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Chapter 28: Chapter 28: As Expected of a Love Brain

"What’s the matter?"

Ian Sterling pursed his lips. Seeing how completely hooked he was, Kenneth Keller quickly stepped forward to change the subject.

"Miss Winslow."

Lynn Winslow smiled and said, "Mr. Keller, you can just call me Lynn."

"Ah, alright, Lynn." Kenneth Keller smiled and asked, "I heard Mr. Winslow hasn’t been well. Is he doing better now?"

Even though the Winslow family was based in Morelia, they were a family of Chinese descent, after all, so of course, word got around in Quartos.

Lynn Winslow’s gaze was fixed intently on Ian Sterling, but her words were for Kenneth Keller. "He just has slightly high blood sugar. He’s fine now."

Ian Sterling met her gaze. Kenneth Keller felt like sparks were about to fly between them, and in a moment of exasperation, he nudged Ian with his elbow.

Before they arrived, Kenneth Keller had been dragged along while Ian Sterling got his hair styled. Ian had even changed into a special suit embroidered with subtle gold patterns, ready like a peacock to fan his tail and capture Lynn Winslow’s attention.

And it worked. Lynn really liked what she saw.

With black hair, Ian Sterling was cold and ascetic, always maintaining a certain distance. But this Ian Sterling looked wild and rebellious, like a flame ready to scorch Lynn Winslow at any moment.

Lynn Winslow was completely captivated, her mind already whirring with plans.

’Whisk him away, take him home, make him...’

She pursed her lips, forcing herself to stop thinking about it.

Just then, Director Carson went on stage to announce the start of the banquet. Lynn Winslow blinked, a faint smile playing on her lips as she casually glanced around the room.

Mia Rhodes arrived late. After chatting with Director Carson for a moment, she began searching for Ian Sterling.

Seeing Ian Sterling standing with Lynn Winslow, she couldn’t stop herself from gritting her teeth.

While she was still on her way, she’d received a message from a junior at her company, saying that Finn Sterling had unexpectedly shown up. That’s when Mia Rhodes had urged her driver to speed up. She never expected Lynn Winslow to be there too, standing so close to Ian Sterling.

She slowly walked over, smiling as she said in a soft voice, "Ian, Mr. Keller, Cousin."

Lynn Winslow tilted her head to look at her, somewhat impressed by Mia Rhodes’s audacity. They had just clashed in front of Ian Sterling a short while ago, yet now she could smile so sweetly.

’A true white lotus,’ Lynn Winslow applauded her mentally.

At the sound of her voice, Ian Sterling merely glanced at her before looking away. Kenneth Keller, however, gave Mia Rhodes a smile.

Lynn Winslow feigned surprise. "Cousin, you’re only just arriving? I was looking all over for you just now. I wanted to have a chat."

Mia Rhodes gave a wry smile. "Grandfather wasn’t feeling well. He refused to take his medicine no matter who tried to persuade him, so my cousin called and said Grandfather would only listen to me, and asked me to go talk to him."

Lynn Winslow pursed her lips, looking a little downcast, and said sullenly, "I haven’t visited Grandfather since I came to Quartos. I wonder if he’s forgotten me."

Ian Sterling’s dark, deep eyes turned to Lynn Winslow, his expression unreadable.

Kenneth Keller understood the complicated dance between the two women. He didn’t meddle, just folded his arms and enjoyed the show.

Mia Rhodes glanced at Ian Sterling and said softly, "Cousin, you should go home and see Grandfather sometime. He’s still a little angry about what you did before, but I’m sure he’ll forgive you if he sees you."

Lynn Winslow looked puzzled. "What did I do before? I’ve forgotten. Cousin, you should tell me so I can fix it. I wouldn’t want to make Grandfather angry again."

Mia Rhodes bit her lip, looking troubled. "Since you don’t remember, Cousin, let’s just forget about it."

"Oh, no," Lynn Winslow said, her voice dropping to a pitiful whisper. "If you don’t tell me, does that mean you want Grandfather to hate me? I don’t want to make him unhappy. I was hoping you could help me out, Cousin."

Seeing Lynn Winslow like this, Ian Sterling’s heart ached for her. He couldn’t help it. He said to Mia Rhodes in a low, stern voice, "If you know something, just say it. What’s the point of hemming and hawing?"

Kenneth Keller lowered his head, a smile touching his lips.

’Oh, Finn... You really are a love-struck fool.’

Hearing this, Mia Rhodes looked aggrieved. She gazed sorrowfully at Ian Sterling and said, "Ian, don’t you know? About the things my cousin did in the past."

"What things?" Lynn Winslow tilted her head, her tone even more pitiful than Mia Rhodes’s. "Cousin, don’t be so evasive. Just say whatever’s on your mind. We’re cousins; I won’t mind."

Mia Rhodes looked at Lynn Winslow, their eyes meeting. She could clearly see the challenge in Lynn’s gaze.

Mia Rhodes gritted her teeth. She desperately wanted to curse her out, but with Ian Sterling standing right there, and so many other entertainers around, she wasn’t stupid enough to cause a scene in a place like this.

"Cousin, forget it," she said helplessly. "Since you’ve already forgotten, why should I bring up such unpleasant things?"

Ian Sterling frowned and was about to say something more, but Kenneth Keller tugged on his arm and shot him a look.

’Idiot. Stay out of it.’

Ian Sterling shook off his hand and reluctantly fell silent.

Lynn Winslow pursed her lips and said, "If you won’t say, Cousin, then let’s just drop it."

With that, she stepped forward and affectionately took Mia Rhodes’s arm, saying in a sweet voice, "Cousin, even though we had that little conflict recently, I know you’re very good to me."

Mia Rhodes felt a chill run through her, as if a venomous snake had coiled around her, its fangs resting against her neck, ready to strike at any moment. She tried to struggle, but the arm holding hers only tightened.

She could only say softly, "Yes, Cousin. I missed you a lot during the three years you were away. Back when you and Ian were together, so many people were envious. It’s a shame you left. All our classmates were so disappointed."

Just as she’d hoped, Lynn Winslow saw the light in Ian Sterling’s eyes dim. She couldn’t explain right now, so she could only go along with Mia Rhodes’s words. Her gaze softened as she looked at Ian Sterling and said, "It is a shame. That’s why I came back this time—to make amends for the hurt I caused."

Flustered, he avoided her gaze and turned his head to the side. Seeing this, Mia Rhodes rejoiced inwardly.

Lynn, however, felt a pang of discomfort and lowered her gaze.

Suddenly, a clamor arose in the banquet hall. The guests, completely bewildered, looked around for the source of the sound, and then they heard a somewhat familiar voice.

"Lynn Winslow! What are you doing back here? Are you trying to steal Grandfather and Ian from me again?!"

"Cousin, how can you say that? Grandfather belongs to both of us, and Ian Sterling is my ex-boyfriend. I haven’t heard anything about you two being together."

"What is this? Are you pestering Ian again?! You’re such a bitch! You already broke up with him, you know that!"

Lynn Winslow looked around in a panic, whispering, "What’s going on? Cousin, who did you offend? Who could be so vicious as to record what you said when you pushed me and play it for everyone to hear?"

Everyone who recognized Mia Rhodes’s voice was already looking in her direction. Now, hearing Lynn Winslow’s comment, they all shot suspicious glances at Mia, whose face had turned beet red.

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