Chapter 96: Ryan Sterling, You’re Insane

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Ryan Sterling, You’re Insane

"..."

’Right. Everyone knew what a fool Evelyn Grant was for Julian Sterling.’

’She loved him without reason, without self-respect!’

Even after Julian Sterling had done something like this—a mistake that would be unforgivable for anyone else—people still had the false impression that Evelyn Grant would ultimately forgive him.

That alone was enough to show just how much Evelyn Grant had loved Julian Sterling all these years.

Even though Ryan Sterling already knew all this, he couldn’t help the painful feeling of his heart being clawed at.

"Ryan, no matter what your older brother has done recently, you’re the younger brother, so just let it go, okay? Listen to your mother and cut him some slack!"

"I’ve cut him enough slack."

’Didn’t he know what his mother was saying? He knew perfectly well.’

’His older brother had indeed been very good to him, taking care of him since they were children.’

’But he had done his best to repay that kindness. When his brother’s company ran into trouble multiple times, wasn’t he the one who bailed it out with his own money?’

’Fine. Even setting the money aside, the bond between him and his brother shouldn’t come at Evelyn Grant’s expense!’

’She loved Julian Sterling with all her heart. She hadn’t done anything wrong.’

"Do you really have to turn on your brother at a time like this?"

"He’s the one who did something wrong."

"He wronged Eve, so what does that have to do with you?!"

"..."

Florence Morgan raised her voice, snapping, "You need to get your priorities straight! Yes, our family is close to the Grant Family. Yes, I am very fond of Evelyn Grant as a daughter-in-law, and yes, you all grew up together, but! Your brother will always be your brother! You two are bound by blood!"

’Ryan Sterling knew his mother was going to say something like this.’

’Whenever she sensed he wasn’t obeying her, she would emphasize this point.’

But she was his elder, the mother who had given birth to and raised him, so Ryan Sterling couldn’t say anything too harsh.

He rubbed his forehead and took a deep breath, his voice low. "Mom, I know what I’m doing when it comes to my brother and me. If he were in any other kind of trouble, I would absolutely help him, even if it cost me my entire fortune! But not this. I can’t."

As soon as the words were out, even someone as unceptive as Florence Morgan could understand the implication.

She hesitated for a moment before asking.

"You... you don’t have feelings for Eve, do you...?"

"Mom, she was clearly closer to me when we were kids."

"You’re insane! Ryan Sterling, you’ve really gone insane!"

Florence Morgan’s voice rang in Ryan Sterling’s ears, making them ache.

After almost ten seconds of silence, she asked in a trembling voice, "Then... does Eve know? Have you confessed your feelings to her?"

Ryan Sterling pressed his lips together. "No."

’He couldn’t let this get back to Evelyn Grant’s mother, so he had to take all the blame himself.’

"I think you’ve truly lost your mind! Eve is your sister-in-law! How many years has she been married to Julian?"

"That’s why I haven’t been in the country."

"...You mean, you left because of this?"

Ryan Sterling admitted sullenly, "Yes. I couldn’t stand watching Evelyn Grant and my own brother being all lovey-dovey day after day, so I chose to leave."

’But that was also Ryan Sterling’s biggest regret.’

’He should have stayed by Evelyn Grant’s side. Even if it was heartbreaking, even if it was agonizing, he should have stayed in the country and protected her!’

’Otherwise, how could things have ended up like this?’

’How could he have allowed his brother to treat her so horribly! How could he have stood by while Evelyn Grant was framed by Jane Jacobs, almost getting sent to prison and sentenced to death?’