On the Day I Was Kicked Out of the Wealthy Family, I Had a Flash Marriage with a Tycoon-Chapter 26: Suggestive

"Why don’t you think about it again, really hard? Did your master reveal anything before he left?" said Jean Kensington.

Chloe Sterling let out a soft sigh. "It’s been three years. I’ve wracked my brain, but there’s nothing. He only gave me a book. I’ve gone through it for three years, and I still haven’t found any clues."

"Well..." Jean Kensington seemed to want to say something, but she hesitated before changing the subject. "In that case, I’ll try to think of something else."

"Okay. By the way, when are you coming back to Crestfall?"

A playful smile crept into Jean’s voice. "Soon. Don’t miss us too much, okay?"

Chloe Sterling laughed. "But I can’t help it. I miss you and the baby so much."

"You’ve got a handsome man to keep you company, and you’re still thinking about me and my son?"

Chloe Sterling: "...The two aren’t mutually exclusive."

Jean Kensington roared with laughter. After a moment, she asked, "By the way, did you know Silas Coldwell seems to have returned to Country E?"

"I know. He told me."

"That guy’s finally gone. If he found out you’re with his mortal enemy..." Jean Kensington tutted. "I can’t even imagine the scene."

"I can’t hide it forever. He’ll find out sooner or later."

"So, have you figured out a plan? He’s been watching you like a hawk for so long. He’s definitely not going to give up easily, much less let you be with Jasper Lockwood."

Chloe Sterling replied serenely, "I will deal with whatever comes my way."

Jean Kensington: "Don’t worry. When the time comes, I’ll be right there to help you."

Chloe Sterling smiled. "So, when exactly are you coming back to Crestfall? I’ll pick you two up from the airport."

"The exact date isn’t set yet, but it’ll be a month from now at the earliest. I have to wrap things up here first."

"You’ve made up your mind?"

Jean Kensington’s tone was firm. "I have. It’s time for me to go back. I have to face it sooner or later."

"Yes. It’s about time. Welcome home."

"Darling, wait for me."

They talked for a long while before finally hanging up.

Chloe Sterling was happy that Jean Kensington and her baby were coming back to Crestfall, but the thought that there was still no news of her master made her pinch the bridge of her nose in frustration.

After a moment, she left the study and went downstairs to the garden.

Jasper Lockwood knew she loved flowers and plants—especially those that could be used for medicinal purposes—so he’d had the garden renovated, filling it with a vast array of rare and exotic flora.

Chloe Sterling bent down, plucked a purple flower, and brought it to her nose to take in its scent.

Just then, the steward in charge of the garden hurried over, a look of panic on his face. "Ma’am, you can’t smell that flower so closely! It will make you dizzy."

Chloe Sterling, of course, already knew this. She gave a faint smile. "I know. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine."

’Anyone else would surely get dizzy, perhaps even faint, but not her.’

"Please be careful, Ma’am. While the dizziness isn’t harmful, if you were to faint in the garden, Mr. Lockwood would worry, and he would blame us."

Chloe Sterling looked at him, her eyes bright. "Do I look like I’m about to faint?"

The steward froze. Looking at her, she certainly didn’t look like she was about to faint. A wave of surprise washed over him.

Chloe Sterling added, "I’m a Pharmacist and a practitioner of traditional medicine. I’m well aware of the properties of these plants. You can go back to your work. You don’t need to worry about me."

The steward hesitated, not moving from his spot.

Chloe Sterling arched an eyebrow. "You don’t believe me?"

"No, of course not! I would never dare to doubt you, Ma’am. In that case... please call me if you need anything."

"Alright."

Chloe Sterling took a solitary stroll through the garden, growing more and more surprised. There were some incredibly rare plants here. ’Where on earth did Jasper Lockwood find all these?’

A stir from not far off told her that Jasper Lockwood was back.

Chloe Sterling walked over to him, the purple flower still in her hand.

Jasper Lockwood’s gaze first landed on her face, then shifted to the flower in her hand. "Been in the garden," he said.

"Yes, I was bored, so I went to have a look at all the rare and exotic plants."

"This flower’s quite beautiful."

Jasper Lockwood took the flower from her hand and brought it toward his nose for a sniff.

"Don’t smell it so closely!" Chloe Sterling said, quickly covering the petals with her hand. She was so close that the back of her hand brushed against his lips.

Jasper Lockwood’s lips curved into a slight smile. "What’s the matter?"

Chloe Sterling pulled her hand back, taking the flower with it. "You can’t smell this flower so closely. It’ll make you dizzy."

Jasper Lockwood feigned a look of sudden realization. "Oh, so that’s why."

Nearby, Henry Chamberlain thought to himself, ’President Lockwood is such a good actor. He already knows exactly what all these plants do.’

"However," Chloe Sterling added, "you could try using it if you have trouble sleeping at night."

"Is that so?" Jasper Lockwood suddenly held out his hand.

"...??" Chloe Sterling didn’t immediately understand.

Jasper Lockwood gazed at her, his voice low and bewitching. "I have been having trouble sleeping lately, because of..." He paused deliberately, his words inviting speculation, "...certain things."

Chloe Sterling placed the flower in his palm. "Then you can have it."

Jasper Lockwood held the flower in his hand. "Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?" he asked. "There’s a new private kitchen that’s supposed to be good. Let’s go try it."

Chloe Sterling nodded. "Alright."

Jasper first went back to his room and placed the flower—the first one Chloe had ever given him—on his nightstand. It was already starting to wilt, but he still cherished it.

「An hour later.」

The two of them arrived at a private kitchen called The Premier Pavilion. The decor was elegant, with a classical flair.

There was no main dining hall, only a series of distinctive private rooms. Everything, from the inside out, radiated extravagance.

The restaurant manager personally led the pair to their reserved private room.

In the hallway, Phoebe Sinclair approached them. Her eyes swept over the couple before finally settling on Jasper Lockwood’s face.

Her movements had been restricted lately; wherever she went, Tristan Sinclair’s people were watching. The Sinclair Family had forbidden her from seeking out Jasper Lockwood again, so running into him today was a complete surprise.

Jasper Lockwood kept his arm around the shoulders of the young woman beside him, continuing to walk forward as if he hadn’t seen Phoebe at all.

Phoebe Sinclair, however, stopped and stood in front of them. She addressed Jasper Lockwood directly. "Why did you come looking for me back then? Just give me an answer. If you give me an answer, I’ll never bother you again."

Jasper Lockwood had never personally gone to see her; he had only sent his men to Country E. She was just saying this deliberately for Chloe Sterling’s benefit.

Jasper Lockwood’s face was icy, his voice even more so. "You know perfectly well I never looked for you."

Phoebe Sinclair’s face paled slightly, a flicker of resentment in her eyes. ’But he clearly sent people to find me.’

Not giving her another chance to speak, Jasper Lockwood steered Chloe Sterling away.

Phoebe Sinclair remained rooted to the spot, her cold, heavy gaze fixed on Chloe Sterling’s back until the couple’s figures disappeared from sight.

’I don’t believe Jasper Lockwood could fall for a woman like that. Besides her face, she has nothing to offer.’

’It’s just for the shares. It has to be.’

’In all of Crestfall, I am the only one worthy of being his match. I will never allow anyone to take the place that should be mine.’

「Inside the private room.」

Jasper Lockwood said to the manager, "You may leave us."

The manager smiled and nodded. "Of course. Please let me know if you need anything, President Lockwood." With that, he exited the room.

But Chloe Sterling asked, "Why did you send the manager away? Aren’t we going to order?"