"Thanks for your invitation," Savannah replied politely and then looked at her son. "Kaiden, would you like to go to dinner at your grandpa's house with Cooper? You can stay there for a few days so that mommy will pick you up when I finish my work, okay?"
"Miss Schultz, don't you come together?" Cooper asked in surprise.
"Well, I'm here to talk business with the client of the Morton group. I have to go to the hotel and get a lot of preparation before that." Savannah found an excuse. Cooper didn't insist. He knew she feared that she might meet Dylan in Sterling's house. He nodded and drove away with Kaiden.
Savannah watched the Rolls-Royce disappear, and for a long time, did not speak.
She didn't want to admit she had expected Dylan to come to meet them. She was still longing to see him in person to see how he was. Since Cooper knew she was back, Dylan must have known it too. But he didn't show up.
There was a moment she wanted to ask Cooper how he was doing, but she had to forbear.
For five months, she had nothing to do with him, except for the occasional phone call to Kaiden from him.
Between them, the distance became farther and farther. It saddened her to think they end up miserably, and the one who was severely affected was her son. She saw how her young boy tried to accept what had happened to them. The pain was unbearable, but she knew Dylan's attitude was way uncompromising.
"Miss Schultz, do you want to start for the hotel first?" The assistant interrupted her thoughts.
Savannah nodded and got into another car with the assistant, heading for the hotel.
***
The business in LA went well. Three days later, Savannah reached a basic agreement and signed the cooperation contract with the client.
After that, she met Joanna, who stayed in LA, taking after Ethan.
Ethan, after fighting with illness for months, was almost ready to die.
The doctor said he could live only a few days.
Lionel was still in prison, and Charlotte became blind and disfigured, also in prison, so they couldn't prepare their father for his end. Granny Rowe, paralyzed in bed, was also unable to come.
Savannah couldn't help sympathizing with Ethan. He should be someone who had it all, but none of his family could accompany him at the last minute of his life.
Savannah still had little good to say of any of the Rowes, but just in case Joanne would feel overwhelmed when Ethan suddenly passed away, she decided to stay in LA for a few more days to lend Joanne a hand.
In the middle of this night, Savannah had just returned to bed after finishing her work when her mobile phone rang sharply.
Ethan died.
Joanne, his former wife, helped to put his house in order and made arrangements for a funeral.
Ethan's body would be sent to his hometown Chicago and buried in the Rowe family's graveyard after the last ceremony.
Savannah accompanied Joanne all the way and helped to receive guests in Ethan's memorial service.
It was a drizzling and cloudy day.
The farewell ceremony took place in Royal Villa. Joanne didn't invite too many people. It was attended only by relatives and close friends. After Joanne's brief speech, the guests came to show their last respects one by one.
Savannah sat on a chair not far away, watching Joanne, and was ready to do some help when she was needed.
Just then, a voice sound from the door of the mourning hall.
"Mr. Sterling, thank you for visiting."
Savannah froze.
The Sterling family had a good relationship with the Rowe family, but Savannah didn't expect Dylan to come.
Dylan, dressed in black, looked grave as he stepped into the hall quietly, followed by his subordinates.
She hadn't seen him for half a year. He looked a little thinner, still so cool. The natural dignity and indifference between his eyebrows made her hold her breath and dare not move.
"Mr. Sterling," Joanne, despite her resentment toward the man, tried to be polite when he came in.
"My father is not feeling well, so he asked me to show our respects to Mr. Rowe." Dylan put a bunch of chrysanthemums in front of the coffin and bowed in homage. Then he nodded to Joanne, "take care, Madam."
"Thank you," Joanne replied coldly. "Come in and sit down, please."
"No, thanks. I don't want to bother you." Dylan said simply.
Joanne nodded and asked a servant to send him off.
Dylan turned and led his staff out of the hall.
He didn't even give a glance to Savannah, who was not far away from Joanne.
Savannah saw him walk out of the hall, her heart hanging in her throat, and she could not move for a long time.
Abruptly she stood and ran out of the door.
Seeing his back, Savannah finally managed to restrain her trembling and shouted out, "Mr. Sterling!"
She couldn't help feeling sad. She terribly missed him.
When did she have to address him as Mr. Sterling?
They were almost strangers.
Dylan stopped, motioned his subordinates to get the car, and then slowly turned around.
She looked at his handsome and cool face, her heart beating hard.
"Long time no see," she murmured, clenching her hands to calm down.
"Well, it's been a while." His expression remained impassive.
"How have you been recently?"
"Not bad."
A bitter smile of self-mockery played on Savannah's lips.
Yeah, what did she expect him to say? I miss you so much over the past half-year?
It seemed that he had really been over her.
At this point, she still had the unrealistic illusion that he still loved her. She even imagined that he would hug her in his arms tightly when they met again.
Making an extraordinary effort not to weep, she walked slowly up to him and stopped in front of him. Her eyes glued into his thin face. She was shocked to see him changed drastically.