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Chapter 136: Chapter 136: The Only Benefit

Mr. Shaw, his face still red with anger, saw the butler and snapped, ”Is there anything else?”

The butler smiled. ”Mr. Shaw, my master said that from now on, the Shaw family is not to visit Aerie Garden again. If there’s something you need to discuss, you can arrange to meet elsewhere. As for our eldest young master’s wife, she is a Sterling now. You and Mrs. Shaw no longer need to concern yourselves with her.”

Mr. Shaw trembled with rage, wishing he could rip the man’s mouth right off his face, but he didn’t dare.

The Sterling family’s status in Quartos was not easily challenged, and they were certainly not a family the Shaws could afford to provoke.

Unable to endure the humiliation any longer, Mrs. Shaw grabbed Mr. Shaw and pulled him quickly into the car.

The butler remained standing where he was, his eyes filled with contempt as he watched them drive away.

When Elias Sterling got home and heard what happened, he thought for the first time that his younger brother was actually quite considerate.

”Finn, ask for anything you want. I’ll make it happen.”

Ian Sterling propped his chin on his hand and looked at him with a light laugh. ”Really?”

Elias hummed in agreement. ”Just don’t get too carried away.”

”I haven’t decided yet. I’ll let you know when I think of something.” Ian Sterling picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and placed it in Elias’s bowl. The gesture made Elias feel that something was off.

Lynn Winslow laughed as she ate. It was clear Ian Sterling was up to no good, and only a tolerant older brother like Elias would put up with him.

Sophia Shaw felt nothing for her family; if she had to name an emotion, it would be hatred. At that moment, she looked at Ian Sterling as if he were her own dear younger brother.

She thanked him sincerely, ”Finn, thank you.”

Ian Sterling gave a tight-lipped smile, his attitude toward his sister-in-law still proper. ”We’re family now.”

”Sophia, in our eyes, you are our own daughter. In the eyes of the younger ones, you’re their sister. Don’t be so formal with us in the future.” Nina Norton was also very pleased with her younger son’s actions that day.

After dinner, Ian Sterling and Lynn Winslow went for a stroll in the garden.

Lynn Winslow walked backward, pulling on Ian Sterling’s hand. He held her steady, worried she might fall.

”You and Stella Shaw... were you two close in the past?”

Ian Sterling chuckled. ”Judging by your attitude today, I thought you didn’t care.”

Lynn Winslow rolled her eyes and snorted. ”Not caring is one thing, but I still want to know.”

Ian Sterling gave a gentle pull, drawing Lynn Winslow into his embrace. He smiled and said, ”She came to my house to play sometimes when we were little. I found her pretty annoying. The moment she arrived, I’d leave to find Jasper Jennings and the others. How could I have possibly known her well?”

Lynn Winslow narrowed her eyes, studying him. Ian Sterling met her gaze calmly. After a long moment, Lynn leaned forward and kissed the corner of his lips.

Ian Sterling was just about to raise his hand to deepen the kiss when he heard footsteps from behind.

He had to abandon the idea and glanced over his shoulder at the newcomer.

The butler walked up with a smile and said in a low voice, ”Finn, Miss Winslow, Mrs. Jennings and Mr. Jennings have arrived. The madam sent me to call for you.”

”I know,” Ian Sterling said flatly.

The butler saw how close they were and knew he had probably disturbed them. He gave an awkward smile and turned back toward the villa.

Lynn Winslow heard Ian Sterling’s faint sigh and chuckled. ”Really?”

”Of course, really,” Ian Sterling said, taking her hand as they started back. He leaned in and whispered, ”Can you leave your door unlocked for me tonight?”

”Absolutely not.” Lynn Winslow swung his hand. ”Your mother said we’re not allowed to stay together.”

Ian Sterling pursed his lips, a pleading note in his voice. ”I’ll sneak over and be back in my own room before morning. My parents will never find out.”

Lynn Winslow pulled her hand away from his. ”In your dreams.”

She trotted ahead, and Ian caught up in a few quick steps, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. The two of them playfully horsed around as they made their way back to the villa.

Jasper Jennings, sitting in an armchair, heard them coming from a distance and chuckled. ”You can tell he has a girlfriend now. Finn has really mellowed out.”

”Yes,” said Nina Norton. ”He seems more human.”

Mrs. Jennings laughed at that. ”You can’t talk about your own son that way.”

”Look who’s talking, Norton. You never pull any punches with me,” Jasper Jennings muttered, pouting. By then, Ian Sterling and Lynn Winslow had already walked in.

Ian Sterling greeted Mrs. Jennings first, then gave Jasper Jennings’s foot a light kick. ”So you finally have time to visit my house. I still haven’t settled the score with you for spouting nonsense last time.”

Jasper Jennings rolled his eyes, his expression a clear ’do your worst.’

Mrs. Jennings had Lynn Winslow sit next to her, looking at her with growing fondness. She said to Nina Norton, ”I just adore both of your daughters-in-law.”

Nina Norton lifted her chin proudly, boasting, ”What can I say? I’m just fortunate.”

Mrs. Jennings shot a sharp glance at Jasper Jennings. ”Look at this son of mine,” she said with distaste. ”He has nothing to offer. Finn is much more considerate.”

”Not at all, not at all. Jasper is wonderful, too. He took over the company at such a young age. Unlike my Finn, who never does a lick of serious work. His only redeeming quality is that he found me a good daughter-in-law.”

Lynn Winslow couldn’t tell if the two mothers were being sincere or just exchanging pleasantries as they flattered each other, so she simply smiled without joining in.

As for Jasper Jennings and Ian Sterling, they were off to the side, trading barbs. If words could kill, it would have been a bloody scene.

After a bit of conversation, Mrs. Jennings revealed the purpose of her visit.

”I was recently in the mountains doing some poverty relief work. You all know what life is like over there. I was thinking we could hold a charity gala. Each of the prominent families in Quartos could donate an item, and all the money from the auction would be donated to the cause. It’s the least we can do to help.”

Nina Norton nodded approvingly. ”That’s a great idea. Let’s do it. We’ll do it together.”

”Perfect,” Mrs. Jennings chuckled. Lynn Winslow, having listened to the exchange, spoke for the first time. ”Mrs. Jennings, I have some jewelry I brought from Morelia. It was all worn by Morelian aristocrats in the last century. They’re just sitting in storage right now, so I’d be happy to donate them.”

Mrs. Jennings let out a small gasp and patted Lynn Winslow’s hand in surprise. ”Oh, you should keep those for yourself.”

”I have no use for them, and I’m not particularly fond of that style. They’re just decorations sitting there,” Lynn Winslow said with a gentle smile and a soft voice. ”Don’t worry, I have plenty more. I won’t miss a few pieces.”

Mrs. Jennings knew she could spare the pieces, but to be so generous without a second thought made her all the more envious. She said to Nina Norton, ”Look at this daughter-in-law of yours. I’m actually getting jealous.”

Nina Norton beamed, feeling prouder than anyone else in the room.

Mrs. Jennings and Jasper Jennings chatted for a while longer. As they were leaving, Jasper asked Ian Sterling, ”I’m heading to Nys later. You and Lynn want to come?”

”Not going,” Ian Sterling refused flatly.

Jasper Jennings rolled his eyes, said goodbye to Nina Norton, and left.

Lynn Winslow came forward and linked her arm with Ian Sterling’s. ”Why don’t you want to go?”

”I don’t want to.” Ian Sterling shook his head, then leaned in and whispered, ”Instead of going out, I’d rather continue our conversation about me visiting your room tonight.”