Chapter 265 How Can I Be Reconciled?

She had always been quite curious, but she never asked, mainly because she was afraid of reminding Joanna Sutton of her unhappy past.

Joanna Sutton turned and leaned against the edge of the sink, looking up at the ceiling. “I don’t know either,” she said, “but I know that even without Claire Ainsworth, we probably wouldn’t have made it to the end.”

“Why?”

“It seems he has someone else who’s very important in his heart.”

Rachel Royce couldn’t help but frown. “Someone he’s in love with?”

Joanna Sutton sighed. “Probably. He always keeps her photo on him, which shows how important she is to him. I just don’t know what kind of person is in that picture to make him care so much.”

Rachel Royce couldn’t help but think of the pocket watch of his she’d found back in Portington. It did seem to have a photo inside.

To treasure it like that for so long showed how precious and important it was to him.

“Does Claire Ainsworth know?” she asked.

“It’s his secret. I only found out by accident. Claire Ainsworth probably doesn’t know.” A scornful smile touched her lips. “If Claire Ainsworth found out, she’d throw a massive fit. She cares so much about how doting Alexander Sullivan is to her. Sometimes, I really want to tell her, just to see her break down.”

“If this person is so important, then after all these years, it seems he’s still single now.”

“That, I don’t know,” Joanna Sutton said.

Rachel Royce didn’t press further. “So, Joanna, what are your plans now? Are you going to give it a try and keep seeing Danny Willow?”

A helpless smile touched Joanna Sutton’s lips. “Let’s give it a try first.”

Rachel Royce knew she was struggling internally, but it wasn’t her place to persuade her. As an observer, her first impression of Danny Willow was quite pleasant.

The two of them left the restroom.

「On the way back.」

As luck would have it, they ran into Alexander Sullivan, who was on his way to the restroom.

Alexander Sullivan looked at the two women.

Joanna Sutton averted her gaze.

Rachel Royce didn’t look at him for long either.

Just as they were about to pass each other, Alexander Sullivan suddenly stopped and said to Joanna Sutton in a gentle voice, “I hope your date went well.”

Hearing this, Joanna Sutton’s expression darkened. She ignored Alexander Sullivan and just quickened her pace to leave.

Rachel Royce heard his words. ’It sounds as if he wants Joanna Sutton to give up any lingering hope.’

’I really can’t imagine what kind of woman could make such a mercenary man hold her so deeply in his heart.’

Back at the restaurant.

Joanna Sutton downed a large glass of wine. Seeing this, Danny Willow was at a loss.

He glanced at Rachel Royce.

Rachel Royce took the initiative to introduce herself. “I’m Joanna’s friend.”

Danny Willow had more or less guessed it. ’She’s probably here with Joanna Sutton to vet me.’

“Hello,” Danny Willow greeted her.

Julian Jennings walked over and said, “Mr. Willow, why don’t you take Joanna home for tonight?”

Facing Julian Jennings, Danny Willow felt an inexplicable pressure from his imposing presence. He quickly said, “Then I’ll go settle the bill. Since you’re both Joanna’s friends, let tonight’s dinner be my treat!”

Julian Jennings nodded, not refusing the offer.

Danny Willow paid the bill.

The four of them left the restaurant.

Joanna Sutton didn’t refuse Danny Willow’s offer to take her home. After saying goodbye to Julian Jennings and Rachel Royce, she got in the car and left.

The two of them watched the car slowly drive away.

Then, Rachel Royce got into Julian Jennings’ car.

「By the window on the second floor.」

Tristan Sterling sat on the sofa, his gaze fixed on the Bentley slowly pulling away, his eyes growing darker.

At that moment, Alexander Sullivan walked over and returned to his seat.

Tristan Sterling pulled his gaze back and looked at him. “Any plans for New Year’s Day?”

Alexander Sullivan said, “No plans. I’ll just take advantage of the holiday to get some rest at home.”

“Your father didn’t ask you to go back?”

Alexander Sullivan’s lips curved, a hint of bitterness in his eyes. “My dad has a new family now. On a day for family reunions, it wouldn’t be appropriate for an outsider like me to show up.”

He could sense his father wanted him to come back, but his wife probably had her objections. He could understand that.

“What about you? You get to have a family reunion this year?”

Tristan Sterling’s lips curved into a slight smile. “That’s right. If you had gotten married back then, your kid would probably be in elementary school by now.”

Alexander Sullivan said, “It’s all fate.”

Getting married, having a child, having a family—it all creates weaknesses. For him, back then, being alone was the best choice.

Tristan Sterling naturally understood this, so he didn’t say any more on the subject.

「Inside the car.」

“From the looks of it, Joanna Sutton isn’t over him at all. She still has feelings for Alexander Sullivan.”

“And Alexander Sullivan isn’t married yet either. I think we need to introduce Joanna to someone even better than him.”

“That might be rather difficult,” Julian Jennings said.

Rachel Royce sighed.

“Professor, have you heard anything about Alexander Sullivan having a potential marriage alliance or something…?”

Julian Jennings said, “I haven’t heard anything like that. He’s been fighting the Ainsworth Family for power these past few years, so he probably hasn’t had time to consider his own marriage. If he were to get married and have a child, it would only be a liability for him.”

Rachel Royce had a flash of understanding. “That’s true. But now, the Ainsworth Family can’t really do anything to him anymore.”

“Anyway, it’s up to Joanna Sutton herself. We can only let nature take its course.” He glanced at Rachel Royce and added, “You haven’t even sorted out your own affairs, so don’t worry too much about Joanna. She’s much freer on her own right now.”

Rachel Royce turned to look out the window. “Yeah… now that you mention it, I’m actually quite envious of Joanna. She’s all on her own, free, without any constraints. She has the chance to choose her own life carefully.”

The car window reflected the woman’s blurry silhouette; her beautiful eyes, flickering in the passing lights, were dim and held no luster.

Julian Jennings slowly stopped the car at an intersection, turned to look at Rachel Royce, and said, “You’re still young. Your future holds many possibilities, as long as you’re willing to break free from the constraints of a defined identity.”

Rachel Royce turned to look at Julian Jennings, her lips curving into a smile as she nodded.

Since they hadn’t really eaten much earlier, the two went to a street food market and grabbed a casual bite.

Rachel Royce didn’t get back to Silvermist Bay until ten o’clock at night.

As she entered and changed her shoes, the housekeeper saw her and called out respectfully, “Madam, you’re back.”

Hearing this, Rachel Royce froze for a moment. She looked up at the housekeeper, who was bowing slightly, maintaining a respectful smile as she looked at Rachel.

Rachel Royce looked away and said nothing.

She took off the overcoat she was holding.

The housekeeper stepped forward to take it.

Rachel Royce entered the living room and saw the man sitting on the sofa watching TV.

Tristan Sterling looked at her and said, “You’re back.”

Rachel Royce gave a soft “mm-hmm.” “Is Melissa asleep?”

Tristan Sterling said, “She’s already asleep. She wanted to wait for you to come back and tuck her in, but since you didn’t, I put her to bed.”

Rachel Royce went upstairs.

She went to Melissa’s room first to check on her. The little one was fast asleep, clutching her stuffed rabbit.

She sat on the edge of the bed and watched Melissa for a while.

Finally, she stood up and left the bedroom.

Tristan Sterling was just coming upstairs. He stopped in front of her and said, “Your things have all been put away in the closet. You go get washed up first. I have some work to take care of in the study.”

Rachel Royce didn’t respond.

Tristan Sterling went straight to the study.