The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 48: Repaying the Sterling Family with Principal and Interest

Chapter 48: I’ll Pay the Sterling Family Back, With Interest

11:30 AM.

Tristan Sterling returned to his office. His secretary said, "President Sterling, a gentleman claiming to be Rachel Royce’s brother is here to see you."

Tristan Sterling stopped in his tracks. "Send him up."

"Yes, sir."

Soon, Peter Preston arrived at Tristan Sterling’s office. This was their first formal meeting.

Tristan Sterling was walking from the water cooler to his desk with a cup of water. Looking at Peter Preston as he entered, he said, "Have a seat."

Peter Preston’s attitude was distant. "No, thank you. I’m just here to say a few words."

Tristan Sterling glanced at him, then sat in his office chair and set down his cup. "What is it?"

Peter Preston stepped forward. "I’m sure you saw the news online last night, President Sterling. Have you given any thought to how you’ll handle the people who cyberbullied my sister?"

Tristan Sterling’s fingers rested on the desk, his index finger tapping rhythmically. He looked at Peter Preston and asked in a voice devoid of emotion, "How do you want to handle it?"

Peter Preston said, "It seems President Sterling hasn’t given it any thought." His tone was tinged with sarcasm.

Tristan Sterling didn’t speak.

"I’ve investigated the people who led the cyberbullying campaign against my sister and found information on three of them." As he spoke, he took a photograph from his pocket and held it out to Tristan Sterling. "Do you recognize them, President Sterling?"

Tristan Sterling picked up the photo. It was a group picture. Claire Ainsworth was seated on a stool, surrounded by three other young women who clustered around her, placing her at the very center. They were all beaming at the camera.

Tristan Sterling put the photo down and looked at Peter Preston. "What you want to do is your business, but let me offer a piece of advice: a man should only take on what he can handle."

Peter Preston replied, "My sister suffered such a baseless attack. You may be able to look down from on high and act like it has nothing to do with you, President Sterling, but as her brother, I can’t. And I’d like to offer you a piece of advice in return: it’s not about doing what you think you can handle. It’s about taking action and finding out just how much you can truly handle."

Tristan Sterling’s gaze darkened as he watched him.

As Peter Preston turned to leave, he seemed to remember something and added, "It’s true that we owe the Sterling Family a debt. But rest assured, we will pay you back one day—with interest."

With that, he turned and left.

As he walked out the door, he saw Suzanne Sullivan and Claire Ainsworth standing there.

When Peter Preston saw Claire Ainsworth, his gaze turned chillingly cold, and the color drained from her face in fright.

Peter Preston quickly averted his gaze, made brief eye contact with Suzanne Sullivan, and then strode away.

Suzanne Sullivan stood rooted to the spot, watching his departing figure before turning and entering the office.

Claire Ainsworth scurried over to Tristan Sterling, her voice tinged with grievance as she called out, "Tristan!"

Suzanne Sullivan looked at Tristan Sterling, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.

*

After leaving the company building, Peter Preston got into his car and received a call from Thomas Sterling.

"Peter, what did my cousin say?"

After the incident online, Thomas Sterling had contacted Peter Preston immediately. Peter had his company look into it. Although the perpetrators deleted their accounts after the fact, his people still managed to uncover their identities. They all came from influential families.

Thomas Sterling had discussed how to handle the matter with Peter Preston at the hospital, and Peter had decided to approach Tristan Sterling first.

Tristan’s reaction was just as he’d expected. "He won’t get involved in Rachel’s situation."

The other end of the line went silent for a few seconds, as if the person on it was trying to control his emotions.

"Then what are you going to do, Peter?"

"Take legal action."

Thomas Sterling said, "Okay. If you need any help, Peter, just let me know."

"I will," Peter Preston replied. "How is Rachel doing now?"

Thomas Sterling said, "The doctor just checked. She’s dilated to eight centimeters."

"Okay."