A cold smile played on Holly Sinclair’s lips, her sharp gaze piercing right through Vivian Linton.

She was testing her.

Gil had said he was knocked unconscious in an airport bathroom, which was why he couldn’t pick her up.

And the couple who *did* meet her was holding a sign with her name on it.

Clearly, this was a premeditated kidnapping attempt.

She had always been kind to others. Thinking it over, Vivian Linton was the only real enemy she had.

So, it was hard not to suspect her.

Vivian Linton’s heart pounded like a drum.

But her expression betrayed nothing. "Holly, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just a little surprised to see you with Tristan. Tristan was on a business trip. Were you, too?"

"You really don’t know?" The cold smile on Holly’s lips widened.

Tristan Sterling sensed the turbulent undercurrent between the two and frowned at Holly. "What are you trying to say?"

Holly Sinclair ignored him.

’He’s always been blind and clueless anyway. If I tell him, he’ll just mindlessly defend Vivian Linton.’

She couldn’t be bothered to waste her breath on him.

Holly took a step closer to Vivian, leaned in slightly, and said in a low, sinister voice only they could hear, "Vivian Linton, you can only get away with it for so long. When you do too many wicked things... payback is inevitable!"

’Payback...’

Vivian Linton’s face paled slightly.

She quietly swallowed.

Was she scared?

Of course she was.

’I didn’t want to take this risk either, but as long as Holly isn’t destroyed, Tristan will never be completely mine.’

’So, this is all Holly’s own doing!’

’But why did she come back completely unharmed?!’

’That couple clearly told me Holly had been sold to some backwater village and would never escape in this lifetime.’

’The most hateful part is, not only did Holly come back, she came back with Tristan Sterling!’

’Damn it!!’

Vivian Linton loathed Holly to the core, but she didn’t dare let any of it show on her face.

Holly hadn’t expected Vivian to dare respond. After speaking her piece, she turned and walked away proudly.

"Holly Sinclair."

Tristan Sterling instinctively reached out, trying to grab her.

But he didn’t even brush the corner of her clothes.

Because Vivian Linton had grabbed his arm. "Tristan..."

"Greg, take Miss Linton home."

Tristan’s gaze remained fixed on Holly’s retreating back as he pulled his hand away and gave the order to Greg, who was standing by.

"Tristan, where are you going?"

Realizing what he intended, Vivian quickly clutched his sleeve again, her eyes reddening and welling with tears. "Are you going after Holly Sinclair?"

"I have something to do. I’ll have Greg take you home first." Tristan didn’t answer directly, his attention clearly not on her.

Vivian Linton was seething.

Unable to suppress the resentment in her heart, she blurted out, "Tristan, you and Holly are already divorced! You—"

Before she could finish, she was met with the man’s icy glare.

She stopped abruptly.

Her eyes grew even redder.

Sensing the cold shift in his demeanor, she quickly mumbled in a wronged tone, "Tristan, I waited for you at the airport for almost two hours. I’m cold and hungry..."

’I’ve made myself sound so pitiful,’ Vivian thought. ’He’ll definitely stay for me now.’

But to her surprise—

"Greg, take Miss Linton to a restaurant to eat, then take her home."

After saying this, Tristan Sterling strode away without giving Vivian Linton another chance to speak.

Greg said, "Miss Linton, this way, please."

"Tristan? Tristan!!"

Vivian Linton paid him no mind, her bloodshot eyes locked on the man’s departing back.

She was both shocked and hateful.

’He’s changed!’

’He’s changed!!’

’Ever since he found out Holly didn’t drug him, the scales seem to have started tipping in her favor.’

’And that was just one small misunderstanding being cleared up. If one day he finds out I’m not the one who saved his life...’

’No!’

’I can’t let that happen!’

’I absolutely will not allow anyone to steal my place in Tristan’s heart!’

’Never!!’

...

Holly Sinclair hailed a taxi.

She pulled the door open and was about to get in when a large hand stopped her.

Holly looked up.

When she saw it was Tristan Sterling, her expression instantly turned frosty.

"Is there something you need?"

Her indifferent tone made it seem as if he were a complete stranger.

No!

He was worse than a stranger.

"Grandfather wants us to come home for dinner," Tristan said.

"I’m busy." Holly rejected him flat out.

"I told Grandfather you were coming home to see him today. The old man is waiting. He dotes on you the most. Can you bear to disappoint him?" he said softly, looking at her intently.

"I’ll explain it to Grandfather." Holly twisted her wrist, trying to break free from his large hand.

"Holly..." He frowned, not letting go.

Just then, his phone rang.

He answered—

"Grandfather, yes... Holly and I just got off the plane... Okay, Grandfather, hold on..."

Then, without giving her a chance to refuse, he forcefully pressed the phone to her ear. "Grandfather wants to talk to you."

Holly could give anyone the cold shoulder, but she couldn’t disrespect Grandfather.

"Grandfather."

Her voice instantly became sweet and gentle.

"That little rascal said you were coming to see me. Is it true?" the old man’s aged voice was filled with joy and anticipation.

"..." The words of denial Holly wanted to say were all stuck in her throat.

She was trapped.

Seeing her silence, the old man understood.

"He lied to me? That scoundrel!"

The old man was furious, but then, as if afraid of putting her in a difficult position, he quickly forced a smile into his voice and comforted her, "It’s alright, my girl. If you don’t want to come back, don’t. Grandfather is doing just fine, there’s nothing much to see here anyway..."

"Grandfather, I’m craving some Sichuan boiled fish," Holly said softly, a hint of a wheedling tone in her voice.

She and Tristan Sterling might not be husband and wife anymore, but Grandfather would always be her grandfather.

She couldn’t avoid seeing Grandfather just because she couldn’t stand Tristan.

"...Ah, yes, yes, of course! I’ll have the kitchen make it right away!" The old man froze for a second before it registered, so happy he could only repeat himself.

You could tell the old man truly missed her.

...

「The Sterling Manor」

At the dinner table.

The old man looked well today.

Perhaps he was happy because Holly had come back to see him.

"My girl, have you been tired lately? You’ve gotten thinner."

The old man asked with concern while having the butler serve Holly some food.

"The studio is about to launch a new product, so it’s been a little busy," Holly said with a smile.

Grandfather wasn’t in good health, so she could only tell him the good news and not the bad.

"No matter how busy you are, you have to take care of your health," the old man gently reminded her.

"I will," Holly nodded obediently.

"By the way, have you two gotten your divorce certificate yet?" the old man asked suddenly after taking a sip of soup.

Tristan Sterling’s hand, holding his chopsticks, paused slightly.

’Grandfather, really!’

’Always bringing up the sorest subject!’

"Another half a month," Holly replied, her expression calm.

Displeasure colored Tristan’s features.

’Is she really so nonchalant because she doesn’t care at all?!’

The old man nodded, looking as if he had already come to terms with it.

Then, he looked at Holly with a broad smile. "My girl, do you remember your Mr. Aldrin? From the Aldrin Family on the west side of the city."

"I remember. What about it, Grandfather?"

"Their third son is the same age as Tristan, and he’s not married yet."

PFFT—