Chapter 368: Chapter 367: Brother For Life

Rex gave a helpless laugh, patting Arabella’s back as if to calm her down. "Careful, little one. If you keep this up, your grandpa might challenge me to a duel."

Henry chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax, son. I’m far too old to compete with a boy who can catch a missile disguised as my granddaughter." His eyes twinkled as he added, "But for her to hold on this tight... well, that tells me enough about the kind of person you are."

It wasn’t just flattery... it was Henry’s way of saying thank you, restrained yet heartfelt. The kind of gratitude a man like him couldn’t easily express in flowery words, so he tucked it inside a simple observation.

Eleanor finally spoke, her voice soft but clear. "She doesn’t warm up to people this quickly. You’ve given her something she needed."

Next came the uncles and aunts, each with their own flavor of authority.

Vivienne stepped forward, slipping smoothly into her role as the bridge between Rex and her family. Her posture was elegant, but her smile carried a rare warmth. "Let me introduce you to everyone properly," she said, her voice carrying just enough authority to quiet the small ripples of curiosity among the group.

She began with the uncles.

"This is Uncle Charles," Vivienne said, gesturing to a tall man with a sharp nose and the kind of suit that looked older than Rex but probably cost more than most cars. Charles gave Rex a long, measuring look, the type that would make ordinary people shift uncomfortably. But after a moment, he nodded once, curt and dignified. "Young man," he said simply, his tone formal but not unkind. "Your quick thinking... saved us from a grief I’d rather not imagine. You have my thanks."

Rex returned the nod with an easy smile. "I just did what anyone would’ve done."

"Not anyone," Charles replied, lips twitching as though almost— almost —smiling. Then he stepped back, letting the next relative forward.

"This is Aunt Margaret," Vivienne continued. Margaret was dressed more flamboyantly than the rest, with oversized sunglasses perched on her hair and a shawl that screamed old-money eccentric. She clasped Rex’s hand dramatically with both of hers.

"Ohhh, so this is the mysterious young man," she drawled, her voice equal parts amused and theatrical. "No wonder Arabella won’t let go. You’re even more handsome than they said."

Rex blinked. "...They said?"

Aunt Margaret chuckled like a cat with cream. "Oh, you’ll find this family talks. Especially when it’s about someone intriguing." She winked at him, then finally released his hand.

Arabella piped up immediately, "See, Aunt Maggie, I told you Brother Rex is amazing!"

The introductions moved on, flowing like a parade.

Another uncle, more reserved, simply offered a brief handshake and the words, "The Sterlings don’t forget their debts." Which was the kind of line that sounded more like a warning than gratitude, but Rex accepted it with his usual nonchalance.

An older aunt smiled kindly and pressed a small charm into Rex’s hand, apparently some old Sterling tradition for "luck." Rex had no idea what to do with it but nodded politely, slipping it into his pocket.

Then came the cousins.

One was a tall girl in her early twenties, elegant in a simple black dress. Her smile was polite, but her eyes held curiosity, as if she was quietly trying to puzzle him out. "Vivienne told us a little about you," she said softly. "But seeing is... different. You really do stand out."

"Hopefully in a good way," Rex replied, his tone light.

Her lips curved slightly. "We’ll see." She left it at that, moving back with a grace that was almost intimidating.

The next cousin, however, broke the solemn streak entirely.

He was about Rex’s age, broad-shouldered, with a grin that came too easily and energy that didn’t quite match the refined Sterling vibe. He bounded forward, clapped Rex on the shoulder like they were old friends, and declared loud enough for half the valet staff to hear:

"Brother! You’re my brother for life now. If you ever need me— anything at all—just hit me up. Even if I have to rush into a mountain of fire and swords, I’ll charge in first! Whoever dares to mess with you will have to step over my corpse!"

The crowd that had been eavesdropping on the introductions froze. Some were impressed, others tried not to laugh, but everyone leaned in a little closer.

Rex raised an eyebrow, lips quirking. "Mountain of fire and swords, huh? Sounds intense. What if it’s just... carrying groceries from the car?"

The cousin puffed his chest. "I’ll carry every single bag!"

"And if it’s standing in line at the DMV for three hours?" Rex pressed, deadpan.

The cousin slapped his chest again. "Brother, I’ll bring a chair, snacks, and keep you company the whole time!"

A few of the aunts chuckled, while Arabella giggled so hard she nearly slipped from Rex’s arms. Vivienne covered her mouth, half-amused, half-embarrassed at her cousin’s theatrics.

Rex tilted his head, pretending to think seriously. "And what if it’s something truly terrifying... like taking responsibility for a group project?"

That finally broke the cousin’s composure. He coughed, hesitated for a second, then said with dramatic flair, "Well... every warrior has his limits, Brother."

The family burst out laughing, even Henry allowed a chuckle to escape, shaking his head at the younger generation’s antics. Eleanor’s smile softened further, watching how easily Rex drew out warmth and laughter.

And just like that, the air lightened. The intimidating aura of wealth and pedigree the Sterling family carried melted into something warmer, more human.

The crowd of bystanders outside... the guests, the valets, even a few hotel staff, nearly choked on their own air. A Sterling cousin, heir to who-knows-what, pledging his loyalty like some medieval knight to this unknown young man? That wasn’t something you saw every day.

All in all, each greeting was brief but sincere, words laced with gratitude. The kind that didn’t need flowery speeches to be felt.

And throughout it all, Arabella clung to Rex like his tiny sidekick, occasionally chiming in with commentary only children could get away with.

"He’s really strong, you know!" she told her grandmother proudly, puffing her cheeks. "He caught me like whoosh !"

Eleanor’s lips curved faintly, warmth softening her usual grace.

Meanwhile, the surrounding guests and staff... well, let’s just say their whispers had turned into full-on speculation mode.

"I thought Sterlings were like... shadows. You hear of them, but you never see them."

The Sterling name wasn’t one people threw around lightly. Low-key yet untouchable, they were the kind of family you might glimpse in the financial pages but never see in person. The kind you heard about, not met. And now, here they were—an entire lineup—waiting openly for one young man.

The realization hit the guests like a splash of cold water. Forks paused mid-air, glasses froze halfway to lips. Eyes flicked to Rex, handsome and composed, Arabella clinging to him like it was the most natural thing in the world.

A few valets actually gulped, the word "Sterling" replaying in their heads like a jackpot slot machine.

For them, it was simple math:

Handsome young man + Ferrari Daytona SR3 + personally greeted by the Sterling family = absolute cheat code existence.

(End of Chapter)