The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 138: The Flower on the High Peak Is Pulled from the Divine Altar

Chapter 138: Chapter 138: The Flower on the High Peak Is Pulled from the Divine Altar

Chapter 138: The Untouchable Flower is Plucked from His Pedestal

Nina Fitzwilliam asked if Melissa was home because she wanted to come over.

Melissa looked at Rachel Royce and asked, "Aunt Evelynn, can I go home now?"

Rachel Royce didn’t object, saying, "How about we invite Stella to come with you?"

Melissa said, "Okay."

Rachel Royce then called June Jennings.

After they finished their dessert, Rachel Royce left the mall with Melissa.

Zachary Dudley drove them back to the Silvermist Bay Villa.

William Sheldon and Nina Fitzwilliam were already waiting for them at the villa.

When they met, the two women greeted each other.

Hearing Melissa call Rachel Royce "Aunt Evelynn," William Sheldon thought, ’I assumed the mother and daughter had finally acknowledged each other, but it seems they still haven’t.’

Though she was confused, she didn’t ask any questions and just acted as if she knew nothing.

About ten minutes later, June Jennings arrived with Stella.

Rachel Royce introduced Stella to Nina Fitzwilliam.

William Sheldon knew that June Jennings was Julian Jennings’s younger sister. Though they were strangers before, they quickly became acquainted and found things to talk about.

Nina Fitzwilliam took the other two children to play all over the house, running up and down the stairs.

Meanwhile, Rachel Royce, William Sheldon, and June Jennings sat in the backyard, admiring the scenery while drinking tea and chatting.

The afternoon passed in the blink of an eye.

Rachel Royce and June Jennings had to head back to Hillcrest Villa.

Franklin Fitzwilliam came in person to pick up his wife and daughter. He said a quick hello to Rachel Royce, they all exchanged goodbyes, and then Franklin left with his family.

Watching them leave, June Jennings couldn’t help but sigh with envy. "That couple has such a great relationship. You can tell Mr. Fitzwilliam is a model husband."

Rachel Royce smiled. "My brother is a good man, too."

June Jennings caught her meaning and said with a grin, "I’ll do my best."

After that, the two women left with the children.

That night, Rachel Royce stayed at Hillcrest Villa with Melissa.

After putting Melissa to bed, Rachel Royce did some work for a while.

「Three days later.」

Rachel Royce and Julian Jennings attended a charity auction together.

Rachel Royce’s main goal was to bid on a set of imperial jade jewelry for Florence Preston.

She hadn’t given Florence a gift on her birthday because she couldn’t decide on what to get. When she saw this jewelry set listed for the auction, she decided to bid on it today to make up for the belated present.

Julian Jennings was there to bid on a set of classical paintings for his grandfather, whose eightieth birthday was at the end of the month.

Not long after they arrived, they heard someone call out enthusiastically, "President Sterling."

Hearing the name, Rachel Royce instinctively turned her head and saw a familiar figure. A man in an elegant sapphire-blue suit stood under the crystal lights, his impossibly handsome face looking even more stunning than usual.

Beside him, Claire Ainsworth wore a matching gown and held his arm intimately, subtly asserting her status as his partner as she chatted and laughed with others.

They were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, an enviable pair.

Just as Rachel Royce’s gaze fell upon them, Tristan Sterling’s eyes met hers.

Their eyes locked from across the crowd.

His dark eyes were deep and revealed no emotion.

Rachel Royce coolly pulled her gaze away, her eyes sweeping past him as if he were nothing more than an irrelevant stranger.

"Rachel, let’s find our seats," Julian said.

As fate would have it, she was also wearing a blue gown. A delicate diamond chain cascaded down her back, accentuating the elegant line of her spine. Under the lights, the sparkling gems made her skin look as flawless as white porcelain.

For a moment, she was as dazzling as a goddess descended from the heavens.

Her arrival had already drawn many admiring glances.

Now, with Claire Ainsworth also appearing in a blue gown, people couldn’t help but start making comparisons.

Her gown was clearly expensive and indescribably beautiful in its own right. On her own, she would have been an absolutely stunning sight.

But next to the breathtaking impression Rachel Royce had already made, Claire Ainsworth’s seemed somewhat less impactful.

In comparison, Rachel Royce exuded a mature, feminine beauty, like a finely aged red wine with an intoxicating allure.

Claire Ainsworth, in contrast, projected a youthful girlishness—sweet and fragrant, but not the kind that leaves a lasting impression.

Rachel Royce’s gown was quite long, and Julian Jennings, ever the gentleman, lifted the hem for her as she walked.

Claire Ainsworth’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Rachel’s back, a nearby conversation drifting to her ears.

"Miss Ainsworth is a renowned beauty, but it just goes to show there’s always someone better. She’s clearly been outshone. If I were a man, I’d prefer the other young lady."

"She and President Jennings look perfect together—a brilliant man and a beautiful woman. I wonder how many women’s hearts are breaking right now."

"President Sterling has Miss Ainsworth, and now President Jennings is spoken for. It seems the most eligible bachelors are all taken, leaving none for us ordinary people."

"The Sterling Family still has their second son. Thomas Sterling isn’t bad either. Maybe we can try our luck with him."

"..."

Julian Jennings was also famously handsome within their social circle.

In a social circle known for its corrupting influence, he remained aloof and untainted—a true gentleman, a pearl shining in the murky depths.

Countless women had lost their hearts to him.

Unfortunately, he seemed utterly devoid of romantic feelings.

But now, seeing him be so considerate toward a woman, it seemed the untouchable flower could fall from his pedestal after all. And the woman to bring him down was one of such beauty and grace.

Claire Ainsworth listened to the bystanders’ comments, each word a sharp thorn stabbing at her ears. She was furious, her hand at her side clenching and unclenching into a fist.

"Claire, let’s go."

The man’s deep voice cut through her thoughts.

Claire Ainsworth quickly composed herself, looking up at the man and forcing a smile. "Alright."

Rachel Royce and Julian Jennings were seated at the head table.

The seat of honor at the center of the table was reserved for the organizer of the charity auction.

The organizer was chatting with Julian Jennings when he noticed Tristan Sterling approaching. He rose to greet him, "President Sterling, a pleasure to see you."

Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth shook hands with the organizer and exchanged greetings.

Afterward, the organizer invited the pair to take their seats.

And just like that, both parties were seated at the same table.

Julian Jennings stood to shake hands with Tristan Sterling.

"President Sterling."

"President Jennings."

Rachel Royce turned her head toward the stage, showing no intention of acknowledging the people across from them. ’I didn’t know Tristan Sterling would be here today,’ she thought. ’And I certainly never expected him to show up with Claire Ainsworth.’

Tristan Sterling’s deep gaze swept over her before he took his seat.

Ten minutes later, the organizer went on stage to give an opening speech.

The auction began shortly after.

Rachel Royce and Julian Jennings weren’t interested in the first few lots, but they still discussed the items. Because the venue was noisy,

Julian Jennings had to lean close to Rachel Royce to hear what she was saying.

Their proximity under the dim, hazy lights created an intimate, almost ambiguous, atmosphere, especially when Julian spoke, his eyes filled with a gentle warmth.

While the organizer was speaking to Tristan Sterling, his deep eyes drifted toward the pair, though he quickly looked away again without a trace of his observation.

Claire Ainsworth took a liking to an antique vase.

She won it with a bid of fifty million.

It was obvious who was footing the bill.

The bidding continued until the set of imperial jade jewelry was presented.

The opening bid was twenty-five million.

Rachel Royce raised her paddle. "Twenty-five million!"

Claire Ainsworth glanced at her, then raised her own paddle. "Thirty million!"

Rachel Royce shot her a cold look.