เข้าสู่ระบบOnce Prescott had gone upstairsRosalind leaned against Winston, voice soft. "When I was in Rivermouth, I heard your late wife wanted to rebuild Grace Chapel. I'm not sure if construction's started. If it hasn't yet, I'd like to have Owen come ask you for a blessing token for the family."Winston's eyes narrowed. "You know I don't put stock in that kind of thing."Rosalind rested a hand on his chest. "Of course I know you don't believe in it. But you've been losing your temper so often lately, it worries me sick. I just want something to put my own mind at ease."Winston frowned. "What chapel did you say that was?""Grace Chapel."His eyes narrowed further, his expression turning serious. "Grace Chapel. Who funded that?""She's always been devout, since she was a girl," Rosalind said. "It's her faith. No family money went into it. No company funds either."Winston rose.Climbed the stairs without another word.Robin finally found Lily.She rushed over in a panic.Took her hand. "When
At thatAdrian's mouth curved faintly, his voice low but steady. "She won't sign. And even if she doesn't, she'll still look after Milo the way she always has. Whatever you offered her won't be enough to make her bend. Your little scheme's already failed."Winston let out a cold, bottomless laugh."Fine," he said. "Since you insist on defying me let's see what family discipline has to say about it."Adrian's expression didn't shift.Winston barked, "Prescott. Bring the strap."Prescott came in carrying a leather whip.He looked at Adrian, torn. "Young master, please don't push him any further. Would it really cost you so much to apologize?"Adrian closed his eyes. "Get on with it."Prescott had nothing more to say.Winston jabbed a finger at his son. "Whip him! I'll beat him until he begs for mercy if that's what it takes. Don't hold back!"Prescott's hand shook.He couldn't bring himself to do it.One halfhearted strike.Winston snapped, "Did you skip breakfast? Give it here."Presco
Lily managed a faint smile.So this is what they were building toward.Step into the Sterling family as "eldest young mistress," and she'd become, in truth, the Sterling family's widow.She'd become Adrian's... sister-in-law.Rosalind kept at it, gentle as ever. "We're not saying you have to stay a widow for our eldest son forever, Ms. Ashford. This is only for Milo's sake. If the right man comes along one day, we would never stand in your way."Lily said nothing.Winston cut in, impatient. "Well? Why won't you just agree?""Let her think it through properly," Rosalind said, a touch of reproach in her voice. "Why don't you step out and let me talk with her alone."Winston rose, irritated.Left the room.Rosalind took his seat and leaned in, earnest. "Ms. Ashford, I understand your situation better than you'd think. I've thought this through carefully, for Winston's sake and it's good for you, for Milo, and for Adrian too."Lily drew a slow breath."I'm not trying to look down on you,"
Marcus followed Milo into the room.The ward was already empty.Only faint signs of a struggle remained.Marcus went rigid with alarm.Fumbled for his phone and called Adrian, panicked.Elsewhere.Wesley Shaw had just been hauled off and dumped in a corner of the hospital's first floor by two broad-shouldered men in suits.They warned him, flatly, to get lost.Then vanished without another word.Wesley pushed himself slowly up off the ground.Rubbed a hand across his forehead.Who were they?Why would they be protecting Lily?He was completely at a loss.He drew a long breath, made his way to the parking lot, got into his car, and sat there smoking three cigarettes in a row before his shaking hands finally steadied on the wheel.He gripped it hard and pulled out fast.Halfway there.His phone rang Harold Cole."Wesley, you need to come see Melanie right away," Harold said, earnest. "Ever since Lily turned up, Melanie's locked herself in her room hasn't had a drop of water or a single
The old man wasn't made for subtlety.He said it plainly, almost offhand. "Adrian's taken a fancy to a woman Milo's guardian. She and her husband just filed the divorce, haven't gotten the papers yet. That's why he never boarded that flight to Rivermouth."He said it the way he might mention dinner plans.But every word landed hard on the third wife.Winston frowned. "What are you staring at? Say something."Rosalind thought it over.Her eyes shifted.She leaned in and murmured something against his ear.A glint sparked in Winston's eyes.He laughed, full and hearty.Raised a hand.Pulled her against his shoulder. "Good. Good girl, you really are sharp. I'll have a bag ordered for you tomorrow."Rosalind lit up with delight.She nestled against him, bashful. "I just hate seeing you so gloomy all the time. It's bad for your health, you know. Who cares about bags your being happy means more to me than any number of them."Winston smiled.Rosalind pressed her lips together and pushed her
"At the hospital," Adrian said.Winston's voice sharpened. "You get back here within the half hour.""I'm not coming back," Adrian said, quiet.Winston's breathing turned heavy.Even through the phone.Every bit of it came through clear."If that's all," Adrian said, "I'm hanging up."Winston's voice rose suddenly. "Adrian. Are you trying to drive me into an early grave? Will you finally be satisfied once I'm dead?""It's late," Adrian said. "Get some rest."Winston's fury had nowhere to land.And in its own forceTurned back on him.He felt it in his chest, his liver, a sharp twist of pain. "Fine. Fine, then. Don't bother coming home at all, for the rest of your life."A crash.The call cut off.He'd likely thrown the phone.Adrian pocketed his, expression unreadable, and stood at the window a while longer.By the time he stepped back into the roomLily had woken up."You're up already? Want some water?"She shook her head. "You're not going back?"He sat.Said, low, "Milo's got peop







