The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 81: Her Competitor Was Tristan Sterling
Chapter 81: The One Competing With Her Was Tristan Sterling
Her work schedule was packed for the entire week.
"Perfect timing. See if you can make time on Wednesday for Mr. Fitzwilliam’s birthday banquet."
Rachel Royce realized with a jolt that she had somehow forgotten such an important event. "I’ll definitely have to make time for it."
She had visited Mr. Fitzwilliam the day she returned to the country, but she had been too busy to visit again since then.
But the thought of inevitably seeing Tristan Sterling there made her heart sink.
Julian Jennings noticed the change in her expression and seemed to guess what she was thinking. "Just try to act natural."
Rachel Royce certainly wanted to act natural, but Tristan Sterling was just too infuriating.
She thought for a moment before saying, "I think I’ll find some time to drop off the gift tomorrow instead. I don’t want to run into anyone from the Sterling Family."
If she went with Julian Jennings, she was worried it would arouse Tristan Sterling’s suspicions.
Julian Jennings nodded. "Alright. In that case, just call Mr. Fitzwilliam beforehand to let him know."
Rachel Royce hummed in agreement. "Okay."
Back in the office.
Rachel Royce arranged for someone to attend an auction that evening and bid on a painting for her, which she intended to give to Mr. Fitzwilliam as a birthday gift.
However, the auction that night did not go smoothly.
Someone else had their eye on the painting. With a starting bid of five million, the price had already soared to nearly forty million, and the other bidder seemed determined to win it at any cost.
Rachel Royce looked at the other auction items, ultimately decided to give up on the painting, and won the bid for an inkstone instead.
Mr. Fitzwilliam enjoyed reading and practicing calligraphy in his spare time, so an inkstone would be a fine gift.
「The next morning.」
Rachel Royce drove to the Fitzwilliam Family estate.
She had already called Mr. Fitzwilliam the previous night.
The Fitzwilliam Family mansion was a classic compound built in the style of a Serengrove garden, with the family members all living on the estate, just in different courtyards.
Under the butler’s guidance, Rachel Royce arrived at the study.
Master Fitzwilliam was currently practicing calligraphy at his desk.
"Mr. Fitzwilliam," Rachel Royce called out.
Mr. Fitzwilliam put down his brush and looked at Rachel Royce, his smile warm and kind. "Rachel, you’re here. Come, come, take a look. What do you think of my calligraphy?"
Rachel Royce walked over and looked at the calligraphy Mr. Fitzwilliam had written. She smiled and said, "The strokes are powerful, and the structure is rigorous. It truly has the strength of Yan and the grace of Liu—the momentum is magnificent."
"Alright, alright, any more praise and these old bones of mine won’t be able to take it."
Rachel Royce smiled. "I’m just stating the facts."
"You... and what have you brought this time?"
Rachel Royce unwrapped the gift in her hands and presented it, offering her congratulations. "May you, Mr. Fitzwilliam, enjoy the longevity of pines and cranes, and peace in all your years to come."
Mr. Fitzwilliam’s eyes were filled with gentle affection. He looked at the inkstone in her hands and accepted it. "Perfect timing. In that case, you can use this inkstone to write out those eight characters for me."
Rachel Royce said, "Of course, no problem."
Rachel Royce spread out a fresh sheet of Xuan paper, and Mr. Fitzwilliam ground the ink for her.
Then, Rachel Royce took the brush and fluidly wrote the eight-character blessing on the paper.
She wrote in Clerical Script; the character structure was orderly and balanced, the composition was clear, and the overall style was one of simple, elegant grace.
Mr. Fitzwilliam looked at her calligraphy and nodded in satisfaction.
"Excellent."
"I’ve seen Melissa’s handwriting. She must have inherited your talent for calligraphy. Her writing is already beautiful, and she’s only five."
At the mention of Melissa Sterling, a pang of bittersweet sorrow welled up in Rachel Royce’s heart.
Mr. Fitzwilliam looked at her and asked, "Have you seen the child?"
Rachel Royce nodded. "I have."
Mr. Fitzwilliam sighed softly. "She’s a good child!"
Just then, the butler knocked and entered. "Master, Young Master Tristan has arrived with Miss Melissa."
Rachel Royce was startled.
She looked at Mr. Fitzwilliam, who clearly also didn’t know Tristan Sterling was coming today. It must have been a last-minute decision.
She had thought coming a day early to deliver the gift would allow her to avoid Tristan Sterling, but it seemed fate had other plans.
’God really loves to play jokes on me.’
But at the thought that Melissa was with him, a spark of anticipation grew within her.
Mr. Fitzwilliam looked at her and asked, "Does Tristan Sterling know you?"
Rachel Royce shook her head lightly. "He shouldn’t."
Mr. Fitzwilliam didn’t press further. "It’s good for you to see the child, too."
Rachel Royce hummed in agreement.
She followed Mr. Fitzwilliam out of the study.
When they reached the living room, the moment Melissa Sterling, who was sitting on the sofa, saw Rachel Royce, her eyes widened in disbelief. Then, she immediately leaped off the sofa, her face full of delighted surprise, and ran toward Rachel, shouting, "Aunt Evelynn!"
Melissa Sterling threw her arms around her waist, her eyes sparkling with joy. "This is great! Aunt Evelynn, we meet again! I’m so glad Daddy brought me to see Great-Grandfather Fitzwilliam today."
Rachel Royce gently stroked Melissa Sterling’s head and smiled warmly. "Yes, we meet again."
Watching Melissa Sterling, Mr. Fitzwilliam’s eyes filled with gratification.
He turned to look at Tristan Sterling.
"Grandfather Fitzwilliam."
Tristan Sterling greeted him respectfully.
Master Fitzwilliam walked toward the sofa and said, "Why didn’t you say you were coming?"
Tristan Sterling replied, "It was a last-minute arrangement. I have an urgent matter tomorrow and need to go on a business trip, so I brought Melissa over to give you your gift in advance. I won’t be able to come and celebrate your birthday with you tomorrow."
Mr. Fitzwilliam nodded and gestured for him to sit. "Work is important."
These days, Mr. Fitzwilliam’s attitude toward Tristan Sterling was much milder.
He had truly fulfilled his responsibilities as a father, and he had raised Melissa very well.
Tristan Sterling took his gift, a scroll, out of an art box and unrolled it.
Rachel Royce, holding Melissa’s hand, walked closer. When she saw the painting Tristan Sterling unfurled, she froze in shock.
It was the very same ink wash painting she had sent someone to bid on last night.
So the one who had been competing with her was Tristan Sterling.
Rachel Royce couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. ’It’s a small world for enemies,’ she thought, referring to herself and Tristan Sterling.
"Miss Evelynn, do you have any thoughts on this painting?"
Rachel Royce faltered for a moment, then met the man’s gaze, which was fixed on her. She quickly composed herself and replied, "It’s a work by Master Fang Bai. I wouldn’t dare presume to offer an opinion."
Mr. Fitzwilliam said to the butler, "Please put the painting away." Then, turning to Tristan Sterling, he added, "Tristan, this is very thoughtful of you."
Tristan Sterling replied, "I’m just glad you like it, Grandfather Fitzwilliam."
At that moment, Madam Fitzwilliam and Nina Fitzwilliam came in.
"Melissa!"
Seeing Melissa Sterling, Nina Fitzwilliam hurried forward.
At ten years old, Nina Fitzwilliam was already nearly 1.6 meters tall. She was growing into a graceful young lady, with a classic oval face, her hair tied in a high ponytail, looking both cute and charming.
"Nina."
The main reason Melissa Sterling had come today was to play with Nina Fitzwilliam.
Nina Fitzwilliam wanted to take Melissa Sterling to play, telling her she had many new, beautiful little fish.
Melissa Sterling suddenly tugged on Rachel Royce’s hand, tilting her little head up to look at her with expectant eyes. "Aunt Evelynn, will you come play with us, please?"
Before Rachel Royce could say anything, Mr. Fitzwilliam spoke up. "Go on. You can stay for lunch and leave after."
Rachel Royce had no choice but to agree.
A delighted Melissa Sterling then pulled Rachel Royce outside.
Madam Fitzwilliam sent someone to keep an eye on them.
After they had left, Tristan Sterling spoke up, asking, "Grandfather Fitzwilliam, you know Evelynn?"
