Chapter 271: A Dinner Invitation

The traffic police took photos, and once the accident assessment was complete, a tow truck hauled the car away.

Rachel Royce hailed a taxi back to the city.

After Rachel Royce left, Alexander Sullivan got into his car.

Just as he got in, he received a call from Tristan Sterling, who invited him to dinner that evening.

Tristan Sterling was about to hang up.

Alexander Sullivan said, "Your wife was in a car accident, but she’s fine."

"What happened?" Tristan Sterling asked.

"A child darted out in front of her car, and she hit a tree on the side of the road," Alexander Sullivan said.

"As long as she’s okay." With that, Tristan hung up.

Alexander Sullivan drove away.

Rachel Royce went to the hospital for a checkup. She was relieved to confirm that she wasn’t seriously injured.

She took a taxi home.

She got out of the car.

She saw a man getting out of a Rolls-Royce, followed by Melissa.

"Mommy!" Melissa ran toward Rachel Royce and hugged her.

Tristan Sterling had come here right after picking Melissa up from school.

Rachel Royce took Melissa’s hand and said, "Mr. Royce and Grandma Preston haven’t seen you in a long time. They miss you very much."

Melissa said happily, "I miss Mr. Royce and Grandma Preston too! Then let’s hurry inside, Mommy."

Tristan Sterling took the gifts he had prepared from the trunk and carried them.

Rachel Royce looked at him.

Tristan Sterling walked up and said, "See if there’s anything else they might need. I’ll have someone deliver it tomorrow."

His attitude was truly that of a considerate and model son-in-law.

Rachel Royce didn’t answer, saying with faint sarcasm, "It must be so difficult for you."

’To come bearing gifts, acting as if nothing ever happened, for the very family he once looked down on so much.’

Tristan Sterling said, "It’s what I should do. It’s not difficult at all."

Rachel Royce said no more and led Melissa into the house.

Tristan Sterling followed the mother and daughter.

They went inside.

Melissa shouted, "Mr. Royce! Grandma Preston!"

Johnson Royce was watching TV in the living room. Hearing Melissa’s voice, he quickly stood up to greet her. "Melissa’s here!"

Johnson Royce scooped Melissa up and spun her around twice.

Melissa giggled, her eyes crinkling with joy.

Florence Preston was in the kitchen preparing dinner. She came out when she heard Melissa’s voice, but her expression soured the moment she saw Tristan Sterling.

"Grandma Preston," Melissa called out.

Florence Preston composed herself, walked over quickly, and bent down to hug Melissa.

"I haven’t seen you in a while, and you’ve gotten even prettier, Melissa."

Melissa loved it when people praised her for being pretty.

Johnson Royce and Florence Preston led Melissa to the sofa to sit and chat.

Only then did Tristan Sterling ask Rachel Royce, "I heard you were in a car accident. Do you need to go to the hospital for a checkup?"

Rachel Royce glanced up at him and said, "I’ve already been checked. I’m fine."

"Good. Be more careful when you drive next time."

Because Melissa was there, Johnson Royce and Florence Preston didn’t show their disapproval of Tristan Sterling too openly.

Of course, he didn’t stay long. After exchanging a few polite words with them, he said to Rachel Royce, "I’ll come pick you and Melissa up tonight."

"Bye-bye, Daddy." Melissa waved to her father.

Tristan Sterling patted Melissa’s little head and then left the Royce Family’s home.

At six in the evening, Peter Preston came home.

The family had dinner, and with a child present, the atmosphere was particularly lively.

Thomas Sterling had invited Rachel Royce to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Rachel Royce had agreed. She asked Peter Preston if he wanted to go, but Peter said, "You guys go. I want to rest early tonight."

Rachel Royce didn’t insist. He had indeed been very tired lately. She couldn’t help but sigh, "It’s a shame June went home early. Brother, why don’t you go to Portington to find her?"

"Mm, I’ve booked a ticket for the day after tomorrow," Peter Preston replied.

Rachel Royce smiled, her eyes crinkling. "That’s great."

"But isn’t June’s ex-husband still in Kingsland?"

June Jennings had been the one to tell him about Ivan Alden. She certainly didn’t want Peter Preston to misunderstand and think she still had feelings for her ex-husband.

Before Ivan Alden showed up, things were fine, but now June Jennings couldn’t help but worry if Peter Preston would mind that she was a divorced mother.

During that time, June Jennings was very anxious and was constantly messaging Rachel Royce.

It was Rachel Royce who had suggested she proactively tell Peter Preston about Ivan Alden coming to Kingsland.

However, he was busy with work, so it was mostly June Jennings who initiated contact. Peter Preston would reply as soon as he saw her messages.

The night before she returned to Portington with Stella, the two of them had met for dinner.

June Jennings could sense from Peter Preston’s attitude that he didn’t mind at all.

Only then was she able to put her mind at ease.

"I’m not sure about that." Peter Preston nodded, not asking any more questions.

Rachel Royce hugged a throw pillow, worried. She said, "But judging from Ivan Alden’s attitude, he still hasn’t given up on June."

’Ivan Alden and Zion Alden are both madmen. I’m really worried he’ll do something crazy if he finds out June likes another man.’

"Even if he hasn’t given up, they’re already divorced. He can’t force June to remarry him. Besides, June has Julian Jennings. He wouldn’t dare do anything reckless."

"That’s true."

"..."

Around eight o’clock, Tristan Sterling arrived at the villa.

Rachel Royce had mentioned she had plans for the evening, and Tristan Sterling didn’t ask for details. He only advised, "Don’t stay out too late," then left with Melissa.

Just as their car was leaving the villa community, Thomas Sterling’s car drove in.

「In the early hours of the morning.」

Rachel Royce returned to Clearwater Villa.

The living room was brightly lit.

Tristan Sterling was sitting on the living room sofa watching TV. When he saw her, he stood up, walked over, and said, "You’re back. Are you hungry? Want a late-night snack?"

Rachel Royce said, "I’m not hungry."

"Okay. It’s getting late. Go on up and get ready for bed."

Rachel Royce went straight upstairs.

After washing up, she lay down on the bed.

For the past few days, she and Tristan Sterling had coexisted peacefully, each minding their own business.

Rachel Royce could sense that Tristan Sterling was a man with terrifying self-control.

She had just closed her eyes to rest.

Tristan Sterling returned to the room.

Rachel Royce didn’t move.

Suddenly, she felt the mattress dip beside her.

Rachel Royce opened her eyes and saw the man sitting next to her. The warm light cast a gentle glow on his handsome face.

She heard Tristan Sterling ask, "What kind of girl do you think is suitable for Thomas?"

Rachel Royce closed her eyes again and said, "He probably doesn’t need you worrying about his private life."

Tristan Sterling said, "Thomas isn’t getting any younger. As his elder, I should be concerned. You’re his cousin-in-law; you can help keep an eye out for him."

"I have no interest in playing matchmaker."

Tristan Sterling looked at her, but in the end, said nothing more. He straightened her blanket, then walked to the other side of the bed, lay down, and turned off the light.

「In the morning.」

Melissa woke up early. It was the first day of the new year, and she wanted to look her best.

The custom-made New Year’s outfit Tristan Sterling had ordered for her had just been delivered yesterday.

He had also prepared a matching mother-daughter outfit for Rachel Royce in the same color.

Rachel Royce had no idea he had prepared clothes for her in advance.

The hair and makeup artist arrived at the villa at eight o’clock.

Rachel Royce looked at him in surprise.

Tristan Sterling said, "It’s the first day of the new year. Of course, we have to treat it with special importance."

Melissa added, "Mommy has to be the prettiest mommy today!"

"Go on and get changed! I’ll take care of getting Melissa ready," Tristan said.

In the end, Rachel Royce didn’t say anything.

Outside Hillcrest Villa.

A Bentley was parked outside early in the morning.

Alexander Sullivan had received a call from his father yesterday, telling him to come home for a meal today.

He had woken up early this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep, so he had driven straight here.