Chapter 342 - 340: Like a Stalker

Jasmine Sterling could really hold her liquor, but she had also drunk the most that night.

Everyone took turns toasting her since she was the new friend. She was starting to feel a little dizzy, but her wits were still about her.

"Okay, Monica, I’ll remember that. Next time there’s an opportunity, I’ll invite you over to our place. I’ll cook for you myself."

At her core, Jasmine Sterling had a more down-to-earth personality than the other wealthy wives, which Monica Coleman really liked. She nodded happily. "That would be wonderful. I absolutely love Veridia Cuisine."

The others all waved goodbye to Monica Coleman as well. One by one, the luxury cars in the clearing pulled away, their taillights disappearing down the winding mountain road into the night.

On the way back, Wendy Duncan felt her stomach churning. The joy she’d felt while knocking back drinks was now matched by an equal measure of misery.

"Jennings, crack a window. It’s so stuffy in here I feel sick."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Jasmine Sterling, only to find her gazing calmly out the window at the pitch-black night, seemingly without a hint of discomfort from the alcohol.

"Jasmine, you’re not feeling it? I’m pretty sure you drank the most tonight."

Jasmine Sterling turned her head and smiled. "I’m okay. My head’s a little fuzzy, but I don’t feel sick."

Hearing that, Wendy Duncan couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up. "You can really drink, then. We don’t actually do this every time, you know. We were just really happy today. Jasmine, did you have a good time?"

Jasmine Sterling nodded and said sincerely, "I had a wonderful time. Thank you, Wendy."

"That’s what matters. Everyone really likes you, you know. From now on, if you’re ever feeling bored, we can all get together and hang out. I’m telling you, the daily lives of these ladies are pretty dull. The same old afternoon teas, shopping sprees, and spa days... it gets old after a while."

"That’s why everyone is genuinely envious of Monica."

"And also... BLECH... Jennings, pull over, quick..."

*

The next day, even though she hadn’t gotten home until the small hours of the morning and had had quite a bit to drink, Jasmine Sterling was still up bright and early to make breakfast for her son.

"Mom, what time did you get home last night? You still weren’t back when I went to bed!"

Ethan Sterling sat at the dining table, secretly observing his mother. She was usually so punctual and had never stayed out so late before.

’Could Mom be dating someone?’ he couldn’t help but wonder.

"I was out with Mrs. Duncan. We didn’t get back until the early hours," Jasmine Sterling answered truthfully.

Hearing this, Ethan Sterling couldn’t hide a flicker of disappointment. "Oh."

"By the way, Mom, I’m bringing a classmate home tonight to tutor him. Can you make a little extra for dinner?"

Jasmine Sterling smiled at her son and nodded. "Of course. A boy or a girl? Have you made good friends already?"

Ethan Sterling raised his eyebrows proudly. "I get along great with everyone in my class. They all fight to sit with me at lunch every day. But I’m closest with the class president—she’s a girl—and a guy from Class Three named Jameson Stone. He’s the one coming over today."

She had been worried her son wouldn’t adjust well after their move from the south, especially since all the students were so stressed with their studies at the end of their senior year. She thought he might not have time to make any friends.

Hearing her son say this, Jasmine Sterling felt much more at ease.

"In that case, I’ll make a few extra dishes tonight."

"Thanks, Mom!"

After school let out, Ethan Sterling finished packing his bag and bounded over to Renee Reid’s desk in two quick leaps, startling her as she was packing up her own things.

"What is it? You scared me!"

Ethan Sterling broke into a wide, sunny grin. "Come to my place with us. My mom found out I was bringing a friend home and said she’s making extra dishes. You should come! Her cooking is amazing. Can’t let Jameson Stone have all the good stuff, can we?"

Renee Reid was already hungry, and Ethan Sterling’s words only made her stomach rumble more.

But she sighed. "Thanks for the invite, but I really can’t. Maybe I can try your mom’s amazing cooking some other time."

"Off to your part-time job? You’d still have time to make it if you ate first, wouldn’t you? Dinner won’t take that long."

"Nah, I’d rather not risk it. They dock your pay if you’re late. I guess Jameson Stone gets lucky."

Seeing that Renee Reid was insistent, Ethan Sterling didn’t press the issue. After all, everyone had different priorities, and for Renee, that part-time job was far more important than a free meal.

The two of them left the classroom and were surprised to find Jameson Stone waiting right outside their door.

Renee Reid couldn’t help but tease, "Well, look at you, all eager."

"Of course. Did you really think I was joking?"

Renee Reid looked at Ethan Sterling and warned, "Don’t let him eat too much. He’ll get a food coma and be too drowsy to learn anything."

Jameson Stone retorted, annoyed, "You’re not even coming, so why are you so worried about it? I’m gonna eat. Otherwise, his mom will have cooked for nothing, right?"

"You do that. In the end, Ethan and I are both getting into Lorcain U. If you can’t pass the exam, don’t you dare say Ethan didn’t help you."

"I’ll crawl my way in if I have to..."

"Then get crawling..."

The group walked out of the school gates, laughing and talking. Renee Reid said her goodbyes and headed for the bus stop, while Ethan Sterling and Jameson Stone went to the bike shed to get their bikes.

But just then, a figure darted out from under a tree by the road and grabbed Ethan Sterling’s arm. "Ethan!"

The sudden appearance of the man startled Ethan Sterling, and he froze.

But as he made out the man’s face in the dim streetlight, his eyes widened in shock. He let out a near-panicked cry, "Second Uncle?"

"Ethan! You really made your Second Uncle work to find you!"

Victor Fulton was thrilled to have finally caught Ethan by staking out the school. He had chased him all the way from Veridia to Lorcain, and finding a single person in a city this large was like finding a needle in a haystack.

He had planned to stake out different schools, and luckily, on his second day, he’d found Ethan Sterling right here.

Ethan Sterling was scared to death. After transferring, he hadn’t contacted anyone from the Fulton Family. His mother had been brought over, and even his maternal aunt didn’t know which school he attended. ’How did the Fultons find me?’

"Second Uncle, how did you know which school I go to?"

Ethan Sterling’s face was pale with lingering fear. The Fultons’ methods were truly terrifying—like a stalker’s.

Jameson Stone, standing to the side, was confused. ’Second Uncle?’

’Didn’t Ethan say he didn’t have a dad?’

’So who was this Second Uncle?’

Victor Fulton gave a wry smile. "How would I know? It was pure luck. I waited outside another school all day yesterday. I never thought I’d switch to this one today and find you!"

"Come on, Ethan. Second Uncle will take you out to eat. It’s been too long."

As he spoke, Victor Fulton tried to pull Ethan Sterling away, but there was no way Ethan would go with him.

He immediately yanked his arm free, took two steps back, and refused firmly, "Second Uncle, you should go. Whatever this is about, please wait until after my college entrance exams. I don’t want to make my mom worry."