The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 169: As Long as President Sullivan Remembers

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: As Long as President Sullivan Remembers

Chapter 169: As Long as President Sullivan Remembers

Tristan Sterling was dressed in a black, custom-tailored suit. He carried himself with a straight posture and a steady gait, his noble face wearing its usual cold and profound expression.

With him was Suzanne Sullivan, who wore a silver-gray suit. His aura was elegant and refined, and his features held a touch more warmth than the man beside him.

Between the two men was Claire Ainsworth, clad in an opulent pink gown. Her beautiful, delicate face wore a smile tinged with a hint of disdain. At a glance, she looked every bit the pampered princess of a wealthy family.

She had one arm linked intimately through Tristan Sterling’s.

It was obvious to anyone what their relationship was.

The arrival of the trio, with their exceptional looks and stunning features, drew everyone’s attention.

People immediately went up to make conversation.

Claire Ainsworth spotted her mother and father. Still holding Tristan Sterling’s arm, she said, "Tristan, let’s go say hello to my parents."

Tristan Sterling grunted in agreement.

The two of them then walked toward Jane Sullivan and Harvey Ainsworth.

"Dad, Mom."

Seeing her daughter, Jane Sullivan’s eyes filled with adoration. "You’re a grown woman now, yet you’re still so restless."

Claire Ainsworth went over and linked arms with her mother, whining playfully, "No, I’m not!"

Jane Sullivan looked at Tristan Sterling. "Tristan, Claire works for you now. You have to keep her in line. Don’t let her be as childish and thoughtless as she used to be."

Though she said this, her tone was filled with indulgence for her daughter.

"Mom, how am I being thoughtless?"

Harvey Ainsworth smiled dotingly. "It doesn’t matter. In your parents’ eyes, you’ll always be our little girl."

Claire Ainsworth smiled sweetly, looking completely immersed in happiness, with her parents’ adoration on one side and the man she loved on the other.

From a distance, they truly looked like a warm, happy family.

Ian Quinn watched this scene and gave a scornful little laugh before saying to Hector Ainsworth, "Are Miss Ainsworth and President Sterling close to tying the knot?"

Hector Ainsworth vaguely detected the sarcastic undertone in Ian Quinn’s words and replied with a polite smile, "I’m not entirely sure at the moment. If there’s good news, you two will be the first to be invited."

On the cruise last time, Hector Ainsworth had learned that Claire Ainsworth and Evelynn had a conflict, but he didn’t know the specific reason. Still, he had to say the polite thing for the occasion.

But just as he finished speaking, the sarcastic smile on Ian Quinn’s lips deepened. "Is that so? Well then, we’ll just wait for the good news. We’ll be sure to prepare a generous gift."

Hector Ainsworth just smiled in response.

Rachel Royce was about to look away when she felt a gaze fall upon her.

For a brief moment, their eyes met.

Tristan Sterling’s dark eyes bore into her for a moment before Rachel Royce coolly averted her gaze. Her profile was frosty as she picked up her glass and took a sip of red wine.

Two senior executives who had come over with Hector Ainsworth chimed in, "President Sterling and Miss Ainsworth make a perfect couple. It looks like a marriage alliance between the Ainsworth and Sterling Families is a sure thing. In that case, we’ll have to prepare a big gift too, haha."

"President Sterling has never attended a banquet hosted by the Ainsworth Family before. His presence today tells me it’s probably happening soon."

Hector Ainsworth responded with a smile. He needed to go over and greet them, so he excused himself to Ian Quinn.

"Please, President Ainsworth."

The two executives followed Hector Ainsworth over.

Of course, Rachel Royce and Ian Quinn couldn’t possibly go over to greet them, so the two found a place to sit down.

Tristan Sterling and his group stood there, the center of attention. It was hard not to notice them.

Ian Quinn said, "What the hell is Tristan Sterling up to? Is he here to back up the Ainsworth Family, or to slap us in the face? Or is he simply here to accompany Claire Ainsworth?"

The Ainsworth Family and Rowan had held their strategic signing ceremony today, and the Meridia business tycoons invited to tonight’s banquet were, to put it bluntly, being asked to secretly pick a side.

The power struggle between Suzanne Sullivan and the Ainsworth Family had long since ceased to be a simple matter between two parties.

Tristan Sterling attending the banquet with Claire Ainsworth, and seeing him now chatting so happily with Harvey Ainsworth... anyone who didn’t know better would think their wedding was just around the corner. Didn’t this just make it seem like he was on the Ainsworth Family’s side?

With his arrival, he had become the main character of the banquet.

Rachel Royce stood with her back partially turned to them, saying indifferently as if it had nothing to do with her, "Who knows?"

No one could ever figure out what Tristan Sterling was planning. Only he himself knew.

Seeing her sullen expression, Ian Quinn said, "If I’d known, it would have been better for you to go back and stay with Melissa."

Rachel Royce was sipping her wine, about to say something, when she noticed the direction of Ian Quinn’s gaze. She subconsciously turned and saw Suzanne Sullivan walking toward them.

Suzanne Sullivan walked up to the pair and greeted them in a polite, gentlemanly manner. "President Quinn, Miss Evelynn."

Ian Quinn picked up his wine glass, stood up, and clinked it against his. "President Sullivan seems to be in a good mood today."

They had officially signed with the Ainsworth Family today, which meant their two sides were now standing in opposition. Yet Suzanne Sullivan’s attitude toward them had been nothing but courteous from start to finish, showing no trace of any unusual emotion.

This was the kind of composure expected of a top business elite.

The corners of Suzanne Sullivan’s lips lifted slightly. "Today we are hosting our distinguished guests. Of course, it’s a happy occasion."

Ian Quinn smiled. "You’re not wrong about that, President Sullivan."

Suzanne Sullivan asked, "I forgot to ask earlier, why didn’t President Jennings come to Portington? I was hoping to host him."

Ian Quinn replied, "He has urgent business to attend to in Hong Kong, so Miss Evelynn and I came in his place."

"I see."

"..."

Rachel Royce sat on the sofa, quietly listening to their flawless, perfunctory exchange. ’Compared to them,’ she thought, ’my own composure is truly lacking.’

’For example, right now, I really don’t want to say a single word to Suzanne Sullivan.’

’In truth, it’s only natural for him to protect his sister and mother. Moreover, he isn’t completely without principles; his attitude toward me has been courteous from the very beginning, and even when he apologized, I could sense it wasn’t insincere.’

’But for some reason, I find his behavior utterly detestable—sometimes I’m even more annoyed with him than with Tristan Sterling.’

’I probably just hate Claire Ainsworth so much that I hate her brother by association.’

While speaking with Ian Quinn, Suzanne Sullivan’s gaze fell on the silent woman.

"Miss Evelynn."

Rachel Royce glanced back at him, her eyes cold.

Suzanne Sullivan said, "If our hospitality is lacking in any way, I hope you will forgive us, Miss Evelynn."

’It would have been better if he hadn’t said anything. I don’t even care who else is here today.’

’But his words sound like he’s once again making excuses and apologizing on his sister’s behalf.’

Rachel Royce had just managed to calm herself down, but hearing his words made her want to throw her drink at him.

She smiled, a cold curve to her lips. "I wonder if President Sullivan remembers what you promised me before—that you owe me a favor."

Suzanne Sullivan’s handsome face remained serene. "Of course, I remember. Please feel free to ask for it anytime, Miss Evelynn."

"As long as you remember, President Sullivan. Of course, I have nothing to ask for right now."

As they were chatting idly, Jane Sullivan’s gaze drifted in their direction, her beautiful eyes deepening slightly.