Chapter 95: Chapter 84: Concealment

Victor Sterling’s question was a simple one, but for some reason, an image flashed through Shane Sterling’s mind: Chloe Kerr’s cold body lying in the morgue. Her life, which should have been filled with infinite possibilities, had ended unjustly, reduced to ashes in an urn.

After a few seconds of deliberation, Shane Sterling chose what he considered the safest answer: “This is Silas’s sister.”

Isla Prescott knew the middle-aged man before her was Shane Sterling’s father, so when she heard Shane’s introduction, a sharp pang of disappointment struck her heart.

’Am I someone he’s ashamed of?’

’Why could Shane Sterling openly admit they were together in front of her mother, Susan Dudley, but be so secretive in front of his own father?’

“No wonder you look a little familiar.” Victor Sterling offered a kindly smile and remarked, “The little girl has grown into a young woman.”

Isla Prescott forced a smile and nodded at Victor Sterling in greeting.

“Isla, don’t you have work to do?” Shane Sterling gestured to the laptop in Isla Prescott’s hands, his tone polite yet distant. “You should get back to it. When you have time, have your brother join us for a get-together.”

He kept bringing up Silas Lockwood to draw a line between them in front of his father. Isla Prescott found it bitterly ironic. Not wanting to linger, she simply said, “Okay,” and prepared to leave.

Just as she turned to leave, she saw a woman in a red dress walk out of the Tianzi Suite.

Isla Prescott had seen this woman before. It was the one she had met on Surfsong Island—Shane Sterling’s former sister-in-law, Genevieve Quincy.

As Isla Prescott walked away, she strained her ears to catch the conversation behind her.

She heard Genevieve Quincy call Victor Sterling “Uncle Sterling.” Victor’s tone was gentle as he asked her, “How was your chat with Sean?” Genevieve replied, “It went very well.” Victor said with satisfaction, “You’re more sensible than your sister. Since you two are getting along, you should pursue this and get engaged soon.”

Shane Sterling remained silent the entire time.

Isla Prescott’s breathing hitched.

’So he was on a blind date. No wonder he was in such a hurry to send me away.’

—

Isla Prescott had come to the hotel to meet with an advertiser.

Annabelle Leighton had arrived before her. By the time Isla Prescott entered the private room, Annabelle was already in a lively discussion with the advertiser.

Suppressing her emotions, Isla Prescott greeted everyone with a smile and took a seat beside Annabelle Leighton.

She had just sat down when her phone buzzed.

It was a text from Shane Sterling: “Wait for me to get back. I’ll explain.”

’Explain?’

’What was there left to explain?’

Staring at the message, Isla Prescott’s eyes slowly misted over.

Annabelle Leighton sensed her emotional state and leaned over to ask softly, “You just went to the car to get your laptop. Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”

With the clients present, it was too complicated to explain in just a few words, so Isla Prescott could only shake her head. “I’m fine.”

Annabelle Leighton didn’t press the issue. Instead, she took on the task of entertaining the clients, handling all the toasts and small talk so Isla wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.

By the end of the dinner, the advertising deal was more or less settled. The group moved to a hotel conference room to sign the agreement. After the contract was signed, the last of Isla Prescott’s forced composure crumbled. She said to Annabelle Leighton, “Annie, I’m heading back first.”

Annabelle Leighton saw how pale she was and nodded. “Alright, go get some rest. Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

Isla Prescott went home, took a shower, and began to wait for Shane Sterling.

The minutes and seconds ticked by. She waited until the middle of the night, but Shane Sterling still hadn’t returned.

’Where did he go?’

’What is he doing?’

’Is he really getting engaged?’

These speculations, combined with the torment of waiting, pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe and impossible to find peace.

Isla Prescott wanted to call Shane Sterling, but she was afraid he was still with Genevieve Quincy. She didn’t want to become the clown who interrupted their private moment.

The night was like a sheet of rice paper soaked in black ink, and her thoughts sprawled across it in a tangled mess that only grew more chaotic the more she tried to sort through them.

The same feeling of insecurity she’d had when she was dating Silas Lockwood surged back up again. It felt as if countless tiny insects were gnawing at her heart, leaving her restless and unable to settle.

The night stretched on, long and endless. She was trapped within it, with no idea when she would see the light of dawn.

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