The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 36: A Face-to-Face Meeting with Suzanne Sullivan
Chapter 36: A Face-to-Face Meeting with Suzanne Sullivan
Fiona Fowler sent her another text: If you’re really out of options, you can contact President Sullivan directly. I can give you her contact information.
Rachel Royce replied: Okay, thank you, Fowler.
Fiona Fowler then gave her Suzanne Sullivan’s contact information.
That evening, when Wendy Royce and Peter Preston returned home, Rachel Royce didn’t explain the specific reasons, just gave a vague response to get by for now.
She was worried that if her father found out the company acquiring Wellspring was connected to her husband’s mistress’s family, he would stubbornly terminate the deal.
Although his son-in-law, Tristan Sterling, was practically non-existent to him, he was still her husband. Deep down, her father had always felt guilty about her marriage.
If it weren’t for the debt owed to the Sterling Family—who had given the Royce Family a hundred-million-dollar cash betrothal gift and a project opportunity—he would never have agreed to let his daughter suffer such a grievance.
Peter Preston could see she was intentionally hiding something, but he didn’t press her for details.
He messaged her privately to ask.
So, Rachel told him the truth without hiding anything.
Rachel couldn’t understand why Claire Ainsworth was so set on targeting her. It didn’t seem to satisfy any need for Claire.
Tristan Sterling was completely devoted to Claire, and Claire should have been well aware that Rachel had already asked Tristan for a divorce. Therefore, even though Rachel still held the title of Tristan’s wife, she posed no threat to her.
Or perhaps, she simply didn’t want to see Rachel have an easy time.
Judging from her previous confrontation with Joanna Sutton, Claire was an extremely self-centered and vengeful person.
For Claire’s sake, Tristan Sterling had gone so far as to terminate the partnership with Easton.
This time, she had terminated the contract for the acquisition of Wellspring.
Even if Tristan Sterling found out, he probably wouldn’t say anything.
If Rachel didn’t handle this well and upset Claire Ainsworth, she might even face pressure from Tristan Sterling.
But if she wanted to secure the deal, her only option was to talk to Suzanne Sullivan. At least Suzanne seemed like a reasonable person, so there might still be a chance. Besides, she wanted her father to be able to lay down his burdens sooner.
Rachel told Peter Preston her plan and asked him not to mention it to her father for the time being.
Peter Preston felt ashamed that he couldn’t be of more help. They had been in talks with Vanguard for so long. If the contract fell through, it wouldn’t just be a waste of all that time and effort; it would be a significant loss for Wellspring.
"Alright then. Keep me updated on any developments."
"Okay, I will."
「The next day.」
Rachel Royce asked Wendy Royce for all the relevant documents on Wellspring, telling him she just wanted to see if there were any issues.
Wendy didn’t want to burden his daughter and said he would handle it, but Rachel insisted, so he had to send her a set of detailed internal documents.
Rachel spent the entire morning reviewing all the documents and found no problems whatsoever.
After a long hesitation, Rachel finally dialed Suzanne Sullivan’s number. It was her work phone, and her secretary answered.
Rachel explained the reason for her call.
The secretary replied in a businesslike tone, "President Sullivan does not handle these matters directly. Please follow the standard procedure. The person in charge will get back to you after their assessment."
Before Rachel could say anything else, the other party hung up on her.
Left with no other choice, Rachel had to trouble Julian Jennings. They were likely in the same social circle, so it should be easy for him to get in touch.
Julian hung up and sent her a text: I’m in a meeting right now. I’ll call you back when it’s over.
Rachel replied: Okay, sorry to bother you, Professor Jennings.
Julian: No problem.
Rachel had been cooped up at home for the past two days without going out. In the afternoon, the weather finally cleared and the sun came out, so Florence Preston encouraged her to go for a walk.
’Good idea,’ she thought. ’It’s a perfect chance to wait for Julian Jennings to finish his meeting.’
Florence Preston helped Rachel out the door and asked, "Has Tristan Sterling contacted you?"
Rachel shook her head.
Florence Preston sighed softly and didn’t ask anything further.
「Half an hour later.」
Just as Rachel got back home, she received a call from Julian Jennings.
Rachel explained the situation to Julian.
As Julian Jennings listened to Rachel, his expression darkened. "Are you sure it was Claire Ainsworth who blocked Vanguard’s contract to acquire Wellspring?"
Rachel said, "Yes. I worked with a senior executive from MK Group before, and I asked her for help. I’ve reviewed the documents my dad’s company submitted, and there are definitely no issues. Right now, my only option is to speak with Suzanne Sullivan face-to-face. Otherwise, this deal is sure to fall through."
Even if the outcome wasn’t what she hoped for, she still wanted to try.
Julian Jennings said, "As it happens, there’s a business reception tonight. Suzanne Sullivan will probably be there. If you’re free, I can take you. I’ll help you arrange a meeting so you can talk to her in person."
Rachel agreed. "Okay. I’ll have to trouble you then, Professor Jennings."
"It’s no trouble. Get ready, and I’ll pick you up after work."
"Okay, I’m at Rosewood Estate."
"Alright."
Rachel printed out all the documents again, freshened up, and applied some light makeup to look more presentable.
She told Florence Preston she was attending a reception with Julian Jennings tonight, only saying it was to resolve an issue with her father’s company.
Florence Preston was worried and wanted to go with her.
"It’s alright, Miss Preston. I’ll be with Professor Jennings."
Florence Preston didn’t insist any further. "Alright then!"
「6:00 PM.」
After Rachel finished dinner, Julian Jennings came to pick her up.
She brought the documents and got into the car.
Still worried, Florence Preston offered a few words of caution. Julian Jennings said, "Don’t worry, Ma’am. I’ll take good care of Rachel."
"Thank you for the trouble, Professor Jennings."
"Of course."
Julian Jennings drove away, heading toward the hotel.
"Why does your father want to sell the company?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
Rachel replied, "The company is struggling to transition right now. It was on the verge of bankruptcy before, and it only survived because of my marriage to Tristan Sterling. My father is getting older and doesn’t have the energy to run the company anymore, so it’s better to sell it at the right time."
Julian Jennings nodded lightly.
They arrived at the hotel where the reception was being held.
Instead of taking Rachel into the main banquet hall, Julian asked a staff member from the event organizer and led her to a private lounge.
"Sit here and rest for a bit. I’ll go to the main floor first."
"Okay."
"..."
Julian Jennings entered the banquet hall. The attendees of the reception were all socialites from Kingsland’s upper circles.
Upon seeing him, people came up to greet him, and Julian began to chat with them.
「About ten minutes later.」
Suzanne Sullivan arrived. With her were Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth, as well as a woman in a couture gown standing beside her, lightly holding her arm.
The four of them appearing together was nothing short of an ultimate visual feast.
People quickly approached them to make conversation.
When the right moment came, and Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth were not with Suzanne,
Julian Jennings walked over to Suzanne Sullivan.
Suzanne Sullivan saw him. "President Jennings."
The two shared a business-like handshake.
Julian Jennings said, "Could I have a private word with you, President Sullivan?"
Suzanne Sullivan was curious but didn’t refuse. "Of course."
The two of them then walked out of the banquet hall.
From a short distance away, Claire Ainsworth saw this. Tristan Sterling was talking with someone, but he also noticed the two of them leaving out of the corner of his eye.
"Tristan, I’ll be right back."
Tristan Sterling grunted in acknowledgment.
Claire Ainsworth walked over to Nancy Willow and asked, "What did they talk about?"
Nancy Willow replied, "Nothing much. He just asked to speak with Suzanne alone."
