Chapter 216: Success

Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Success

’How could that be?’

They had grown up together, and Julian had always treated his younger brother, Sean Sterling, with tenderness and immense care. Sean, in turn, had always been close to and respectful of him. To outsiders, their bond as brothers was deep and beyond reproach.

Sebastian Kensington lowered his gaze, concealing the flash of coldness in his eyes. His expression remained impassive, and he didn’t expose the lie on the spot.

"Julian was probably just frightened. In the future, you must vet your staff more carefully to prevent this kind of absurd situation where a servant mistreats their master."

"I’m going to take him back to the Kensington estate to stay for a few days. Once he’s calmed down, I’ll bring him back."

"Sebastian, my brother has been living at the Sterling estate ever since his accident. If you suddenly take him to the Kensington’s, what if he can’t adjust..." Sean Sterling’s face was etched with worry, his tone pleading.

"This isn’t Julian’s first time visiting the Kensington estate. What you’re worried about won’t happen."

Sebastian Kensington turned and looked at Julian Sterling, his voice gentle as he asked his opinion.

"Julian, would you like to come stay at the Kensington’s for a few days?"

Julian Sterling quickly glanced at Sean Sterling beside him and nodded almost immediately.

"I want to. Let’s go. Right now."

In an instant, all the worry vanished from Sean Sterling’s face, which suddenly darkened, turning ugly.

"Then I’ll have to trouble you to look after him, Sebastian. If my brother shows even the slightest discomfort, please call me. I’ll come pick him up immediately."

"Okay."

Sebastian Kensington instructed the servants to quickly pack a few changes of clothes for Julian Sterling, said his goodbyes to the Sterling family elders, and then took him away directly.

In the car, Miss Kensington looked at Julian Sterling, who was huddled to the side, her face full of astonishment.

"Sebastian, why did you suddenly bring Julian out?"

Only after the car had smoothly pulled away did Sebastian Kensington slowly explain the reason.

After hearing the story, Miss Kensington immediately reached out to check the bruises on Julian Sterling’s body. The moment her fingertips touched the mottled blue and purple marks, she was instantly enraged.

"How dare they be so shameless!"

"I suspect someone is enabling this from behind the scenes." Sebastian Kensington’s eyes were cold and somber.

"Who?"

"Sean Sterling."

Just now, when he mentioned calling the police to investigate thoroughly, Sean Sterling deliberately changed the subject, defending the insubordinate servant at every turn. The flaws in his act were too obvious.

Miss Kensington had a look of utter disbelief.

"How could it be? Sean was closest to Julian since they were children. If Julian hadn’t pleaded on his behalf back then, the Sterling Family would never have taken him in and given him a place to stay."

"Grandma, this is just my speculation for now. I can’t be sure if he was directly involved. I’ve already sent someone to find the servant who used to look after Julian but has since been fired."

That person took care of Julian Sterling the longest and must know the inside story.

As long as they could get him to talk, Sean Sterling’s true colors would have nowhere to hide.

"What a terrible sin. Who on earth did the Sterling Family offend to suffer such a calamity?" Miss Kensington fingered the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, murmuring "Amitabha" several times under her breath.

After returning to the Kensington estate, Sebastian Kensington got Julian Sterling settled in, then went into the study alone.

He pulled up the footage from the miniature camera. At first, the video showed nothing unusual, but the further he watched, the more his brow furrowed, and a cold aura grew around him.

The overlapping old and new bruises on Julian Sterling’s body—the abuser wasn’t the servant at all, but Sean Sterling himself.

That servant was merely taking the blame and being the scapegoat for Sean Sterling.

’No wonder he was so insistent on protecting the servant. No wonder he hastily changed the subject the moment I mentioned calling the police!’

The surveillance footage clearly showed that this was far from the first time Sean Sterling had laid a hand on Julian Sterling.

A knock suddenly sounded at the door, and a servant’s respectful voice came from the other side.

"President Kensington, the doctor is here."

Sebastian Kensington stood up and walked quickly toward Julian Sterling’s bedroom.

Just as he reached the door, he heard sounds of resistance from inside, Julian Sterling’s voice filled with terror.

"No... Go away..."

He pushed the door open and saw Julian Sterling, his body tense, flailing his arms wildly and desperately resisting the doctor’s approach. The young man was curled up in the corner of the bed, his arms wrapped tightly around his knees, like a terrified, lonely bird, radiating vigilance and unease.

"Julian, don’t be afraid. He’s a doctor, not a bad person." Sebastian Kensington approached slowly, his fingertips landing gently on his shoulder as he soothed him softly.

Hearing that familiar, steady voice, Julian Sterling miraculously began to quiet down.

With Sebastian Kensington’s comforting presence, the doctor was able to complete a full examination.

Stepping out of the bedroom, Sebastian Kensington looked at the doctor.

"How is he?"

"Mr. Sterling has numerous old injuries on his body, indicating he’s clearly been subjected to long-term violence. Fortunately, there are no bone injuries; they’re all superficial wounds and not life-threatening. It’s just..." The doctor’s expression was grave, and he hesitated mid-sentence.

"You can speak freely."

"His psychological state is clearly problematic. He has a severe traumatic stress response, and it’s imperative that he receives intervention and therapy as soon as possible."

...

Jared Hawthorne rushed to The Gilded Mortar at the end of the alley. Its doors were shut tight, looking particularly inconspicuous under the dim streetlight.

He raised his hand and knocked forcefully on the door.

After a long moment, a hoarse, rough voice came from inside.

"Not open today! Come back another day if you need something!"

"I’m Jared Hawthorne."

The person inside was unyielding.

"I don’t care who you are! This old man is closed for business today, no consultations!"

Jared Hawthorne was speechless.

Just as he was about to speak again, the wooden door opened with a CREAK.

Shiloh Sloan peeked her head out to confirm his identity.

"President Hawthorne, I’m sorry. Mr. Hitch doesn’t know you, and Vesper specifically instructed before she started making the medicine that no one was to disturb her!"

"It’s fine."

He strode inside, and the door closed again.

Limping Lawson shot him a look.

The man before him was tall and upright, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His features were deep-set and defined, his eyes handsome and cold, his nose high-bridged, and he had a noble air about him.

’Dashing and with an extraordinary presence. Much more handsome than that Lu kid. He actually seems worthy of Vesper!’

The more Limping Lawson looked, the more satisfied he became. "You’re Vesper’s husband?"

Jared Hawthorne nodded. "I am. And you are...?"

"I’m a friend of Vesper’s. You can just call me Mr. Hitch, like she does!"

’He actually wanted to become Vesper’s apprentice and learn her craft, but she wasn’t taking on any students.’

"Mr. Hitch."

Jared Hawthorne’s tone was gentle and respectful.

’He was an elder, after all. Basic respect was a given.’

Limping Lawson grunted in acknowledgment and led him to the tea room.

"Vesper is making medicine, and no one can disturb her, so I’ll have to ask you to wait here for a while."

Jared Hawthorne sat down and smiled. "Is she in there alone?"

"Compounding medicine is delicate work. Vesper is meticulous and doesn’t like to be disturbed by anyone."

Limping Lawson poured him a cup of tea.

"When did things start between you and Vesper?"

Jared Hawthorne was taken aback for a moment but didn’t find the question rude. It was clear this old man had a good relationship with Vesper.

"We’ve known each other for less than half a year."

"Huh?"

’Are young people these days so reckless when it comes to love?’

Shiloh Sloan chuckled softly. "Mr. Hitch, although they’ve known each other for less than half a year, they had a marriage contract three years ago. You could say things are just getting back on track now."

’What? They had a marriage contract?’

Limping Lawson suppressed his shock and said with heartfelt gravity.

"Vesper is a good girl. You’d better treat her well!"

Jared Hawthorne’s lips curved. "Of course."

At three in the morning, Vesper Grayson looked at the twelve Antidote Pills she had refined, carefully placed them in a small white porcelain bottle, and let out a soft sigh of relief.

’I followed the steps in my grandmaster’s notes and succeeded in making the Antidote Pills on the very first try!’

She stretched her aching arms, got up, and walked outside, eager to share the good news with them.

"Mr. Hitch, it’s done!"