CHAPTER 110: CHAPTER 110: SAME DIFFERENCE

Ruby Sullivan sat in the car feeling depressed, slumped over the steering wheel without moving.

When Levi Joyce got in the car, she turned her head and said to him, "Thanks for the blood transfusion."

Levi smiled slightly, "It’s nothing, just fate. I happened to be at the hospital with my classmate who had an acute appendicitis that day and heard the hospital broadcast. Besides, Mr. Truman didn’t let me donate for free; he gave me a generous gratitude payment."

Ruby exhaled deeply, "Let’s go, I’ll take you home."

"What about Mr. Truman and Mr. Sterling?"

"No need. On the day I married Ethan Sterling, Faye Truman was even more aggressive, and Ethan didn’t react at all. It’s fine." Though she said so, she felt a bit uneasy in her heart, but then she thought, what does she and Ethan Sterling amount to anyway? They were merely partners in interest. As long as shared interests remained, their ties would not be affected, and she need not worry.

In the afternoon, she went home to be with Honey and Seth until dinner time when Ethan Sterling called home, saying he was busy. The call was made to Seth.

This made Seth, who answered the call, quite awkward. After agreeing to everything, he seriously advised his dad, "In the future, you should call Mom instead."

Ethan was taken aback, and then the call ended.

He felt a bit unhappy. After all, he had been raising his son for four years; how had he turned sides in such a short time? It was too lacking in loyalty.

At the not-yet-opened bar, Ethan Sterling and Levi Joyce sat together. Ethan put away the phone and continued with the previous topic, "Here’s the contract. In the future, I hope you all can focus on managing the band."

Levi looked at several pages of the contract, feeling a bit at a loss, "So, do we have a manager now?"

Ethan nodded.

The contract offered a stable income for five years, professional guidance, and a management team, but more importantly, it provided resources they might never access in a lifetime of singing.

But as the captain, Levi was very cautious about this matter. He suppressed his thrill and excitement, and after calming down, he looked serious, "Why?"

Ethan had acquired a Livehouse and was offering opportunities to his band for Ruby Sullivan’s sake, he knew. But now that she had become his wife, would the stakes increase as well?

Levi was suspicious, hence uneasy.

Ethan frowned, "If you disagree, forget about it." Saying this, he reached for the contract.

Levi drew back his hand and avoided his grasp, smiling, "I need to discuss it with the others. Can I get back to you on Monday?"

Ethan nodded and then left the band.

He had asked Levi about what happened back then. Levi said that Ruby Sullivan had had a hemorrhage due to being overweight and carrying twins, and going into early labor. If Faye Truman hadn’t donated blood, both the mother and babies might not have survived.

Ethan sat in the car, his eyes gradually becoming fierce.

Ruby Sullivan was pregnant with twins; besides Honey, there was another child!

*

When Ruby Sullivan fell into a dazed sleep, she suddenly felt someone getting into bed and hugging her from behind, seemingly just out of the shower, damp and cold. She shivered from the chill, turned her head, and sure enough, it was Ethan Sterling.

"Did I wake you?" Ethan snuggled close, speaking softly as if afraid of being overheard.

Ruby turned over, frowning, "Did you do that on purpose?" Icing her with his chilly body—how childish was that?

Ethan hugged her tighter, closed his eyes, and nuzzled her nose, "I missed you."

Ruby felt a shudder through her heart and sniffed hard. Other than the faint fragrance of mixed bath gel and shampoo, there was no smell of alcohol at all.

Either he was fooling her, or he was drunk?

She shifted and lifted her arms to hug him too, "I missed you too." Who couldn’t act?

Ethan’s lips curled slightly, the sweetness seeping into his heart. He raised his head, kissed her once, couldn’t help himself, kissed her again, and then stopped.

"I... want to sleep well with you in my arms." He breathed out long after saying this, looking very tired.

Ruby gently hummed in response, found a comfortable position in his arms, and closed her eyes.

This side of Ethan Sterling left her slightly disoriented as if he needed her desperately. She was curious why he showed up at the restaurant at noon and what happened with Faye Truman afterward, but she dared not ask.

Afraid he wouldn’t tell the truth, and afraid she couldn’t handle the truth.

For the next month, they lived like ordinary couples, eating together each day, commuting together, spending time with the kids in the evening, and the peaceful days felt harmonious.

Then Leon Sterling left, preparing in Gallia for his triennial touring exhibition, but he said this year he would try to extend the exhibition to Celestia. He also urged Seth and Honey to diligently learn painting from Rachel Lawson.

Mr. and Mrs. Sterling went to the airport to see Leon off, who unceremoniously ignored his brother, hugged Ruby Sullivan, and whispered, "I’m still willing to do the bone marrow transplant and take care of you and Honey."

Ruby felt grateful, but it was just gratitude, so her parting words were quite formal, "Looking forward to your exhibition."

"I’ll take Ruby and the kids to see it if we have the time," Ethan Sterling said casually, yet it was a subtle warning to his brother.

On the way back, the seemingly polite couple immediately started discussing work.

"I have news, The Lawson Group has set its sights on the Celestian Market and intends to grab a share. In my view, their intentions are not good." Ruby Sullivan accidentally saw an exclusive interview with Dr. L in a fashion news article this morning. Although it was just a text report, it had already caused a stir in the industry.

Dr. L had never appeared in the media before, so getting his written interview was like a heavenly blessing for the press.

Ruby recalled her mentor’s previous words to her, feeling a vague concern. If her mentor was coming because of her this time, the Sterling Group might become collateral damage.

She hoped it was just her imagination running wild.

"I was about to tell you about this. I got the sales figures for Luminous Dream this morning. Although it slightly lags behind Blue Mountain in the international market, when combined with domestic sales, it has far surpassed the sales figures Blue Mountain announced." Ethan Sterling smiled, "I’m very pleased."

Ruby raised an eyebrow, "At least it lived up to the price Mr. Sterling offered. I’m very satisfied too."

"So I hope the R&D speed of the Luminous Dream series can be faster."

"Haste makes waste."

"To counter The Lawson Group’s assault, you and I can’t afford not to race against time," Ethan said firmly.

"How do you know The Lawson Group is targeting the Sterling Group?"

Ethan was silent for a moment, then said, "After Rhonda went to Bellaza, she didn’t go to the vineyard I arranged. She disappeared, and recently it was heard she’s become The Lawson Group’s Celestian Region ambassador, just not yet officially announced."

Ruby was a bit puzzled, but on the surface, she showed a playful smile and teased, "So, it’s Mr. Sterling’s old flame, huh?"

Ethan held her hand, "Dr. L is your ex-husband too, we’re even."