On the Day I Was Kicked Out of the Wealthy Family, I Had a Flash Marriage with a Tycoon-Chapter 88: Did I Offend Jasper Lockwood?

Chloe Sterling said nothing more and closed her eyes, ready to sleep.

This time, she was much more settled, remaining still after she fell asleep.

Jasper Lockwood calmed down as well. His deep, almond-shaped eyes gazed at her sleeping face. The image of her recklessly saving another man flashed through his mind, followed by the memory of her crying out in her sleep, begging him not to leave.

The more he thought, the tighter his chest felt. He suddenly pulled her into a fierce embrace, as if trying to merge her into his very bones.

Chloe Sterling, not yet fully asleep, opened her eyes in surprise. "What are you doing?"

Jasper Lockwood’s reply seemed to come through gritted teeth. "Sleeping!"

’If we’re just sleeping, why is he holding me so tight?’

「The next morning.」

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, bringing a touch of warmth into the room.

Chloe Sterling slowly opened her eyes to find a stunningly handsome face before her. She was still held in his arms.

Remembering their conversation from last night, Chloe Sterling suddenly felt a pang of awkwardness. She tried to pry his hand from her waist, but it wouldn’t budge.

Just then, Jasper Lockwood opened his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You’re awake."

’He looks like he’s been awake for a while.’

Chloe Sterling hummed in acknowledgment before asking, "You’ve been awake? Why didn’t you wake me?"

"It’s still early. No rush. You can sleep in a bit if you’re still tired."

"I’m done sleeping. Let’s get up."

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure."

The two of them then got out of bed.

When Old Master Lockwood saw them coming downstairs so early, he remarked, "Why are you two up so early?"

Jasper Lockwood replied earnestly, "I have an important meeting this morning, so I need to get to the office early."

"And Chloe?"

Chloe Sterling quickly added, "I have something to take care of at The Medical College, so I need to go in early too."

Old Master Lockwood said, "Don’t just bury yourselves in work. You need to rest too. There’s nothing wrong with young people sleeping in once in a while."

’The main thing is, they’re so busy every day. When will I ever get to see my great-grandchild!’

The couple understood the old man’s underlying message. Jasper Lockwood said, "Alright, we’ll keep that in mind."

After leaving the Lockwood Residence, Jasper Lockwood first dropped Chloe Sterling off at The Medical College before heading off to attend to his own business.

「In an elegant, classical teahouse.」

Jasper Lockwood took an elegant sip of tea and spoke slowly. "President Warren, if you have something to say, please be direct."

The middle-aged man sitting across from him smiled respectfully. "In that case, I’ll be direct. I’m here on behalf of someone else. An old friend of mine, who just returned to the country, would like to meet you, President Lockwood. So he entrusted me with arranging this."

"An old friend of yours, President Warren?"

"Yes. Charles Sterling, the CEO of Apex Group from Country A. He’s actually a Crestfall native and an old friend of mine."

Jasper Lockwood’s gaze darkened. "Charles Sterling?"

’Why would Charles Sterling want to see me?’

’Isn’t he back in Crestfall looking for Lynn Chester? Does he know something?’

President Warren asked, "Yes. Do you know him, President Lockwood?"

Jasper Lockwood’s tone was icy. "Never heard of him."

"Er..." President Warren gave a strained laugh. "You’re an incredibly busy man. It’s perfectly normal."

"Why does he want to meet me?" Jasper Lockwood asked.

"The Lockwood Group has a global reach. What corporation wouldn’t want to partner with you? The only concern is that you might not deem them worthy. However, Apex Group has seen explosive growth in recent years. In Country A’s pharmaceutical sector, it’s already considered a market leader..."

"I’m sorry, President Warren." Jasper Lockwood cut him off before he could finish. "I have no interest in Apex Group, and as for meeting Mr. Sterling, that is out of the question."

Seeing Jasper Lockwood’s stance, President Warren knew better than to press the issue.

Then, Jasper Lockwood set down his teacup and stood. "I have other business to attend to. I’ll be leaving."

"Of course. I’ll see you out."

"That won’t be necessary."

President Warren said, "Take care, then. Please come by again when you have the time."

Jasper Lockwood left with Henry Chamberlain without another word, a look of displeasure on his face.

President Warren stood in place, completely baffled. ’What did I say wrong?’

’Or did Charles Sterling offend him somehow?’

Once they were completely out of sight, Charles Sterling emerged from the side, his brow slightly furrowed.

President Warren looked at him and asked abruptly, "Have you ever crossed Jasper Lockwood? Or the Lockwood Group?"

"I’ve never had any dealings with him or the Lockwood Group. How could I possibly have offended him?"

"Then why do I get the feeling he became displeased the moment I mentioned your name?"

Charles Sterling replied, "How should I know?"

’I wanted to meet Jasper Lockwood to discuss a potential partnership, but I didn’t expect him to be as cold and unapproachable as the rumors say.’

"It looks like this partnership is a no-go. But thank you, regardless."

President Warren waved it off. "Don’t mention it. He drops by my teahouse now and then. Who knows, maybe you’ll run into each other one day, hit it off, and a partnership will follow."

Charles Sterling chuckled. "Even if we did meet by chance, he probably wouldn’t believe it. He’d likely assume you arranged it on purpose and stop coming to your teahouse. Then you’d be out a major client, wouldn’t you?"

President Warren laughed. "In that case, you’ll just have to visit more often to make up for it."

Charles Sterling’s smile vanished. "I won’t be in Crestfall for long," he said flatly. "I’ll leave as soon as I find Lynn Chester."

"This Lynn Chester is so mysterious. Do you think her sudden appearance in Country E was just a diversion?"

Charles Sterling’s gaze darkened. "I suspect as much. She may have been in Country E at one point, but I believe she’s back in Crestfall now."

President Warren nodded. "That’s highly likely. Besides, people from the Nocturne Group are still in Crestfall. It seems they’re looking for Lynn Chester, too. You have to be careful. Even if you find her, you can’t let them know. The Nocturne Group won’t let the matter rest."

"Yes, I know."

"Hey, don’t just stand there. Sit, let’s talk."

"I can’t. I have things to do. I’ll be going now. Another time, my treat."

"Alright. I’ll be waiting for that."

Charles Sterling’s car pulled away from the teahouse.

Parked by the roadside, Jasper Lockwood sat in his car, his expression grim. ’So Charles Sterling was here after all.’

"Second Master, do you think Charles Sterling found out about Madam’s whereabouts and came to see you for that reason?" Henry Chamberlain asked, watching the car disappear into the distance.

Jasper Lockwood’s eyes narrowed. "Put a tail on him. I want to be notified of any new developments immediately!"

"Yes, sir."

’Even if Charles Sterling knows Lynn Chester is at the Lockwood Residence, it wouldn’t occur to him that my wife, Chloe Sterling, is the Lynn Chester of the rumors.’

’And I will never allow him to find out!’

After a moment’s hesitation, Henry Chamberlain asked, "Second Master, since you already suspected Charles Sterling was in the teahouse, why didn’t you just meet with him and ask his intentions directly?"

Jasper Lockwood shot him a sharp look. "Do I look like I have time to waste?" he said coldly. "I don’t meet with just anyone."

’Aside from Chloe Sterling, I have no desire to see anyone from the Sterling Family, let alone partner with them.’

’Not even distant relatives!’

Henry Chamberlain caught on. "I understand, sir."

Jasper Lockwood leaned back languidly and commanded, "Back to the office."

「The Medical College, laboratory.」

"You’re going back to the countryside again? But you just got back," Maya Jacobs asked Chloe Sterling.

"Yeah, Chloe, why are you heading back so soon?" Wyatt Hank chimed in.

"Er... there are some valuable things growing on the mountain over the next few days, and I need to go collect them."

At this, Maya Jacobs’s eyes instantly lit up with curiosity. "What kind of valuable things?"

"Some rather rare medicinal herbs. I’ll bring some back for you guys when I return."

"Awesome!"

Chloe Sterling then went to look for Director Xavier in his office, but he wasn’t there. Just then, Julian Xavier appeared.

"Chloe!"

"Julian."

"Looking for my grandfather?"

"Yes. I have to go back to the countryside for a few days, and I wanted to let Director Xavier know."

"He’s in a meeting. He should be back in a little while. Come on in and wait."

The two of them entered the office.

"Would you like something to drink?" Julian Xavier asked.

Chloe Sterling shook her head. "No, thank you. I’ll leave as soon as Director Xavier gets back and I’ve had a word with him."

Julian Xavier looked at her, his lips parting as if he wanted to ask something.

Noticing his hesitation, Chloe Sterling asked, "What is it?"

After a moment of thought, Julian Xavier forced a smile and asked, "Why are you going back to the countryside again?"

’What he really wanted to ask was whether her relationship with Jasper Lockwood was purely professional.’

’The viral story about the overbearing CEO celebrating his beloved wife’s birthday—the one that appeared on her birthday—was that about her and Jasper Lockwood?’

’But then he thought it was impossible. It had to be a coincidence. He was just overthinking things.’

’How could someone as cold as Jasper Lockwood do something so over-the-top?’