Chapter 266 Acting in Progress 2
Tobias jumped in right on cue, "Sterling, Bella, it's not every day we get to see you. You can't just pop in and leave. You gotta stay for dinner. Bella, what do you feel like eating? I'll have someone whip it up for you."
Bella had planned for this exact moment. She glanced at Sterling, pretending to seek his opinion.
Sterling politely declined, "That's too much trouble. We won't stay for dinner today. How about I treat you to dinner at Windsor Villa another time?"
Bella's eyes widened slightly. This wasn't what they had agreed on!
Sitting next to Sterling, she couldn't help but tug at his sleeve. This wasn't part of the plan—he needed to change his response!
Sterling felt her tug but stayed cool, taking a sip from his cup with elegant ease.
Tobias insisted again, "It's no trouble at all. We've got all the ingredients here. We'll just throw together a few simple dishes. Sterling, don't be so polite."
Sterling responded calmly, "Really, it's fine. We'll just have a cup of coffee."
Blair and Derek both sighed in relief, thinking Sterling was really about to leave.
After speaking, Sterling felt Bella tugging harder at his sleeve.
He struggled to suppress a smile, the rim of his cup scraping against the edge as he took another sip, the clear surface of the coffee reflecting the amusement in his eyes.
Sterling was deliberately teasing Bella, enjoying her frustration.
Tobias made a third attempt to persuade them, "Sterling, you forgot that Blair is a chef. Let him cook tonight, and you can taste his skills. See how they compare to the old days."
Bella quickly pinched Sterling's waist, knowing that refusing a third time would mean Tobias wouldn't insist anymore.
Sterling understood the rule of three but couldn't help but laugh.
He turned to Bella, who was visibly anxious, "Alright, we'll accept your kind offer. Bella, tell Blair what you'd like to eat. He's a top chef, and not everyone gets to enjoy his cooking."
Blair's face turned red with frustration, but he had to hold back his anger in Tobias's presence.
Bella discreetly withdrew her hand from Sterling's sleeve, maintaining her composed demeanor.
She spoke softly, "There was a fish dish at lunch that I really liked. I'd love to have it again."
Blair gritted his teeth and agreed, "Alright."
Sterling suddenly gave Bella a look, indicating he had something to discuss with Tobias and the others.
Bella immediately said, "Sterling, I really like this garden. I'd like to take a walk around. Could you ask someone to show me around?"
Tobias smiled, "Of course."
He called the housekeeper who had opened the door earlier to guide Bella.
Bella had mentioned her interest in the mansion while on the boat, and now it served as the perfect excuse.
Bella asked Sterling sweetly, "Can I walk around the garden? Get some fresh air? It's really beautiful here." Her voice was gentle, with a hint of anticipation.
Sterling smiled warmly, "Go ahead. Tobias and I haven't seen each other in a while, and we have some catching up to do."
His smile was so tender it could melt ice, but there was a hidden depth in his eyes.
Bella forced a smile, grumbling internally, 'He's such a good actor. Few could match his skills.'
She kept her expression natural, as if nothing had happened, and followed the housekeeper out of the living room.
Sterling watched them disappear around the garden corner before slowly turning his attention back to Tobias, Blair, and the others.
Sterling was always polite and gentle, his gaze never sharp, seemingly able to embrace the world.
However, when Tobias met his eyes unexpectedly, he felt a sudden jolt, a wave of panic washing over him, almost causing him to drop his delicate cup due to sweaty palms.
Tobias's eyes flickered, trying to avoid Sterling's penetrating gaze.
He coughed, attempting to cover his unease, but Sterling seemed to have already seen through everything, merely smiling without revealing anything.
"Mr. Windsor, how have you been?" Sterling's voice was warm and low, like he was asking an old friend.
But Tobias knew there was much more behind the question. He forced himself to respond naturally, "I'm alright, alright."
He quickly set down his cup, laughing awkwardly, "Getting old, my hands and feet don't work like they used to."
Sterling replied calmly, "You should take care of yourself. It's important to keep your hands and feet in good shape."
Meanwhile, Anna had just woken up when Caleb called, asking her out.
Anna knew what Caleb wanted to discuss, but she still felt a headache and didn't want to go out.
After dragging herself out of the hotel, Anna found it odd that Caleb only had lunch with her and then left, not mentioning the proposal from the previous day, as if he had forgotten.
Anna was furious but could only find a cool place to relax.
Unexpectedly, Caleb returned at dinner time. Anna had been holding back all day and wanted to say something.
On the way back to the hotel, the atmosphere in the car was heavy, filled with a tension ready to explode.
Anna couldn't hold back, "Caleb, you know I accepted your proposal just because I didn't want to embarrass you in that situation. I've always told you I don't want to get married so soon."
Caleb felt a pang of disappointment but mostly a sense of calm. He had sensed Anna's inner struggle and hesitation but hadn't expected her to express it so quickly and directly.
He took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions steady, "So, what are you saying?"
Anna looked down at her slender fingers, where the ring from last night still sparkled coldly.
She carefully removed the ring and handed it to Caleb, "Let's talk about marriage when I'm ready. Right now, I really don't want to."
Caleb took the ring, his expression complex.
His smile was a mix of bitterness and self-mockery, silently lamenting the ups and downs of their relationship, "You used to push me to get married, asking every day when I'd marry you. Now it's the opposite? What's changed?"
"I've given you my all, loving you more than ever. But you? I feel like you're falling out of love with me."
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