Alexander Sterling pulled his gaze away and continued pouring tea for his second sister.
Audrey Sterling sipped her tea to mask her awkwardness, but she still felt restless.
After a long pause, she finally found a topic to break the silence.
“Why haven’t I seen Evie around these past two days?”
“She went back to her mother’s house for a couple of days,” Alexander replied calmly.
“Oh, no wonder. It’s almost three months now, isn’t it?”
“Almost.”
“You should be careful. You and Evie need to have more children. That way, the family line will continue.” Audrey murmured.
“Second sister, don’t you want a child?” Alexander raised his eyes to look at her and asked.
“I used to think about it. But now that I’m older, it doesn’t matter anymore.” Audrey sighed.
“Is it that you don’t want one, or that your husband doesn’t?” Alexander asked lightly.
Audrey froze and stared at him.
Only she and her husband knew about this. They had never mentioned it to anyone, not even their mother.
“Fourth brother, why would you ask that all of a sudden?”
“Just a casual question. After all, you’ve always loved children.” Alexander replied calmly.
Audrey lowered her head and said nothing.
Back then, she and James Hayes had a child. But she miscarried due to a weak constitution, and she never got pregnant again.
James used to tell her it was fine not to have kids. They were happier just the two of them.
But only recently did she find out that James had other women and children outside.
He didn’t dislike children. He just disliked the children he had with her. He wanted his own.
So this morning, when her mother mentioned her and Lillian’s background, she suddenly felt a deep sadness.
Because deep down, she believed what her mother said.
She and Lillian weren’t their father’s biological children, but their father had raised them as his own.
Over time, they had truly believed they were his daughters.
James told her that his children would be her children too. They would be filial to her in the future. He told her not to worry, that they could live happily.
Now, thinking about it, it was ridiculous.
Looking at herself and Lillian, their mother had raised them for so many years. They hadn’t repaid her at all. Instead, they wanted to take over the family fortune as if it were theirs by right.
And James’s children outside—would they ever be filial to her?
When they grew up, they might blame her for destroying their parents’ relationship, for making them illegitimate.
All her filial piety and respect for her mother now felt like a cruel joke.
“Fourth brother, do you know something?” Audrey looked down at the tea tray in front of her and asked.
“Know what?” Alexander asked lightly.
“James has other women outside. He even has a child with one of them.” Audrey lifted her head and looked at her fourth brother.
“I didn’t know that.” Alexander replied calmly. “Second brother-in-law doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”
“That’s exactly why I was fooled for so many years.
Forget it. Let’s not talk about it.”
Audrey looked up at Alexander and continued.
“Fourth brother, I’m sorry about what happened today.
As Lillian’s older sister, I failed to teach her how to be a good person. It’s my fault that things got so out of hand.
You have every right to be angry with Mom.
All my life, I’ve been mediocre. I’m not capable, and I’m not hardworking.
I’ve just been living like a parasite.
My own life is a mess. I couldn’t possibly give Lillian any positive guidance or education.
That’s why today turned into such a disaster.
So no matter what happens, no matter what you and Mom decide, I’ll accept it. I won’t complain. We are responsible for all of this. No one else is to blame.”
“Second sister, you misunderstand me. I don’t have the right to decide anything.
After all, I might not even care about the family, right?” Alexander replied with a smile.
“Fourth brother, don’t say that!
What Lillian did today was truly too much.
It’s normal for you to be angry. Anyone else would be furious too.
So I’m not making excuses for her. It’s all her fault.
But still, I hope you’ll go easy on me and Lillian.” Audrey finally begged.
“Second sister, you’re making this sound too serious.” Alexander replied lightly.
“What do you want me and Lillian to do? Just say the word. Apologize, admit our mistakes, or even give up our inheritance rights to the family. I’ll agree. And I’ll convince Lillian too.” Audrey continued.
“Second sister, you’re really taking this too far. It’s Mom who deserves an apology, not me.
So I really don’t know what Mom will decide or what she plans to do.”
“Fourth brother, I know you have a way. Mom listens to you.
You can help me talk to Lillian. You’ll have more influence than I will.
It really is Lillian’s fault. I won’t deny it. I’ll make her apologize to Mom.
I won’t bring this up again.
Just help me and Lillian, please.”
“Second sister, to be honest, instead of talking to me and wasting your time here, you should talk to third sister first. Find out what she’s thinking and what she plans to do next.
That might be more effective in solving the real problem.
After all, what I say doesn’t really count, does it?” Alexander deflected.
Audrey looked at him and nodded.
He was right. No matter how much she said here, it wouldn’t matter if Lillian didn’t cooperate.
“Fourth brother, I understand. Thank you anyway.”
“Second sister, you’re welcome. We’re family.” Alexander said.
Audrey smiled awkwardly.
Hearing him say that now felt even more ironic.
The implication of his words was clear: if Lillian truly thought they were family, she wouldn’t have tried to get rid of them.
Now, there was nothing left to say.
Audrey left the main house and went back to her own home. She needed to calm down before she could figure out what to do next.
Lillian was a mess. She could only follow behind and clean up. After all, Lillian was still her sister, whether or not they were their father’s biological children.
After Audrey left, Alexander went to see his mother. He told her not to worry and to take care of her health. He would handle everything.
Eleanor Sterling sighed and asked.
“Did you know about this?”
“Lillian came to me yesterday afternoon.” Alexander replied.
“Did she ask too much of you?” Eleanor looked at her youngest son.
“Twenty percent of the Sterling Group’s dividends.” Alexander answered lightly.