Chapter 4 Guest

To his relief, it wasn’t one of his matchmaking prospects, but his cousin, Isabella. Seeing that the housekeeper was still setting the table, Julian took a seat beside Isabella, crossed his legs and asked, "What brings you here today? Something up?" Having spent a few years abroad for her studies, their relationship was neither close nor distant. He remembered her as a child, two little braids bouncing as she ran after him. As she grew up, she had become more reserved, losing some of that endearing childlike charm.

Isabella always had a refined and delicate beauty. Today, dressed in a pale yellow chiffon dress, she looked even more serene. She slightly furrowed her brows, seeming a tad displeased at Julian's probing demeanor. She replied softly, "Nothing in particular. I just came to visit Aunt and Uncle."

Julian Sterling quirked a playful smirk, teasing her, "Why the long face, Isabella? Someone owes you money or what? Ouch!" He yelped as his mother's foot found his shin. Mumbling under his breath, he muttered, "Mum..."

Mrs. Sterling pulled Julian aside, whispering, "Don't tease Isabella. She's been going through a tough time, and I invited her here to give her a change of scenery and hopefully lift her spirits."

Julian's interest was instantly piqued. He'd never seen anyone ruffle the usually unflappable Isabella. Clinging onto his mother's arm, he prodded, "What happened, Mum?"

Mrs. Sterling raised an eyebrow, then slowly divulged, "What could possibly trouble young folks like you? It’s matters of the heart. Don’t mention it in front of her, though. We don’t want her feeling even more suffocated."

Julian shrugged nonchalantly, "Got it, but you still haven't told me what exactly happened. Spill!"

"It's because of that Ethan Hart boy," Mrs. Sterling replied, her tone laced with clear displeasure. "Rumor has it he's got another girl on the side. How do you think that makes Isabella feel? She’s lost so much weight; your uncle and aunt are beside themselves with worry."

Ethan Hart? Julian's brows furrowed, but he said nothing.

Julian Sterling's mother's viewpoint seemed a bit biased. After all, Ethan Hart and Isabella weren't married nor engaged. They were both single. It was just that both families had intentions of them getting together. Simply put, it was Isabella who was infatuated with Ethan. What did she mean by him being with someone else? People married could have affairs and still end up divorcing, right?

The elite often had their private escapades at clubs and private venues. They'd engage in flings when they found someone appealing. But seldom did such affairs become public family matters. He recalled his sister's dalliance with one of their father's bodyguards. It was a scandal that had the whole city abuzz. They were madly in love back then, but eventually, she obediently broke it off and married her current husband, who serves in the United Front Work Department. They lead a peaceful life now. All of which made Julian skeptical about true love.

But what surprised Julian was the public nature of Ethan Hart's affair this time. Was this the same Ethan he knew, who always acted so high and mighty?

Julian remained silent, but he mentally noted the situation. After all, Isabella was his cousin. Even if he wasn't biased towards her, he should show some concern.

That evening, the Sterling household was quieter than usual. Edward  Sterling, the old patriarch, was away visiting a sanatorium in  Hawaii with his old comrades. Nathan Sterling, the third son, was assigned to gain experience in a different locality. Besides Catherine, the eldest sister-in-law, trying to get Olivia to eat, the dining table was silent. It was a longstanding Sterling rule: no talk during meals and no talk before sleep.

Julian kept a neutral expression, managing to respond calmly to his father Nicholas’s occasional meaningful glances. But internally, he felt uneasy, sensing something was amiss.