The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 29: You’re Not Returning to Kingsland?
Chapter 29: You’re Not Coming Back to Kingsland?
"I have a file from Germany that I’d like you to take a look at for me," Thomas Sterling said.
Rachel Royce replied, "Okay, send it to me later."
Thomas peeled a shrimp, placed it in Rachel’s bowl, and said with a smile, "Thanks, Rachel."
Hearing her son, Evelyn Fitzwilliam looked over at him and asked, "What are you thanking Rachel for?"
Thomas said, "I’m asking for her help with something."
"Can’t you see she’s pregnant? And you’re still bothering her..."
Rachel smiled warmly. "It’s no problem, just a small thing."
Evelyn had always treated her with relative warmth. After all, Rachel posed no threat to her interests or reputation. Occasionally, she would even agree with Madam Sterling’s praise for Rachel.
"Thomas and Rachel seem to get along quite well," Chloe Cheney remarked. Chloe was Theodore Sterling’s wife, making her Thomas’s sister-in-law.
Evelyn said, "They went to the same school. The year they took the college entrance exams, Rachel was the top scorer in the city for the science track. Thomas was just one point behind her."
This was something Madam Sterling had discovered when she had someone run a background check. But even back then, the name Rachel Royce had sounded familiar to Evelyn. She had felt it was a great pity that her son had missed the top spot by a single point, so the name had left a strong impression on her.
So, even though Rachel’s appearance was somewhat lacking, she herself was smart and outstanding enough to be a capable wife who could support Tristan Sterling. It was a shame he couldn’t see it.
’Then again,’ she thought, ’for a genius among geniuses like Tristan, Rachel’s intelligence probably isn’t enough to impress him.’
Chloe’s eyes widened in understanding. "I see. Fate really does work in mysterious ways."
Thomas sighed. "Yeah, who would have thought that the person who used to call me ’Big Bro Thomas’ is now a generation above me?"
Hearing this, Rachel couldn’t help but shoot a sidelong glance at the man beside her. He was only three months older than her. Back in school, whenever she needed his help, he would tease her and make her call him "big brother."
Chloe laughed. "Well then, you should hurry up and find a girlfriend who’s a generation above Rachel."
A look of mock realization dawned on Thomas’s face. "Oh, right! You’ve got a point, Chloe." Then, he looked at Rachel teasingly and said, "So, do you have any older sisters you can introduce me to?"
Rachel wanted to roll her eyes. "How about I introduce you to my brother?"
At that exact moment, Peter Preston, who was in the middle of dinner, couldn’t help but sneeze. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
Thomas said, "Well, for that, you’d have to see if my mom agrees, wouldn’t you?"
Evelyn shot him a glare. "What nonsense are you spouting, you brat? You’re never serious for a moment."
Seeing how well Rachel got along with Thomas’s family, Sylvia Shannon’s expression darkened. Tristan Sterling, sitting beside Rachel, remained impassive, showing no reaction to the harmony between his wife and his cousin’s family.
Madam Sterling saw them laughing happily and asked, "What are you all talking about? You seem so cheerful."
"..."
After dinner.
Tristan was summoned to the study by Harrison Sterling.
"Your Uncle Fitzwilliam was the one who suspended the cooperation agreement."
The "Uncle Fitzwilliam" Harrison mentioned was Mr. Fitzwilliam’s eldest son, Samuel Fitzwilliam, who was the mayor of Kingsland.
"I asked him, and he said it was your Grandfather Fitzwilliam who wanted to put pressure on your project."
Tristan said, "The project won’t be canceled. Grandfather Fitzwilliam is being too sentimental."
Harrison frowned.
Indeed, the agreement had been in the works for half a year and concerned financing for corporate development in Kingsland. It couldn’t just be canceled abruptly. For now, it was merely being held back from approval. Mr. Fitzwilliam was likely just trying to give Tristan a warning.
"I heard from your mother that at the Fitzwilliam family dinner, your Grandfather Fitzwilliam specifically called you out."
Harrison had work that evening, so he hadn’t attended the Fitzwilliam family dinner.
Tristan grunted in acknowledgment.
Harrison said, "You know your Grandfather Fitzwilliam’s temperament. He used to praise you more than anyone. He must be extremely displeased with your actions this time. Now that you’ve married her and the child is about to be born, you should be more mindful."
Tristan’s face was grim, and he didn’t respond.
Harrison looked at his son. This marriage had certainly been a raw deal for him. They had previously arranged potential marriage partners for him from families of equal social standing, women whose education, talent, and looks were all a match for him.
But his son had been fiercely independent since childhood and disliked having his life arranged. He certainly had the strength and confidence not to need a partner from a matching background, so when he found a girl he liked and wanted to marry, they didn’t object.
No one could have anticipated this outcome.
"Tomorrow is the weekend. You should pay a proper visit to your Grandfather Fitzwilliam."
Tristan said, "I know."
Downstairs.
The large family was sitting in the living room, chatting.
Thomas seemed to sense how out of place Rachel felt sitting there, so he asked her to help with a file that had just come in from Germany.
"It’s pretty urgent. They just messaged to rush me again. I have no choice but to trouble you now, Rachel."
Madam Sterling said, "Then go and take care of it quickly!"
"..."
Thomas led her to a side hall, and Rachel felt a wave of relief wash over her.
When it was just the female elders, she could still endure the awkward pressure of being ignored.
But with the male elders, she truly felt at a loss. The men of the Sterling family all had powerful auras; a single glance from them was enough to make one feel immense pressure.
Except for Thomas, of course, likely because they had known each other since they were young.
Thomas smiled. "Were you that nervous?"
Rachel glanced at him. "What’s the file you need help with?"
Thomas just smiled and said, "Have a seat first."
He then turned on a laptop, placed it on the table, opened the file, and handed it to Rachel. She skimmed through it and estimated it would take her a little over half an hour to finish.
Thomas sat down next to her.
「Half an hour later.」
Rachel finished her work.
Thomas put on a serious expression and invited her, "How about you come work for me as my assistant? Whatever my cousin used to pay you, I’ll double it."
Rachel got up and walked over to a nearby sofa. With one hand on her lower back and the other supporting her belly, she slowly sat down. "Do I look like I can be your assistant right now?"
Thomas walked over. "I’ll keep the position open for you anytime."
Rachel’s lips curved into a smile. "Then I’m afraid you’ll be waiting for nothing."
Thomas sat down beside her and asked, "Does that mean you’re not coming back to Kingsland?"
Rachel said, "We’ll see what the future holds."
"..."
It was already nine o’clock.
A servant came to the side hall, saw the two of them, and said, "Mrs. Sterling, Mr. Tristan is preparing to leave."
Rachel sat up, and Thomas helped her to her feet.
Back in the main hall.
Rachel saw Tristan Sterling saying goodbye to the elders. Usually, after a family dinner, everyone would stay the night at the old mansion. However, to avoid sharing a room with her, Tristan always left right after dinner. Madam Sterling never said anything about it.
Tristan turned his head and saw Rachel and Thomas walking toward him.
