The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 59: Jealous?

Chapter 59: Jealous?

The project company’s headquarters was in another city, which meant she would have to take a business trip.

"Since this is the first project I’ve taken on since coming back, there’s no way I’ll let it fail," Rachel Royce said.

As she spoke, she swung her golf club.

If anyone else had said that, Julian Jennings would have been skeptical, but he had complete faith in Rachel Royce.

"I’ll just wait for your good news, then."

The two of them walked ahead as they talked.

Not far away, Thomas Sterling stood watching them walk off.

Joanna Sutton suddenly walked over and bumped his shoulder. "Thomas, what are you looking at?"

Thomas Sterling pulled his gaze back and looked at Joanna Sutton, a faint smile on his lips.

How could Joanna not see what was on his mind? She had figured it out five years ago. Back then, he had been able to remain completely devoted to Rachel Royce, maintaining a respectful distance, which was a testament to his character.

They had known each other since they were children, and now they looked quite compatible—a handsome man and a beautiful woman.

Following his gaze to the pair up ahead, she thought, ’But then again, Rachel and her professor look pretty good together too.’

"Jealous?" Joanna teased.

Thomas Sterling laughed. "What’s there to be jealous about? There’s nothing going on between Rachel and her professor."

"That scumbag cousin of yours is still dragging his feet on the divorce with Rachel," Joanna said. "She’s still technically your cousin-in-law. You’ve got a long road ahead of you, kid."

With that, she patted his shoulder.

’It was precisely because they weren’t divorced that he never dared to take a step forward.’

’He could feel that Rachel’s mind was entirely focused on her work and career right now.’

’Her marriage to his cousin must have been a huge blow to her.’

’Oh well.’

’He’d already waited for so many years.’

’He didn’t mind waiting longer.’

After a few rounds of golf, the group prepared to head indoors for tennis.

As they were leaving on the shuttle, they saw another group playing on a different course.

Joanna Sutton’s eyes immediately locked onto Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth.

"Isn’t that the scumbag Tristan Sterling?"

Claire Ainsworth made a shot and turned back to high-five Tristan Sterling.

Rachel Royce was sipping mineral water, completely ignoring them and not even glancing in their direction.

Seeing how calm Rachel was, Joanna didn’t say anything more.

The others on the shuttle glanced over.

Ian Quinn looked back at Joanna. "You should go whisper in his ear and curse him out."

Joanna rolled her eyes dramatically. "My energy is far too precious for that."

"..."

After getting off the shuttle, the group first went to the lounge for afternoon tea, snacks, and conversation.

After a while, they prepared to head to the tennis court.

Julian Jennings received a work-related phone call.

So the others went to the court first and drew lots to form teams.

Thomas Sterling and Rachel Royce were drawn together.

Joanna immediately deflated like a popped balloon. But seeing how happy Thomas was, she decided to endure it for his sake.

Over the years, Rachel had learned many sports to lose weight and stay fit, and tennis was, of course, one of them.

Meanwhile, just as Julian Jennings finished his call and was about to head to the court, he ran into a group of people walking toward the rest area.

Tristan Sterling saw him, and Julian Jennings walked up to greet him. "President Sterling, you’re playing here as well."

Tristan Sterling replied, "President Jennings, you too."

Julian grunted in acknowledgment. The two had nothing much to talk about. "Well, I won’t disturb you, President Sterling."

With that, he walked away.

When Julian Jennings arrived at the tennis court, he saw that only three people from their group were there. The others included the editor-in-chief of the financial weekly, Vice President Wyatt from X Securities, and two older women who were likely senior executives from their companies.

Rachel wasn’t there.

Julian walked over, shook hands, and greeted the two men.

"Where’s Rachel?" Julian asked.

Ian Quinn replied, "She’s outside talking business with President Hale."

The President Hale he mentioned was the president of the financial weekly. He was also the one who had hired Rachel as the weekly’s editor-in-chief.

Outside the court, Rachel and President Hale were strolling and chatting casually. They laughed quietly from time to time. The conversation was clearly going well.

Just then, a group of people approached them.

Rachel looked up and saw Tristan Sterling, Simon Shaw, and their group walking toward them.

Upon seeing Tristan, President Hale strode forward to greet him. "President Sterling, what a coincidence. You’re here too."

The two men shook hands.

"President Hale."

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

Tristan’s gaze fell on Rachel. Rachel looked back at him, her expression neutral.

President Hale quickly made the introductions. "This is Miss Evelynn, the new editor-in-chief of our weekly." Then, looking at Rachel, he said, "And this is President Sterling of Cedarwood Group."

A polite, perfectly measured smile touched Rachel’s lips. She gave a slight nod and said, "President Sterling."

Tristan grunted in response.

After they said their goodbyes, Tristan’s group headed toward the tennis court.

As Claire Ainsworth passed by Rachel, their eyes met for just a moment. But in that instant, a woman’s sixth sense clearly told Rachel that Claire was hostile toward her.

’A faint, almost imperceptible smirk appeared on Rachel’s lips.’

’When she had greeted Tristan just now, Claire had been staring at her warily.’

’Even though Tristan doted on her so much, she still felt insecure?’

Rachel didn’t pay it much mind.

President Hale started talking to Rachel about Tristan. As a top tycoon in the financial world, it was inevitable that they would have to interview and report on him in the future.

By the time they returned to the tennis court, Julian and President Hale’s group were already playing mixed doubles.

Tristan, Simon Shaw, and their party were on the adjacent court.

Thomas and Joanna were teamed up against Ian and a female colleague from President Hale’s company.

Julian, Vice President Wyatt, and a few others were on a break between games.

Rachel and President Hale walked over to the group.

President Hale greeted Julian and they chatted briefly. Then, seeing Tristan’s group, he suggested, "Why don’t we invite President Sterling’s group to team up and play for a bit?"

Since President Hale had already spoken, Julian couldn’t very well object.

So Vice President Wyatt went to extend the invitation.

Simon Shaw readily agreed, and Tristan didn’t object. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

With all the groups combined, there were now more than ten people, enough to form two teams for doubles matches.

As for how to form the teams, President Hale suggested drawing lots.

A staff member brought over a bucket for drawing lots. Players who drew the same color would be on the same team.

Rachel, Julian, and Joanna drew into the same team.

Ian and Thomas were on the same team as Tristan and his group.

The teams were set.

Now it was time to arrange the doubles matches.

Since it was a competition, there naturally had to be stakes.

"How about this: whichever side loses has to treat the other to dinner?" President Hale suggested with a smile.

It was the weekend, and President Hale had his own agenda. It was a rare opportunity to have a meal with Tristan and his circle.

Neither side had any objections.

A professional umpire was brought in to officiate.

Both teams arranged their players for the matches.

Rachel and Julian teamed up.

They were the first to play.

Their opponents were Tristan and Claire Ainsworth.

A coin toss would decide who served first.

Tristan won the toss with heads, so he would serve.

Everyone took their positions.

Tristan served the ball.

The match began.

After the first round, both sides were evenly matched.

However, when Tristan and Julian hit the ball, there was a palpable, chillingly formidable aura about them. It was full-on battle mode, as if each was determined to dominate the other.

The spectators were all holding their breath as they watched the court.

The tense, confrontational atmosphere on the court was obvious.

Claire’s tennis skills weren’t bad either.

After two rounds, the score was tied.

In the third round, Rachel was at the front. Claire hit a high lob, clearly low on stamina. It was the perfect opportunity to score. Rachel leaped into the air and smashed the ball down with all her might. It hit the ground and spun away at high speed.

"Claire!" a man shouted.

By the time Claire seemed to react and tried to return the shot, the ball bounced right into her face.

"AHH!!"