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Chapter 39: Chapter 39: No One Is Worth It

”Mia, she’s not a good person!”

Mia Rhodes was well aware that Lynn Winslow wasn’t a good person, but for now, all she could do was placate Aiden Powell. She was afraid that if he went home angry, the Powell family would find out and the situation would become unmanageable.

”Aiden, our cousin is the sole young lady of the Winslow family, after all. She’s different from us. She just has a difficult personality, so don’t be angry with her. If you tell Grandpa, I’m afraid he’ll get upset.”

”Don’t worry, Mia. I won’t tell Grandpa,” Aiden Powell said with a smile to Mia Rhodes.

Lynn Winslow grew tired of sitting on the sofa. She stood up, stretched, and called for Mrs. Sterling to go shopping with her.

Mrs. Sterling was a little confused. Lynn Winslow had been cooped up at home for days, having her clothes and jewelry specially delivered. Why the sudden urge to go shopping?

Lynn Winslow’s reply was: ”The whole point of ’going out shopping’ is the ’going out.’ Mrs. Sterling, you came all the way to Quartos with me and haven’t had a chance to enjoy yourself. Let’s go together today. We’ll get your hair done, get a manicure, what do you say?”

Mrs. Sterling hesitated, but Lynn Winslow hugged her arm and pleaded coaxingly, ”I know we can just have people come to us, but going out is a different kind of fun! Come on, let’s go.”

”Alright, you’re the boss. I’ll go change next door.” Mrs. Sterling patted her hand with a sigh of resignation and went to the adjacent room.

Lynn Winslow changed into a simple short-sleeved top and long pants, too lazy to dress up any further.

When Mrs. Sterling saw her, she was taken aback and said with heartfelt concern, ”Lynn, you can’t just let yourself go because you’re in a bad mood.”

Lynn Winslow covered her mouth and chuckled. ”Oh, I’ve just gotten lazy from being at home so long,” she said softly. ”I don’t feel like dressing up. I’m hardly letting myself go.”

Only then did Mrs. Sterling relax. Lynn Winslow lowered her gaze and murmured, ”No one is worth me letting myself go.”

Mrs. Sterling didn’t quite hear her, but Lynn Winslow just smiled and shook her head.

The largest mall in Quartos was near Amberly Bay. The two of them strolled around casually. Lynn Winslow bought Mrs. Sterling several outfits and pieces of jewelry, and she also thought of Holly Joyce, who had returned to Morelia a few days prior, buying her the same items.

Lynn Winslow was looking down at the custom-designed jewelry in the display case, her expression placid, making it impossible to tell if she liked it or not.

Although she was dressed simply, her clothes were custom-tailored, and she wore a limited-edition bracelet. The sales associate had a sharp eye and waited on her respectfully.

Suddenly, Mrs. Sterling poked her twice. Lynn Winslow looked up and saw Ian Sterling trailing behind an elegant lady.

Ian Sterling’s hair had been dyed back to its natural color. He wore thin, silver-framed glasses, a black shirt, and black pants. His gaze was indifferent, but he seemed startled for a moment when his eyes met hers.

”I asked you to come shopping with me, and look at that unhappy face. I’ve doted on you for nothing.”

”The designer of this shop is a good friend of mine. I quite like her design style, so I thought I’d come show some support. You can go back to the office once we’re done.”

Lynn Winslow lowered her gaze, breaking eye contact, and turned to look at other items. Mrs. Sterling had no choice but to follow her.

When Nina Norton saw Ian Sterling remain silent, she frowned at her youngest son. Noticing him staring blankly at a girl’s retreating figure, she understood.

Nina Norton hesitated for a moment, then started toward Lynn Winslow. Ian Sterling grabbed her arm, his voice low. ”What are you doing?”

”I’m going to say hello. After all, she used to live in the same compound as your grandfather back when she was with the Powell family. Don’t tell me I’m not even qualified to greet her?” Nina Norton’s tone was undeniably passive-aggressive.

”Just don’t cause trouble, okay, Mom?”

Nina Norton opened her mouth to speak but stopped when she saw Lynn Winslow walk past them, silently exiting the store as if she hadn’t seen them at all.

Seeing Lynn Winslow’s spirits clearly fall, Mrs. Sterling said softly, ”Mrs. Sterling is here too. Why didn’t you say hello to them?”

”There’s no need. They might not want to see me.” Lynn Winslow curved her lips into a faint smile, glanced back one more time, and let out a breath.

’Since that day, I haven’t contacted Ian Sterling, and he hasn’t contacted me. I can’t be bothered to guess what he’s thinking, so I have no desire to seek him out.’

”This is fine, too. Once everything is taken care of, we’ll go back. Quartos is really not that interesting.” Lynn Winslow leaned against Mrs. Sterling affectionately. ”Morelia is more fun. All my good friends are there, and that idiot Zane Lancaster, too.”

”Yes, it is.” Mrs. Sterling breathed a sigh of relief, going along with her. Lynn Winslow then pulled her into a styling salon and told the stylist, ”Something that makes her look young, a little like a high-society lady. Basically, just make her as beautiful as possible.”

Two bodyguards followed them, each carrying several shopping bags from various designer brands. The stylist, naturally, didn’t dare to be dismissive and said respectfully, ”Right away, Miss.”

Lynn Winslow lounged on the sofa while she waited, in an excellent mood. She crossed her legs, swinging one foot as she played on her phone.

Just then, a chorus of welcomes came from the front desk. Lynn Winslow frowned slightly at the sound.

”Welcome, Mrs. Sterling.”

Nina Norton saw her, too, and could only think, ’What a coincidence.’

This time, Lynn Winslow had no way out. She had to look up and stand. ”Mrs. Sterling, it’s been a while.” She then looked at Ian Sterling, her lips curling into a smile as she greeted him, ”Hello, Finn.”

She acted as if she barely knew the mother and son. Now Nina Norton had no grounds for a confrontation and could only offer a dignified smile. ”Miss Winslow.”

Mrs. Sterling’s hair was done. Lynn Winslow said softly, ”We won’t disturb you any longer. Goodbye.”

Mrs. Sterling gave the pair a cold nod. As she and Lynn walked to the front desk to pay, the receptionist, who had just seen Lynn greet Nina Norton, asked, ”Do you know Mrs. Sterling and Mr. Sterling?”

Lynn Winslow shook her head. ”We’ve met, but we’re not close.” She handed her card to the receptionist and said bluntly, ”Just charge us the normal amount.”

The message was clear: there was no need to give her a discount in front of the Sterlings as a way to curry favor with them; they weren’t close.

The receptionist, momentarily awkward, took the card with both hands.

Ian Sterling’s expression turned ugly. He watched helplessly as Lynn Winslow left and was about to go after her when Nina Norton pulled him back.

Nina Norton warned, ”She’s already made herself clear. Are you still going to shamelessly chase after her? You’ll be the death of me.”

”Mom, let go.” Ian Sterling’s tone was urgent.

”Fine. Go after her. But even if you tell your father about my photo with that young celebrity, I will still go talk to Lynn Winslow. I want to ask her just how she plans to hurt my son this time!”

Ian Sterling pressed his lips together as he looked at Nina Norton. She snorted coldly and continued, ”I’m not kidding, Finn. Mom will not forgive her.”

Unaware of the drama between mother and son, Lynn Winslow walked out of the salon. Mrs. Sterling suggested they go home.

After getting home, Lynn Winslow carried Kiki upstairs. She took a shower, changed into her pajamas, drew the curtains, tucked Kiki into the blankets, and prepared to catch up on sleep.

Mrs. Sterling sat on the sofa, her face etched with worry, sighing to herself.

The phone in her pocket rang. She took it out, and her heart seized with anxiety.

It was a call from Mr. Winslow.

Mrs. Sterling answered. Mr. Winslow immediately asked, ”Mrs. Sterling, where is my precious granddaughter? Her phone seems to be off.”

Fearing he might detect that something was amiss, Mrs. Sterling put on a cheerful voice. ”Lynn and I just went shopping. She got back a little while ago and went to her room to catch up on sleep. Is something wrong? If it’s urgent, I can go wake her.”