The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 74: Tristan Sterling’s Bad Intentions
Chapter 74: Tristan Sterling’s Malicious Intent
It seemed what Tristan Sterling had just received was the summons for the divorce lawsuit.
She recalled his reaction as he looked at the summons back then.
He was probably mocking her for overestimating herself.
She got into the car.
She went to have lunch with the photographer and the others first.
Afterward, she returned to the company.
But for the rest of the afternoon, Rachel Royce just couldn’t muster any energy for work. She wasn’t in the right headspace, her mind completely filled with the image of Melissa Sterling.
For so many years, she hadn’t dared to see Melissa Sterling or appear before Tristan Sterling, afraid she wouldn’t be able to control her emotions.
Now, she finally had to face the overwhelming tide of longing and force herself to adjust.
That evening, she had originally planned to go for drinks with Joanna Sutton, but Joanna had to work overtime on a rush project.
Stella wasn’t feeling well today, so June Jennings had to stay home and take care of their child.
In the end, Rachel Royce went to a bar to drink by herself.
FC Bar, one of the top three high-end bars in Kingsland, catered mainly to an elite clientele.
Rachel Royce sat at the bar and ordered two glasses of whiskey.
A dim, warm light spilled from the brass pendant lamps, casting a soft glow on the dark brown bar top.
Ice cubes clinked gently in the whiskey.
Rachel Royce gripped the glass and tilted her head back, downing it in one gulp.
She downed one glass after another.
She was still in her business suit, which looked out of place among the bar’s crowd, but her stunning face, the hint of intoxication in her dark, luminous eyes, and their every glance exuded an alluring, captivating charm.
From the booth sofas, many gazes were fixed on her, their eyes unable to hide their avarice.
「Meanwhile.」
On the second-floor corridor, a tall and handsome man stood before the railing. In the dim light, his nearly perfect face appeared even more profound and captivating.
He stood there with an upright posture, his gaze fixed on a figure at the bar below. His dark eyes were deep and indifferent, his thoughts unreadable.
Just then, a man holding a wine glass walked toward her and sat down in the seat beside her.
"Tristan!"
Hearing the voice, Tristan Sterling withdrew his gaze and looked at Franklin Fitzwilliam.
"It’s not easy getting you to come out these days. Finally taking a break from watching Melissa?" Franklin Fitzwilliam asked with a smile.
Tristan Sterling said, "She’s at her grandmother’s."
"I get it. Back when Nina was born, I’d get anxious if I didn’t see her for a day. Now the kids are older. In the blink of an eye, Melissa is already five. Time really flies!"
"..."
The two chatted idly as they walked toward a private room.
When they reached the room, Simon Shaw was already inside waiting for them.
This bar was one of Simon Shaw’s properties.
"Tristan, Franklin, you’re finally here."
「Back at the bar.」
Rachel Royce completely ignored any men who came to hit on her, refusing to respond.
The tactful ones would leave in disappointment.
But there were also tactless ones who tried to get handsy with Rachel Royce.
Rachel Royce grabbed a bottle and smashed it over his head.
「Inside the private room.」
Tristan Sterling and Franklin Fitzwilliam were drinking and chatting idly.
Just then, the manager rushed in.
After a round of respectful greetings, he said, "Master Shaw, there’s trouble downstairs. Master Cheney from Sourcewell got hit."
Simon Shaw’s expression darkened. He said to Tristan Sterling and Franklin Fitzwilliam, "I’ll go take a look."
Simon Shaw followed the manager out of the room.
Franklin Fitzwilliam also stood up. "Let’s go see what’s going on."
「Downstairs.」
Leo Cheney pressed a towel to his bleeding forehead, his eyes blazing with fury as he stared at Rachel Royce, who was sitting calmly at the bar and drinking. He roared, "What are you standing around for? Seize that bitch for me!"
The bodyguards who had been called in moved to drag Rachel Royce off her stool.
"Don’t touch me!"
The woman shot them a piercing glare, and the bodyguards froze for a second, stunned by her gaze.
But the bodyguards quickly recovered, and just as they were about to grab her—
"Stop!"
Simon Shaw strode through the crowd, walked up to Rachel Royce, and looked at her flushed, drunken face. "Evelynn, are you okay?" he asked with concern.
Rachel Royce tilted her head back and finished the last half glass of her drink, then said to the bartender, "Check, please."
Simon Shaw said, "Tonight’s drinks are on me, Miss Evelynn."
Only then did Rachel Royce look at Simon Shaw. Her usually clear and cool eyes were now veiled in a layer of mist, their depths hazy and unclear, yet they held a soft, alluring quality.
At that one glance, Simon Shaw felt his heart throb uncontrollably.
Although Rachel Royce was drunk, her mind was still relatively clear. She recognized Simon Shaw and refused his offer. "Thank you for the kind gesture, but that’s not necessary."
Simon Shaw snapped back to reality, another wave of disappointment washing over him.
Rachel Royce paid her bill and was about to leave.
"Master Shaw, shouldn’t she give me an explanation before you let her go?"
Simon Shaw turned, glared at Leo Cheney, and before the other man could react, he threw a punch. "Who the fuck gave you permission to cause trouble in my place?"
This scene left everyone present stunned in place.
Simon Shaw grabbed Leo Cheney by the collar.
"Simon Shaw!"
A deep, powerful voice called out.
Simon Shaw’s fist froze in mid-air.
He resentfully let go of Leo Cheney.
Leo Cheney’s head was throbbing with pain. His bodyguards rushed forward to support him. He clearly saw Tristan Sterling, and no matter how much resentment and anger he felt, he could only endure it for now.
Rachel Royce, who had been about to leave, stopped at the sound of the familiar voice. She glanced back. Under the lights, the man’s innate aristocratic aura made everything around him seem like a mere backdrop.
But after just that one glance, Rachel Royce turned and started to stride away.
"Miss Evelynn, leaving just like that?"
The man’s voice poured into her ears like a magic spell.
Rachel Royce stopped. Her hazy eyes made it difficult for her to see the man’s face clearly, but she could tell from his tone that he had malicious intentions.
"What do you want, President Sterling?" she asked. Though she tried to sound composed, her voice came out weak, lacking its usual strength.
"You hit someone. Shouldn’t you offer an explanation?"
Simon Shaw wanted to speak up for Rachel Royce, but a single look from the man silenced him, leaving him unable to utter a word.
Rachel Royce dug her fingernails into her palm, trying to clear her head. "Then how would President Sterling like me to explain myself?"
Tristan Sterling’s oppressive gaze fell on Leo Cheney. "What do you say, Master Cheney?"
Leo Cheney was so overwhelmed by the man’s invisible aura that he was momentarily at a loss for words. He knew Simon Shaw, but he wasn’t in the same circle as Tristan Sterling, and the two had never crossed paths.
But he had long heard of Tristan Sterling’s ruthlessness. Who wasn’t afraid of him?
He didn’t understand why Tristan Sterling was suddenly speaking up for him for no apparent reason.
Just as he was about to say something,
"Evelynn!"
A deep, powerful voice called out.
Julian Jennings was striding toward them.
When Rachel Royce saw him, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Julian Jennings had learned from June Jennings that she was drinking here. After calling Rachel Royce, he had driven over.
