Chapter 150: That’s a Criticism Meeting

Chapter 150: Chapter 150: That’s a Criticism Meeting

Lynn Winslow’s eyes curved into a smile as she shook her head.

But Nina Norton snorted coldly from the side. "The Thorne family used to be decent enough years ago, but to think they’d find a wife who’s so utterly unpresentable now."

Ian Sterling pulled Lynn Winslow into his arms, lowered his head to place a kiss on the crown of her head, then looked up and asked, "What happened?"

His tone was hostile, and every word he spoke seemed to be laced with ice.

Lynn Winslow raised a hand and tugged at the fabric of his shirt at the waist. She couldn’t be bothered to argue with fools, especially since it was just a few women who couldn’t control their mouths. It wasn’t like they’d done anything major.

Nina Norton, however, clearly had no intention of letting the matter slide. Kicking them out was nothing. She hadn’t even gone to settle the score with the Thorne family yet.

The Sterling family was fiercely protective of their own.

Ian Sterling let out a heavy sigh. Lynn Winslow looked up at him and said softly, "I don’t even mind, so don’t be angry anymore."

"..." Ian Sterling remained silent, gazing into Lynn Winslow’s eyes. Seeing that the rims of her eyes were still red, he pressed his lips against her slightly feverish eyelids.

Nina Norton sighed softly. There were still many guests in the house that she had to attend to. Before leaving, she said to Lynn Winslow, "Lynn, make yourself at home. I won’t bring them over here to bother you two at noon. Just tell the chef whatever you and Sophia want to eat. The whole family will have dinner together tonight."

Lynn Winslow nodded with a smile. After Nina Norton left, Ian Sterling took Lynn’s hand and led her to his room.

From her first visit to the night she stayed over, Lynn Winslow had never been inside Ian Sterling’s room. This was the first time.

Ian Sterling’s suite took up half of the second floor, complete with a living room, a walk-in closet, and even a game room.

Lynn Winslow strolled around leisurely with her hands behind her back, passing by the trophy wall in Ian Sterling’s study.

There were trophies from as far back as kindergarten, for all sorts of talents and competitions, covering an entire wall. Lynn Winslow’s eyes widened in astonishment.

"You can dance, too?" Lynn Winslow reached out and picked up a dance trophy, seeing from the engraving that it was from middle school.

Ian Sterling looked a little awkward, tugging at the corner of his lip. His gaze shifted away as he said casually, "I used to. I’ve long since forgotten how."

"Really?" Lynn Winslow didn’t believe him. She leaned in close, blew lightly into his ear, and whispered, "Can you dance for me?"

Ian Sterling felt that Lynn Winslow was really pushing her luck. First, she wanted him to wear a dress, and now she wanted him to perform the somewhat embarrassing dances from his childhood.

This was a line he wouldn’t cross. He took a step back in firm refusal, turning his face away so he wouldn’t see whatever pitiful expression she was putting on.

Lynn Winslow huffed lightly. This time, she didn’t insist, and after putting the trophy down, she went to wander through the other rooms.

What interested her most, though, was the game room. Unfortunately, she didn’t know how to play any of the games.

The two of them hadn’t been alone for long when the butler came upstairs to call for them.

"Finn, Miss Winslow, the Eldest Young Master’s wife asked me to call you downstairs for lunch."

Lynn Winslow wasn’t actually that hungry, but she was happy to eat with Sophia Shaw, so she went downstairs with Ian Sterling.

Unexpectedly, Elias Sterling was back as well. He was sitting beside Sophia Shaw, quietly asking her if she was feeling unwell or had any morning sickness today.

Upon seeing Ian Sterling and Lynn Winslow, he first greeted Lynn with a smile before turning to mock Ian.

"So you finally decided to come home. Couldn’t drag you back before."

Ian Sterling didn’t say a word, just followed behind Lynn Winslow and let Elias Sterling tease him with his backhanded comments.

Lynn Winslow felt it wasn’t her place to interfere in matters between the two brothers. She gave Ian Sterling a look that said, ’Sorry, honey, I can’t help you with this one,’ and went to join Sophia Shaw for a chat.

When Elias Sterling saw that Ian Sterling’s expression was growing sour, he decided to quit while he was ahead. He stood up and instructed the butler to serve the meal.

As they walked to the dining room, Ian Sterling trailed at the very back. Seeing Lynn Winslow walking ahead with Sophia Shaw without a backward glance, he reached out and pulled her back to him.

Lynn Winslow looked at him, confused. Ian Sterling said, "My brother was just picking on me. Why didn’t you help me?"

"He’s your own brother, I can’t really interfere, babe," Lynn Winslow cooed softly, though she was thinking to herself, ’Normally he takes on the whole family by himself. Now he needs his girlfriend to stick up for him?’

But Ian Sterling was completely shameless about it. Having the woman he loved protect him—there was no better feeling in the world.

But these were just their private thoughts, unspoken, yet silently expressed through their actions.

As Ian Sterling’s full-blooded brother, Elias Sterling’s mind worked in much the same way, so he understood perfectly well what his little brother was up to in front of Lynn Winslow.

He was just giving his little brother face, so a few teasing remarks were as far as he would take it.

After lunch, Elias Sterling was about to head back to work when he saw Ian Sterling about to go upstairs with Lynn Winslow. Without a word, he grabbed Ian’s arm, his grip firm and unyielding.

"How long has it been since you’ve been to the office? Now. Immediately. You’re coming with me."

As a man who was perpetually swamped with work, the one thing he couldn’t stand was people like Ian Sterling, who had responsibilities but dumped them on others so he could spend all day with his girlfriend.

Ian Sterling frowned and said coldly, "I’m not going. Worst case, we’ll just merge the company into the main group, and you can manage it all."

Elias Sterling gave a fake smile. "Say that again. I’ll call Dad right now. I guarantee he’ll rush back from his trip, and we’ll be having a family meeting tonight."

’Family meeting? More like a public shaming! And who would be the target? Me, of course!’

"You still owe me a favor," Ian Sterling said as he was dragged a few steps, suddenly remembering that when the Shaw family had visited, Elias Sterling had promised to grant him one request.

Elias Sterling was unmoved. "Why don’t you go tell Dad you plan on using that request to get out of your responsibilities?"

Ian Sterling clicked his tongue. But Lynn Winslow chimed in from the side, "You should go with your brother."

"I’ll go, but only if you come with me." Ian Sterling shook off Elias Sterling’s hand and reached for Lynn Winslow’s arm, but she deftly took a few steps back, an unmistakable hint of schadenfreude in her eyes.

"Nope, I’m taking a nap." Lynn Winslow shrugged with mock regret and said to Elias Sterling, "Elias, you should hurry up and take him with you."

With that, she turned and ran up the stairs toward the room Nina Norton had prepared for her.

Ian Sterling stared speechlessly at Lynn Winslow’s retreating back. Elias Sterling crossed his arms and said coolly, "Let’s go. Stop looking so dramatic. Lynn can’t see you anymore."

Ian Sterling shot his unreliable older brother a glare. "I’m going to change! You can’t expect me to go in my loungewear, can you?"

"..." Elias Sterling sighed in resignation and nodded. But, fearing that Ian Sterling would go back to his room and refuse to come out, he followed him like a shadow.

While Ian was changing, Elias stood at the entrance of the walk-in closet, leaning against the wall and staring at him with an air of boredom.

"Seriously? You’re going to stand there and watch me change?" Ian Sterling thought his older brother was nuts.

But Elias Sterling was unabashed. "What’s the big deal? It’s not like I didn’t see you naked when you were a kid."

Ian Sterling was so exasperated he had to laugh. Then he heard Elias coolly say something even more infuriating.