Chapter 160
Irene nodded in agreement. “Dip by whenever you want. The chef won’t mind making extra.”
“Your vegetable salad the other day wasn’t bad either, Adam added casually.
Irene’s head snapped up, surprise flashing across her face. She hadnexpected him to notice, let alone comment on her cooking
The triplets exchanged knowing looks, their eyes lighting up with renewed hope. With Adam’s personal invitation, they now had the perfect excuse to push their “Mom and Dad‘ plan forward. Maybe there was hope after all!
At the Sterling residence, Nathan pushed food around his plate, appetite gone. The company crisis had deepened, with tension hanging over the table.
“I can’t do this, Nathan muttered, pushing his chair back. “I need to get back to the office.”
Just as he stood up, Richard appeared in the doorway, his timing perfect as always.
“Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling, good evening,” Richard greeted smoothly, nodding at Nathan.
The Sterlings exchanged puzzled glances, clearly wondering what brought him here at this hour.
John, his mood already dark, gestured halfheartedly toward the table. “Have you eaten yet? Grab a seat if you’re hungry.”
Richard took a seat, reading their troubled expressions. “Thanks, but I already grabbed dinner. Look, with our families history, I’ll just cut to the chase.”
Nathan, who had been about to leave, slowly sank back into his chair
“I know Sterling Group is in a tight spot right now,” Richard continued, choosing his words carefully. “My parents and I talked it over, and we want to help you guys out.” He paused, letting the offer sink in before adding, “But we’d need something in return—I want my engagement to Irene back on the table.”
Nathan felt his stomach drop. Irene again.
“Wait, what?” Nathan asked. “You’re seriously going to ditch Anna like that? After all this time? Aren’t you worried about how she’ll
react?”
Deep down, Nathan also felt a pang of guilt toward Irene. Learning that Rose had struck Alex had forced him to face years of family injustice toward his sister. But the businessman in him still put the company’s interests first.
John and Rose shared Nathan’s concerns. They’d raised Anna as their daughter, and now Richard wanted to help them only to marry
Irene instead.
“Anna and I already talked it through,” Richard replied smoothly. “Were ending things on good terms.”
Inside, Richard knew his timing was opportunistic, but he saw this as his only shot at winning back that engagement.
“You know Irene makes her own decisions now,” Nathan replied coldly. “You should’ve thought about that when you dumped her. Too late for backsies
Nathan’s message was crystal clear–Richard had made his choice and now had to live with it. Irene clearly wanted nothing more to do with the Sterling family.
Richard’s expression hardened. He put up with Irene’s attitude only because of her shares and connections, but he wouldn’t stand
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Chapter 160
for being looked down on by the Sterlings. Here they were, company practically in ruins, making him feel like his family was cleaning up their mess.
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