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Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Secretly a Little Princess Who Needs to Be Coaxed

Ian Sterling opened his eyes, which were filled with confusion. What he had experienced three years ago was simply too painful.

But seeing her cry in front of him, he felt, was even more unbearable than the pain from three years ago.

”As long as you’re not afraid, just give it another try.” Seeing his state, Zachary Quincy made the decision for him.

”No.”

After a long pause, Ian Sterling calmly uttered a single word. Sitting up straight, he took the drink Zachary Quincy handed him and downed it in one go. He swallowed, then paused before saying, ”I don’t want to make the same mistake twice.”

’He was just petty, just unable to forget.’ So even when he did things he couldn’t control—like taking that bouquet back to his office, or like just now, holding Lynn Winslow and apologizing—he still suppressed any thought of getting back together.

After throwing up in the bathroom, Lynn Winslow had sobered up considerably. Leaning on the sink, she tried to recall what had happened while she was drunk. Aside from that Mr. Wyatt who had harassed her, the only thing she could remember was the scene of herself crying inconsolably in Ian Sterling’s arms.

So many people had been watching. Lynn Winslow glared at her reflection, then splashed some water on her face. The blush she thought had faded came rushing back. ’Even though I want everyone to know I’m pursuing Ian Sterling, I don’t want to make a fool of myself!’

She just wanted to go home now. Walking out of the restroom with her head hanging low, she said to Manager Sawyer, ”I’m going home. Could you please let them know?”

Manager Sawyer was stunned for a moment, but could only say, ”Of course. Please go home and get some rest.”

Lynn Winslow nodded and left, dejected. Her two bodyguards hurried after her. Once they were out of the bar and it was quiet, one of them asked as they walked, ”Miss, are you all right? Should we have Dr. Joyce check on you when we get back?”

”I’m fine,” Lynn Winslow said, her voice low. She let out a faint sigh.

”That Mr. Wyatt tonight... I’m afraid he’ll cause trouble tomorrow. Should we contact Mr. Winslow?” the bodyguard asked quietly.

’He didn’t think the bar’s owner, the one they called Mr. Jennings, would actually handle this. When it came down to it, they’d still have to contact Mr. Winslow.’

Lynn Winslow glanced back at the neon-lit bar, pursed her lips, and said, ”No need. Jasper Jennings will probably take care of it.”

She got into the car, biting her lip in frustration. ’I shouldn’t have come out tonight.’

Lynn Winslow didn’t leave the house at all the next day. The flight from Morelia to Quartos took more than ten hours, arriving on the morning of what was now the third day.

Having stayed in all of yesterday, Lynn Winslow had already sorted through her thoughts. Now that her precious cat was about to arrive, she cheerfully instructed her driver to take her to the airport.

Zane Lancaster was very considerate. Fearing the cargo hold would be too stressful for Lynn Winslow’s cat, he pulled some strings and had his assistant escort the cat on a first-class flight.

The plane hadn’t landed yet when Lynn Winslow arrived at the airport, so she went to the VIP lounge to wait.

But then she turned her head, and out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the very person she’d been longing to see.

He was leaning back in an armchair, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants. He had a cool, languid air about him, exuding an aloofness that warned strangers to keep their distance. With his arms crossed, he was leaning against the back of the chair with his eyes closed, resting. A man in a suit sat primly beside him, who looked like he must be Ian Sterling’s secretary.

Lynn Winslow pursed her lips, shot a look at the bodyguards following her, and walked over, quietly sitting down on the sofa on Ian Sterling’s other side.

The secretary, Eugene Chandler, glanced at her, a little wary that this pretty young woman might be trying to hit on his boss, as this was a common occurrence.

Before he could speak, he heard the young woman call out his boss’s name in a soft voice.

”Ian Sterling, what a coincidence.”

Ian Sterling lifted his gaze, his eyes still holding a trace of dazedness and lingering sleepiness. When he saw Lynn Winslow, his heart gave a sudden, violent leap, making him feel as if it were about to jump out of his chest.

Lynn Winslow bit her lip gently, explaining in a fluster, ”I didn’t follow you. I’m here for something else.”

”Mm,” Ian Sterling responded faintly. He lowered his gaze, sat up straight, and said calmly, ”It is a coincidence.”

Feeling a little nervous, Lynn Winslow quietly exhaled and asked, ”What are you doing here? Picking someone up?”

”Mm,” Ian Sterling replied, his tone still cold.

”Can you not be so cold to me?” Lynn Winslow really couldn’t stand him being like this. Ever since she arrived in Veridia and reunited with him, even his sarcastic remarks were better than this cold indifference that made her panic.

Only then did Ian Sterling look up at her, his dark pupils reflecting only her image. After a brief silence, he said calmly, ”Lynn Winslow, let’s not see each other anymore. I’m not getting back together with you.”

Lynn Winslow froze completely. Her expression went blank for a moment, and when she came to her senses, she realized she was trembling all over. She swallowed drily, stood up, and pretending to be calm, asked him, ”Why? Is it because of what happened three years ago? I really had my reasons back then. You should have sensed something was wrong. I...”

”Whatever the reason, I can’t get over it,” Ian Sterling interrupted her.

”No way. Ian Sterling, a big part of the reason I came to Quartos was for you. You know my personality best; I won’t give up like this. Besides, you can’t control me. I’ll pursue you if I want to, and if I can’t win you over, I’ll just do what I did that other day—have someone intercept you and lock you up until you agree to get back with me!” Lynn Winslow’s hurt expression tightened. The grievance and confusion in her eyes faded, gradually replaced by stubbornness as she spoke in a fit of pique.

Upon hearing this, Ian Sterling’s brows furrowed tightly, and his jaw clenched. He had just opened his mouth to speak when he saw Lynn Winslow bite her lip, turn, and storm away. Seeing this, the two bodyguards glanced at Ian Sterling before jogging to catch up with Lynn.

”What a nasty temper!” Ian Sterling fumed. Eugene Chandler averted his gaze. ’I’ve been with Ian Sterling for over two years,’ he thought. ’I know my boss. This young master of the Sterling Family, a pampered prince among the elites of Quartos, only seems lazy and rebellious on the surface, as if nothing and no one matters. But deep down, he’s like a little princess who needs to be coddled.’

’He must be secretly pleased right now,’ Eugene Chandler couldn’t help but think. ’So this is the boss’s unforgettable love, the one he’s been longing for.’

Lynn Winslow stormed out of the lounge, but she couldn’t resist looking back to glare one more time. The way she gritted her teeth made her two bodyguards a little nervous.

”Miss, why don’t we wait in another lounge? I see the plane is about to land. We should be able to pick up Master Kiki soon,” a bodyguard carefully suggested.

Lynn Winslow pouted, gave a ”Hmph,” and decided not to go to another lounge at all, instead finding a seat directly in the arrivals hall.

The bodyguards exchanged a look and could only stand beside her and wait.

A short while later, a man pushing a pet carrier on wheels walked over. The bodyguard saw him first and leaned down to tell the still-sulking Lynn Winslow, ”Miss, Master Kiki has arrived.”

Hearing this, Lynn Winslow’s head snapped up. When she saw the little cat head peeking out from the pet carrier, she felt her heart melt.

She stood up and jogged over, her voice involuntarily changing, becoming soft and delicate as she drew out the word, ”Baby~”

Kiki meowed at her a few times, the sound soft and cute, a mix of complaint and affection. Lynn Winslow felt her heart melt all over again at the sound, and all thoughts of Ian Sterling were tossed aside.

”Oh, my baby, let me pet you.”