Chapter 277: Who Was There to Blame?

That evening, Tristan Sterling received a call from Alexander Sullivan.

"That contract you gave Rachel was to let Prodigy win the tech project partnership." Tristan Sterling didn’t deny it. "That’s right," he said. "With this partnership, after Prodigy fulfills the VAM agreement, its market value will break at least twenty billion. So that VAM agreement is an opportunity for Prodigy now." But Alexander Sullivan’s original intention in having Prodigy sign that VAM agreement was to acquire the company.

It was part of his plan for his business empire. Looking back at his decision now, there was nothing wrong with it from the perspective of his own interests.

When Tristan Sterling first gave this project to Rachel Royce, Alexander Sullivan had actually opposed it. After all, it created a conflict of interest for him. But Tristan wanted to win back his wife, and Alexander Sullivan couldn’t stop him.

In a way, the contract Tristan Sterling gave Rachel Royce was also to help Alexander Sullivan make amends.

Alexander Sullivan fell silent as he listened to him.

After a long moment, he said, "I don’t want to owe you. I’ll pay back what I owe."

Tristan Sterling didn’t say anything in response.

He hung up the phone.

Alexander Sullivan tossed his phone aside.

’In the end, what right did he have to condemn Tristan Sterling?’

’He was the one who never bothered to check on his sister’s situation. He thought that as long as his sister and father were doing well, he had nothing to worry about.’

’He had kept the beautiful memories of his youth locked away in his heart. It was his only solace after so many years of living in darkness. He was afraid to touch that warmth again, because he couldn’t bear the pain of another loss.’

’In the end, he was just too cowardly.’ 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’Now, because of his cowardice, he had stood by and watched his sister endure so much pain. And what had he been doing? Just letting it all happen.’

The memory of Rachel Royce’s loathing gaze became painfully clear in his mind.

The sister he had missed for so long now hated him.

Alexander Sullivan suddenly let out a self-deprecating laugh, looking utterly desolate in the dim light.

He took a pocket watch from his coat, opened it, and gazed intently at the photograph inside. The old photo was discolored, but he could still clearly make out the bright, joyful smile.

He had raised Rachel; she had been especially clingy with him since she was little.

She had said she would follow him for her whole life.

He vaguely remembered one time when he had just started first grade, he had secretly hidden his sister in his schoolbag and taken her to school.

His parents found them at the school, and he got a beating when he got home.

When he was being hit, his sister would bawl her eyes out.

His sister was beautiful even as a child. Other kids would often sneak a kiss or pull her hand, saying they wanted her to be their wife when they grew up. He would go over and beat them up.

Later, when his sister started elementary school, boys were always swarming around her, writing her love letters. He would rush over to stand guard every day after class.

... Back then, their family of four lived in an old alleyway. They weren’t wealthy, but they were very happy. Their father was busy every day trying to build a business to give them a better life, and their mother was a dance teacher at a school.

Later, their father’s business gradually improved, and they moved into a big house.

It seemed like their lives were finally starting to get better.

But fate played a cruel joke on them.

Their parents divorced.

His family fell apart.

He was taken away by his mother.

He would never forget that day. It was pouring rain. He was forcibly dragged away by bodyguards while his sister chased after them, bawling and crying, before falling into a puddle.

He struggled desperately to break free from the bodyguards’ grip.

But in the end, he was still taken away by force.

He was brought back to Portington and moved into a huge mansion.

He tried every possible way to go back, but all his attempts ended in failure.

He truly hated Jane Sullivan. But she was his mother, the mother who had once given him and his sister so much warmth.

His father’s company verging on bankruptcy, everything his sister suffered after marrying Tristan Sterling...

Perhaps it had all been fated from the very beginning.

’And now, his sister once again had a brother to dote on her and take care of her.’

’So who was there for him to blame? Who could he hate?’

Just then, a phone started buzzing, the sound grating in the silence of the night.

Alexander Sullivan glanced down at the lit-up screen, his expression exceptionally cold.

He waited until the call was about to automatically disconnect before reaching out, picking up the phone, and answering. He didn’t speak. The other end of the line was unusually quiet.

After a long while, Jane Sullivan’s voice finally came through, slow and hesitant. "Alexander."

Alexander’s voice was cold as he asked, "When did you find out about Rachel’s identity?" ’She must have investigated Rachel’s identity for Claire to be able to marry Tristan Sterling.’

Jane Sullivan was silent. A moment later, she spoke. "I know you hate Mom right now, but back then, Mom didn’t know the person Tristan Sterling married was Rachel."

"But what did you do to her after you found out? Is she really not your daughter in your eyes anymore? How could you be so heartless?" Alexander Sullivan demanded.

Jane Sullivan replied, "Do you think Mom wanted to do this? Rachel wanted to divorce Tristan Sterling. She should have been with Thomas in the first place. They’ve known each other since they were children. Mom just hoped she could return to the life she was meant to have."

Alexander Sullivan scoffed. "After you ruined her reputation, how is she supposed to ’return to the life she was meant to have’? She has a child with Tristan Sterling. How do you expect her to be with Thomas Sterling?!" His voice grew more agitated, laced with hostility.

Jane Sullivan was startled by her son’s tone. Her throat tightened, and for a moment, she was unable to speak.

Alexander Sullivan took a breath, calmed himself, and softened his tone, though it remained exceptionally cold. "You had Father come see me because you wanted me to find out about Rachel, so that I would make Tristan Sterling divorce her for Rachel’s sake, didn’t you?"

That was indeed Jane Sullivan’s plan.

’She knew her son had always cared for Rachel. If he knew how much Rachel had suffered with Tristan Sterling and that she wanted a divorce, he would surely want to make it up to Rachel and grant her wish.’

’Although she knew that finding out the truth would make him hate her even more, and might even change his feelings for Claire, they had been brother and sister for so many years. He had watched Claire grow up, had always doted on her and spoiled her. They had lived together longer than he had with Rachel. That bond could never be changed.’

Hearing her son’s question, Jane Sullivan said, "Alexander, Rachel really isn’t a good match for Tristan Sterling. She can have a better life. There’s no need for her to waste away in this loveless marriage. It’s not good for the child, either."

"Do you think Rachel would agree to let Claire marry Tristan Sterling and become Melissa’s stepmother?"

At his words, Jane Sullivan fell silent again.

"Claire will not marry Tristan Sterling." Alexander Sullivan’s tone was exceptionally serious and firm.

"Alexander, do you really have to be like this?" Jane Sullivan’s voice was filled with anguish. "Did you really think your father and I divorced willingly?"

"Whether you did it willingly or not, what’s happened cannot be undone. I don’t want you bothering Father anymore, and don’t let Rachel know about you." His last sentence carried a warning.

"Tell Claire to stay put in Portington. Otherwise, I’ll send her abroad myself."

His tone left no room for argument. With that, he hung up the phone.