"Uncle Sterling, you’re most welcome,” Lionel smiled and said mildly, “Miss Schultz is Brian’s woman, and pregnant with his baby. She’s now a part of the Sterling family. The Rowe family has always had a good relationship with your family, so it’s natural for me to care about her.”
He meant to say he was concerned about Alessa for the sake of their families’ friendship, and he sent gifts to her only because Alessa was Sterling's woman.
Old Sterling visibly relaxed. He eyed Lionel speculatively for a moment and said, "your father said that you’ve been very considerate since you were a child, and sure enough you are much gentler than Brian. Lionel, your future wife must be a lucky woman. Oh, you don't have a girlfriend yet, do you? It’s hard to believe a bachelor like you have no girlfri
