The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 23: Do You Have a Girl You Like?

Chapter 23: So, Is There a Girl You Like?

The call connected.

"Professor, what’s the situation with Joanna?" Rachel Royce asked hurriedly.

Julian Jennings said, "I’ve arranged a meeting with Suzanne Sullivan. He’ll talk to Tristan Sterling’s side tomorrow, so don’t worry."

So he had arranged to meet Claire Ainsworth’s brother. ’He does seem more approachable than Tristan Sterling,’ she thought.

"Okay."

「The next day.」

Julian Jennings didn’t come to campus.

Rachel Royce prepared his lecture materials for the week. With her work being light, she spent her free time strolling around campus or reading in the library.

The weather was nice today.

After lunch.

She rested for a while.

Rachel Royce borrowed two books from the library and decided to go outside to enjoy the sun. She found a bench, and that’s when she saw an elderly man with white hair and reading glasses. He was holding a newspaper far away from his face, trying to read it. He kept adjusting his glasses and squinting, as if he still couldn’t see clearly.

Rachel Royce watched the old man from a distance and recognized him at once. After a moment’s hesitation, she walked over. "Teacher Fitzwilliam."

Hearing her voice, Mr. Fitzwilliam looked up at Rachel Royce. He took off his reading glasses and studied her for a moment, but he didn’t recognize her right away.

Rachel Royce felt a little awkward and explained, "Teacher Fitzwilliam, it’s me, Rachel Royce."

Recognition dawned on Mr. Fitzwilliam’s face.

Mr. Fitzwilliam was the former president of Kingsland University and Julian Jennings’s onetime mentor. He was retired now.

Back when she was studying under Julian Jennings, Mr. Fitzwilliam had already retired, but he still offered her a great deal of guidance. He had even taken her to academic conferences during her university years, calling her the student he admired most after Julian Jennings.

It was safe to say she had been the most favored among all of Julian Jennings’s students.

Mr. Fitzwilliam had personally recommended her to a professor at a top-tier international university, hoping she would pursue a doctorate. But at the time, she had already submitted her resume to Cedarwood behind their backs.

If she missed this job opportunity, she didn’t know when she’d get another chance to be by Tristan Sterling’s side.

Only after she had passed through multiple rounds of interviews and received the offer did she break the news to them.

She would never forget it.

The awful look on Mr. Fitzwilliam’s face that day. He had gotten up and left without saying a single word.

Rachel Royce knew that Mr. Fitzwilliam had been incredibly disappointed and angry.

She and Mr. Fitzwilliam hadn’t been in contact for nearly two years.

Seeing him again now, she felt an indescribable sense of shame, so much so that she almost hadn’t dared to approach him.

Mr. Fitzwilliam sized her up but didn’t say much. He just handed her the newspaper. "Come here and read this to me."

Rachel Royce took a step forward, accepted the paper, and sat down beside Mr. Fitzwilliam.

"Read this section."

Rachel Royce read it out, word for word. Her reading voice had a pleasant, musical cadence; it was clear and full of strength, making it exceptionally easy on the ears.

Mr. Fitzwilliam clasped his hands over his cane, listening quietly and attentively.

When she finished reading.

Rachel Royce looked at Mr. Fitzwilliam.

Mr. Fitzwilliam said, "Read the next part, too."

Rachel Royce read for nearly twenty minutes, and her throat was getting dry.

"Alright, that’s enough for now."

Rachel Royce put down the newspaper.

A brief silence fell.

Mr. Fitzwilliam broke the silence. "So, you’ve resigned from Cedarwood?"

Rachel Royce mumbled a faint "yes." "I just left not long ago. I’m working as Professor Jennings’s assistant now."

Mr. Fitzwilliam said nothing.

Just then.

A middle-aged man in a black suit walked over. Seeing the old man, he bowed respectfully and handed him a cell phone. "Mr. Fitzwilliam, it’s a call from Madam Fitzwilliam."

Mr. Fitzwilliam took the phone, held it to his ear, and exchanged a few words with her.

"I know."

He hung up.

Mr. Fitzwilliam looked at Rachel Royce. "I have to get going. You should get back to your work, too."

"Okay. Take care on your way, Teacher Fitzwilliam."

The middle-aged man helped the old man to his feet and escorted him toward a black, understated sedan parked by the roadside.

Rachel Royce stood frozen, watching Mr. Fitzwilliam’s departing figure. An indescribable sadness welled up inside her. ’He must be so disappointed in me,’ she thought.

She watched until the car slowly drove away.

Rachel Royce picked up her books and left. She had been sitting for a while, and her calves were a little sore. She started walking toward the administration building.

「Inside the car.」

As the middle-aged man drove, he said, "Mr. Sterling must be feeling awfully smug this time. He’s probably planning to challenge you to get a win back."

Mr. Fitzwilliam snorted irritably. "As if I’m afraid of him!"

There was a Fitzwilliam family banquet today. The Sterling and Fitzwilliam families had been close for generations, with several intermarriages between them. Thomas Sterling’s mother, Evelyn Fitzwilliam, was Madam Fitzwilliam’s second daughter, so the two families often got together for meals.

When Mr. Fitzwilliam arrived home.

The Sterling family’s car was already in the driveway. As soon as he stepped inside, he heard the sounds of laughter and conversation from the living room.

When Madam Fitzwilliam saw him return, she couldn’t help but say to Madam Sterling, "This old man of mine can’t sit still for a day. He’s always running off to Kingsland University when he has nothing better to do."

Mr. Fitzwilliam walked over and said, "If I don’t go to places full of youthful energy, what am I supposed to do? Stare at a bunch of old geezers all day?"

Madam Fitzwilliam shook her head helplessly. "Fine, whatever you say is right, alright?"

Madam Sterling said, "Glenn has a point. Spending more time with young people keeps your mind young." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Mr. Fitzwilliam sat on the sofa and said to Mr. Sterling, "You should get out more with me instead of just fishing all day. It’s not like you’re any good at it."

Mr. Sterling couldn’t help but roll his eyes. "I’m still better than you."

"Come on, then! Let’s have a competition right now. Jacob Archer, go get the fishing rods."

"A competition it is! Let’s go now."

"..."

Madam Fitzwilliam and Madam Sterling watched the two men, smiling helplessly.

By the time dinner was ready to be served.

The members of the Fitzwilliam family who lived in Kingsland had gradually returned to the old family home.

The wife of the Sterling family’s eldest son, Sylvia Shannon, had also arrived.

Later.

Tristan Sterling and Thomas Sterling arrived at the Fitzwilliam residence.

The two met in the parking lot.

Thomas Sterling greeted him.

They went inside together.

Once in the living room, they greeted the elders one by one.

Thomas Sterling had a lively personality and a silver tongue, which made him a particular favorite among the elders.

"I haven’t seen you in ages, Thomas. I heard from your mother that you started a game company and even landed a big project recently."

Thomas showed not a hint of modesty. "I’m just that good. Landing a big project is a piece of cake for me."

Evelyn Fitzwilliam stared at her son. "Still so impulsive. You’re just like a child."

"There’s nothing wrong with that. With a personality like his, Thomas will have no trouble finding a girlfriend in the future."

"Then I’ll take that as a blessing, Grandma."

"The way you say that... so, is there a girl you like?"

Thomas Sterling smiled and said, "Not right now, but I’m sure there will be in the future."

Dinner was served.

In the large dining hall, the two families took their seats one by one around a massive round table that could accommodate thirty people. They chatted amongst themselves, filling the room with a lively and harmonious atmosphere.

Tristan Sterling was chatting with the Fitzwilliam family’s eldest grandson, Franklin Fitzwilliam.

"What happened between you and Easton?"

Tristan Sterling took a sip of red wine. "It was nothing. It’s already been resolved."

Suzanne Sullivan had gone to see him first thing in the morning, and then they’d had lunch with Conrad Sutton and Joanna Sutton. Conrad made some concessions on the partnership, and only then did Tristan Sterling drop the matter.

The issue was considered closed.

Easton still lost out on some profits, but compared to losing their partnership with Cedarwood entirely, it was a stroke of luck.

Franklin Fitzwilliam didn’t press for details and continued the conversation on other business-related topics.

Just then.

Franklin Fitzwilliam’s daughter walked over, holding a piece of candy. Her voice was sweet and soft. "Daddy, you eat this."

The little girl was five years old, with her hair in two small pigtails and an adorable, chubby face.

Franklin Fitzwilliam stroked his daughter’s little head, bent down, and popped the orange-flavored candy she offered into his mouth. "So sweet," he said in a doting voice.

Nina beamed, revealing two rows of little white teeth. She then took the candy in her other hand and offered it to Tristan Sterling. "Uncle, do you want one?"

Tristan Sterling’s gaze fell upon the little girl, his expression softening.