Chapter 268: Someone She Couldn’t Afford to Offend

The old headmaster thought for a moment, then nodded. "The snow this year is much lighter than in previous years. I seem to recall you complimenting Rachel back then." Tristan Sterling quietly watched the woman on the stage, who spoke with eloquence and clarity. The lights shone down on her, making her seem to glow.

He smiled faintly and said, "I don’t quite remember." "It’s been so many years, so it’s normal not to remember." The old headmaster looked at the pair on stage and couldn’t help but reminisce, saying, "Thomas and Rachel really were a perfect match—the talented gentleman and the beautiful lady. I remember Rachel took a year off in her second year of high school because she was sick. The illness made her less beautiful, but Thomas stayed by her side and wouldn’t let any of the other students make fun of her. Seeing that their relationship is still so good, I just wonder when they’ll finally tie the knot. Ha ha!" Listening to the old headmaster’s words, Tristan Sterling maintained a faint, unreadable smile, but he did not respond.

After the donation speech, there were alumni activities, followed by an arts festival scheduled for the evening.

Many students came up to Rachel Royce and Thomas Sterling, asking for autographs and photos.

Faced with the students’ requests, the two didn’t refuse and signed autographs for all of them. They stood in the very center for a group photo with the school leadership, teachers, and students.

The woman’s eyes and brows were filled with the purest, most beautiful smile.

After the students left, the old headmaster approached with Tristan Sterling.

Seeing Tristan Sterling, Rachel Royce was surprised, but not overly so. After all, he had always been listed among the most distinguished alumni of the affiliated high school.

She hadn’t seen him all day and had assumed he wouldn’t attend, but unexpectedly, here he was.

Rachel Royce and Thomas Sterling shook hands with the old headmaster.

The three of them exchanged a few pleasantries.

Then, the old headmaster introduced Tristan Sterling to Rachel Royce individually. "Rachel, this is the President of Cedarwood, Tristan Sterling. He’s also Thomas’s cousin. You presented him with flowers as a student representative back in your first year. Now you’re both so accomplished in your careers! Ha ha!" Rachel looked at Tristan Sterling, guessing he had long forgotten. She addressed him with polite detachment, "Mr. Sterling." Tristan Sterling nodded with a smile. "Miss Royce’s achievements today are truly impressive. It makes one see you in a whole new light." Hearing the man’s hypocritical words, Rachel simply offered a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Yes! Thankfully, I resigned from Cedarwood back then. Otherwise, the person I am today wouldn’t exist, and I wouldn’t have the nerve to attend this school anniversary." These "gentle and polite" words landed like a bombshell.

The old headmaster and the other school leaders were stunned speechless.

Anyone with eyes could hear the biting sarcasm in her words.

But even though Rachel Royce was now successful in her career, Tristan Sterling’s status and position still made him someone she couldn’t afford to offend. Angering him would bring her no benefits whatsoever; he could make her lose everything overnight.

But Rachel Royce didn’t seem like a tactless person.

Since Rachel Royce had, after all, made a significant donation to the school that day, the old headmaster worried she would offend Tristan Sterling. He quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile, saying, "Tristan has always been very strict with himself, and it’s the same with his work. Rachel, the fact that you were able to get a job at Cedarwood proves just how outstanding you are." Rachel could tell the old headmaster was giving her an out. Anyone else in her shoes would have taken the opportunity to flatter Tristan Sterling for his mentorship, and the matter would have been dropped.

Rachel understood the old headmaster’s good intentions. She didn’t say anything more out of line, merely offering a faint smile.

Thomas Sterling spoke up. "Headmaster, we still need to visit the school museum with the director, so we’ll be taking our leave now." The old headmaster could only smile and say, "Alright, you two go on ahead." Rachel Royce said her goodbyes to the old headmaster and the other leaders, then left with Thomas Sterling.

Anyone could see how Rachel Royce had completely ignored Tristan Sterling.

Was this overconfident arrogance on her part, or did she truly have the confidence not to fear him? Yet, from start to finish, Tristan Sterling didn’t seem to show any anger at all.

On the contrary, he seemed almost indulgent, as if allowing her to say such things.

The old headmaster watched the two of them leave, then turned to Tristan Sterling and asked uncertainly, "Are things getting serious between Thomas and Rachel?" After all, besides that, the old headmaster really couldn’t think of any other reason why Rachel would have the nerve to ignore Tristan Sterling like that.

Tristan Sterling said, "I have indeed heard that Miss Royce is married, but not to Thomas. They’re just friends." The old headmaster was stunned.

Rachel Royce and Thomas Sterling went to visit the school museum.

"Only you, Rachel, would dare to speak to him like that. Anyone else would probably be waiting to file for bankruptcy tomorrow." Rachel smiled faintly. "Then I should be honored." Thomas laughed along with her and changed the subject.

They told the director not to accompany them any further, wanting to wander around on their own.

So many years had passed. The school hadn’t changed much overall, aside from a few newly constructed buildings.

The two of them went to their old classroom.

The students were all at the activities right now, so there weren’t many people in the academic building.

They leaned against a window in the hallway, reminiscing about the past. Only after entering the workforce could one truly appreciate the beauty of their school days.

Next, they went to the sports field.

Some students saw Thomas Sterling and, knowing he was the former captain of the school’s basketball team, invited him to play a game.

Rachel Royce said to him, "Go on!" Thomas took off his jacket, and Rachel reached out to take it.

Thomas Sterling took on several elite players from the school’s basketball team by himself.

Three rounds in, Thomas Sterling was scoring one basket after another. The other players couldn’t even touch the ball in his hands.

Cheers erupted across the basketball court. The female students were especially excited, all taking out their phones to record videos.

Rachel Royce clapped along.

Thomas Sterling gave Rachel a brilliant smile. Compared to the group of teenage high school students, he didn’t look old at all.

"Senior, can’t you at least let us score one basket?" a student said.

Another student immediately teased, "What do you know? The senior’s girlfriend is watching from the sidelines. Of course he has to show off." Thomas lightly tapped the student on the head. "Are we playing or not?" Just as he finished speaking...

...a ball was suddenly thrown from off the court and swished through the hoop.

Everyone was startled.

Rachel froze for a second. She looked up and saw the man who had appeared—a tall, handsome figure with a strikingly handsome face, deep-set features, and especially conspicuous long legs clad in suit trousers.

In an instant, the entire basketball court fell silent.

Tristan Sterling strode up to Thomas Sterling. "It’s been a long time since we two brothers have played basketball. We finally have some time today, care for a couple of games?" Thomas watched him.

The two of them standing together was a true visual feast of good looks. They clearly bore some resemblance to each other, but Thomas Sterling had a more youthful air, while Tristan Sterling was more mature.

"Sure." The students who had been playing against Thomas automatically moved to the sidelines.

Tristan Sterling took off his overcoat and walked toward Rachel Royce.

Rachel Royce frowned as she watched the man approach her.

He stopped in front of her and said, "Hold this for me."