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Chapter 190: Chapter 190: Thanks a Lot

At this point, touching her felt wrong, but not touching her would be an injustice to himself.

His heart was in turmoil. Just as he finally steeled himself to make a move on Lynn Winslow, she fell asleep, sprawled across his stomach.

”...”

’She’s my little tyrant, she really is.’

Ian Sterling lay there helplessly for a long time, but he just couldn’t suppress the urge any longer. Gritting his teeth, he flipped Lynn Winslow over. He didn’t care if she was still asleep; he was going to get what he wanted.

Lynn Winslow was jostled awake from her daze. By now, some of her drunkenness had faded, enough for her to at least understand the situation she was in.

She raised her hands to push Ian Sterling away, but he used a bit of force to pin them to her sides.

”You think you can provoke me and get away with it? Not a chance.”

Ian Sterling clenched his jaw, his movements turning forceful. Even hearing Lynn Winslow’s ceaseless pleas for mercy couldn’t satisfy the fire raging within him.

Afterwards, Lynn Winslow, who was already struggling to keep her eyes open from the alcohol, simply passed out completely.

Ian Sterling carried her to the bath to clean her up. He also stripped all the sheets from the bed, tossing on a fresh set before climbing in and holding Lynn Winslow as they fell asleep.

When she woke up the next day, Lynn Winslow couldn’t even get out of bed. Ian Sterling even had to bring her food and feed it to her by the bedside.

Whenever Lynn Winslow tried to curse him out or complain, Ian Sterling would simply hold up the spot where she had bitten him the day before. Seeing her swallow her words guiltily, he would curve his lips in satisfaction.

After she finished eating, Lynn Winslow couldn’t take it anymore. Just as she was about to let him have it, Ian Sterling pulled out a video of her drunken antics from the early morning and showed it to her—the evidence of her ”crime” that he had filmed.

Lynn Winslow’s eyes widened as she watched the video play, frame by frame, on the phone. She tried to look away, but Ian Sterling had her chin clamped firmly between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to watch the entire thing.

When the video ended, Lynn Winslow was furious with embarrassment, but she also knew she was in the wrong. The two conflicting emotions left her speechless.

Ian Sterling, looking utterly smug, carried the tray away while humming a happy little tune. His entire being radiated satisfaction and joy, a stark contrast to Lynn Winslow.

Knowing Lynn Winslow would be bored since she couldn’t get out of bed, Ian Sterling returned with game controllers. He had one cat tucked under his arm and another perched on his shoulder, bringing the whole crew back to the room.

Hearing Ian Sterling’s ”considerate” explanation, Lynn Winslow smiled. ”Oh, I should thank you, then?”

”You’re welcome, baby. As long as you’re happy.” Ian Sterling pretended not to notice the sarcasm in her voice. After smiling and wiping Kiki and Hengheng’s paws, he plopped them into Lynn Winslow’s arms and went to set up the game.

”We’re going to Griermount tomorrow. You were so rough with me, how am I supposed to have any fun now?”

”It’s fine. I’ll carry you on my back the whole time,” Ian Sterling said without turning around, still squatting at the foot of the bed connecting the controllers.

Lynn Winslow said, ”And if I let you carry me, what am I supposed to say when my grandfathers ask about it?”

She added, ”I’m not as shameless as you.”

Ian Sterling finally turned to look at her. Seeing her pouting unhappily, he smiled. ”Just say you sprained your ankle. Or that your knees are a little sore. Either works. See which excuse you like better.”

”NONE! OF! THEM! ARE! GOOD!”

Lynn Winslow gave Hengheng a push in Ian Sterling’s direction. ”Go on, get him! Scratch him! Scratch up his face and let’s see just how thick-skinned he really is.”

But Hengheng wasn’t that stupid. He could tell the two of them were just joking, and even if they were serious, he wouldn’t have gone.

Lynn Winslow snorted softly. Kiki licked her fingers as if to soothe her and tell her not to be mad.

By the time Mr. Powell and Elder Winslow returned, Lynn Winslow’s legs were no longer so sore. She went downstairs with Ian Sterling and was surprised for a moment to see Aiden Powell trailing behind Mr. Powell.

”This little rascal got into a fight at school,” Mr. Powell explained. ”His uncle and brother said he’s not allowed back for now. I figured, since we’re going to Griermount, we might as well bring him along. While we’re visiting the impoverished areas, I’d also like to make a donation.”

Lynn Winslow didn’t mind Aiden Powell coming along, but the whole fighting business...

Her expression turned cold. She stood before Aiden Powell, her gaze lowered, quietly observing his guilty face.

”Why did you get in a fight?”

The question was merely a formality. He was her cousin, after all; asking was just a way of showing concern. When he didn’t answer, Lynn Winslow lazily withdrew her gaze and joined Mr. Powell, Elder Winslow, and Ian Sterling in the garden for tea and conversation.

Aiden Powell stood there watching them leave, a pout forming on his lips. He looked down and saw the two cats squatting nearby, watching him.

He considered himself fairly familiar with Kiki, who had, after all, stayed at the Powell family home for a few days. But he didn’t expect that the moment he approached Kiki, the cat would turn and walk away, climbing to the top of the two-meter-high cat tree. There, it began to groom itself leisurely, completely ignoring Aiden Powell.

Hengheng was still squatting in the same spot. Just as Aiden Powell reached out to pet him, the cat let out a fierce hiss that startled him, and he quickly pulled his hand back, not daring to try again.

Clasping his hands behind his back, he hesitated before walking into the garden. Seeing the four of them sitting and chatting happily a short distance away, he pressed his lips together, feeling wronged.

His smart watch phone started ringing. He lifted his wrist and glanced at it. It was his sister-in-law. She was probably calling to chew him out.

He didn’t really want to answer, but all four people nearby turned to look at him. His cheeks flushed red, but he answered the call.

The moment he answered, a barrage of angry scolding erupted from the other end—all about how thoughtless and foolish he was. Compared to the Powell men, this young lady of the house had a temper that was a hundred times more explosive.

The kids’ watch was loud. Lynn Winslow propped up her chin, listening intently to Aiden Powell’s scolding. She covered her wide grin with her hand and whispered to Ian Sterling, ”Sheila is incredible. I feel so bad for her husband.”

Ian Sterling slanted a look at her. ”Are you really feeling bad for him, or are you just impressed and want to take notes?”

”Of course I want to take notes... I mean, of course I feel bad for him,” Lynn Winslow said with a grin, before quickly changing the subject. ”Grandpa,” she asked Mr. Powell, ”is all of Aiden Powell’s stuff packed?”

”It’s all packed.”

Ian Sterling said to the two elders, ”For this trip, let’s take the private jet again. It’s more comfortable and less of a hassle.”

Elder Winslow nodded. ”We’re putting you through a lot of trouble. Ever since we arrived in Quartos, you’ve been the one taking care of everything.”

Ian Sterling shook his head humbly. Lynn Winslow secretly flicked the back of his hand and shot him a look that said two words: ’Such an actor.’

Ian Sterling’s eyes replied with four words of his own: ’Thanks for the compliment.’

Lynn Winslow rolled her eyes and looked away, tuning back into Aiden Powell’s scolding.

After what felt like an eternity, Sheila Lowell finally let Aiden Powell off the hook, ending the call with one final warning.

”You’d better be on your best behavior while you’re with your grandfather. I’ll be calling Lynn, and if I hear even a whisper that you’re misbehaving, I’ll be on the next flight to Griermount to find you.” ℴℴ𝘮

Aiden Powell walked over to them, his eyes brimming with tears. Mr. Powell didn’t want to deal with him, but Elder Winslow beckoned him over.

”Aiden, big boys don’t cry. What did your sister-in-law say to you?”

Aiden Powell was embarrassed, but at his age, the more someone showed concern, the more he wanted to cry. He sobbed, ”Sh-she said if I... if I don’t behave, she’ll come to Griermount and beat me up.”