CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: I’LL GROW SUNFLOWERS TO SUPPORT YOU

In a Gothic-style Western restaurant, Audrey Sutton and Shane Warner walked in one after the other.

While looking for a seat, Audrey was pleasantly surprised to find Vanessa Sterling was there too.

Opposite her sat a man in a light gray suit, his back facing them, so his face could not be seen.

"Hylan?" Audrey quietly greeted as she walked over.

Vanessa glanced up at her, somewhat oddly avoiding Audrey’s gaze, as if she didn’t want to run into someone she knew.

As Audrey puzzled over this, the man sitting across from Vanessa stood up, familiarly greeting Shane, "Shane, we meet again so soon. Is this your little vinegar jar?"

Shane laughed and nodded, introducing, "Audrey Sutton, you can call her Sutton or Audrey."

Audrey then realized that "little vinegar jar" referred to her. Since when did she have such a nickname?

"How about we switch to a bigger table and eat together?"

Shane politely declined, "No need, let’s set aside another day to gather properly."

After saying that, Shane led Audrey away.

Audrey noticed that Vanessa had her head down almost the whole time and hadn’t spoken, appearing very reserved.

What was the man’s relationship with her? Her boyfriend?

She felt that Vanessa seemed quite afraid of him.

After walking some distance away with Shane, Audrey curiously asked, "Who was that man?"

"Someone from the Sterling family."

Audrey had a sudden realization, "Oh," she said. The Sterling family was in the jade business and well-known in Rivia.

Remembering that Hylan also had the last name Sterling, Audrey asked Shane, "Was the girl earlier his sister?"

Shane: "Not sure, but I’ve heard that the Sterling family adopted a girl before."

Compared to Miles Sterling’s matters, what Shane cared more about right now was what Clarissa Morgan and Quentin Sterling were up to. If Clarissa used Quentin’s influence to do anything with ulterior motives, it could be quite troublesome for him.

He didn’t share these matters with Audrey for two reasons: one, he didn’t want her to worry; two, he didn’t want to mention Clarissa Morgan in front of her, for fear of stepping on a landmine.

He might be able to come up with ways to deal with Clarissa’s tricks, but dealing with an angry Audrey was what truly left him helpless.

Audrey couldn’t help but glance a few more times in Vanessa’s direction, feeling that the atmosphere between the two of them was odd, but unable to pinpoint exactly what was strange.

Vanessa’s drawing style had always been full of youthful romantic vibes, so in Audrey’s mind, she imagined her to be a lively girl. She didn’t expect such a big difference.

Two days later, Shane had to go abroad for a business trip again.

This time, Audrey didn’t go along, partly because she was rushing to meet deadlines and had no time, and partly because she had realized something.

A man should behave even if you’re not watching. It’s impossible to keep an eye on him forever. If he truly created some trouble with Secretary Irving, then it would mean she, Audrey, had loved the wrong person.

For the three days Shane was on his trip, Audrey took General back to her parents’ home for meals.

Having become familiar with General, knowing it was a very gentle large dog, Audrey wasn’t as scared of dogs anymore.

The only pets at home were a few cats raised by her fourth brother, and they reacted intensely upon seeing General.

Even though General was large, it tucked its tail and seemed to be the one more afraid, sticking close to Audrey at all times.

Audrey took General to her room, secretly used her fourth brother’s newly bought cat bed to make a nest on the balcony, and then recorded a short video to send to Shane, along with a voice message: "General is so timid, afraid of my fourth brother’s cats."

Staring at the screen for a few seconds without getting a reply, Audrey put down the phone and went downstairs to find something to eat.

In the morning, she went to the backyard to check the plot of land she had asked her dad for earlier, where she had planted sunflowers.

To say she planted them was a bit of a stretch as it was actually tended to by her dad’s workers.

July is indeed the season when sunflowers bloom brilliantly, blooming radiantly under the sunlight.

She took out her phone to snap a picture and posted it on her social media, with the caption: "I grow sunflowers to support you."

In the afternoon, she didn’t go anywhere, and after eating, she returned to her room, opened her computer, and began painting.

The phone occasionally went "ding-dong, ding-dong," each time she picked it up full of hope, only to find the messages weren’t from Shane.

As dusk approached, she wondered what on earth he was up to that kept him from responding. Even considering the time zone differences, he should have seen her messages by now, right?

Was it that he found her messages too boring, saw them but was just too lazy to reply?

Thinking about this, Audrey hesitated about whether to send something else over.

While organizing words and thinking of topics in her mind, she feared he might find her annoying. After deliberating, she decided to put down her phone and leave it at that.

At dinner, all the brothers were home.

At the table, they once again interrogated Audrey about her married life.

Hazel Yates, still feeling concerned, advised, "You’re still young, no need to rush into having kids."

Norman casually remarked, "And you don’t know him that well. If you want to get a divorce later, imagine how sad it would be for the child. So, until you truly understand him, don’t have children with him."

Audrey immediately shot a glare at Norman: "You can’t expect ivory from a dog’s mouth!"

Samuel lightly coughed, saying, "I think Six isn’t wrong. Get to know him better. If it really doesn’t work out, there’s no need to force yourself. After all, it’s a lifelong matter."

Audrey quickly responded, "Dad, he’s really nice."

"I know. Dad’s just reminding you — people change. You two just got married not long ago; who knows what the future holds. We’re not saying to wait forever, but at least put off the child matter until after you graduate from college."

Scott, mischievous as usual, glanced at Audrey’s belly and joked, "Our little sis isn’t already expecting, is she?"

"Fourth brother!"

Stephen, with a doting smile, came to Audrey’s rescue, "Alright, Sutton’s blushing now, don’t tease her."

"Big brother’s the best!"

Arthur smiled faintly, "I’ve always felt like you’re still a kid — kinda hard to believe you’re married now."

Norman: "She’s no kid! Her bookshelf’s full of erotic novels!"

Audrey quickly grabbed a piece of watermelon from the fruit tray and stuffed it into Norman’s mouth: "Norman Sutton! Eat more and talk less!"

Hazel, smiling indulgently, still chided Audrey, "A young lady should act like a young lady, don’t always use foul language."

After saying that, Hazel glanced resentfully at Samuel: "Like father, like daughter!"

Samuel frowned, "How’s that my fault?"

Hazel: "Just look at you!"

The family bantered back and forth as lively as ever.

Evan, however, didn’t say a word throughout; he just occasionally smiled in agreement. It wasn’t because he had any particular feelings at the moment; it’s just how he was, and the family, knowing his demeanor, didn’t find it odd.