The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 40: Wedding Banquet

Chapter 40: The Wedding Banquet

Tristan Sterling said, "So you came all this way just to ask about my work."

Suzanne Sullivan sat on the sofa, chuckled softly, and said, "I’m afraid you wouldn’t appreciate it even if I said I was here to check on you."

"Not necessarily."

"..."

The two men shared a brief, lighthearted exchange.

"Are you really going to see the Wellspring matter through to the end? It’s your father-in-law’s company, after all," Suzanne said.

Tristan Sterling replied, "It doesn’t matter whose company it is."

Suzanne knew his personality well enough. Tristan couldn’t tolerate failure, and when it came to competing with Rowan, there was nothing more Suzanne could say.

Rachel Royce was discharged from the hospital that afternoon and went home.

The doctor advised her to rest in bed as much as possible for the next couple of days.

Wendy Royce had been mentally and physically exhausted by the unresolved company acquisition, and the stress had turned many of his hairs white. He’d heard that Vanguard was willing to renegotiate, but he didn’t dare get his hopes up too soon.

Peter Preston was also too busy to break away, preoccupied with securing financing for a company project.

Rachel learned that Rowan was very optimistic about a project currently under development at Prodigy Tech and had already conducted two rounds of internal reviews.

New Year’s Day was only a week away.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, the new year was almost upon them.

Vanguard planned to acquire Wellspring. Suzanne Sullivan had already signed off on it, instructing Morgan Gold, the one in charge of the project, to handle it as soon as possible.

Upon receiving Suzanne’s order, Morgan Gold signed a series of related agreements with Wellspring’s senior management.

The incident was quickly leaked to the media.

People following the story were completely baffled. Vanguard had initially planned to acquire Wellspring but backed out at the last minute. Then Centurion Development stepped in to take over the acquisition, only to be obstructed by Cedarwood. Then Rowan entered the fray to support Centurion’s bid. After all that song and dance, Vanguard ended up acquiring Wellspring in the end.

It looked like Vanguard had orchestrated the whole thing, yet the final acquisition price was still two hundred million.

The whole series of maneuvers was simply incomprehensible.

As soon as Claire Ainsworth heard the news, she went to find Suzanne Sullivan.

Suzanne had just hung up the phone after speaking with Tristan Sterling.

Suzanne hadn’t mentioned his decision to acquire Wellspring to Tristan, which turned the confrontation between Cedarwood and Rowan into a farce.

Because Cedarwood had entered the picture, Vanguard was now the only company that could take over Wellspring.

"Brother, why did you agree to acquire Wellspring?" Claire Ainsworth asked resentfully.

Suzanne glanced up from the documents in his hand at his younger sister and explained, "Wellspring’s qualifications meet Vanguard’s acquisition criteria. Claire, stop making a scene."

Claire’s eyes reddened with grievance. "What scene am I making? Brother, you did this on purpose."

After saying that, Claire ran out, crying.

His assistant happened to walk in and witnessed the scene.

Suzanne instructed, "Go keep an eye on her. Make sure nothing happens to her."

"Yes, sir."

The assistant quickly put down the files in his hands and followed her out.

At noon, Suzanne Sullivan and Tristan Sterling met for lunch.

Tristan asked calmly, "Why did you decide to do it?"

Suzanne poured the other man a glass of red wine. "I have to apologize for not telling you beforehand and causing Cedarwood to suffer a loss."

Tristan didn’t respond.

Suzanne continued, "I just felt that Wellspring was an innocent victim in all this. It shouldn’t have become a battleground for Cedarwood and Rowan. Claire was too impulsive this time."

He had originally planned to stay out of it since Centurion Development was interested in the acquisition, but he never expected Tristan to step in and obstruct it.

Tristan raised his wine glass, tilted his head back for a sip, and said, "Since when did you become so compassionate?"

Suzanne smiled faintly. "I’m trying to be a good guy, you know!"

Tristan smiled without a word.

He didn’t hold the matter against Suzanne.

"You should focus on figuring out how to placate Claire first," Tristan said.

Suzanne gave a helpless curl of his lips.

Just then, his phone vibrated. He picked it up, glanced at the caller ID, and said to Tristan, "A call’s come in. I’m going to step out and take it."

"Mm."

Suzanne left the private room and answered the call. "Hello, Mom."

Jane Sullivan’s voice came through the line. "Suzanne, your sister says you bullied her. What’s going on?"

Suzanne briefly explained the situation.

Jane said, "A small company like that has no real impact on Vanguard. If you don’t acquire it, you don’t acquire it. You should focus on coaxing your sister first."

Suzanne replied, "I know."

"..."

After Vanguard and Wellspring signed the agreement, there was still a series of tasks to complete, such as changing the registration and liquidating assets.

Wendy Royce was busy handling everything, trying to get it all done before New Year’s Day.

The wedding banquet, scheduled for New Year’s Day, was to proceed as planned. With everyone so busy, the arrangements were left entirely to Florence Preston.

Only Rachel Royce was at leisure. The weather had been lovely for the past two days, so she lay on a rocking chair on the balcony, sunbathing and telling stories to the baby in her belly from a picture book.

’This little one is getting more and more restless. It must really want to come out.’

Since her discharge from the hospital, only Thomas Sterling had come to visit her. Madam Sterling had called to check in, and upon learning that Rachel was recuperating at her family’s home, she hadn’t said much.

Rachel could tell that Madam Sterling didn’t want to waste any more words on her. After all, she had already warned her a few times, and a warning shouldn’t need to be repeated.

「The day before New Year’s Day.」

She received a call from the Sterling family’s old residence, telling her to return tomorrow.

Rachel said, "Please tell Madam Sterling and the others for me, Mr. Wyatt. I have something to attend to at home tomorrow, so I won’t be able to make it."

Previously, whenever there was a holiday, Wendy Royce and Florence Preston would meticulously prepare gifts, even though they knew the Sterling family looked down on them. They wanted to at least be thorough with their etiquette.

But this time, with Cedarwood having obstructed Centurion Development’s acquisition of Wellspring from behind the scenes, Florence couldn’t help but feel a sense of displeasure when she’d seen Madam Sterling the other day.

Besides, Tristan had already brought up divorce, so there was no need to offer a warm welcome only to be met with a cold shoulder and invite embarrassment. Even if they were invited, others would just think they were overestimating their own importance.

She certainly wasn’t going to bring this up with Tristan.

Hearing Rachel’s words, Mr. Wyatt didn’t press the matter. He said, "Alright, I understand. Please take care of yourself, Second Young Madam."

"Mm, I will."

After she hung up,

Mr. Wyatt relayed the message to Madam Sterling. Master Sterling, who was also present, listened to Butler Wyatt’s words, his expression darkening. He snorted, "She certainly puts on airs."

Madam Sterling’s expression wasn’t pleasant either. "Forget it. Let her be."

「On New Year’s Day.」

The sky was clear. It was a beautiful day.

Many people were at The Polaron Grand Hotel, which was hosting various banquets today.

The banquet booked by Wendy Royce and Florence Preston was on the third floor.

Rachel’s eyes widened in amazement as she looked at Florence Preston, who was wearing a slim-fitting red qipao. Florence had always maintained an excellent figure. She usually wore no makeup, but one could still see her elegant features. The makeup artist had designed a look based on her features and aura, and once it was applied, her original beauty was fully restored. She was the very picture of a classic Hong Kong starlet; otherwise, she couldn’t have given birth to a son as handsome as Peter Preston.

"Miss Preston, you look so beautiful today."

The joy in Florence Preston’s eyes was unmistakable.

Just then, a knock came from the door.

"Come in."

The person outside pushed the door open and entered.

Wendy Royce walked in. He was wearing a formal suit today. Standing at one-point-eight meters tall, he had slimmed down from his previously heavier build due to recent exhaustion. His face had filled out and gained some wrinkles, but his well-defined features still hinted at his handsome youth.

Rachel had seen photos of her father in his youth, and it was no exaggeration to say he had been an absolute heartthrob.

When Wendy Royce saw Florence Preston, the astonishment in his eyes was unconcealable. Florence couldn’t help but lower her gaze, her cheeks flushing red.

Rachel laughed and said, "Dad, stop staring at Miss Preston."

Wendy Royce chuckled, not the least bit embarrassed. "Your Miss Preston is so beautiful, I have to take a few extra looks."

Florence’s face grew even redder. She gave him a playful glare and said, "What are you talking about?"

Peter Preston stepped forward. "Mom, Mr. Royce, we should go out and greet the guests now."

Wendy Royce took Florence’s hand and said, "Let’s go."

Florence agreed with a soft sound.

It wasn’t convenient for Rachel to go out with them, so she stayed in the room.

Wendy Royce, Florence Preston, and Peter Preston stood at the entrance of the banquet hall to welcome their wedding guests.

Thomas Sterling arrived early. "Mr. Royce, Miss Preston, Brother Peter."

Thomas knew they were holding a wedding banquet because he had visited Rachel at Rosewood Estate. Florence had casually invited him to come if he was free, and he’d actually taken her polite offer seriously and showed up.

"Thomas, you’re here," Wendy Royce greeted him warmly.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. Royce, Miss Preston." He presented a gift to Florence, who accepted it. "Thank you, Thomas. Rachel is in the lounge by herself right now. Why don’t you go keep her company?"

"Okay."