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Lynn Winslow leaned against the door, taking a long moment to calm her racing heart and the ache within.

‘This makes me feel like a real scumbag.’ She had just dropped Ian Sterling like that, breaking up with him on a whim. So abrupt. How could anyone be expected to accept that?

But for the life of her, Lynn Winslow couldn’t remember why they had broken up.

Frowning, she took out her phone and called Zane Lancaster.

Zane Lancaster was still busy, trying to get things done so he could head to Veridia early. Seeing her call, he answered with a smile.

“Zane Lancaster, did I ever tell you why Ian Sterling and I broke up?”

“What?” Zane Lancaster frowned, thinking back seriously before answering. “You just said you were bored, that the novelty had worn off.”

‘No, that’s not right.’

Lynn distinctly remembered telling Ian Sterling the day before the breakup that she wanted to go to Faeland to see the lavender. She had even excitedly picked out outfits for the trip. So why had she forgotten the reason for the breakup?

A sudden, unbearable pain shot through her head, and a soft moan of agony escaped her lips.

Zane Lancaster asked anxiously, “What’s wrong? Lynn, what’s wrong?”

Lynn answered through gritted teeth, “My head hurts. It just started all of a sudden.”

“Stay put, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“No, it’s fine.” Lynn shook her head. The sharp pain had already faded, leaving only a cold sweat beading on her forehead.

It came and went so fast that Lynn barely had time to process it.

Zane Lancaster paused, then sighed. “What’s really going on?”

Lynn bit her lip before finally telling him. “I’ve forgotten why I broke up with Ian Sterling.”

“What do you mean?” Zane Lancaster frowned. After a moment’s thought, he decided it was better to talk in person. He threw out a, “Wait for me at home,” and rushed downstairs.

Before Lynn could even protest, Zane Lancaster had already hung up.

When he arrived at Lynn’s house, he found her curled up on the sofa, her brow tightly furrowed.

“What happened? Where’s Ian Sterling?”

Lynn sat up and sighed deeply. “He went back. Back to Veridia.”

“So suddenly?” Zane Lancaster sat across from Lynn, a rare seriousness on his face.

Lynn hummed in agreement, sitting cross-legged and saying earnestly, “I think I’ve really forgotten something, but I can’t remember what. Ian Sterling said he was going back to find some ‘truth’.”

“Did you two get back together?”

Lynn shook her head. “No. He said to wait for him to come back.”

Zane Lancaster lowered his gaze. To be honest, he still felt a pang of discomfort, but it was a bearable kind of pain.

He had already gone through the worst of his heartache back when he first found out Lynn and Ian Sterling were together. Things were much calmer for him now.

“Lynn, you’ve been difficult since you were a kid, but now is not the time for it.” Zane Lancaster sat up straight, his tone very serious. “If you like him, just accept it openly. You know Ian Sterling’s reputation in Veridia. The fact that he’s still chasing you after you dumped him means—”

“Ugh, I get it! Why are you nagging me like my grandpa?” Lynn cut him off impatiently.

Zane Lancaster was speechless at her remark. He rolled his eyes and got up to leave.

Lynn called out to him, “Why are you leaving? Don’t you want to stay for dinner? We can call Joel over too.”

“I’m busy! Besides, I don’t dine with married women. Eat by yourself.” Zane Lancaster waved dismissively without looking back. Lynn, flustered and angry, retorted, “Nonsense! What married woman?!”

Zane Lancaster had already reached the entryway, but his laughter echoed back into the living room, making Lynn’s cheeks burn red.

*

Ian Sterling landed at Veridia Capital Airport, where Connor Sterling was waiting to pick him up personally.

Seeing his grim expression, Connor started the car and asked, “What happened? What made you rush back in such a hurry?”

Ian Sterling crossed his arms and snorted coldly. “Time to settle a score. I’m going to give Jared Sterling the third degree.”

“…” Connor Sterling pursed his lips and chuckled lightly. “Go easy on him. He’s still a Sterling, after all.”

In their eyes, no one was more important than their own brother—not even a cousin from their uncle’s side of the family.

“He wasn’t thinking about us both being Sterlings when he schemed against me,” Ian Sterling snapped his head to the side, gritting his teeth. “It wouldn’t be an overreaction even if I beat him to death.”

Connor Sterling said helplessly, “Alright.”

The car pulled into Aerie Garden. Nina Norton was already waiting at the door. When she saw Ian Sterling get out, she rushed forward and immediately grabbed his wrist to take a look.

A scab had formed over the wound. Because the cut had been deep, the scab looked rather intimidating.

“It’s fine,” Ian Sterling said casually. “It’s almost healed.”

Nina Norton shot him a glare and grumbled, “You brat. You’ve made your old mother worry sick.”

“What’s there to worry about? I wasn’t out causing trouble. I was chasing after my girl.” Ian Sterling shrugged, then looked toward Spencer Sterling, who was standing a short distance away. His expression turned serious. “Dad, where’s Jared Sterling?”

“In the ancestral hall,” Spencer Sterling said coolly. “Don’t injure him.”

Ian Sterling sneered. “Don’t worry. As long as he comes clean, I guarantee I won’t lay a hand on him.”

He walked past Nina Norton and headed alone toward the ancestral hall behind the main building.

A few men were standing guard outside the ancestral hall. When they saw Ian Sterling approach, they exchanged glances before opening the door to let him in, even thoughtfully closing it behind him.

Jared Sterling was sitting listlessly, cross-legged on a meditation cushion. In just a few days, he had lost a noticeable amount of weight, and his complexion was sallow.

The younger generation of the Sterling family actually shared some resemblance, but as Ian Sterling looked at him now, he couldn’t see a single trace of it.

“So, did you win Lynn Winslow back?”

Jared Sterling asked lazily, without turning his head.

Ian Sterling narrowed his eyes and gave a sarcastic smile. “Almost. But you, do you regret it?”

“What’s there to regret? I never regret the things I do.” Jared Sterling glanced at him. Seeing that Ian Sterling was his usual self, perhaps even more spirited than before, he chuckled. “You know, I’ve always hated you the most.”

Ian Sterling sat on the cushion next to him. Staring at the countless ancestral tablets displayed before them, he asked coldly, “Why?”

“We’re around the same age, and I’m even the older brother, but I’ve lived in your shadow my entire life.”

“Grandpa doted on you the most, always thinking of you. Before he passed, he transferred all of his assets to you.” Jared Sterling lowered his eyes, his expression calm as he continued, “My dad—my own father—was always comparing me to you. He’d say you were so smart, you could casually start a company and make it incredibly successful. Even Jasper Jennings and the others—every single one of them favored you.”

Ian Sterling found it so unbelievable he had to turn and look at Jared Sterling. He let out a laugh of exasperation.

“Are you a child, Jared Sterling? You’re even bringing up the fact that Jasper Jennings and the others liked me more?”

Jared Sterling looked up, his gaze cold, and said slowly, word by word, “That’s because you have everything. You can get anything you want just by reaching for it. That’s why you don’t care.”