Chapter 273: A Call from Alexander Sullivan

Johnson Royce answered, "Peter Preston? He’s Miss Preston’s son. He had some business to take care of at his company this morning, so he just left. When he gets back from work, you two can get to know each other. Peter is a good, ambitious, and hardworking kid. He’s also very good to your sister." Speaking of Peter Preston, Johnson Royce was as proud as if he were talking about his own son. He was busy teasing a child and completely failed to notice the change in Alexander Sullivan’s expression.

When he didn’t get a response from Alexander Sullivan, he finally looked up at him and asked, "Alexander, what’s wrong?" Alexander Sullivan snapped back from his dazed shock. He forced a smile onto his lips and said, "N-nothing..." For a moment,

his mind went blank. His heart felt as if it had been struck by a blunt object, leaving him breathless. The blood drained from his face, and his fingertips trembled uncontrollably. The questions he wanted to ask were suddenly stuck in his throat.

The gloomy morning weather finally gave way to falling snow.

The Sterling family’s mansion was decorated with exceptional festivity today.

A steady stream of luxury cars drove into the manor’s underground parking garage.

Today, the Fitzwilliam family had come to the Sterling family’s home for a meal.

Tristan Sterling’s car came to a slow stop. A garage attendant stepped forward and opened the car door.

Rachel Royce got out of the car.

She was wearing a stylishly designed red coat over a white cashmere long dress, complemented by pearl jewelry. Her entire demeanor exuded a dignified and elegant nobility.

She had on a pair of high heels, and with the underground garage being heated, she didn’t feel the slightest chill.

She took Melissa’s little hand and helped her out of the car.

Melissa was wearing a beautiful red dress today, which looked like a matching mother-daughter outfit with what Rachel Royce had on.

Tristan Sterling had already walked to the front of the car to wait for the mother and daughter. He was dressed in a formal suit with a somewhat traditional Chinese design, embroidered with bamboo leaves in gold thread. He stood there, tall and handsome, with the refined and gentle air of a nobleman from a prestigious family.

His gaze on the mother and daughter was so gentle that anyone who saw them would think they were a happy family of three.

"Tristan!" Tristan Sterling turned to see Franklin Fitzwilliam and two others getting out of their car.

"Melissa," Nina Fitzwilliam called out.

"Nina," Melissa replied happily, running toward Nina Fitzwilliam.

When William Jensen saw Rachel Royce, she was both surprised and not surprised.

She walked over to Rachel Royce and greeted her, "Evelynn." Rachel Royce smiled, her gaze falling on her bulging belly. "It’s been a while. Your belly seems to have gotten much bigger. When’s the due date?" William Jensen took her arm and said, "Mid-March." The two of them walked ahead.

The two little children walked in front, hand in hand, chattering as if they had endless things to say.

Franklin Fitzwilliam and Tristan Sterling followed behind them.

Franklin Fitzwilliam looked at Tristan Sterling and asked in a low voice, "So, what’s the situation with you two now?" Tristan Sterling replied with a faint smile, "It’s exactly what you see." Franklin Fitzwilliam said, "I don’t believe for a second that Evelynn would just let bygones be bygones and live happily with you so easily." Tristan Sterling said, "Things take time, don’t they?" Franklin Fitzwilliam looked at him and chuckled. "To be honest, I really hate seeing you look so smug." No matter what happened to him, it seemed like everything was under his control; nothing could ever cause much of a stir in his emotions.

Tristan Sterling let out a low laugh. "How have I offended you?" Franklin Fitzwilliam, "I just don’t like the sight of you." Tristan Sterling, "Then I’ll stay away from you today." "..." Rachel Royce and William Jensen were walking ahead and could hear the two men behind them talking and laughing.

Although William Jensen was curious about their current situation, she didn’t ask any more questions for the time being.

When they reached the main hall,

Master Fitzwilliam and Madam Fitzwilliam had already arrived. The elders from both families were sitting and chatting in the hall, creating a lively atmosphere.

When they saw the new arrivals,

none of the elders present seemed surprised. It appeared that one person more or less didn’t matter much.

Melissa and Nina Fitzwilliam greeted the elders one by one.

Everyone’s attention was focused on the two children.

Tristan Sterling and Franklin Fitzwilliam went forward to greet the elders.

Rachel Royce merely addressed Master Fitzwilliam and Madam Fitzwilliam respectfully, "Mr. Fitzwilliam, Madam Fitzwilliam." Madam Sterling and Master Sterling were sitting to the side, and the expressions on their faces changed subtly, especially Master Sterling, who had a clear look of displeasure in his eyes.

Mr. Fitzwilliam nodded. "You’re here." Rachel Royce gave a soft "mm-hmm."

Madam Fitzwilliam praised her, "We haven’t seen you in a while. You’re getting more and more beautiful." Rachel Royce replied with poised grace, "Thank you. You’re looking better and better yourself, Madam Fitzwilliam." Madam Fitzwilliam smiled.

Rachel Royce asked about Mr. Fitzwilliam’s health. She had been busy with work lately and hadn’t had a chance to visit the old gentleman in a long time.

"These old bones are still holding up fine." Everyone took in the harmonious atmosphere between Rachel Royce, Mr. Fitzwilliam, and Madam Fitzwilliam.

Rachel Royce completely ignored the Sterling side of the family, and, of course, no one from the Sterling family made an effort to greet her either.

Melissa ran from Harrison Sterling over to Rachel Royce, took her hand, and said, "Mommy." Hearing Melissa call her that, the members of the Sterling family couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Rachel Royce bent down slightly and asked gently, "What is it?" Melissa greeted the elders one by one, then happily announced, "Aunt Evelynn is going to be Melissa’s mommy from now on!" She was poised and showed no stage fright at all.

Madam Sterling spoke up. "Good, good. Melissa will have a mommy from now on." Melissa said, "Great-grandma, Great-grandpa, Grandpa, Grandma, from now on, you have to be as nice to Melissa’s mommy as you are to Melissa." Madam Sterling smiled lovingly. "We’ll do whatever Melissa says." Melissa looked happily at her mother.

Rachel Royce looked at her daughter. She didn’t expect the Sterling family to treat her well, but Melissa’s words moved her and filled her with warmth.

Madam Sterling said to Rachel Royce, "From now on, just focus on being with Tristan and the child." Rachel Royce showed no emotion and didn’t respond.

Tristan Sterling spoke up, "Grandma, we will." As he spoke, he reached out to gently place a hand on the woman’s waist and said to her, "Go sit with Sister-in-law in the next room for a bit." Rachel Royce subtly sidestepped the man’s arm and went into the adjacent small parlor with William Jensen.

Melissa and Nina Fitzwilliam stayed with the elders.

This continued until lunch was served.

Thomas Sterling still hadn’t returned to the old mansion.

Madam Sterling asked, "Why isn’t Thomas here yet?" Evelyn Fitzwilliam said, "He had something come up at work today and has to work overtime. He can’t make it." "How can he be so busy?" Evelyn Fitzwilliam explained, "It’s the end of the year, it can’t be helped." Madam Sterling didn’t ask any more questions.

During lunch,

the elders brought up Thomas Sterling, saying that it was time for him to settle down.

Theodore Sterling said, "Thomas knows. Grandma, Grandpa, you don’t need to worry too much." Since Theodore Sterling had said that, Madam Sterling and the others didn’t press the matter.

Evelyn Fitzwilliam glanced in the direction of Tristan Sterling and Rachel Royce. Melissa was sitting between them, looking for all the world like a perfect family of three. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

After lunch,

Tristan Sterling received a call from Alexander Sullivan.