Chapter 268 Staying Overnight
Bella returned just as dinner was starting, but the atmosphere at the table was strangely tense.
Derek, usually so carefree, was unusually silent tonight, barely saying a word.
Even Blair, who was typically loud and brash, was uncharacteristically quiet.
At the table, only Tobias occasionally exchanged a few words with Sterling, making their conversation stand out.
On the surface, the dinner seemed calm and uneventful, but beneath it, everyone harbored their own thoughts and suspicions.
Bella found it odd but couldn't quite figure out why.
Sterling rarely chatted with the Windsor family elders, yet tonight he was unusually talkative, which puzzled Bella.
Could Sterling suspect that these people were involved in the drug trade with Caleb?
The thought sent a chill down Bella's spine.
But Bella hadn't forgotten her role; tonight she was supposed to stay over.
She worried that Tobias might not let them stay, so she decided to play her part a bit more.
Around ten o'clock, she yawned, pretending to be sleepy, hoping they would notice and offer to arrange a guest room for them.
To her surprise, the first to play along was Tobias.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
Sterling glanced at Bella beside him.
Her eyes were watery from the yawn, making her look a bit embarrassed. "Maybe I stayed up too late last night," she said.
Sterling smiled easily. "We arrived in Oakridge last night and didn't get to bed until one or two in the morning. No wonder you're tired. If you're sleepy, we should head back."
Sterling lied effortlessly, without missing a beat.
Blair and Derek quickly stood up to see them off, but Tobias hurriedly insisted, "Bella looks tired. Don't make them travel again. We have plenty of guest rooms. Sterling and Bella, stay here tonight."
Bella hesitated, looking at Sterling. "Is that okay, Sterling?" she asked, but her eyes were pleading for him to agree.
Blair and Derek's faces darkened, caught off guard. They exchanged a glance but could only smile awkwardly since Tobias had already spoken.
Sterling didn't tease Bella this time. "Alright, let's follow Mr. Windsor's suggestion."
Blair immediately ordered someone to prepare the guest rooms.
Once they were out of sight, Blair and Derek's smiles vanished.
"Dad, why did you let them stay? Sterling's sudden visit and now staying over feels off. Do you think he knows something?" Blair asked in a low voice.
Derek quickly added, "I don't think so. I called around before dinner, and no one knew why they suddenly came to Oakridge. It seems like a spur-of-the-moment trip. Sterling said they were here for sightseeing. Maybe they're just here for a few days of fun."
Derek was hopeful.
Tobias was cautious. "Better safe than sorry. Have someone keep an eye on them. If they have ulterior motives, staying the night might mean they're planning something."
He then glared at Blair and Derek. "It's your fault for getting involved with Caleb, that shady illegitimate son. If the Windsor family's century-old legacy is ruined because of you, I won't be able to face our ancestors, even in death. If I hadn't let them stay, it would have raised more suspicion. Use your brains. I'm old and don't have many years left, but if you drag the Windsor family into this mess, I won't forgive you."
Tobias's stern warning went unnoticed, as they were already ensnared in Caleb's trap.
"Got it!" Blair and Derek responded in unison.
Tobias gazed solemnly at the mansion. They had worked hard to achieve their status and lay a foundation for future generations.
No matter what, they couldn't let it all crumble.
The housekeeper escorted them to their room, wished them goodnight, and left.
Bella entered the room and was about to close the door when a shadow loomed behind her, creating a sense of pressure.
She tensed up and blurted out, "Sterling, we're in someone else's house."
Sterling chuckled. "What are you thinking?"
She thought he was going to do something? Bella's fluttering eyelashes showed she had misunderstood.
The room was filled with a rich, classical ambiance.
The mahogany floor gleamed with a steady shine, and the intricately carved wooden door stood quietly, each pattern telling an ancient story.
In the backyard, a crabapple tree was in full bloom, its pink and white flowers clustered on the branches, vibrant and lively.
The half-open window perfectly framed the natural scenery, with a few crabapple branches adorned with buds gracefully extending into the room, adding a touch of elegance and vitality to the serene space.
On the vanity, an antique incense burner emitted wisps of white smoke, the calming scent lingering and soothing the mind.
In this poetic and elegant environment, Bella wore a fitted dress that accentuated her graceful figure, complementing the room's classical charm.
She stood there, so beautiful that it was hard to look away, like a lady from a bygone era, carrying an indescribable allure and grace.
Sterling couldn't take his eyes off her but kept his voice low. "If anything happens tonight, don't leave the room, okay?"
"What kind of thing?" Bella asked instinctively.
Sterling just ruffled her hair, reassuring her. "Not sure yet. I'll have Colin bring Anna to stay with you."
Bella immediately tensed up. "What about you? Where are you going?"
This unfamiliar environment made Bella uneasy. Sterling hugged her from behind, his chest against her back. "Don't worry. Micah and I have things to do. Just stay put."
Bella was annoyed that Sterling wasn't telling her the truth.
Sterling smiled, turning her around to face him. "How about we do something to help you sleep?"
Bella blushed, quickly covering his mouth and glaring at him. "Shut up!"
Sterling smirked, grabbed her wrist, and moved her hand away, bending down to kiss her.
Bella leaned back, and Sterling held her waist, biting her lip before letting go.
Bella yelped, tasting a hint of blood. She glared at him, and Sterling wiped the red from her lip. "You're the first to tell me to shut up."
Bella's defiance faded, muttering that she didn't mean it.
Sterling didn't do anything else, just checked the room to ensure it was safe.
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