Free Web NovelChapter 23: Chapter 23: She Doesn’t Want His Humiliation Money
’He helped Vivian Linton steal what was originally mine, and he still thinks it’s all my fault?’
"You’re right. It’s about the two million."
Laughter bubbled up from her fury as she nodded slowly.
Tristan Sterling’s expression instantly darkened.
He suddenly grabbed her wrist, yanking her harshly into his arms. His deep eyes turned vicious. "If you get that money, you can finally divorce me, is that it?"
Right now, Holly Sinclair’s only weakness was Noah Sinclair.
If Noah Sinclair’s medical fees were covered...
Holly Sinclair twisted her wrist, trying to struggle free.
But his hand was like an iron clamp. The more she struggled, the tighter he squeezed, nearly crushing her wrist.
Her face turned deathly pale from the pain, and she dared not move again.
"Well?" he pressed.
"Yes!!"
She snapped her head up to glare at him, roaring with sudden fury.
Tristan Sterling’s face was as black as thunder, and the air around him grew heavy.
They stared at each other, their gazes cold.
Though her presence was infinitesimal compared to his, she held her chin high, stubbornly refusing to back down.
The temperature in the cramped space dropped to freezing.
After a moment, Tristan Sterling released Holly’s hand.
He took out his checkbook, scribbled a few lines, and tore out a check, holding it out to her.
"I can cover your brother’s medical fees, but I never want to hear the word ’divorce’ from you again," he said.
Holly Sinclair looked at the check. Two million.
She didn’t take it.
She looked up, a cold sneer twisting her lips. "No divorce? Then what about Vivian Linton?"
"That’s not your concern."
He shoved the check into her hand, his tone turning several degrees colder.
’Just as I thought!’
"Hah."
"What’s so funny?"
She waved the check, her beautiful face filled with scorn. "So, what Mr. Sterling is saying is that if I take this two million, I’m supposed to turn a blind eye to your ’improper relationship’ with Vivian Linton. Is that it?"
"Holly Sinclair, watch your wor—"
Before he could finish, she snatched the check and, with a few sharp tears, ripped it to shreds.
She tossed the pieces.
The shreds fluttered down over them like confetti.
She needed the money, it was true.
But she’d be damned if she took this kind of hush money!
Tristan Sterling’s face had gone completely dark.
Holly Sinclair had nothing more to say.
"Stop the car!"
She rapped on the partition screen.
Greg lowered the partition, but without an order from Tristan Sterling, he didn’t dare stop.
She turned to look at Tristan Sterling.
His expression was detached as his long, elegant fingers nonchalantly brushed the paper scraps from his suit.
He showed no intention of saying anything.
Holly Sinclair suddenly snapped.
She suddenly lunged for the door handle, roaring, "Stop the car now, or I’m jumping!"
SCREECH—
Greg hastily pulled the car over.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
Tristan Sterling grabbed her arm, his handsome face livid with rage as he forced the words through gritted teeth.
Holly Sinclair shoved him away forcefully.
She threw open the door and got out.
Tristan Sterling watched her stubborn figure walk away without a single glance back.
The emotions swirling in his eyes were complex and unreadable.
...
「A Bar」
In the dim light of the bar, Holly Sinclair’s gaze darted about, not daring to meet her best friend’s eyes.
Wendy Wyatt’s face was a mask of frost as she stared coldly at Holly Sinclair.
"I’m sorry..."
Finally, unable to bear her friend’s death glare any longer, Holly Sinclair apologized softly.
But the moment the words left her lips, Wendy Wyatt shot to her feet, grabbed a bottle, and started to walk away.
Startled, Holly Sinclair quickly grabbed her arm. "Wendy, what are you doing?!"
"I’m going to go kill that bastard Tristan Sterling!" Wendy Wyatt roared, her anger uncontrollable.
Wendy Wyatt was a small-time, C-list actress.
Two months ago, she’d taken a role that required sequestered training and filming, cutting her off from all outside contact.
That was why she had only learned of her best friend’s marriage troubles that morning, upon her return to Mistcroft.
Learning about the pain and suffering her best friend had endured for the past month, she now wanted nothing more than to tear that scumbag and his bitch, Tristan Sterling and Vivian Linton, limb from limb.
"Don’t..." Holly Sinclair gripped her friend’s hand, stopping her from doing something impulsive.
"After all this, your heart still aches for him?"
Wendy Wyatt was furious, glaring at her friend with exasperation.
Others might not have known how much Holly loved Tristan Sterling, but she knew all too well.
’This silly girl used to be a pampered young miss who’d never had to lift a finger in her life.’
’But after marrying into the Sterling family, she ended up waiting on Tristan Sterling and his insufferable relatives hand and foot, like some kind of maid.’
’But what did she get in the end?’
’All her sincere devotion was thrown away on a dog!’
"It’s not that my heart aches for him. It’s just not worth it."
Holly Sinclair took the bottle from her friend’s hand, placed it back on the table, and shook her head.
"Exactly! He’s not worth it! He’s a bastard!" Wendy Wyatt sat back down, seething. "And Vivian Linton is a bitch!"
"Okay, okay, calm down." Holly Sinclair patted her friend’s back soothingly.
"How could I not be angry?!"
"I’m fine..."
"You call this fine?!"
Wendy Wyatt’s eyes grew red. She grabbed Holly’s wrist, lifting her still-bandaged hand for her to see.
Holly Sinclair was left speechless, a bitter tightness in her chest.
She knew he wasn’t worth it, but deep down, it still hurt.
"If this hand of yours is ruined, who’s going to make my cheongsams for the rest of my life?"
Wendy Wyatt shot her friend an exasperated glare, annoyed that she didn’t take better care of herself.
Knowing her friend was already hurting, Wendy couldn’t bring herself to scold her too harshly, opting instead to express her concern through teasing.
"So, you’re not worried about me, just about losing your cheongsam supply," Holly Sinclair huffed in mock anger.
Holly Sinclair knew her friend’s heart was in the right place.
Wendy Wyatt was well-known in Mistcroft as a "cheongsam beauty."
Nine out of ten pieces in her wardrobe were cheongsams.
And every single one was custom-made for her by Holly Sinclair.
"Did Tristan Sterling get his brains kicked in by a donkey? Passing up the number one beauty in all of Mistcroft for some ’green tea’ schemer?" Wendy Wyatt was still fuming, more furious than if she’d been the one who was cheated on.
Her precious friend deserved all the love in the world, yet Tristan Sterling had failed to cherish her.
Holly Sinclair’s beauty was universally acknowledged.
If she was considered second in beauty, no one would dare claim to be first.
Vivian Linton, with her petty and plain looks, couldn’t even begin to compare.
The men who’d pursued Holly back in the day were as numerous as stars in the sky, but she just had to fall for that scoundrel Tristan Sterling.
For a long time now, Wendy Wyatt had wanted to crack open Tristan Sterling’s skull and see what kind of garbage he had for brains.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose," Holly Sinclair said with a self-mocking laugh.
"I say he’s sick in the head!" Wendy cursed.
"Mhm," Holly Sinclair nodded, agreeing.
"His whole family is sick in the head!"
"Easy there, I’m still officially part of that family," Holly said, holding up a hand.
"You don’t count!"
Wendy Wyatt patted her friend’s hand, getting more incensed by the second. "That little bitch, Vivian Linton... Don’t let me run into her. If I see her, I swear I’ll—"
Her words died in her throat.
Wendy Wyatt’s alluring eyes narrowed dangerously, a cold smirk tugging at her lips. "Hah."
’Well, well...’
’Speak of the devil!’
Holly Sinclair followed Wendy Wyatt’s gaze.
A large, boisterous group was just walking in the door.
Leading the pack were none other than the sisters, Vivian Linton and Nicole Linton.
Nicole Linton was making a scene.
The moment she entered, she marched onto the performance stage and grabbed the microphone. frёewebηovel.cѳm
"I’m so happy tonight! My sister just took her first big step toward success, and Mr. Sterling is throwing a celebration for her! He said he’s feeling generous tonight, so everyone’s tab is on him! Drink as much as you want!"
The bar immediately erupted in applause and cheers.
"Well, since Mr. Sterling is being so generous, how about two bottles of Romanee Conti for our table?"
A clear, coolly sensual voice cut through the cheers, hanging unexpectedly in the air.
All eyes turned to Wendy Wyatt.
