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Jared Sterling swallowed dryly, but he hesitated to speak.

Ian Sterling couldn’t wait any longer. He said to Nina Norton, “Mom, I can’t wait. I have to go to Morelia to find Lynn Winslow. Just ask Jared Sterling whatever you’re curious about.”

He stood up, walked over to Jared Sterling, and looked down at him. “Jared Sterling, if you have a shred of conscience, you’ll tell my parents the truth. As for the score between us, we’ll settle it when I get back.”

Ian Sterling ignored Nina Norton’s attempts to stop him and strode out the door.

Once in the car, Ian Sterling slowly rolled down the window. A warm breeze blew in, and he closed his eyes.

When Lynn Winslow left, it was already winter. Now that he was back in the present, it was spring in Quartos.

Ian Sterling pinched himself, hard. Feeling the pain, he fell silent for a long while before suddenly letting out a soft laugh.

He slowly doubled over, the reality that he had returned to the present and could have Lynn Winslow again finally sinking in.

“Lynn…”

Overcome with joy, he buried his face in his knees and broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

The pain of losing Lynn Winslow had yet to fade. He was like a withered tree, granted new life when only a single breath remained.

The driver taking him to the airport worked for Spencer Sterling. He didn’t quite understand why Finn was in such agony, but he knew better than to ask, so he just drove in silence.

When they arrived at the airport, Ian Sterling had nothing but his phone and ID. He was even still wearing his hospital gown, having had no time to change.

People were staring at him curiously, but Ian Sterling didn’t mind. After checking in, he took the clothes the driver had bought in a rush from the nearest mall, changed in the lounge, and then sat dazedly on the sofa, staring at the clock on the wall.

He had tried calling Lynn Winslow, but her phone was off. He had to go first, find her, and confirm she was alright. Everything else could be dealt with later.

The driver offered to wait with him, but Ian Sterling said, “You should head back. Tell my parents I probably won’t be gone for too long. And then—never mind. We’ll figure it out then.”

After the driver left, Ian Sterling couldn’t sit still and began to pace back and forth.

Until the boarding call came.

The evenings in Morelia were a bit cooler than in Veridia. Lynn Winslow had just returned to Winslow Manor, and Mrs. Sterling took her handbag with a smile.

“Mr. Winslow and Mr. Joel are in the back garden. Mr. Zane is here today, too.”

Lynn Winslow gave a faint nod and walked slowly toward the back of the manor.

Zane Lancaster was sitting beside Elder Winslow, regaling him with witty remarks that made the old man roar with laughter.

The corner of Zane Lancaster’s mouth curled up. Catching sight of her from the corner of his eye, he raised an eyebrow and teased, “Well, look who it is. Our little busy bee has finally decided to come home.”

Lynn Winslow shot him a look and said calmly, “You’ve got too much time on your hands.”

“That I do.” Zane Lancaster propped his chin on his hand, saying lazily, “Want to find something for me to do?”

“I don’t need your help,” Lynn Winslow said, then sat beside Joel Winslow. Noticing he was still dealing with emails, not relaxing even on his break, she couldn’t help but say, “Joel, don’t wear yourself out. You can give some of that to me.”

Joel Winslow smiled gently. He turned to look at her and said earnestly, “Sis, I can handle all this. You’re the one who should be getting some rest.”

Elder Winslow beamed as he watched the siblings, sighing contentedly. “Ah, I really am a lucky man. Just look at my granddaughter and grandson—both so sensible.”

“Yeah, unlike my own father, who sowed his wild oats everywhere. The house is so packed with kids we can barely fit, and they’re always fighting.” Zane Lancaster shrugged, shamelessly turning the Cruz family’s embarrassing affairs into a joke.

Elder Winslow snorted with laughter and shot Zane Lancaster a look. “If your father knew you were going around telling everyone about this, he’d definitely lock you up.”

But Zane Lancaster just got up, moved behind Elder Winslow to massage his shoulders, and said with a grin, “Mr. Winslow wouldn’t tattle on me to my dad, right?”

He had strong hands and knew how to be charming. Elder Winslow was so delighted he was grinning from ear to ear, all talk of tattling completely forgotten.

Zane Lancaster’s gaze drifted to Lynn Winslow. She was sitting there quietly, watching Joel work on his emails with a detached expression.

Ever since she returned, she hadn’t seemed happy. On the rare occasions she joined them for a get-together, she would just drink by herself in a corner. Zane Lancaster had known her since they were children. He knew her personality well enough to easily guess the reason: it was because of that ex-boyfriend, far away in Veridia.

Lynn Winslow sensed his gaze, frowning as she looked back at him with a questioning expression.

Zane Lancaster gave a slight smile and shook his head. He didn’t bring it up, asking instead, “Are you free tonight? Want to go out?”

Lynn Winslow lowered her gaze, considering it. Elder Winslow sighed. “You should go. Joel, you go too. Don’t be so buried in work all the time. Go have some fun.”

“Alright.”

Elder Winslow went back inside the manor first, leaving the young people to themselves. Zane Lancaster could finally have a proper conversation with Lynn Winslow.

He tapped Lynn Winslow’s shoulder, motioning for her to get up and walk with him. Lynn frowned, clearly reluctant, but after glancing at the ever-busy Joel, she stood up and followed Zane Lancaster a short distance away.

Nearby was a long, covered walkway lined on both sides with meticulously tended flowers. The sky was turning a dusky yellow as the lights came on, creating an oddly intimate atmosphere that didn’t quite suit the moment.

Lynn Winslow sat on a stone bench, resting her chin in her hand and taking in the scene. She let out a soft scoff, then took the cigarette case Zane Lancaster offered her and lit one for herself.

Zane Lancaster leaned against a stone table and asked her, “Is it just me, or have you been unhappy lately?”

“Have I?” Lynn Winslow looked up, her lips twitching into a semblance of a smile. “Isn’t this how I always am?” she said flatly.

“Oh, give me a break. You used to be such a happy person. I haven’t seen you genuinely smile once since you got back from Veridia.”

Lynn Winslow paused for a moment before replying, “That’s not it. It’s just that my uncle’s side of the family has been causing a lot of trouble lately, so things have been hectic.”

“Is that so?” Zane Lancaster moved closer, leaning down to look into her eyes. When she quickly averted her gaze, he knew. ‘She’s lying.’

He straightened up. He couldn’t stand seeing her so miserable. “If it’s really that bad,” he urged, “just go back and find him. Explain everything properly. I can keep an eye on your uncle’s situation for you.”

“I won’t.” Lynn Winslow gave a faint smile, stubbed out her cigarette, and was the first to stand and head back. After a few steps, she turned. “Let’s go. Aren’t we going out? We’ll go after dinner with my grandfather.”

Before Zane Lancaster could reply, she was already walking away. Her voice drifted back from a short distance, calling for Joel to come to dinner.

Zane Lancaster remained leaning where he was, slowly standing up only after he’d finished his cigarette. He let out a sigh. ‘Am I being too magnanimous, telling the girl I like to go make up with the man she loves?’

He started walking, muttering to himself under his breath, ‘Too magnanimous. You shouldn’t have done that, Zane Lancaster.’

He was tall and had long legs, and since Lynn Winslow had paused to wait for Joel, she happened to overhear him.

Lynn Winslow looked at him in confusion. “What are you muttering about? What ‘shouldn’t have’?”