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Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Hurt My Self-Confidence?

Once Ian Sterling’s back wasn’t hurting as much, Lynn Winslow helped him out of the hospital. When they returned to Amberly Bay, Mrs. Sterling was there. She saw Ian approaching awkwardly, clutching his lower back, with Lynn supporting him.

”What happened?” Mrs. Sterling had gone to a neighboring city with a new friend from the neighborhood to pray at a temple the day before, so she had no idea what had happened to Ian Sterling.

Ian Sterling looked away, embarrassed. Any man would be a little sheepish about admitting to a back injury.

Lynn Winslow pursed her lips and said, ”I kicked him, which made him fall and hurt his back.”

”What?” Mrs. Sterling was shocked and instinctively glanced at Ian Sterling’s back. Ian squeezed Lynn Winslow’s hand, and Lynn said, ”Mrs. Sterling, can you help me get him to my room? I’ll take care of him.”

Mrs. Sterling nodded and helped Lynn get Ian Sterling into the elevator. Once they were in the room, Mrs. Sterling thoughtfully went downstairs. Left alone, Ian breathed a sigh of relief.

Lynn Winslow said softly, ”I’ll change your pain patch in a bit.”

Lying on his stomach, Ian Sterling gave a muffled grunt of acknowledgment.

Lynn Winslow stroked the back of his head, then took her phone into the hallway to call Zane Lancaster and tell him she couldn’t meet him.

”Why?” Zane Lancaster’s voice was heavy, clearly displeased with her words.

Lynn Winslow didn’t elaborate. ”Ian Sterling is hurt. I have to take care of him.”

Zane Lancaster hung up without another word. Lynn listened to the dial tone for a few moments before helplessly putting her phone away.

Kiki appeared from some corner, rubbing against Lynn Winslow’s leg and letting out a few meows.

She realized it had been a while since she’d held Kiki. Bending down, she scooped the cat into her arms and carried him back into the room.

Lying on his stomach, Ian Sterling turned his head to watch her and held out a hand. Lynn went over and squatted by the bed.

Kiki gazed at Ian Sterling and gave two soft meows. Ian reached out, his fair, well-defined hand gently rubbing the cat’s smoke-gray head.

Lynn Winslow bit her lip gently. ”Does it hurt a lot?”

”It’s fine. It’s not as painful now that it’s settled.” Ian Sterling forced a smile. ”Don’t you go feeling guilty. This isn’t your fault.”

Lynn Winslow pouted, resting her forehead on Ian Sterling’s arm. She sighed. ”I just hope this won’t affect your... daily functions... in the future.”

Ian Sterling’s face darkened for a moment. ”It won’t!” he said stiffly.

Lynn couldn’t stifle a laugh. Ian took this as mockery and gritted his teeth. ”Don’t you dare doubt me!”

”I’m not, I swear.” Lynn raised her head, her expression earnest as she held up her hand in an oath.

Ian Sterling huffed and pinched her cheek.

Lynn glanced at the time, then put Kiki down and went to get a new pain patch for Ian.

The moment she peeled the patch off, Ian couldn’t help but hiss in pain. Lynn gently rubbed the skin around the area for a moment before putting on the new patch.

Just then, Mrs. Sterling knocked on the door. ”Lynn,” she said softly, ”there’s a young lady here who says she’s Finn’s older sister. She’s here to see him.”

She hadn’t let her in yet, worried that a member of the Sterling family might have come to give Lynn a hard time.

Ian Sterling froze for a second, then frowned. ”Why is my sister here?”

”Mr. Abbott told her,” Lynn said. She pulled Ian’s shirt down to cover his back, then stood, opened the bedroom door, and went downstairs with Mrs. Sterling to greet Zoe Sterling.

Zoe Sterling had arrived in a flashy red supercar. Apparently, the siblings had the same parking style—the car was parked right at the main gate. Wearing sunglasses, she was leaning against her car, surveying the scenery.

”Zoe,” Lynn called out with a wave. Zoe’s lips curved into a smile.

”Perfect timing, huh? Did you guys just get home?” Zoe Sterling asked as she walked in through the door Mrs. Sterling held open for her.

Lynn nodded and made the introduction. ”This is Mrs. Sterling. She’s taken care of me since I was a child and came with me to Quartos.”

Zoe Sterling nodded, smiling warmly. ”Hello, Ms. Sterling. I’m Zoe Sterling, Ian’s older sister.”

Mrs. Sterling knew Mr. Sterling’s sister was just being polite and replied warmly, ”Hello, Miss Sterling. I’m just our young miss’s housekeeper. You’re being too kind. If you don’t mind, please just call me Mrs. Sterling.”

”Alright, Mrs. Sterling.” Zoe Sterling wasn’t one for formalities and readily agreed.

Lynn led Zoe upstairs to see Ian. She hadn’t closed the bedroom door when she left, so they could hear Ian’s furious voice on the phone as soon as they reached the landing.

Only Zachary Quincy and Lynn knew he’d been to the hospital. Lynn would never tell anyone he was hurt, which made Zachary the only suspect.

”You actually posted a picture of me in the group chat? What is wrong with you?!”

After whatever Zachary said in response, Ian shot back, ”Screw off! I don’t need any of you coming to see me.”

Zoe Sterling stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching in amusement as her brother struggled to talk on the phone while lying on his stomach. She waited until he hung up before drawling, ”You seem to be in high spirits. Good to know a little back injury hasn’t crushed your ego.”

Ian frowned at his sister. ”It’s a slipped disk,” he snapped. ”What the hell does that have to do with my ego?”

Zoe nodded slowly. It was impossible to tell if she agreed, but Ian was feeling particularly fragile and felt certain his sister was mocking him.

”Get out,” he snapped. ”I don’t need you visiting me. Go.”

Seeing Ian get agitated, even trying to push himself up to prove a point, Lynn rushed forward to calm him down. ”Zoe is just teasing you,” she said softly. ”Don’t take it to heart.”

Zoe shrugged and sat on the sofa. ”I haven’t told Mom and Dad,” she said lightly. ”I didn’t want them to worry. Make sure you don’t let it slip, or Mom will blame me for keeping it from them.”

Ian turned his head away, his expression cold. ”I know,” he muttered.

”Things are slow at the office, so I figured I’d check on you. I’ll head out soon.” Zoe knew her brother didn’t welcome her presence, but she didn’t feel like arguing. ”You haven’t been to the company in a while, have you?” she pressed.

Ian grunted noncommittally. Zoe pressed on. ”If you’re not going to take it seriously, just shut it down. You could take over any division in the family’s group, yet you insisted on starting your own company.”

Being the older sister, her words naturally took on a lecturing tone. Seeing Ian grow even more agitated, Lynn quickly interjected, ”Zoe, it’s almost noon. Why don’t you stay for lunch? My chef is second to none—I brought him all the way from Morelia.”

Zoe sighed. She glanced at her brother, whose stubbornness was palpable even from the back of his head, and declined the offer. ”I’m heading back to the office. I’ll come by again when I have the chance.”

She stood up, walked over to the bed, and patted the back of his head. ”Just focus on getting better,” she said. ”Call me if you need anything.”

Ian waved a hand to bat hers away. ”I know,” he said, annoyed.