Chapter 57: Little Angel
Seeing Rachel so composed, Joanna didn’t say anything more.
’Of course, Tristan Sterling might not even recognize Rachel.’
Besides, after so many years, even the deepest feelings would have been worn away by ti.
Tonight was a welco-ho celebration for Rachel Royce.
The group rose to toast Rachel’s return.
"Now that Rowan has gained another powerhouse, President Jennings can truly rest easy!" Ian Quinn said with a smile.
Rachel Royce had joined Rowan as the Director of the Investnt Departnt. She had also been hired by a top dostic financial magazine as its well-paid editor-in-chief and was a host for the national financial television station. She juggled multiple roles.
This was the fruit of five years of relentless self-improvent, during which she studied so hard she lost track of ti, sleeping only four or five hours a night.
Joanna Sutton was thoroughly impressed by her and often found herself marveling, ’Rachel is already so brilliant and talented, yet she still works herself to the bone.’
While still in school, she had negotiated a major deal for Rowan in the United States, and she did it all by herself.
’It’s like she’s not even giving us re mortals a chance to survive.’
So now at Rowan, she even had to call her President Royce.
"From now on, I’m counting on our dear Ms. Royce to carry to the top."
Joanna Sutton said with a flattering grin.
Ian Quinn shot back, "Julian, I think you need to send Joanna out for so professional developnt. At this rate, she’s going to end up regressing."
Joanna retorted, "President Quinn, don’t forget who landed you the EN project. If anyone needs professional developnt, it’s you. Maybe you should spend less ti chasing won."
Ian Quinn laughed in exasperation. "I’m your boss, you know."
"It’s after hours."
"..."
Those two were a classic case of frenemies. They didn’t act like a boss and subordinate at all, but more like a pair of buddies.
Over the past five years, everyone had been so wrapped up in their work that romance and marriage had taken a backseat.
Julian Jennings was the sa as always: a workaholic, seemingly devoid of all worldly passions. It was as if no woman on earth could catch his eye; he’d never shown the slightest interest in anyone.
According to Joanna Sutton, the line of won pursuing him could stretch from the office door all the way to France, but he remained as imperturbable as a high monk, his heart completely unmoved. "He’s waiting for a goddess to co down from the heavens and chase him," she’d said.
Ian Quinn, on the other hand, went through one girlfriend after another. He had even been engaged to a woman from an arranged matchmaking session, but it was ultimately called off because of his philandering past.
As for Joanna, her family was constantly setting her up on blind dates. She’d t a few guys, but nothing ever ca of it.
The sa went for Peter Preston. With his company in a critical growth phase, he had no ti for romance, and Florence never pressured him about it.
The group ate, drank, and chatted away.
「The Sterling Family Estate.」
A Rolls-Royce drove in and slowly ca to a stop.
Tristan Sterling got out of the car, strode to the other side, unbuckled lissa Sterling’s seatbelt, and lifted her out of her child safety seat.
As soon as they entered the living room, Madam Sterling saw the great-granddaughter she had been longing to see and hurried over. "lissa, you’re here!"
lissa Sterling called out sweetly, "Great-Grandma."
"Let Great-Grandma give you a hug."
lissa reached her arms out to her great-grandmother.
Madam Sterling took lissa into her arms. At five years old, lissa was already nearly four feet tall, so Madam Sterling could only hold her for a mont before setting her down.
"lissa, co to Grandma."
Sylvia Shannon called to her. Her eyes were full of warmth as she looked at her beautiful, adorable granddaughter.
lissa ran over. "Grandma."
Then she greeted the elders one by one.
"Great-Grandpa, Grandpa, Grand-Uncle, Grand-Aunt, Uncle, Auntie, Cousin Richard, Cousin Henry."
Everyone answered in turn, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Today was a Sterling family dinner.
lissa had been doted on by the entire family since birth. With her lively and cheerful nature, she now stood in the center of the room, singing for everyone.
She wore a beautiful little pink dress, and the tiny rhinestones on its hem sparkled, making her look just like a little angel.
Her sweet, childlike voice brought genuine smiles to everyone’s faces.
Everyone clapped along to the beat for her.
Tristan Sterling watched his daughter, his deep, dark eyes filled with a father’s pride and tenderness.
When lissa finished her song, everyone burst into applause, showering her with praise. Suddenly shy, lissa blushed and ran to her father, burying her head in his embrace.
The sight made everyone break into laughter.
Tristan Sterling picked lissa up and stroked her head. "That was wonderful, lissa."
Having a sweet daughter like her in the family seed to fill the entire ho with warmth.
During dinner, Tristan kept an eye on his daughter as he ate. lissa was very well-behaved, eating quietly in her high chair.
lissa suddenly asked, "Grand-Aunt, why isn’t Uncle Ford here?"
Mr. Ford was especially nice to her and often gave her gifts, so she was very fond of him.
Evelyn Fitzwilliam looked at lissa and said in a gentle voice, "Uncle Ford is busy tonight. How about we have him co play with you another day, okay?"
"Oh," lissa said. "Okay."
After dinner, Richard and Henry Sterling were in the living room, playing Legos with lissa.
The ten-year-old twins were already five-foot-three. They were so identical that you couldn’t tell them apart without a close look, so lissa often got them mixed up.
The two older boys adored their beautiful, adorable younger cousin. Whenever they got toys or gifts, they always made sure to get an extra one for her.
Sotis they would even squabble over whose gift she liked more.
In the end, it was always lissa who had to step in and make them reconcile.
As a result, Tristan and his older brother, Theodore, were in more frequent contact because of the children.
By nine o’clock, lissa was getting sleepy and yawning constantly. Tristan picked her up to take her to bed.
But Sylvia Shannon took the child from him. "We’ll have lissa sleep with us tonight. You go get so rest!"
Tristan said, "She’ll cry if she wakes up in the middle of the night."
"We’ll call you if she cries."
Without another word, Sylvia Shannon carried lissa to her own room. "lissa, you’ll sleep with Grandma tonight, okay?"
Since she was little, lissa had been very sociable during the day, but at night, she had to be with her father. If she couldn’t see him, she would cry, and no one else could comfort her.
Tristan often traveled abroad for business, leaving lissa at the family estate. On those nights, she would often cry inconsolably, and Tristan would have to comfort her via video call.
So, for the past few years, Tristan had done his best to keep her with him, even taking her on business trips whenever possible.
Now that she was older and had started preschool this year, the situation had improved.
「10:00 PM.」
The party ended, and they made plans to play golf together the next day.
Everyone was quite drunk, so they all called for designated drivers.
Rachel Royce had Zachary Dudley co drive her car back. Zachary was currently working as a driver for both her and Florence Preston.
After saying their goodbyes, they each went their separate ways.
Rachel Royce got into Peter Preston’s car.
「Hillcrest Villa.」
The villa, which Peter Preston had purchased two years prior for over a hundred million, was now ho to their family.
When they got ho, Florence Preston and Wendy Royce were still waiting up for them.
"You’re back."
"Dad," "Mom," they greeted.
The housekeeper brought over so sobering soup.
"Is Bobby asleep?" Rachel asked.
Bobby was the son Florence Preston and Wendy Royce had given birth to last year; he had just turned one.
Wendy Royce was now fully retired, which made him look quite a bit younger. He would occasionally go fishing or find friends to play cards with, but he spent most of his ti doting on his wife and child. Their loving relationship was the envy of many.
"Just got him to sleep," Florence Preston said.
Rachel went to the room to look in on Bobby. ’He’s so tiny and cute,’ she thought.
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