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Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Lynn Fell Asleep

Fathers always seem to find something to dislike about their daughter’s boyfriends.

Wyatt Winslow was no exception. But since Ian Sterling had come with Lynn to visit his father—and had even arranged for a private jet—he couldn’t very well give him the cold shoulder.

Ian Sterling didn’t mind Wyatt Winslow’s somewhat cool reception. He rubbed the tip of his nose and went to find the housekeeper.

Lynn Winslow finally remembered them and felt a little embarrassed.

When Elder Winslow saw Mr. Powell sitting off to the side with a smile, he was truly taken aback.

”Well now, if it isn’t my old in-law!”

”That’s right. I’ve been sitting here for ages, and you only just noticed me. After all these years, did you finally forget me?”

”How could I?”

”Why not? It’s not like you ever try to get in touch.”

Lynn Winslow wiped her tears away and gave a helpless smile as she listened to the two old men bicker.

Right on cue, Ian Sterling came over with a cold towel and pressed it to Lynn Winslow’s eyes, muttering, ”You’ve basically been a human waterworks these last two days.”

”No, I haven’t. I only cried twice.”

Ian Sterling scoffed twice but didn’t argue about how many times she had cried. He just instructed her, ”No more crying from now on, okay?”

He couldn’t bring himself to say anything mushy, but honestly, seeing Lynn Winslow cry made him feel worse than anyone.

”I can’t make any promises. What if you make me mad, or something else happens?”

”If you cry again, I’ll have to smack you,” Ian Sterling whispered into Lynn Winslow’s ear, his tone completely serious.

”...”

Lynn Winslow blinked. ”You’ve got some nerve, threatening to smack me right in front of my parents and both my grandfathers.”

”That’s right. I’d dare to actually do it, so you think I’m afraid to say it?”

Lynn Winslow’s eyes widened, filled only with curiosity. She whispered conspiratorially, ”Why don’t you give it a try? I want to see how they’d react.”

Ian Sterling rolled his eyes. He wasn’t that stupid. It was one thing to talk big, but he would never actually do it. He still wanted a wife, didn’t he?

It was already late, so the housekeeper had the chef prepare a late-night snack for them. Taking Mr. Powell’s appetite into consideration, they made Chinese-style dishes, and the group had a little to eat.

Lynn Winslow watched Elder Winslow, who was actively avoiding her gaze, and let out a soft huff. ’I’m not going to settle the score with him now,’ she thought. ’It won’t be too late to deal with him tomorrow, when we’re all wide awake.’

She didn’t say anything else. However, during the meal, she had the housekeeper pour Elder Winslow a glass of warm water and made him watch from the side, forbidding him from taking even a single bite.

Elder Winslow had been too nervous to eat much for dinner, and now he was trapped, unable to leave. All he could do was watch the others eat.

Wyatt Winslow lowered his head and smiled, not saying a word in Elder Winslow’s defense. The others didn’t dare provoke Lynn, who was clearly bottling up a storm of anger. It was Ian Sterling who, after catching Elder Winslow’s pleading gaze, cleared his throat and said to Lynn, ”Lynn, Mr. Winslow isn’t feeling well right now. Why don’t we let him go back and rest?”

Lynn Winslow glanced at Ian Sterling first. Just as he was starting to feel a little nervous, she turned her gaze to Elder Winslow.

”Grandpa, are you tired?”

Elder Winslow nodded. Lynn Winslow put down her chopsticks. ”Then let me walk you back to your room.”

”No need!” After the two words burst out, Elder Winslow realized his reaction had been a bit much. He coughed and said, ”I’ll just have your father walk me back.”

Lynn Winslow just said, ”Oh,” and sat back down, resuming her meal in silence, offering no objections.

Wyatt Winslow remained in his seat, unwilling to move. Elder Winslow stood up, grabbed him, and started dragging him out of the dining room. ”You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” he said as they walked. ”Watching me get a lecture from my own granddaughter.”

”I am,” Wyatt Winslow admitted. ”You’ve been a tyrant your whole life. Now that there’s finally someone who can keep you in line, of course I’m happy.”

”You brat!”

Only after the two of them had walked away did Lynn Winslow look up. Any trace of dissatisfaction was gone, replaced by pure amusement.

Ian Sterling placed some food on her plate and said with a smile, ”There you go, bullying people again.”

”I did not. Grandpa just has a guilty conscience. What does that have to do with me?”

Lynn Winslow pressed her lips together to suppress a smile. Nearby, Cecilia Powell and Mr. Powell watched her with fond indulgence.

After the meal, everyone retired to their rooms to rest. Ian Sterling, however, took Lynn Winslow’s hand and led her on a walk along the covered corridor in the back garden.

Lynn Winslow had been on edge for two days. No matter how much reassurance others offered, nothing compared to seeing it with her own eyes. Now that she had seen her grandfather was safe and sound, the tension finally drained from her. She was exhausted, yet her mind felt strangely alert.

Ian Sterling wrapped an arm around her, letting her lean against him so she wouldn’t be so tired.

”Relieved now?”

Lynn Winslow hummed in agreement, then stopped and wrapped her arms around Ian Sterling’s waist, murmuring, ”You have no idea how scared I was.”

Growing up, her grandfather was the only constant presence in her life. He protected her from all harm and disappointment, giving her the paternal and maternal love she lacked. No matter where she went, people arranged by her grandfather were there to watch over her. The moment she felt the slightest bit of discomfort, he would notice before she even had to open her mouth.

Ian Sterling might not have fully understood the feeling, but he couldn’t help the way his heart ached for her.

”It’s okay. Everything will be fine from now on. You don’t just have the love of your grandfathers—your parents will dote on you, too. And that goes without saying for my mom and dad. If you weren’t around, they probably wouldn’t even give me the time of day.”

Lynn Winslow looked up at him. ”That’s not true. Doesn’t your mom dote on you the most? Your older brother and sister always came second.”

”...”

Ian Sterling laughed in exasperation and pinched Lynn Winslow’s cheek. He used a little force, making Lynn yelp, ”Ow, ow, ow.”

”It’s supposed to hurt,” Ian Sterling said with a smirk. Lynn Winslow looked up at him with watery eyes, and only then did he retract his hand, half-embracing her as he guided her back.

”Back we go. Time for bed.”

Lynn Winslow didn’t want to go to sleep, but Ian Sterling was using a bit of force, and she couldn’t physically resist. She resorted to whining, ”Baby, just a little longer, please?”

”No waiting. Back to bed and lie down.” Ian Sterling’s words and actions were non-negotiable. ”Have you forgotten? Aunt Flo is still visiting. I suppose staying up late doesn’t bother you at all, right?”

Lynn Winslow pouted. ”It rarely bothers me.”

”Doesn’t matter. Back you go.”

Lynn Winslow let out a long, drawn-out ”Awwww,” as she was helplessly prodded forward one step at a time.

”Tomorrow, after Grandpa’s check-up, let’s take both of our grandfathers out to have some fun.”

On the plane earlier, Mr. Powell had mentioned that he rarely went out anymore now that he was getting on in years. He was afraid of having an accident and becoming a burden to the family, but he secretly longed to travel and see things again, fearing he might not get another chance.

”Sounds good.”

Back in their room, Lynn Winslow—the one who had just been insisting she wasn’t tired—washed up, got into bed, and was fast asleep in less than ten minutes.

She was so deeply asleep that by the time Ian Sterling finished his shower and returned, he couldn’t wake her, no matter how softly he called her name.

So, Ian Sterling had no choice but to answer the persistently ringing phone for her. The caller ID showed a name that hadn’t appeared in a long time: Zane Lancaster.

”How is Mr. Winslow?” His voice was tinged with exhaustion, a clear sign that launching his company recently had taken its toll.

Ian Sterling paused for a moment before replying, ”Lynn is asleep.”

”Oh.” Zane Lancaster’s tone was flat, betraying no emotion. ”So, how is Mr. Winslow?”

”It’s nothing serious.”

”Alright. Hanging up, then. I’m busy.”

Ian Sterling hesitated for a moment before speaking up. ”If you need help, just ask. Don’t be afraid to use your connections.”

Zane Lancaster was taken aback.