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Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Anyway, I’m Going to Settle the Score

The mother and daughter turned around. It was Lynn Winslow.

Mia Rhodes said coldly, ”What are you doing here?”

Lynn Winslow walked slowly over to them and asked Mia Rhodes, ”Have you seen Esther Abbott recently?”

”What’s it to you?” Mia Rhodes narrowed her eyes, glaring fiercely at Lynn Winslow.

Lynn Winslow rolled her eyes and asked again, ”If you’ve seen her, just tell me. It won’t hurt you. Besides, you’re not even worth my time to plot against right now.”

Mia Rhodes pursed her lips and said coldly, ”I have.”

”Was she the one who told you to find Mr. Yates?” Lynn Winslow tilted her head, trying to imagine how Esther Abbott would have instigated Mia. Then again, she thought Mia couldn’t be *that* stupid. She shouldn’t have thrown her life away over just a few words.

But when Lynn Winslow saw the color drain from Mia’s face, she realized she had given her far too much credit. An unexpected pang of frustration washed over her—the kind you feel for someone who just won’t live up to their potential.

Ian Sterling came out and called to her. Lynn Winslow stared at Mia for a long moment before finally looking away and heading back with Ian.

Mr. Powell and Elder Winslow were sitting opposite each other. Elder Winslow glanced a few times at Mr. Powell’s grim face but ultimately ignored him. When Lynn Winslow came in and saw this, she walked over with a smile. ”What’s all this? You two look like you’ve been fighting.”

Elder Winslow snorted. ”Who’s fighting with him? You think I have that much free time?”

Lynn Winslow walked over to Mr. Powell’s side, gesturing for Ian Sterling, who was behind her, to go sit next to Elder Winslow.

”Grandpa, don’t be angry,” she said coaxingly. ”Don’t let this upset you. If it comes to it, we can secretly help out my aunt and cousin.”

Mr. Powell turned to look at her and sighed. ”They slandered you like that, and you still want to help them.”

Lynn Winslow blinked. ”Just say I’m a kind person.”

’That’s not it,’ she thought. ’I’m no saint. I just have a feeling that Mia Rhodes ending up like this has something to do with Esther Abbott, and that Esther might have done it because of me.’

’Although I look down on Mia for her stupidity, and whatever she does is none of my business—and I wouldn’t let her off the hook if she provoked me—I don’t want her downfall to be my fault.’

Mr. Powell knew that if his granddaughter truly minded, she wouldn’t be putting on a show just to comfort him, so he relaxed.

No matter how harsh his words, they were still his daughter and granddaughter. It was impossible for him to be truly ruthless and wash his hands of them completely.

Seeing that Mr. Powell had cheered up, Lynn Winslow’s lips curved into a smile. Only then did she ask, ”Where are Sheila and Aiden Powell?”

”Your older brother picked them up.”

Lynn Winslow said, ”Oh,” and then began discussing something with Mr. Powell and Elder Winslow.

”Would you two like to come stay with us at Calyx Hall? Ian Sterling prepared a villa for you right next door. Everything’s already been arranged.”

Mr. Powell shook his head with a smile. ”We’re in the same city. We can see each other whenever we want. I’ll pass. You can take your grandfather.”

”I was just worried you’d get jealous and say I’m playing favorites,” Lynn Winslow pouted.

Elder Winslow rolled his eyes and challenged him, ”What? Is it such a hardship for you to live with me? Your granddaughter is trying to be filial, and you have to put on airs.”

”I just don’t want to see your old face, what about it? Is that not allowed?” Mr. Powell retorted angrily.

Seeing they were about to start bickering again, Lynn Winslow quickly cut in. ”Stop, stop. Don’t fight right now.”

Ian Sterling, who hadn’t been able to get a word in, finally had a chance to speak. He first said to Mr. Powell, ”Mr. Powell, please come stay with us. We can take you and Mr. Winslow on a road trip. The weather is perfect for it right now, not too hot and not too cold.”

Mr. Powell was still hesitant, but then Lynn Winslow hugged his arm and swayed it back and forth, looking up at him with big, sparkling eyes. Mr. Powell’s heart softened.

Ian Sterling couldn’t play favorites, so he quickly turned to coax Elder Winslow. ”Mr. Winslow, you’ve been to Quartos before, but it’s been many years. A lot has changed. I can take you around. After we’ve seen Quartos, there are cities like Pyralis and Rhiven. Since you’re making the trip, you should enjoy it to the fullest.”

He wasn’t childish like he sometimes was when he was alone with Lynn Winslow, nor was he as wild as he was with his childhood friends. When it came to the family Lynn cherished, he was always humble.

Both Elder Winslow and Mr. Powell agreed, but since it was getting late, they decided to go the next day.

After dinner, Lynn Winslow dragged Ian Sterling off to her room. Elder Winslow and Mr. Powell, who had been about to ask them to go for a walk, didn’t even have a chance to speak before the two vanished.

The moment they were in the room, Lynn Winslow kissed the corner of Ian Sterling’s mouth. Her lips parted slightly as she whispered, ”I didn’t know you had such a humble and sensible side.”

Ian Sterling placed a hand on the back of her head. ”When have I ever not been humble and sensible in front of your grandfathers?” After speaking, he applied a little pressure with his palm, deepening the kiss.

With Mr. Powell and Elder Winslow not around, Ian Sterling really wanted to do all the things he’d been thinking about. But of course, Lynn Winslow’s room in the Powell family’s house wouldn’t have *those things*. Ian didn’t want Lynn to have to take a pill, so after one round of relief, he let her go.

”Tomorrow, when we’re back at Calyx Hall... you just wait.”

Lynn Winslow was breathless, and hearing his words, she started to laugh.

The next day, the two of them first took Kiki and Huffy from Aerie Garden back to Calyx Hall. They left everything else at Aerie Garden in case they stayed there again in the future.

After dropping off Kiki and Huffy, they went to the Powell family’s house to pick up the two old gentlemen.

On the way, Ian Sterling said, ”Let’s rest when we get there, and then we can discuss where we want to go.”

Elder Winslow now regarded Ian Sterling with a kind and gentle expression. He nodded at his words and said affectionately, ”Alright, Finn can arrange it.”

Ian Sterling’s lips curved. He secretly squeezed Lynn Winslow’s palm. Lynn shot him a look, her eyes asking, ’Feeling proud of yourself for winning over my grandfather?’

Ian Sterling returned her look, his own eyes replying, ’Yes.’

Lynn Winslow smiled at him, then gave him a huge eye roll. Ian Sterling was amused by her little expressions and pursed his lips to keep from laughing, not wanting the two elders to notice their subtle interactions.

When they arrived at Calyx Hall, Ian Sterling had his butler, along with the butlers that Mr. Powell and Elder Winslow had brought with them, go to the villa next door to prepare the rooms for the two elders. Meanwhile, he and Lynn took the two men on a tour of both villas, pointing out nearby places they could go for an evening walk.

Elder Winslow had gotten into the habit of taking a walk with Mr. Powell after dinner every day. In just a few days, it had become so routine that he felt uncomfortable if he missed it. Seeing how thoughtful Ian Sterling was made him feel warm inside. His initial dissatisfaction had already mostly faded after Ian took a bullet for Lynn, and now, it vanished completely. He looked at Ian with more affection than he did his own son.

After seeing the two men back to the neighboring villa to rest, Ian Sterling grabbed Lynn Winslow’s hand and hurried toward their own villa.

With no one else around, Ian Sterling spoke without reservation.

”You’ve been tormenting me for days. I have to settle the score.”

”...” Lynn Winslow asked, ”When did I ever torment you?”

”You don’t need to worry about that,” Ian Sterling laughed. ”In any case, I’m settling the score.”