Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Warning

This time, when Jessie Sterling heard Nina Walsh’s voice, she didn’t ignore her like before.

As for Victor Morgan, it was as if he was only just now noticing Nina Walsh’s presence. He frowned and, before Jessie Sterling could speak, cut in bluntly, “She has no obligation to answer any of your questions.”

He had brought Jessie Sterling here for a vacation, not to be harassed.

Out of respect for Roman Lynch, Victor Morgan felt he had already been patient enough with Nina Walsh.

But now, hearing Nina Walsh provoke Jessie Sterling so brazenly, his annoyance with her was about to boil over.

The color drained from Nina Walsh’s face in an instant at Victor Morgan’s words.

On top of being utterly ignored, she now had to endure a harsh rebuke and disapproval from the man she liked.

Seeing tears welling in Nina Walsh’s eyes, about to spill over, Roman Lynch finally found it unbearable. He softly said Victor Morgan’s name, signaling for him to stop.

After all, Nina Walsh had only been ignored by Jessie Sterling because she was trying to stick up for him.

’She’s still just a sensitive, fragile kid.’

But at that moment, Jessie Sterling looked at Nina Walsh and retorted, “And why should I have to answer you?”

Nina Walsh took a deep breath, staring stubbornly at Jessie Sterling. “Everyone says the Sterling family of Southaven has an exceptional upbringing, but from the looks of it now, Jessie… you aren’t quite what the rumors say…”

“Nina!” Even Roman Lynch, who was partial to Nina Walsh, couldn’t help but tear his gaze from Victor Morgan and fix it on her, scolding her in a low voice.

“It’s fine. Let her talk.” Jessie Sterling didn’t stop Nina Walsh. Instead, she stopped Roman Lynch from reprimanding her.

’I’d like to see what other little tricks she can pull.’

Having been cut off by Roman Lynch, Nina Walsh felt no guilt. In fact, seeing Roman—who had always stood firmly by her side—suddenly “switch sides” only made her angrier.

She redirected this anger toward Jessie Sterling, convinced that Jessie was the root cause of her current awkward and humiliating predicament.

“Do you ignore everyone so blatantly? Or do you just feel that someone of my status isn’t worthy of a reply from the Eldest Miss Sterling?” Nina Walsh asked, taking a deep breath as she looked at Jessie Sterling.

By highlighting her own “disadvantage,” wasn’t she trying to force Jessie Sterling’s hand?

’The richer people are, the more they have to protect their reputation.’

They do everything in their power to avoid anything embarrassing, anything that would be a disservice to their family name, anything that could possibly tarnish it.

Otherwise, why do you so rarely hear about scandals or moral failings from those wealthy families?

After all, in some ways, this circle is the most chaotic of all.

Nina Walsh stared intently at Jessie Sterling.

Her background was her scar, but it was also her armor.

As she listened to Nina Walsh’s accusations, Jessie Sterling calmly took a sip from her bowl of stew.

It was a free-range chicken stew, rich and savory. The ingredients weren’t particularly fancy, but they were exceptionally fresh.

“That’s right.” After savoring the deliciousness of the chicken stew, Jessie Sterling looked up at Nina Walsh and answered her question.

Nina Walsh froze.

At the table, Xavier Warren and Roman Lynch couldn’t help but look at her, their expressions complicated.

Jessie Sterling didn’t give Nina Walsh a chance to speak. “I respect anyone who is worthy of respect. I’m willing to listen to them and have a conversation. But you are not among them.”

Serena Lynch couldn’t help but shoot Lynn Jennings a look, her lips forming a silent hiss. Who knew that Jessie, who looked so sweet and delicate—like a little doll you’d put in a display case—could be so aggressive? “Impressive,” Serena mouthed.

She’d had a few run-ins with Nina Walsh herself, but Nina always had a way of leaving her feeling frustrated and wronged.

Nina Walsh’s face was pale. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jessie Sterling: “It means you have no shame.”

Nina Walsh: “Miss Sterling, don’t you think that’s going a little too far? I only spoke up because when Victor was talking to you, you didn’t…”

“That is between him and me. What right do you have to meddle in our affairs? In what capacity? As Victor’s childhood friend?” Jessie Sterling cut her off, not wanting to hear any more. “There are plenty of his childhood friends here. Who else isn’t one? So why are you the only one trying to defend his honor? Victor, are you unhappy with me?”

As she said the last part, Jessie Sterling suddenly turned to look at Victor Morgan.

Victor Morgan replied, “No.”

Jessie Sterling turned back to Nina Walsh. “See? He’s not unhappy himself, so why are you unhappy on his behalf? Or is it because you’re in love with him? You still see him as your property and can’t stand it when someone doesn’t give him what you consider enough respect?”

Jessie Sterling’s words were merciless, tearing away the thin veil of pretense that adults hide behind and asking the question outright.

Nina Walsh was struggling to handle the onslaught.

Jessie hadn’t wanted to say so much, but with people like Nina, if you give them an inch, they’ll come back and make your life miserable again.

Jessie Sterling didn’t want to leave any lingering problems, nor did she want to give Nina Walsh that kind of opening.

“What right do you have to judge me and assume such things about me?” Nina Walsh asked, her eyes red and her voice choked with tears.

To the average person, her choked voice might have elicited deep sympathy.

Jessie Sterling glanced at her. She knew Nina Walsh was the type who wouldn’t back down until faced with irrefutable proof.

“When you went to the hot springs on the summit today, was it really a coincidence that you ran into Victor and the others? Or were you standing at your window, saw the three of them drive up, and then decided to follow? Do you really have no ulterior motives? Look me in the eye and answer me,” Jessie Sterling said.

Of course, she noticed how the color drained a little more from Nina’s face with every word she spoke.

By the time Jessie had finished, Nina, who was already pale, looked as if her soul had been drained from her body. Yet, under the weight of the confused and questioning stares from everyone around her, a deep blush of shame spread across her cheeks. Her face alternated between ashen and crimson.

After she spoke, Jessie Sterling watched Nina Walsh’s reaction and knew she wouldn’t humiliate herself further by asking what right Jessie had to suspect her. If Jessie really laid out the evidence, she was sure Nina wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Nina Walsh ran off in tears.

Not wanting someone so unworthy to ruin her appetite, Jessie Sterling went back to her meal.

Roman Lynch instinctively stood up as if to chase after her, but Serena Lynch spoke before he could move. “Roman Lynch, don’t you dare embarrass me.”

Roman Lynch, who had barely lifted himself a millimeter off his seat, met Serena Lynch’s dead-serious gaze. He hesitated for a moment before sinking back into his chair.

Their family had already done more than enough for Nina Walsh. If he were to chase after her now, it would be a slap in the face not only to Jessie Sterling, but to Victor Morgan as well.

Serena Lynch’s words were both a threat and a warning.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep