Chapter 279: Of Course It’s Sincere

"So, Tristan Sterling actually wants a piece of the MK Group pie, too." The Ainsworth Family was obsessed with the idea of Claire Ainsworth marrying Tristan Sterling so they could partner with him. They never would have imagined that Tristan was already secretly working with Alexander Sullivan to carve up the MK Group. If Mrs. Ainsworth and Chairman Ainsworth were to find out, they’d probably die of anger.

"So the Ainsworth Family doesn’t know about this yet?" Julian Jennings said, "Harvey Ainsworth has always been suspicious of Tristan Sterling, but he has no concrete evidence. Even if he found proof, the Ainsworth Family can’t even handle Alexander Sullivan right now, let alone Tristan Sterling." "So without Tristan Sterling, Alexander Sullivan couldn’t have made such a quick comeback?" Rachel Royce asked. Julian Jennings replied, "Alexander Sullivan grew up under the Ainsworth Family’s control, with no power, influence, or backing. He met Tristan Sterling while studying in the United States. They probably formed a secret partnership back then. So if they did have a conflict, it couldn’t possibly be over a typical clash of interests. It’s almost impossible for them to have a falling out over money. Even if there was a real disagreement, they would never let it escalate and harm their own interests, especially since Alexander still has the Ainsworth Family watching him like a tiger, ready to pounce at the first sign of weakness."

’Could it be because of Claire Ainsworth?’

’But surely that wouldn’t be enough to land Alexander Sullivan in the hospital!’

Rachel Royce’s curiosity only grew.

「After work that day」 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The Rowan executives gathered for a team dinner.

After the dinner ended,

they unexpectedly ran into Ivan Alden. The person with him was someone Rachel Royce didn’t recognize, but Julian Jennings said he was from the Wyatt Family.

The Alden Family and the Wyatt Family were related through cousins. While the Wyatt Family wasn’t considered one of Kingsland’s top-tier elite families, they definitely held a solid position in high society.

Julian Jennings had previously blocked a collaboration with the Wyatt Family. Although they were displeased, they were even more unwilling to get on Julian’s bad side.

Julian had already warned everyone connected to Ivan Alden and had arranged for people to secretly monitor his movements. As a result, Ivan was finding it extremely difficult to negotiate any new partnerships in Kingsland.

He was Stella’s father, after all, so Julian Jennings had gone easy on him, merely pressuring him to return to the United States voluntarily.

Ivan Alden had promised Julian that he would head back to the United States after spending the New Year with Stella.

Julian didn’t care whether he was telling the truth or not. When the time came, he would make sure Ivan was sent packing one way or another.

When Ivan Alden saw them, he walked up and greeted them proactively, as if nothing was wrong.

The mental fortitude of people like Ivan Alden was on another level.

Julian Jennings paid him little mind.

The group exited the hotel.

Ivan Alden stood in place, watching the backs of Julian Jennings, Rachel Royce, and the others as they left.

Just then,

his phone vibrated. He pulled it from his pocket and saw the two words on the caller ID: Raymond Reynolds. He answered the call.

"Hello!"

Rachel Royce returned to the Silvermist Bay Villa.

As she walked into the living room, she saw someone else was there—Alexander Sullivan.

Melissa was chattering away to Alexander Sullivan, collapsing into his arms with a wide, toothy grin. Her joyful, infectious laughter filled the entire room.

Alexander Sullivan held Melissa steady, the adoration for her in his eyes impossible to hide.

Tristan Sterling sat to the side, watching them. Hearing the noise at the entrance, he turned his head and said in a gentle voice, "You’re back." Alexander Sullivan also turned his head to look at Rachel Royce.

Melissa got up from his lap and ran toward Rachel Royce. Rachel’s attention was entirely on Melissa, so she completely missed the complicated look in Alexander Sullivan’s eyes as he watched her.

"Mommy, look at the necklace Alexander gave me." Rachel’s gaze fell on the necklace Melissa was wearing—a pearl chain with a pink diamond pendant. It was clearly priceless.

Melissa’s walk-in closet already housed a collection of various rare gems. She adored these beautiful stones. At only five years old, she had already received more gems than most people would in a lifetime.

Rachel Royce bent down and stroked her head, her eyes filled with gentle adoration for her child. "It’s beautiful. Mommy has some work to do, so I’m going upstairs. You go play by yourself for a bit."

"Okay," Melissa replied obediently.

Rachel Royce stood up and headed upstairs, completely ignoring the two men sitting on the sofa.

"Ra... Miss Evelynn," Alexander Sullivan’s voice called out.

Rachel Royce stopped in her tracks. Clearly detecting the strangeness in his tone, she turned to look back at Alexander Sullivan and said coolly, "Is there something you need, President Sullivan?"

Hearing the impatience and annoyance in her voice, Alexander felt as if his heart had been dealt a heavy blow.

Now he finally understood that indescribable, hollow feeling he got whenever he saw her—a feeling he always tried to grasp but could never hold on to.

Alexander Sullivan’s fingers tightened slightly, his chest constricting. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

Rachel Royce’s fine brows knitted together. ’What on earth is he trying to do?’

When he remained silent,

she averted her gaze and went straight upstairs.

Confused, Melissa ran to Alexander Sullivan’s side and looked up at him with her big, bright eyes. "What did you want to say to Mommy, Alexander? I can help you tell her!"

Alexander Sullivan sat back down, his gaze fixed on Melissa. The more he looked at her, the more her sparkling, expressive eyes reminded him of how Rachel looked as a child—so lively they seemed to speak on their own.

’How could I not have realized Melissa is my own niece?’ He had already been fond of Melissa, but now his heart swelled with a more intimate, protective love for her.

"You’re a good kid, Melissa."

Rachel Royce went back to the study.

Tristan Sterling had set up a separate study just for her.

She needed to review and edit the final batch of reports for the year.

Just then,

a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Tristan Sterling pushed the door open and walked in, placing a bowl of bird’s nest soup in front of her.

Rachel Royce’s eyes remained fixed on the screen; she didn’t look at him.

She only heard the man’s voice, "Don’t work too late."

Rachel didn’t respond.

Tristan Sterling didn’t disturb her further. But as he turned to leave, Rachel’s hand suddenly paused, and she asked, "What did Alexander Sullivan want to say just now?" His gaze had clearly been off, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out.

Tristan Sterling turned sideways to look at her. "He’ll tell you when he’s figured it out."

Rachel Royce frowned.

Tristan Sterling’s lips curled into a slight smile. "Finish up soon."

With that,

he left the study.

Rachel Royce watched his retreating back.

’Alexander Sullivan is acting all friendly with Tristan Sterling again. Their bond really is strong. Even when they have a conflict, it’s only temporary.’

The nanny took Melissa to wash up.

Tristan Sterling went downstairs. Alexander Sullivan was still there.

"She’s probably busy handling the review for her reports," Tristan Sterling said, sitting down on the sofa.

Alexander Sullivan looked at him. "You really act like a good husband. Are you being sincere, or is it all an act?" he asked, his tone unusually serious.

Tristan Sterling replied, "Can’t you tell? Of course it’s sincere."

Alexander Sullivan’s dark eyes stared intently at the man before him.