CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: EACH FULFILLS THEIR DUTY

Ruby Sullivan walked out of the conference hall, the perfect curve of her mouth instantly vanishing. Her fiery red lips paired with a somber gaze radiated a cold allure that warned off any intruders. The accompanying high-level executives took one glance at her and swallowed their polite remarks.

The press conference had turned into a scene of entertainment interviews. No one would be happy being the target of such chaos.

Howard quickly walked a few steps to catch up with her, whispering, "Mr. Wallace, Mr. Sterling is waiting for you in the VIP lounge."

"Understood." Ruby Sullivan squinted. She was coincidentally eager to have a good chat with him.

Ethan Sterling was sitting on the sofa sipping tea when the lounge door was suddenly pushed open. Ruby Sullivan, with a stern expression, briskly walked in and stopped at a meter’s distance, arms crossed, looking down at him coldly as if she was ready to flay him alive.

"Mr. Sterling is so relaxed, I wonder if you either didn’t watch the press conference or enjoyed the show very much?" Ruby Sullivan sneered.

"I was indeed very pleased with Mr. Wallace’s performance just now." Ethan Sterling laughed, his expression carefree.

Ruby Sullivan laughed aloud, sarcastically saying, "Mr. Sterling, you’re too kind. Seeing Miss Rhonda Sullivan sitting down there, I almost thought it was an extra interview question from Mr. Sterling, testing my impromptu skills. Clearly, Miss Sullivan is still holding a grudge about the slap last time!"

Today’s reporters were evidently targeting her, Ethan Sterling could not possibly overlook this.

He had always placed the group’s interests above everything else, knowing how much emphasis was placed on today’s press conference, Ruby Sullivan understood well. Today’s incident wouldn’t have happened unless Rhonda Sullivan was either unable to assess the situation or felt invincible!

Regardless of the reason, she needed to let them know she was neither a fool nor someone who could be manipulated at will!

Ethan Sterling pondered briefly, then said amicably, "Miss Sullivan is an overseas distributor for The Sterling Group, it’s quite normal for her to be there. Wenny, I believe you understand the meaning of ’each with their own responsibilities’. I will look into this matter thoroughly. However, given The Sterling Group’s current status, a few rivals are no surprise, you don’t need to be too sensitive."

Whether this matter is related to Rhonda Sullivan remains to be verified. Even if it was indeed her doing, Rhonda Sullivan on the surface was seen as his person, and only he could handle it.

Seeing his indifferent support, memories of the past surged in Ruby Sullivan’s heart once again. She dug her nails fiercely into her arm to remind herself not to let anything slip.

"I hope Mr. Sterling will truly investigate thoroughly!" she squinted, pulling out a smile devoid of any emotion.

Ethan Sterling leaned back on the sofa, seemingly intending to ease the atmosphere, saying casually, "However, I was genuinely surprised that Mr. Wallace is married this young."

Ruby Sullivan raised an eyebrow, "Otherwise? Did Mr. Sterling also think I was pregnant before marriage?"

Ethan Sterling stood up, still smiling pleasantly, "Just curious, what sort of husband could bear living apart from his wife and daughter in different countries."

Ruby Sullivan froze, momentarily unsure how to respond. When she casually lied, she hadn’t anticipated further questioning.

Ethan Sterling noticed the subtle change in her expression, "If I remember correctly, Honey has the same surname as you, right?"

"My husband is a foreigner. Is there a problem with my daughter’s Chinese name having the same surname as mine?" Ruby Sullivan grew nervous, somewhat afraid to meet his gaze.

"Of course not." Ethan Sterling pretended to advise kindly, "Honey is still young, it’s better for her to live with both parents, if... the couple is harmonious."

After a moment of silence, Ruby Sullivan suddenly covered her face as if she had heard the funniest joke, laughing until her shoulders shook.

Ethan Sterling, confused by her laughter, couldn’t help but frown.

She then restrained her laughter, "Sorry, Mr. Sterling, I just suddenly felt that your words were somewhat..." She pursed her lips, "Your tone just now sounded rather... like an old person."

Ethan Sterling flattened his lip line, shifting his gaze, and walked straight ahead, "Let’s go, your welcome banquet is about to begin."

Ruby Sullivan stared at his back, taking a deep breath before following along.

Who was responsible for Honey not having a complete family? It was indeed the funniest joke she had heard!

The so-called welcome banquet was actually a routine team-building event after The Sterling Group’s press conference. After Ruby Sullivan greeted several high-level executives from relevant departments, she prepared to leave early when Rhonda Sullivan came over, holding onto Ethan Sterling’s arm.

Ruby Sullivan’s father, Brandon Sullivan, was one of the first merchants in the country to venture into private business, starting with import and export trade. Eight years ago, Ethan Sterling, who had just taken over The Sterling Group, was young and impulsive and nearly drove The Sterling Group to the brink of collapse due to a decision-making mistake. If it hadn’t been for Brandon Sullivan’s support, where would Ethan Sterling be today? The Sterling Group’s breakthrough into international markets was also thanks to The Sullivan Group’s overseas network.

Brandon Sullivan spared no effort to support Ethan Sterling, simply hoping he would treat his daughter well, but ended up in a farmer and viper scenario.

Ruby Sullivan took a deep breath and returned a polite smile to Rhonda Sullivan’s fake smile.

"Let me formally introduce myself, I’m Rhonda Sullivan, Chairwoman of Sullivan Enterprises," she said, extending her hand to Ruby Sullivan.

Ruby Sullivan glanced at her hand, but then looked up at Ethan Sterling, "Sorry, I have a cleanliness obsession."

Ethan Sterling’s brow twitched slightly, somewhat admiring this woman’s pettiness.

"You!" Rhonda Sullivan turned to see Ethan Sterling’s expressionless face, forcefully swallowing her words to continue the charade, "Wenny, you might not be aware, I’m The Sterling Group’s most important partner, we’re bound to meet frequently."

She took two glasses of champagne from the tray and handed one to Ruby Sullivan, "Our discord would only make others laugh, wouldn’t it?"

Ruby Sullivan curled her lips, "Miss Sullivan, you’re a partner of The Sterling Group, not mine. A perfumer’s duty is to develop good products. I have to drive, so I’ll skip the champagne." Having said this, she walked away; just looking at Rhonda Sullivan made her want to vomit.

After taking a few steps, she remembered something and turned back to flash a smile at Ethan Sterling with a stern face, "Mr. Sterling, is this what ’each with their own responsibilities’ means?" Without waiting for his reply, she turned and left again.

"She!" Rhonda Sullivan was furious, just about to complain to Ethan Sterling when she saw a smile on his face!

She was momentarily stunned, Ethan Sterling was smiling as he looked at that woman’s back!

The sound caused Ethan Sterling to drop his gaze to her face, and the smile disappeared as well, "If you cause further trouble for her without reason, you can leave on your own." With that said, he walked off alone. The thought of Wenny being married made his feelings somewhat complicated.

Ethan Sterling’s tone was calm but left Rhonda Sullivan deeply fearful because he wasn’t threatening, he was notifying.

Rhonda Sullivan turned to look at the departing figure in red, gritting her teeth in hatred, Wenny, just you wait!

Meanwhile, Ruby Sullivan, seated in her car, had her hands shaking in anger on the steering wheel.