Chapter 187 On the other side of the city, in the garden, an old woman and a young man sat together in rare harmony. Julian picked up some food and placed it before Agatha. "Next New Year, I'll definitely bring her back for you to meet. Alright?" "Eat your food." Agatha gave him a chiding glance. "After this, you still have to go to the old estate. Don't always be at odds with Eloise. She isn't as simple as you think." Julian inclined his head, fell silent for a while, then asked in a low voice, "Grandma, did you ever hate my grandfather?" Agatha froze.
Deceived into becoming the other woman, she had lost even her own son, who was taken to the Sterling family's old estate and raised to call Eloise "mother." Now, even her biological grandson's official grandmother was still Eloise. To this day, Agatha remained someone who could never step into the light. She smiled faintly, serene and composed. "I did hate him. But now I don't feel anything at all. All I hope for is that you can start your own family soon." Her only wish was for this one grandson to live smoothly through the rest of his life and one day meet a good woman.
When Sydney and Caleb arrived at the Sterling estate, the reception hall was alive with noise and cheer. Aunts had come home, children ran through the garden, and the festive air of New Year filled the place. Seeing Caleb by Sydney's side this time, Jason smiled and welcomed them warmly. "Mr. Hampton, it's been a long time since you last visited." "In the past, I had too many matters to manage and neglected Sydney. Because of that, she suffered grievances. From now on, that won't happen again," Caleb replied smoothly. His seemingly calm words carried weight.
He half-admitted that Sydney had suffered because of him and half-implied she had suffered because of the Sterling family as well. Jason, shrewd as ever, caught the double meaning. He gave a strained chuckle. "Well, once Madam Sterling hears that, she'll surely be delighted." Sydney said nothing, following them quietly inside. As they neared the reception hall, she heard younger cousins calling out "cousin-in-law." She blinked, puzzled. Her aunts' sons were still young and unmarried. Of those old enough, only Julian and Victor remained. Carrying her doubts, she stepped into the room.
Surrounded by cousins stood Charlotte, dressed in an exquisitely tailored gown. Gone was her usual competent, intellectual air. Today she radiated the grace and softness of a noble young lady. The moment Sydney looked over, Charlotte turned her head and approached with a bright smile. "Mr. Hampton, Syd, Happy New Year!" She then looked directly at Sydney with warmth. "The cousins were just guessing whether Mr. Hampton would come back with you today." Sydney smiled faintly. "Happy New Year." Charlotte clasped her hand and led her toward the sofa. "You two are doing so well now.
When are you planning to have children?" Sydney froze. Before she could answer, Caleb spoke gently from her side. "That's up to her. Whenever she wants one, we'll have one." 1/2 Sydney gave a self-mocking smile. In their second year of marriage, she had longed desperately for a child-someone bound to her by blood. Sadly, Caleb had never touched her. No matter how much she wanted one, she could never have it. Charlotte, unaware, looked on with envy. "Mr. Hampton treats you so well." "It's alright," Sydney remarked. Charlotte hesitated, then spoke with a touch of embarrassment.
"There's something I didn't tell you before. I'm not only your brother's secretary. I also have a marriage agreement with him." 2/2