Chapter 168: Disgust
When Ian Quinn arrived at the office and saw Rachel Royce, he was surprised. "You’re here so early? Why aren’t you with lissa?"
Sipping her coffee, Rachel Royce said, "Tristan Sterling is in Portington."
Ian Quinn was taken aback. "Tristan Sterling really dotes on lissa. Had I known, I would have said you were better off not bringing her."
Rachel Royce sighed in resignation. "I know."
’I don’t know if he’s actually here on business or for so other reason.’
Ian Quinn looked at her. He seed to want to say sothing, but ultimately held his tongue.
’Forget it.’
’After all, lissa is Rachel’s daughter. They’ve been apart for five years, and now lissa is so attached to her. Anyone would find that hard to give up.’
’Especially when it cos to children, won tend to be more emotional than rational.’
But he still offered a word of comfort. "Rachel, when lissa gets older, I’m sure she’ll understand."
Rachel Royce nodded. "I know."
「Two in the afternoon.」
The signing ceremony was ready to begin, and mbers of the press were also in attendance.
In attendance were not only Hector Ainsworth but also Chairman Harvey Ainsworth, Claire Ainsworth’s father. He was nearly sixty years old, but his figure was well-maintained, and he carried himself with the dignified air of a family patriarch.
Accompanying him was a young man of about twenty. He was handso, and despite the formal suit, he couldn’t hide his youthful energy. His features were the spitting image of Claire Ainsworth’s mother—it was obvious who he was.
But what surprised Rachel Royce even more was that...
Suzanne Sullivan had co as well.
Suzanne Sullivan and Harvey Ainsworth were chatting, looking remarkably harmonious. What a perfect picture of familial harmony.
Rachel Royce couldn’t help but mutter, "I feel embarrassed just watching them."
Ian Quinn chuckled and whispered, "That’s why people who make it to the top have to endure things ordinary people can’t."
Harvey Ainsworth and Suzanne Sullivan approached to shake their hands.
The mont Harvey Ainsworth saw Rachel Royce, he gave her an appreciative look. "I had no idea Rowan Capital employed a woman of such talent and beauty," he praised.
Rachel Royce offered a faint smile. "You’re too kind, Chairman Ainsworth."
The two parties exchanged a few pleasantries.
Before the signing ceremony began, Harvey Ainsworth took the stage to give a brief address.
Ian Quinn followed with his own remarks.
From the audience, Suzanne Sullivan listened attentively, applauding periodically.
Rachel Royce was seated two chairs away from her. With the seats between them now empty, she found her gaze drifting in Suzanne’s direction.
The woman’s expression was inscrutable, her elegant profile revealing nothing of her thoughts.
Suzanne Sullivan noticed the gaze and turned to look at Rachel. A faint smile touched her lips. "Is sothing the matter, Miss Evelynn?"
Rachel Royce replied coolly, "It’s nothing."
She withdrew her gaze.
Once the representatives from both sides had finished their speeches, the strategic partnership agreent was signed before the assembled dia.
By the ti it concluded, it was already five in the afternoon.
That evening, the Ainsworth family hosted a dinner party.
Rachel Royce and Ian Quinn decided to grab a bite to eat first.
Just as they got in the car, her phone vibrated. It was a call from Tristan Sterling.
Rachel answered, "Hello?"
Tristan Sterling’s voice ca over the line. "I have sothing tonight. You need to co back and stay with lissa."
Rachel was silent for a mont before replying, "I’m busy tonight, too."
After a few seconds of silence on the other end, Tristan Sterling hung up.
Rachel lowered her phone. He hadn’t forced her to go back, but an inexpressible frustration welled up inside her.
Ian Quinn looked at her. "Are you going to head back?"
’He could see it clearly now. Tristan Sterling was using lissa to completely manipulate Rachel’s emotions.’
With a grim expression, Rachel was silent for a long mont before letting out a breath. "I’ll call lissa first," she said.
"Okay."
Rachel composed herself and dialed lissa’s smartwatch, but the call went unanswered.
’lissa must have left her watch in her bedroom upstairs and couldn’t hear it.’
’And I don’t have the nanny’s number.’
Ian Quinn said, "I’m sure Tristan Sterling has arranged for soone to look after lissa. If you’re too worried, I can attend the Ainsworths’ dinner party alone."
After a mont of silence, Rachel said, "I’ll go back after the party."
She sent lissa a text ssage.
The two of them went to a restaurant for a quick al, but Rachel found she had no appetite.
Before the dinner party, Ian Quinn went with her to pick out a gown. She chose a long, slim-fitting white dress with a simple cut. It was unadorned, yet looked understated and sophisticated.
The dinner party was held at a five-star hotel owned by the MK Group.
The Ainsworths had also invited senior executives from their partner companies, but naturally, Rachel Royce and Ian Quinn were the guests of honor.
The two of them arrived at the banquet hall.
Upon seeing them, Hector Ainsworth quickly walked over to greet them.
A short while later, Harvey Ainsworth arrived, accompanied by Mrs. Ainsworth. Dressed in a dark green gown that highlighted her fine figure and frad her noble, delicate face, Mrs. Ainsworth imdiately captured the attention of the entire room.
Mrs. Ainsworth’s standing among the socialites of Portington was second to none.
As Mrs. Ainsworth was greeting another guest, her eyes fell upon Rachel Royce standing nearby, and her brow furrowed slightly.
She quickly composed herself, however, and looked away.
Harvey Ainsworth led Mrs. Ainsworth over to greet Ian Quinn and Rachel Royce.
Ian Quinn looked at Suzanne Sullivan and offered a polite greeting. "Mrs. Ainsworth."
Suzanne Sullivan said, "Welco to Portington. Please forgive us if our hospitality is lacking in any way, President Quinn."
Ian Quinn replied, "Not at all. On the contrary, we’re flattered by Director Ainsworth’s graciousness."
Suzanne Sullivan smiled, her gaze landing on Rachel Royce. "And this is?"
’No matter their past conflicts, in a public setting—especially on the Ainsworths’ ho turf—they had to maintain a veneer of politeness.’
Ian Quinn looked at Mrs. Ainsworth, a faint smile playing on his lips. "This is Evelynn, the head of our investnt departnt at Rowan Capital. I believe you’ve t before, Mrs. Ainsworth."
Suzanne Sullivan smiled sweetly. "Ah, so Miss Evelynn is the director of Rowan Capital’s investnt departnt. To hold such an important position at such a young age... Miss Evelynn, you truly are exceptional. Your future is very bright."
Rachel Royce was disgusted by Suzanne Sullivan’s insincere flattery. She offered a vapid smile. "You praise too highly, Mrs. Ainsworth. I’m afraid I can’t accept it."
The warmth in Suzanne Sullivan’s eyes faded.
Harvey Ainsworth could naturally sense the shift in atmosphere.
Ian Quinn also didn’t speak.
Harvey Ainsworth laughed, stepping in to smooth things over. "Miss Evelynn is quite the kidder."
Rachel simply smiled faintly and said nothing more.
After exchanging a few more words with Ian Quinn, Harvey Ainsworth led his wife away to greet other guests.
Hector Ainsworth then brought over a few people to introduce to Ian and Rachel.
"Do you have so sort of misunderstanding with Evelynn?" Harvey Ainsworth asked his wife in a low voice.
Suzanne Sullivan just sighed softly. "It’s nothing."
Just then, a commotion stirred at the entrance.
Rachel glanced subconsciously toward the entrance and saw three people walk in.
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