The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 13: Provocation

Chapter 13: Provocation

Rachel Royce and Florence Preston returned to Rosewood Estate.

Rachel changed her clothes and put on some light makeup. Though she felt bloated and plain no matter how she tried to dress up, at least it lifted her spirits a little.

Around five in the afternoon.

Peter Preston had just gotten home, so he drove her to Orchid Gardens. The restaurant, specializing in Kingsland cuisine, was housed in a standalone, Chinese-style building. With its tranquil design providing a quiet retreat from the bustling city, its elegant atmosphere attracted a clientele of elites.

"You can head back first, Peter."

"Call me if you need anything."

"Okay."

Rachel entered the restaurant and called Julian Jennings. He said they were on their way. A staff member then led her to the private room Julian had reserved and served her juice and pastries.

Rachel waited quietly.

About twenty minutes later.

Julian Jennings arrived with Professor Michael and his assistant. Professor Michael was over fifty but was exceptionally well-preserved, carrying the elegant, aristocratic air of a Western gentleman.

Rachel stood to greet them. When Professor Michael saw she was pregnant, he gave her a gentle, gentlemanly handshake and urged her not to be formal and to quickly take a seat.

They all took their seats.

A waiter came over and handed them the menus.

Julian Jennings asked Rachel to introduce the menu and make some recommendations for Professor Michael. Rachel was fluent in English, so she had no trouble communicating with him.

In fact, she was fluent in five languages: Chinese, English, German, French, and Japanese.

She had often acted as Tristan Sterling’s interpreter when accompanying him on business trips abroad in the past.

After they ordered their food.

They chatted about the culture and cuisine of Kingsland, then the conversation naturally shifted to professional topics, including the academic forum held that day.

Rachel listened intently, chiming in with her own insights at appropriate moments.

Julian Jennings had evidently told Professor Michael about Rachel in advance, so the professor asked her several questions, wanting to get a preliminary sense of her capabilities. Rachel’s responses were objective and professional, and her spoken English was of a very high standard.

Professor Michael nodded repeatedly, clearly very satisfied.

Professor Michael praised Rachel to Julian Jennings’s face. "Your student is brilliant! I look forward to meeting her at Stanford."

Julian Jennings smiled. "I believe she’ll be your best student, too."

"..."

With that, they raised their glasses.

The others drank wine while Rachel held her glass of juice.

The atmosphere was harmonious.

Just then, Julian Jennings’s phone vibrated. He glanced at it and said to Professor Michael, "Pardon me, I need to take this call outside."

Professor Michael nodded.

Julian exchanged a quick word with Rachel, and she nodded in acknowledgment.

Julian Jennings stepped out of the private room and took the work-related call in the hallway.

After a few minutes of conversation.

Just as Julian Jennings was hanging up and turning around, he saw a man and a woman walking toward him and froze.

Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth were approaching, their fingers interlaced.

The moment Claire Ainsworth saw Julian Jennings, she tightened her grip on Tristan’s arm, her gesture growing more intimate. She lifted her chin, her gaze filled with a silent, provocative challenge, as if making a statement.

But Julian Jennings didn’t spare her a second glance.

Tristan Sterling stepped forward and extended his hand. "President Jennings!"

Julian Jennings shook his hand. "President Sterling. Fancy seeing you here."

Tristan Sterling retracted his hand. "Your insights on the balance of international trade at the forum today were truly thought-provoking, President Jennings."

Julian Jennings gave a faint smile. "You’re too kind, President Sterling."

"Are you dining with Professor Michael?"

"You’re well-informed, President Sterling."

Noticing that Julian Jennings hadn’t looked at her once, Claire Ainsworth spoke up. "Tristan, this must be President Jennings of Rowan Capital, the one you were telling my brother about."

Tristan Sterling replied in a gentle tone, "That’s right."

Claire Ainsworth smiled. "I’ve long heard of your reputation, President Jennings. You’re even more dapper in person." Then, she introduced herself. "Hello, I’m Tristan’s girlfriend, Claire Ainsworth."

As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Julian’s face, searching for any flicker of emotion.

But his expression remained mild and detached from start to finish.

Julian Jennings gave her hand a light, brief touch, his voice polite but distant. "A pleasure."

The smile on Claire Ainsworth’s lips faltered for an instant, but she quickly composed herself and pulled her hand back.

"Well, I won’t keep you from your dinner, President Jennings."

Julian Jennings gave a slight nod and stepped out of their way.

As Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth walked past the private room, he caught sight of a familiar figure inside from the corner of his eye.

Rachel was enjoying a pleasant chat with Professor Michael when she noticed a figure pass by the doorway. She instinctively glanced over. Even though it was just a fleeting glimpse of his back, she recognized him instantly.

Her heart sank, but her expression remained calm and unchanged.

Just then, Julian Jennings walked back into the room.

Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth got into the elevator.

Claire Ainsworth looked at him. "Tristan, what’s wrong?"

Tristan Sterling glanced down at her, his handsome face etched with displeasure. "You were praising another man right in front of me," he said in a low voice. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Claire immediately denied it, her tone turning coquettish. "I did not! Can’t I even be polite? You’re the most handsome man in the world to me, Tristan."

She had been sulking over Julian Jennings’s indifference, but seeing Tristan genuinely get jealous over her, her mood instantly brightened.

She stood on her tiptoes.

And planted a kiss on his cheek.

「After dinner.」

Julian Jennings and Rachel Royce saw Mr. Michael and his assistant off to their car.

The dinner conversation had been very pleasant. Before he left, Mr. Michael shook hands with Julian Jennings again. He told Rachel to take care of herself, focus on a safe delivery, and not to rush her matriculation.

Rachel was thrilled. She hadn’t felt this happy in a long, long time.

「After Mr. Michael left.」

Rachel got into Julian Jennings’s car.

His assistant was driving.

"Thank you so much for today, Professor Jennings."

Julian Jennings replied, "Don’t thank me. I only made the introduction. It was your own outstanding ability that earned Professor Michael’s approval. Don’t worry about starting school. Just focus on having the baby and taking care of your health."

Rachel nodded. "Okay."

"I’ll be done transitioning out of my current role by next Monday, so I can be at the university then."

"Alright. Take your time, there’s no hurry."

"..."

Julian Jennings drove Rachel home.

When Rachel got home.

Florence Preston had hot water ready and began to massage her feet.

’It’s so much better being here,’ she thought. ’A man who doesn’t love you will never come home, even if you wait forever.’

Florence Preston was startled when she saw the scrape on Rachel’s knee.

"I’m fine, Miss Preston, don’t worry. It’ll heal once I put some medicine on it."

Florence wanted to ask what happened, but seeing that Rachel was otherwise fine, she didn’t press. She only sighed and said, "I just feel so sorry for the child in your womb."

Florence Preston knew Tristan Sterling didn’t like Rachel and that her life with the Sterling family was difficult.

But seeing it firsthand today had been more direct than anything she’d heard.

But the child Rachel was carrying was his, after all.

Tristan Sterling was truly heartless.

Rachel didn’t want Florence Preston to share her worries. She stroked her belly and offered comfort, "Madam Sterling and The Old Chairman Sterling both love this child. They’re very much looking forward to her arrival."

Florence Preston massaged Rachel’s swollen legs. "That’s good, then."

「That night.」

Tristan Sterling returned to Silvermist Bay.

"Sir, you’re back."

Lisa Lawson stepped forward to greet him, taking his coat.

Tristan Sterling asked coolly, "Where is she?"

Lisa Lawson faltered for a second before quickly launching into her report. "Who knows? The other day, after Madam lectured her a bit about the rules, she packed a suitcase and stormed out. I don’t know where she gets such a temper. It’s clear she didn’t take Madam’s words to heart."

Rachel had been gone for several days, but neither Lisa Lawson nor Frances Wyatt had given it much thought. They assumed she had probably gone back to her family’s home, which was a relief since they wouldn’t have to see her.

Hearing this, Tristan Sterling’s expression grew cold and stern. Without another word, he headed upstairs.