The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 96: Cause of the Accident

Chapter 96: The Cause of the Accident

For a moment, he didn’t know what to say to comfort her.

Suddenly, Rachel Royce said, "Oh, by the way, Thomas is coming to the hospital later."

Julian Jennings asked, "He knows about your car accident?"

The moment he asked, he remembered. ’Ian Quinn had just asked him about it, too.’

"Yes. You should go out to dinner with him tonight. I’d like to be alone for a while."

Julian Jennings said, "Alright."

Forty-some minutes later.

Thomas Sterling rushed to the hospital. Only after seeing for himself that Rachel Royce was safe and sound did he let out a huge sigh of relief.

"As long as you’re okay."

"Have they found the cause of the accident?"

The police had sent word. The hotel’s surveillance footage confirmed that someone did tamper with the car. However, the perpetrator was fully prepared and concealed their identity completely, so finding them will take time.

"Do you need my help?"

Julian Jennings had spoken with Victor Yates today, but that sly old fox was an expert at feigning ignorance. With the culprit still at large, it wasn’t the right time for a confrontation, so Julian didn’t expose him.

"Actually, Thomas, I do need your help."

Thomas Sterling’s computer skills were formidable. Finding evidence through normal means would take too long; they needed unconventional methods.

"We can discuss the details over dinner."

Rachel Royce wanted to rest.

So, Thomas Sterling and Julian Jennings didn’t disturb her any longer. After saying their goodbyes, they left the hospital room.

Thomas Sterling got into Julian Jennings’s car, and they left the hospital, heading to a nearby five-star hotel for dinner.

When the two of them arrived at the restaurant, they happened to run into Tristan Sterling and Melissa, along with Claire Ainsworth.

Melissa looked listless, not as lively as usual. When she saw him, she called out, "Mr. Ford!"

Hearing Melissa’s voice, Thomas Sterling turned around. His eyes darkened when he saw the three of them.

He strode forward.

Melissa ran toward him.

Thomas Sterling picked Melissa up. "You haven’t seen your Mr. Ford in a long time."

Melissa said, "Melissa missed Mr. Ford."

"Mr. Ford missed Melissa too."

Melissa saw Julian Jennings and called out, "Mr. Jennings."

Julian Jennings smiled gently. "Good evening, Melissa."

Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth walked over.

Thomas Sterling greeted Tristan Sterling, "Cousin."

He completely ignored Claire Ainsworth, who was standing beside him.

Claire Ainsworth naturally noticed. She knew Thomas Sterling didn’t like her, and she couldn’t be bothered to cozy up to him either. But his blatant disregard and the contemptuous look he always gave her made her furious inside.

Tristan Sterling said, "Hm. What brings you to Athera?"

Thomas Sterling replied, "I had some business to take care of here. I just arrived today. I didn’t expect to run into you, Cousin. Are you here on vacation?"

Tristan Sterling said flatly, "Taking care of something."

Thomas Sterling didn’t press further.

They didn’t talk much more.

Thomas Sterling handed Melissa back to Tristan Sterling.

The two parties went to their respective tables.

Thomas Sterling asked, "When did Melissa meet you?"

Julian Jennings took a sip of water and said, "Yesterday."

He briefly explained the situation to Thomas Sterling.

Thomas Sterling remarked, "Melissa is a good kid."

His cousin had raised Melissa well; that was undeniable.

"Perhaps Melissa can sense it, but just can’t put it into words."

Julian Jennings nodded.

The two didn’t continue on that topic.

They moved on to business.

"How can I help?"

After Melissa finished eating, she ran over to Thomas Sterling’s table. He lifted her onto the seat beside him.

He glanced in Tristan Sterling and Claire Ainsworth’s direction; their table was quite a distance away.

Claire Ainsworth, watching them, remarked, "Thomas knows full well, yet he’s still so close to Julian Jennings."

Tristan Sterling sipped his red wine, his dark eyes reflecting in the glass, making his expression unreadable.

Melissa was chatting with Thomas Sterling. "Today, I heard Aunt Evelynn on the phone," she said, "and the voice on the other end sounded a lot like you, Mr. Ford."

It seemed Melissa was there when Rachel Royce was on the phone with him.

Thomas Sterling patted Melissa’s little head. "Well, what a coincidence."

"Mr. Jennings knows Aunt Evelynn. Does Mr. Ford know Aunt Evelynn too?"

’This little one is a clever little imp.’

Thomas Sterling didn’t answer Melissa’s question directly. Instead, he asked, "Does Melissa like this Aunt Evelynn a lot?"

Melissa nodded. "I do. Aunt Evelynn is very gentle." Then she mumbled, "I was keeping Aunt Evelynn company today, but Daddy took me away. He wouldn’t let me stay, said I’d get sick in the hospital."

Thomas Sterling comforted her, "Your daddy is just worried about you. Hospitals have a lot of germs, and if Melissa gets an infection, she’ll get sick. If Melissa gets sick, your great-grandma and great-grandpa, your grandma and grandpa, and your daddy will all be heartbroken."

"I know, but I just miss Aunt Evelynn."

"If you miss her, you can call her or have a video chat."

Coaxed by Thomas Sterling, Melissa’s mood brightened considerably.

After Tristan Sterling finished his meal, he walked over to their table. Looking at Melissa, he said, "Melissa, it’s time to go."

Thomas Sterling said to Melissa, "You should go back with your daddy now!"

Melissa waved at him. "Bye-bye, Mr. Ford! Bye-bye, Mr. Jennings!"

Thomas Sterling helped Melissa get up. Tristan Sterling swooped in, picked her up, gave a brief nod to Thomas and Julian, and left with Melissa.

After dinner, Thomas Sterling and Julian Jennings also left the hotel.

They went back to the hospital to keep Rachel Royce company.

After a while, the two of them left.

After another check-up tomorrow, Rachel Royce would be able to go home and rest properly.

Julian Jennings also went to see Marcus Sheldon. In his current condition, he wouldn’t be leaving the hospital anytime soon.

"I owe you one for this time. Don’t even think about coming back to work until you’re fully recovered."

It was thanks to Marcus Sheldon’s superb driving skills that a major disaster was averted.

Marcus Sheldon said gratefully, "Thank you, President Jennings."

Julian Jennings instructed Miles Sheldon to take good care of him.

Julian Jennings and Thomas Sterling left the hospital.

「That night.」

Tristan Sterling was putting Melissa to sleep, gently patting her back.

Melissa leaned against her father’s chest. He heard her murmur, "Daddy."

"Hm?"

Melissa lifted her little head to look at her father. "It would be nice if Daddy liked Aunt Evelynn."

Tristan Sterling’s hand, which was patting her, paused. Very gently and patiently, he asked, "Why do you want Daddy to like Aunt Evelynn?"

Melissa pouted her little lips and said, "I want Daddy and Aunt Evelynn to be together. That way, Melissa can be with Aunt Evelynn every day."

Tristan Sterling’s thumb gently caressed his daughter’s cheek. "Does Melissa like Aunt Evelynn so much that you don’t like Daddy anymore?"

Melissa immediately wrapped her arms around her father’s neck. "Of course I like Daddy! Melissa likes Daddy the most! Melissa will never not like Daddy!"

Tristan Sterling smiled, his large hand ruffling her little head. "And Daddy will only ever love Melissa the most."

Melissa giggled happily in her father’s arms, momentarily forgetting the question she wanted him to answer. As he continued to soothe her, she drifted off to sleep.