The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 70: A Man of Bad Character

Chapter 70: A Man of Depraved Character

She immediately saw the back of Tristan Sterling holding Melissa Sterling. They were standing in front of a shelf of Minions merchandise. Beside Tristan, Claire Ainsworth held a plush Minion toy, a wide smile on her face, as if asking Melissa if she liked it.

She couldn’t make out Melissa’s expression or hear what she was saying to Claire Ainsworth.

The three of them looked like a happy family.

June Jennings, puzzled, looked back and noticed Tristan Sterling. It was hard not to; his looks and presence were just too striking. Even from the side, his profile and tall, straight figure were breathtaking—every bit as impressive as her own brother.

"Rachel, what are you looking at?"

June Jennings had never met Tristan Sterling, so she didn’t realize the people Rachel was watching were her daughter and her husband in name only.

Rachel Royce’s gaze darkened as she looked away. "Nothing!"

Julian Jennings walked over, carrying Stella. Stella had picked out what she wanted and was happily showing it to her mom and godmother.

Rachel Royce gently patted her little head.

She was no longer in the mood to shop and just grabbed two random cups.

Julian Jennings went to the checkout counter to pay, and then they all left the souvenir shop.

But the composure she had just managed to regain was shattered by the scene she had witnessed. A wave of unease washed over Rachel Royce, but she suppressed her emotions well, showing no outward sign of distress.

Stella saw a costumed character she liked.

June Jennings took a picture of her with the character.

Rachel Royce and Julian Jennings stood to the side, watching them.

"In a bad mood?"

Julian Jennings asked suddenly.

Rachel Royce snapped out of her daze and looked up at Julian Jennings, merely offering a tight-lipped smile. She didn’t know what to say.

Julian Jennings said, "Still haven’t figured out how you want to approach your daughter?"

He had seen Tristan Sterling and Melissa Sterling earlier.

Rachel Royce’s gaze fell on Stella, a hint of sorrow in her eyes. "As far as Melissa is concerned, this mother of hers doesn’t exist. I don’t know how to approach her. Maybe it’s best if I just watch her from afar, like a stranger, and be happy that she’s happy."

’Tristan Sterling would never mention me to Melissa. The role of ’mother’ is completely foreign to her.’

’I’m also afraid of disrupting the life Melissa has now.’

Julian Jennings said, "If you haven’t figured it out, then being a stranger is indeed the best option for now."

Rachel Royce gave a low hum of agreement, but a sob caught unexpectedly in her throat.

Julian Jennings looked down at her reddened eyes and was about to say something.

Just then, Rachel Royce’s phone vibrated. She took it out of her bag and saw the caller ID: Thomas Sterling.

"I need to take this call."

Julian Jennings nodded.

Rachel Royce walked to a less crowded area and composed herself before answering the phone.

"Hello? What is it?"

Hearing the crowd in the background, Thomas Sterling asked, "Where are you having fun?"

"Universal Studios."

"Want to have dinner together tonight? My treat."

Rachel Royce’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Since you’re offering to treat, it’d be a shame not to go."

"Alright then. Should I come pick you up?"

Rachel Royce replied, "No need. Professor Jennings is with us right now. Just send me the address, and we’ll head over directly."

Thomas Sterling said, "Oh, okay then."

After hanging up, Rachel Royce stood still for a moment to calm down. Deciding she needed to use the restroom, she went to tell Julian Jennings and the others.

Even though they didn’t have to wait in line for the rides, using the restroom still meant queuing up with the regular park guests.

Suddenly, a couple of kids came running past, chasing each other, and she quickly stepped aside to avoid them.

In her haste, she didn’t notice and stepped on someone’s foot. She quickly turned to apologize. "I’m so sorry—"

The words had barely left her mouth when she saw who was standing behind her. She froze, then quickly recovered, taking a step back to put some distance between herself and the man.

The faint, fresh, elegant scent of her body immediately vanished from his senses. He lowered his gaze to look at her, his expression cold and stern.

Rachel Royce lowered her eyes to the leather shoe she had scuffed and said, "Sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose."

Judging by the displeasure on his face, it was obvious he was annoyed. Rachel Royce knew he was a man with a thing for cleanliness.

’But who told this guy to stand right behind me of all places? My luck is just terrible today, running into him even here.’

’He’s not someone who likes crowded places. In the past, Tristan Sterling would never have come to an amusement park like this.’

’He must be here now because Melissa wanted to come out and play.’

’For Melissa, he really is a good father.’

Tristan Sterling’s dark eyes stared down at her as he said in a low voice, "Only you know whether it was on purpose or not."

Rachel Royce let out a laugh of pure exasperation. "Of course. President Sterling, not only are you arrogant and rude, but you’re also completely unreasonable. Do I have eyes on the back of my head, that I would intentionally step on you? Or are you a stalker, President Sterling, deliberately standing right behind me?"

A cold, sarcastic smile touched Tristan Sterling’s lips. "You certainly think highly of yourself."

Rachel Royce’s brows furrowed.

Tourists walking by kept glancing back in their direction. The two of them were, to say the least, drawing a lot of attention.

Rachel Royce wanted to ignore the man, but she suddenly overheard someone whisper that they were a couple having a fight. She followed the voice and saw two young women staring at them with star-struck eyes.

When the young women saw Rachel Royce looking their way, they instantly looked embarrassed.

Rachel Royce walked up to them. "Excuse me," she said to the two women, "could I buy that bottle of water you have?"

The woman was taken aback for a second, then looked at the half-full bottle in her hand and offered it to Rachel Royce. "No need, you can just have it."

Rachel Royce didn’t stand on ceremony. She took the bottle. "Thanks. Oh, and by the way, I’m not his girlfriend. I would never fall for a man who’s not only a lunatic but also has a depraved character."

The two women: "..."

Tristan Sterling’s face darkened instantly as he heard her words.

Rachel Royce walked right up to him, opened the water bottle, and poured the water directly onto the left leather shoe she had stepped on.

The dust on the shoe was instantly washed away, leaving a wet patch.

The man looked down, his expression growing even darker.

Rachel Royce met the man’s glacial eyes and said, "Clean now!"

With that, she tossed the empty bottle into a nearby trash can, turned, and strode toward the restrooms, getting in line for the women’s.

Leaving the man standing there alone, with no one daring to come within two meters of him.