Alexander Sterling didn’t go back to Sterling Manor. He went to the main house instead.
There was something he needed to confirm with his mother directly. He had never asked her before, but deep down, he already sensed it. His origins weren’t simple. Otherwise, Frederick Sterling wouldn’t have written about it over and over again.
“Good evening, Fourth Young Master!” Chloe Ward came out of the old lady’s room. She greeted him, then turned to announce, “Madam, the Fourth Young Master is here to see you.”
“Mm,” Eleanor Sterling replied from inside.
“Please come in, Fourth Young Master. I was about to prepare a snack for the old lady. Would you like some too?”
“No, thank you. Don’t prepare any for me,” Alexander answered.
Chloe nodded and headed to the kitchen. Alexander walked into his mother’s bedroom.
“Mother.”
“Ah, Gray. Have a seat. Did you just get off work?” Eleanor asked from her wheelchair, looking at her youngest son.
“I left early today. I went out for a bit. Now I want to ask you about something,” Alexander replied honestly.
“What is it?” Eleanor studied his face.
“Mother, is it convenient to talk here?”
“Let’s go to the study,” she said.
She understood what he meant. Even at home, not every place was safe for certain conversations.
Alexander walked over, draped a coat over his mother’s shoulders, covered her legs with a blanket, and pushed her out of the bedroom.
Once inside the study, he closed the door.
“What’s going on?” Eleanor asked.
“Mother, I met Third Sister tonight,” Alexander said.
“What does she want now?” Eleanor frowned, disgust creeping into her voice.
“She wants fifty-five percent of Sterling Group’s equity,” Alexander stated flatly.
“Ridiculous. She’s getting more insane by the day,” Eleanor sneered. “What right does she have to demand fifty-five percent of the company’s shares?”
“If she doesn’t have the right, Mother… do I have even less?” Alexander looked at her calmly.
“What do you mean by that?” Eleanor stared at him.
“Mother, don’t be angry. No matter what happens, I am still your son. But I need to know the truth so I can handle things properly,” Alexander said steadily.
“Did Lillian threaten you with some documents?” Eleanor asked.
“It’s similar to last time. But this time, she claims I’m not only not Father’s son, but also have no blood relation to you,” Alexander replied.
“Do you believe her?” Eleanor squinted.
“I only believe the truth.”
“Did she tell you that you are actually your sister-in-law’s son? That you share the same father as Ethan? That you have no blood ties to the Sterling family?” Eleanor asked.
Alexander remained silent.
If it was true, then his mother was one of the people who knew best.
“Ha… I knew this would come out sooner or later,” Eleanor laughed bitterly. Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke slowly.
Alexander watched her patiently, not rushing her.
“That was many years ago. If you hadn’t brought it up today, I might have forgotten.
There was such a child. A boy. Your sister-in-law’s child.
Before she married your brother, she had a boyfriend. They were intimate. Then something happened. The man died, and the child became a posthumous son.
Your sister-in-law’s health wouldn’t allow an abortion, so she had to carry the baby to term. At the time, your brother told me it was his child. I thought they were young and reckless, and the child was pitiful, so I agreed to take him in.
Back then, I was less than five months pregnant with you. I wasn’t showing much, so very few people knew.
That child died shortly after birth.
Your brother was afraid your sister-in-law would be heartbroken, so he kept it from her. But you were born prematurely, only a few months apart from that child. Your brother told your sister-in-law that you were her baby.
In truth, that child had been dead for a long time.
I never expected someone to use this against you. They think you’re not a true Sterling. But you are. You are my son, born from me and your father.
At the time, I was angry with your father, but I would never betray him behind his back.”
“Mother, that’s not what I meant,” Alexander said softly. “I just want to know the truth. I’m only asking you this once. After all, you are the one who knows best.”
“I understand. This matter has nothing to do with you from start to finish. If someone hadn’t stirred up trouble, you wouldn’t have to deal with these boring things.
Don’t worry. You are your father’s son. You are a Sterling. No matter what test they throw at us, we are not afraid. I will handle this. You don’t need to get involved.”
“Mother, let me handle it. Your health isn’t good. Don’t trouble yourself with this.
It’s better for me to understand the situation clearly.”
“I’m not worried that you can’t handle it. But if you step in, it might make things messier.
I know this matter best. It’s better for me to deal with it. Don’t worry about it.”
“Mother, please take care of yourself first. No matter what happens, your health matters most. Don’t focus only on work. Spend more time with Evie. Pregnant women are sensitive. You need to take care of her emotions.
By the way, what’s going on between you and that woman?”
“Which woman do you mean, Mother?” Alexander asked.
“Don’t play dumb with me. Who else but that Grace O’Sullivan?” Eleanor glared at him.
“Mother, it’s nothing. I know my limits.”
“Knowing your limits isn’t enough. You need to make Evie feel secure.
In the past, I didn’t interfere with that woman. But now that you and Evie are married, you must treat her well.”
“I know, Mother,” Alexander nodded.
“I know you’re a sensible person. But feelings are complicated. Be careful.”
“Yes.”
“And what I told you tonight, don’t let it slip. Especially not to your sister-in-law. She was one way before, and she’s another now. Her mind isn’t stable. Don’t add to her burden,” Eleanor instructed.
“I understand.”
“If there’s nothing else, go back early and spend time with Evie.”
“Mother, rest early.”
Eleanor nodded.
Alexander left the main house and returned to Sterling Manor.
Evie sat by the window on the second floor, leaning against the frame, staring outside. As long as Alexander came back, she could see him from here.
She couldn’t stop worrying about him. Thinking about his meeting with his third sister tonight made her restless and uneasy.
Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was just an unconscious reaction. When Evie looked up, she saw Alexander approaching from afar.