Chapter 117
Henry was about to lose his mind.
He couldn't believe that Sterling—always so concerned with reputation—didn't grasp the severity of this situation. Yet Sterling had been acting completely unbothered, as if Henry was the only one who cared!
This was practically incest!
What would people think if this got out?
Sterling could kiss his position as head of the Lancaster family goodbye! When Sterling's father returned, he could remove him with a single word. Worse, to compensate Charles, they might even put Charles above Sterling!
The thought of having to deal with Charles in the future made Henry even more furious.
"I don't care! If you still consider me a friend, stay away from Willow!" Henry had given up on reasoning and resorted to emotional blackmail.
After Henry's lengthy rant, Sterling finally showed a reaction. His response nearly gave Henry a heart attack: "Her marriage to Charles exists in name only. On their wedding night, she was in my bed."
Henry almost choked. "Don't tell me you're suggesting you're the one who's actually married to her!"
Sterling gave him a calm look, clearly implying that was exactly what he meant.
Henry rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge between his nose. "How do you know she hasn't slept with Charles all this time? For all you know, she's already made you the one wearing horns."
Sterling's expression didn't change. "She hasn't."
"You're so sure? Did you ask her?" Henry pressed.
Sterling gave him a sidelong glance. "Anyone with eyes can see."
If Charles had been in the bridal chamber on their wedding night, the bride wouldn't have ended up in Sterling's bed.
This was likely why Willow wanted a divorce so soon after marrying Charles. Given her character, she probably couldn't stand to be near Charles.
Henry knew nothing about the dynamics between the three of them—only that his friend had slept with his nephew's wife. He was convinced Willow had somehow drugged Sterling.
"Fine, if you trust her that much, there's nothing more I can say," he gave up trying to convince Sterling. "When things go wrong, don't come crying to me."
Sterling made no response.
They drank for a while longer before Sterling left. Henry finished the remaining alcohol before having his driver take him back to the Brown Villa.
As soon as he entered, his mother intercepted him.
"I heard from Glo that Ster wants to cancel their engagement. What's going on?" Kaitlyn frowned, her face full of reproach. "Glo is carrying his child! How can he just break off the engagement? What's your sister supposed to do?"
Henry rubbed his throbbing temples and glanced toward Gloria's room upstairs.
Then he looked at his mother. "Do you really think Ster would do something like that?"
Kaitlyn hesitated before shaking her head.
She had watched Sterling grow up. That's why she found this situation so strange.
"Surely it couldn't be..." she suddenly thought of a possibility but didn't want to believe it.
Henry saw what she was thinking and said gravely, "Two weeks ago, Glo asked me to buy her sanitary pads. A few days later, she claims she's pregnant. Which story do you think is true?"
Hearing this, Kaitlyn's expression became uncertain.
So her daughter had been lying to them too?
Henry let out a heavy sigh. "You've spoiled her too much. Now she doesn't know her limits and even dares to lie to Ster. Him canceling the engagement saves her from the embarrassment of being exposed after a medical exam, which would humiliate the Brown family."
With that, he bid Kaitlyn goodnight and went to his room to rest.
Kaitlyn spent a long time thinking, unwilling to believe her daughter would be so bold.
She went upstairs and knocked on Gloria's door.
Gloria was on the phone with Valerie. Hearing the knock, she quickly hung up and ran to open the door.
When she opened it, tears hung on her face, making her look heartbroken.
"Mom, it's so late. Why aren't you in bed yet?" Gloria sniffled, lowering her head sheepishly.
Seeing her daughter crying like this, Kaitlyn felt terrible. But remembering Henry's words, her expression grew complicated.
After a moment, she asked, "Your brother says you had him buy you sanitary pads recently. Glo, you're not pregnant, are you?"
Gloria's eyes darted around nervously, her face full of guilt. She bit her lip without answering.
Seeing this, Kaitlyn understood everything. "So what you said before, about helping Ster—was that a lie too?"
"No, that part was true!" Gloria said urgently.
Kaitlyn looked at her skeptically.
Gloria explained with reddened eyes, "Mom, I admit I lied to you before. I shouldn't have done that. But I just love Sterry so much! After that night, he said he'd take responsibility. I was so happy, but I kept waiting and waiting for him to propose. So I... I wasn't thinking straight. But what happened that night was real!"
As she spoke, tears streamed down Gloria's face, making her story seem heartfelt and genuine.
Despite her doubts, Kaitlyn couldn't bring herself to scold her daughter when she looked so distraught. Besides, now that the pregnancy lie had been exposed, she felt her daughter had no reason to keep lying.
"Then why would Ster suddenly want to break off the engagement?" Kaitlyn frowned. Even if the pregnancy was fake, he had slept with Gloria—shouldn't he take some responsibility?
Gloria sniffled while carefully studying her mother's expression.
Seeing that Kaitlyn believed her story, she continued, "It's because of my sister..."
Kaitlyn furrowed her brow in confusion. "Willow?"
Gloria acted as if she didn't want to elaborate. "She saw us that night. She's been poor all her life and has always wanted to attach herself to wealthy men. So she pretended to be me in front of Sterry. I don't know what she told him, but he seems to believe her."
Kaitlyn recalled her few meetings with Willow and felt she didn't match Gloria's description. Still, she didn't want to doubt her own daughter.
"Isn't she already married to Charles? Why would she..." Kaitlyn wondered.
Gloria's tears had dried without her noticing. "Charles can't compare to Sterry. My sister is probably afraid of returning to her old life someday, so she's desperate to climb higher. I can understand her feelings, but she shouldn't deceive Sterry like this..."
As she spoke, Gloria kept her head down. A smooth silver locket dangled from her neck—the one Kaitlyn had given her when she was born.
It was because of this locket that Kaitlyn had found her.
Seeing the locket reminded Kaitlyn of all the hardships Gloria had endured, and she couldn't bring herself to doubt her daughter anymore.
"I understand. I'll help you sort this out," she said, tenderly stroking her daughter's head.
Out of Kaitlyn's view, Gloria's eyes were filled with cold calculation.