Chapter 124 Julian opened his eyes, their usual sharpness softening for once. Just as he reached for the door handle, it swung open on its own. Agatha grabbed his arm and yanked him from the car before he could protest. "You're free this afternoon, aren't you? I need to discuss something with you." He glanced down at his grandmother. Surprisingly, he kept his temper in check. "What is it?" They stepped into the house. The aroma of freshly cooked dishes drifted from the dining room. His brows lifted slightly. "Why so many dishes today? Suddenly decided to pamper me?" That was unlike her.
Even with her means, she lived simply. Two dishes usually sufficed. For him, it was often even more casual-most of the time, he got a single plate of pasta. "In your dreams! They're not for you. They're for the girl who's coming." Her expression brightened briefly before she stiffened again, wagging a finger at him. "Whatever happens later, be cooperative. Be polite. No sulking. Understand?" She had spent half her life fretting over his marriage prospects. No one else in the Sterling family cared. Most probably, they wished him misery. Julian frowned.
"What girl?" "What other girl?" Agatha shot him a sharp look. "The young doctor, of course. I invited her for lunch. And don't sit there with that ice-block face of yours.' His gaze cooled. "If it's a blind date, why didn't you tell me in advance?" "Don't overthink it. This isn't a blind date," she said seriously. "It's just her meeting you first. If she likes you, consider yourself lucky." Julian raised an eyebrow. Even Elliot, standing nearby, could feel the corner of his mouth twitch. Was that girl really a doctor, or had she given Agatha some kind of brainwashing tonic?
A thought crossed Julian's mind. "Last time you mentioned she was getting divorced. Was that true?" He remembered Sydney leaving Caleb's place, the rumors of a separation. And she was a doctor. Could it be? From the kitchen came Agatha's cheerful reply: "Of course. I asked her two days ago. She already has the divorce papers." Julian's lips curved faintly, then flattened. "Her ex-husband deserved it. I heard he even had an illegitimate child," Agatha added, clucking her tongue. That detail hadn't come from Sydney directly-it was something Agatha had overheard on one of her phone calls.
Julian pressed his lips into a straight line. "I have things to do later. I'll have to leave first." Agatha slammed the spatula down and seized him again. "The sky could fall, and you'd still be staying today! She's going to see you first. Then you can leave if you must." Her eyes narrowed. "If she doesn't like you, don't bother coming back here again!" Julian leaned back, temples throbbing. His expression looked weary. 172 As the festival season approached, the hospital had fewer patients, and for once Sydney managed to leave work on time.
She slung her bag over her shoulder as she headed to her car and drove to the address Agatha had given her. It was a quiet villa community, tucked away from the city bustle. It was a perfect place to retire and not far from Aurum Road. Afraid Sydney might get lost, Agatha insisted on waiting at the entrance. Sydney laughed. "Agatha, I could've driven straight in. Get in the car." "Fine, fine." She climbed into the passenger seat, smiling. "It's your first time here. I didn't want you wandering around. Next time, you'll know the way.
Now turn right up ahead, and you can park there." Following her directions, Sydney eased the car forward. She warned softly, "Careful getting out later. The road might be icy." Falls were dangerous at her age. "All right, all right." Agatha nodded eagerly, then hopped out, pulling Sydney inside with barely restrained excitement. "My grandson's been waiting the whole day for you.