You're not leaving this time.

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Take Your Pick

A few days later, Ian Sterling was called away by Mr. Sterling.

Lynn Winslow didn’t want to stay at Calyx Hall alone, so after Ian left, she packed her things and returned to Amberly Bay.

She left in the morning, and by that evening, Ian was already video calling her.

He was being a bit too clingy, and Lynn was getting annoyed.

Ian sounded aggrieved. "Do you think I’m annoying? I’ve been gone for less than a day and you’re already tired of me."

"Of course not, baby," Lynn said, a smile playing on her lips as she casually soothed him.

Ian wasn’t as upset anymore. Lynn glanced at his surroundings and asked curiously, "Where are you?"

Ian flipped the camera to show her. It was a neat training field, completely deserted and quiet.

"I had to beg Mr. Sterling for my phone back, and when I use it to call you, you say I’m annoying."

The moment Lynn saw he was about to start complaining, she quickly cut him off and changed the subject.

"When are you coming back?"

Ian pouted. "A month. I don’t know what Mr. Sterling is thinking. My brothers are still on the phone dealing with company business right now."

The thought of several executives, usually clad in sharp suits, having to run and jump around all day with buzz cuts and dripping sweat made Lynn chuckle.

Ian was just about to say something when a sharp reprimand sounded from nearby. He had no choice but to end the video call.

After being shooed back to the dorm by Mr. Sterling, he found his three brothers busy with work on their respective laptops. They gave him a brief glance as he entered before looking away.

Ian sighed, climbed onto his bed, and lay down with another deep sigh.

Jared Sterling, who had just hung up his call, ambled over. He sized Ian up with a smile, his eyes full of playful meaning.

"What are you looking at me for?"

"You look like you’re dying of lovesickness. It’s amusing."

Jared raised an eyebrow. "You dragged us into this mess with you, but did you ever think that we could at least help you keep an eye on Lynn? If she decides she doesn’t want you again, we, your older brothers, could step in and try to stop her."

"..." Ian rolled his eyes and turned his back to him. "I don’t need you to watch her, and she won’t leave me."

Connor Sterling slowly climbed into his bed, yawned, and drawled, "That confident?"

"Of course."

Jared looked amusedly at his back, which practically screamed ’I’m just putting on a brave face’. "You’ve only been gone a day and you’re already clinging to her on the phone. You’re sure she’s not annoyed?"

Ian’s face darkened for a second. Jared couldn’t see it, but Connor, who had a clear view, said coolly, "Leave him alone. If Miss Winslow really does dump him, are you going to be the one to comfort him?"

"Like hell I will."

Jared turned, sat back down on his stool, and crossed his legs while fiddling with his phone. He scoffed, "Pathetic. A grown man clinging to his girlfriend all day."

"At least Finn has a girlfriend. What about you?"

Mr. Sterling pushed the door open, his hands clasped behind his back. He looked sternly at his nephews and son and reprimanded them, "Get to sleep. You’re all up at five tomorrow. Ten laps each before you get to eat breakfast."

"..." Jared looked at his own father in disbelief. "Dad, did we do something to offend you?"

"Yes. When you finally bring a girlfriend home, I’ll forgive you. Until then, you’ll do as I say."

—

With Ian Sterling just having left, Lynn Winslow didn’t miss him that much yet. In fact, she was quite enjoying the days without someone constantly attached to her hip.

When Zane Lancaster invited her to his company, she went. When Chloe Clayton and Flora Fairfax asked her out, she didn’t miss a single gathering.

Until one day, Flora Fairfax brought her boyfriend along. The two of them were snuggled up, sweetly feeding each other.

Lynn stared, momentarily stunned. When she looked away, she felt a pang in her chest.

She lowered her gaze, fiddling with her fingers. After a long silence, she picked up her phone and sent a message to Ian Sterling.

[When can I come see you?]

’Ian’s probably still in training. He won’t see the message until tonight.’ Lynn sighed, picked up her glass, and sipped her drink, looking around listlessly.

Chloe Clayton nudged her with an elbow. Lynn looked over, confused. Chloe said, "You don’t seem very happy."

"I’m okay," Lynn said, not telling her the full story.

Chloe blinked. "Are you missing Ian Sterling?"

Lynn admitted it freely. "A little. We were stuck together every day for a while, so it feels a bit strange now that we’re apart. I’m not used to it."

"Totally. It’s like... what do you call it? Withdrawal?" Chloe propped her chin on her hand, a mischievous grin on her face. "How about this: while he’s away, I’ll find you a few cute guys?"

"No thanks." Lynn shook her head, but Chloe had already waved over the manager standing nearby.

The manager hurried over, bending down to listen carefully to Chloe’s instructions before nodding and walking away.

Lynn couldn’t be bothered with her and went back to lounging on the sofa, surveying the room.

Before long, the manager returned, followed by several tall, lean men.

"Lynn! Lynn, look!" Chloe physically turned Lynn around to face the men. "Which one do you like? Take your pick. You can have all of them, it’s on me."

"..." A vein throbbed on Lynn’s forehead. "Are you serious?"

"Of course!" Chloe lifted her chin. "Relax, they’re just here to drink with you, not to do anything else."

Jasper Jennings had just walked in from outside. A casual glance around the room happened to land on Lynn—and the line of men standing in front of her.

He let out a soft hiss, like someone eager for drama. He took out his phone, snapped a photo, examined it closely, tapped the screen with the back of his finger, and sent it to Ian with a smirk.

’That’s what Ian gets for tattling to my mom and getting me a curfew. Serves him right for making it so I couldn’t stay out late.’

He sauntered back to his private room, humming a tune. Kenneth Keller and Zachary Quincy were playing cards inside. Seeing him so cheerful, they asked what was up.

Jasper didn’t tell them. He just sat back on the sofa by himself, sipping his drink and waiting for Ian’s reaction once he got his phone.

Ian had just gotten his phone back from Mr. Sterling. He glanced at his three brothers squatting on the ground with cigarettes dangling from their lips, looking utterly unkempt, then leaned against the wall to check his messages.

He ignored Jasper’s message notification and opened Lynn’s first. Seeing her text, a smile touched his lips, and he tried to video call her.

Lynn rejected the call. He frowned, sent a question mark, and only then did he tap on Jasper’s message to see it.

Ian swore under his breath, shot to his feet, and stormed off toward Sylvia Sterling’s office, fuming.

Elias Sterling called out to him, but Ian ignored him, forcing Elias to stride quickly to catch up.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to get out." Ian’s face was cold. He shook off Elias’s hand, pushed open the door to Sylvia Sterling’s office, and went inside, shutting the door behind him.

Elias nearly got his nose slammed in the door. He frowned and took a step back. Connor and Jared, who had followed, were both confused.

The office door couldn’t muffle the fury in Ian’s voice.

"Mr. Sterling, I have to go out!"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!