CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 109: A TURBULENT LUNCH

Levi Joyce said drumming is a good way to relieve stress, and she wanted to give it a try.

He taught her the rhythm and beat, as well as some basic techniques. Smart as Ruby Sullivan was, she quickly picked up the basics, imagining the drum skin was Ethan Sterling, and got increasingly into it. By the end of the session, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter, feeling she hadn’t been this relaxed in ages.

"Boss, how is it? Pretty stress-relieving, right?" Levi boasted proudly.

Ruby Sullivan nodded with a smile, "Didn’t you originally learn drumming to relieve stress?"

Levi mysteriously raised his eyebrows, fluttering his big eyes twice, "I learned it because I was too heartbroken to cope after a breakup," he said, spinning the drumsticks convincingly.

Ruby thought about it, feeling her situation was quite similar, "It does suit me well."

Levi wasn’t the type to gossip; he listened when she talked without asking questions. Seeing her seem to have thought of something, her mood turned a bit low. He immediately chose an uplifting tune and pulled her to drum along with him.

Ethan Sterling sat in bed, his waist covered with a quilt, his hair a mess like a bird’s nest on his head. His face was as hard and cold as ice, expressionless. He watched the short video his subordinate sent him, feeling the pressure around him intensifying.

"Really into young hunks, huh?" he muttered through clenched teeth, getting out of bed.

Ruby Sullivan took Levi Joyce with her to lunch. As they were studying the menu, a familiar face walked in — not the already scheduled Faye Truman, but Ethan Sterling.

"Heard the food here is quite good, didn’t expect you to be here," Ethan said arrogantly, taking a seat next to Levi Joyce, "Let’s have lunch together then." After speaking, he gave Levi a big smile, which made Levi feel uneasy.

Thinking of how his band relied on Ethan Sterling to survive, he immediately felt a bit intimidated, gulped nervously, and glanced at Ruby Sullivan, "Bo-boss, I just remembered I arranged to meet a friend, I have something to discuss, I..."

Ruby glared at him, "Having a meal won’t take long."

Ethan Sterling chimed in, "Yeah, let’s eat together."

Just then, the always-late Faye Truman took a seat next to Ruby Sullivan. At first, she didn’t recognize who it was from behind, but upon seeing Ethan, she immediately swapped her friendly demeanor for a cheeky tone.

"Mr. Sterling, how do you find time to dine with common folk like us?"

Ethan smiled, looking at Ruby Sullivan tenderly, "I owe her too much from the past. Going forward, I want to make it up to her little by little, including having meals with her...and friends."

Ruby Sullivan was dumbfounded, staring at him, unsure how to respond. Tilting her head to glance at Faye Truman, she suddenly didn’t want her friend to worry, so she hid her nausea and laughed along, "Since it’s all in the past, let’s not bring it up again."

The three engaged in conversation back and forth, no one noticing Levi Joyce was dazed staring at Faye Truman. Suddenly, he had an epiphany and exclaimed, "I thought you looked familiar, turns out it’s you!"

His comment caught all three off guard.

Faye Truman eyed him, then tentatively asked, "Are you that college student?"

"I am." Levi laughed loudly, "This world is really small. By the way, how’s your sister doing?"

Faye chuckled too, "She’s right in front of you. She’s recovered well." He raised his chin and gestured at Ruby Sullivan.

Ruby was equally surprised, unable to speak for a long time, "Were you really the one who donated blood to me?"

Levi covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing out loud, his eyebrows dancing with excitement, "I said during the interview that you looked familiar, but you didn’t believe me."

Ruby thought about her past appearance, teasingly said, "You’re quick to jump to conclusions. When you saw me, I was giving birth, and was a whopping 180 pounds. Even I can’t believe those old photos are me. You could recognize me?"

Levi got serious upon hearing this, "I swear I was telling the truth. Besides, even with a few extra pounds, your features didn’t change. You’re so pretty; even as a plus-sized person, you’d be unforgettable."

Faye exaggeratedly laughed out loud, "Yet someone who was with her for three years didn’t recognize her upon reuniting. Isn’t that strange?"

Levi, not realizing Faye was mocking Ethan Sterling, laughed foolishly along, "Really? Who’s that? Do I know them?"

Faye glanced with feigned kindness at Ethan Sterling, snorted, "Alright, let’s order, I’m starving." Then, without bothering to ask anyone’s opinion, she marked a few dishes on the menu, all favorites of Ruby Sullivan.

Listening to their conversation, Ethan Sterling shifted his color-changing expressions throughout, from red to white to black, all very dramatic.

Ruby noted this, finding it strange. Normally, this man would say a few harsh words and freeze the atmosphere, not remain silent.

He stayed silent, and Ruby didn’t want to provoke him; she hadn’t expected Ethan Sterling to turn up when she arranged to meet Faye Truman.

Mid-meal, she remembered Cindy Sterling and thanked Faye Truman. She knew Hannah Ford’s skills, but without Faye Truman, her Chinese medicine professor wouldn’t have been so willing to see patients.

"We don’t need thanks between us, just spend more time with your lonely friend when you can," he spoke the truth, though without Ethan Sterling present, he might have kept it to himself; after all, no thanks were needed, so he often just smiled without saying anything.

Ethan Sterling frowned, unable to tolerate it any longer, smiling, "According to Ruby, Dr. Truman is usually extremely busy, making it hard to schedule a meeting."

"Is that so?" Faye feigned innocence thinking, "Indeed, busy, but for Ruby, I’ll definitely find time."

Ruby didn’t know what was up with Faye Truman today; if he was trying to stand up for her, this resentment was quite intense. Besides, she and Ethan were nominally married now, making Ethan look bad didn’t feel right.

Unable to think of a way to ease the situation, she just ate with her head down, pretending to be a turtle.

Ethan glanced at her, naturally continued, "Then next time I’ll host, and Ruby will call you. You mustn’t skip."

"Ha?" Faye’s tone raised, "I said I’d make time to see Ruby, just Ruby alone."

Ethan’s expression turned stern.

Levi, who was merrily eating and drinking, finally noticed something was off, staring with big eyes, his chewing slowing down.

Ruby suddenly slapped the table with her chopsticks, taking a deep breath and smiling, "I’m full, you guys... continue chatting." After speaking, she grabbed her bag and left.

Realizing something was wrong, Levi got up immediately to chase after her, "Boss, give me a ride home."