "Don’t create false scenarios to blame others for your own unhappy marriage."

"Whether it’s a false scenario, you know best in your heart. I’m just making sure you understand that the Sterling family can’t afford such a scandal and won’t accept your relationship. So you’d better cut off those thoughts early, before you harm yourself or Miles."

Vanessa calmly replied, "If he really is being unfaithful, I can only say you’re looking at the wrong person. Instead of wasting words with me here, you should focus on finding that person sooner."

Gwen’s smile was full of mockery, clearly not believing Vanessa’s words or the idea that she and Miles had no relationship.

As Gwen walked towards the door, she said, "Anyway, I’ve made myself clear today. Whether you have intentions or not, I advise you to give up any inappropriate thoughts starting now. If you’ve been warned but still get entangled with Miles, I won’t be as polite as I am today." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Vanessa was too exhausted to respond further, and Gwen went straight for the door and left.

In the nightlife of the bar, filled with bright lights and loud music, Miles Sterling sat in a private room on the second floor.

The private room was insulated from the noise of the hall downstairs, sealing out the sound from outside the door.

No music played in the room, only the gentle clinking of glasses and bottles against the glass top of the table.

Miles Sterling set down his empty glass, picked up a bottle to pour himself more and said to Bianca Jennings, who sat beside him, "I’ve realized you’ve been lying to me all along, haven’t you?"

Bianca looked at Miles steadily and asked calmly, "Why do you say that?"

Miles tugged at the corner of his mouth, smiling, "You never intended to help me from the start."

Bianca: "I’ve been helping you all along."

Miles: "Then why, after following your advice and making changes, does Vanessa still refuse to see me? Didn’t you say that as long as I was willing to change, there would be a chance for us?"

Bianca: "The fact that you can ask this question shows you haven’t truly changed."

Miles: "What do you mean?"

Bianca: "You haven’t let go of the obsession in your heart. You still think she should belong to you, which is why you can’t let it go."

Miles’s expression suddenly grew unpleasant, his eyes fierce as he looked at Bianca, asking, "So you’ve been trying to make me give up from the start, right?"

Bianca responded slowly, "I just wanted you to see clearly what Vanessa wants, and whether what you’re giving is what she desires. During this time, you’ve witnessed her change firsthand. Comparing now and then, when do you think she’s been happier?"

The answer was obvious, but it wasn’t what Miles hoped for in his heart.

He picked up his glass, took a sip, his gaze dimming, and murmured, "But I am not happy."