CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: TESTING THE WATERS

A few minutes later, Mama Bennett walked into the study and called out, "Sir."

"Do you think Wenny looks familiar?" Ethan Sterling asked directly.

Aside from Sasha Shaw, Faye Truman, and Rhonda Sullivan, Mama Bennett was the person he thought knew Ruby Sullivan best. Now, maybe only she could clear his doubts.

Mama Bennett hesitated for a moment, nodded, "Her voice sounds very similar to the second lady." The second lady she referred to was Ruby Sullivan.

Ethan Sterling pondered for a while and asked, "Does Ruby Sullivan have any special marks on her body?"

"No." Mama Bennett shook her head, somewhat puzzled. If that beautiful guest really was the second lady, why would she hide her identity?

Back then, the second lady suddenly went missing, and the master had a stroke after hearing the news and ended up in the hospital. The next day, the elder daughter Rhonda Sullivan replaced all the servants at home. She had initially returned to her hometown, but it was Ethan Sterling who sent someone to bring her back. After that, they only knew that the second lady asked Mr. Sterling for a divorce, and there was no more news.

"Were Rhonda Sullivan and Ruby Sullivan close?"

"The sisters were always on good terms. The second lady was easygoing, and the elder daughter was kind and thoughtful. They grew up together and never fought."

Ethan Sterling frowned slightly, "I’ll give you Wenny’s address. Take your luggage over and stay there until Wenny’s leg is healed. If anyone asks, just say you’re going back home for a few days."

"Okay, Sir."

Ethan Sterling pressed his lips and remained silent for a while, then said, "I suspect Wenny is Ruby Sullivan."

"The second lady?" Mama Bennett was a bit surprised. Though it seemed possible, she still couldn’t believe they were the same person.

"Alright, you can go."

"Understood, Sir." Mama Bennett came out of the study, feeling both anxious and shocked.

Meanwhile,

Ruby Sullivan waited until the driver left and called Honey to the living room. "Go get Mommy a glass of water."

"Okay." Honey, with a pouty face, obediently fetched a glass of water for Mom and turned to go back to her room.

"Wait." Ruby Sullivan called her, amused, "Why are you unhappy?"

Honey shook her head and lowered it for a while before saying, "Today, Brother Sterling said it would be great if I could stay at his place. Then we could build Legos together after school."

Ruby Sullivan sighed, "But it would be inconvenient for Mommy."

"Brother Sterling’s house is so big, and there are servants. How could it be inconvenient for Mommy?" Honey blinked her big eyes, wondering why Mom would refuse.

Ruby Sullivan was a bit helpless, "You’ll understand when you grow up."

Honey grumbled unhappily, "I can only see Dad when I grow up, can only understand why Mommy is inconvenient when I grow up, everything has to wait until I grow up." She jumped off the sofa, throwing a little tantrum, and went back to her room to play with her toys.

Ruby Sullivan didn’t know how to comfort her and let her be upset.

She awkwardly wheeled over to get her crutches, tried many times, and barely managed to stand. She wanted to go back to work on Monday, so she had to quickly adapt to walking with crutches.

Sasha Shaw called to say she might work late, asking about their dinner plans and sounding apologetic.

Ruby Sullivan felt warm inside listening, "I should be the one feeling apologetic, okay? I’m the one who troubled you."

Sasha Shaw paused, playfully scolding, "You brat, you know you’re causing me trouble, then take better care of yourself, you really... Oh, never mind, they’re calling me. You and that Ethan Sterling, be careful, careful, got it?"

"Got it, go back to work." Ruby Sullivan hung up the phone, wheeled over to check on Honey, finding the little one bent over the desk drawing. She stopped at the door and knocked on the open door symbolically, "Sweetie, what do you want for dinner, how about we order takeout?"

Honey perked up at the mention of food, tilting her head at Mommy, "Can we eat anything?"

"Of course, whatever you want to eat, we can order."

Honey beamed and ran over to hug her, "Honey wants McDonald’s!"

"Alright." Ruby Sullivan patted her head, thinking to herself how easy it was to please this little foodie daughter.

Soon, someone knocked on the door. Ruby Sullivan thought it was the takeout, but was quite surprised when she opened it.

"Mama Bennett?" she blurted out.

Mama Bennett was carrying an old backpack and holding a big bag of groceries, smiling, "Sir was worried no one would take care of Miss, so he sent me here for a few days. I’ll leave once Miss’s leg heals."

Ruby Sullivan was momentarily surprised, hesitated, but still let her in.

Mama Bennett smiled and greeted Honey watching her in the living room, "What a cute little girl. What do you like to eat? Mama Bennett will make it for you tonight."

Ruby Sullivan turned to watch this scene, suddenly remembered her childhood.

"Second lady, what would you like to eat today? Mama Bennett will make it for you."

She smiled and wheeled over, "We’ve already ordered takeout. Just make something for yourself tonight."

Mama Bennett seemed a bit disappointed to hear this, "I’ve already bought these groceries... How about I cook, and you can eat whatever you like?"

"That works too."

Ruby Sullivan led Mama Bennett to the kitchen, though her thoughts were on Ethan Sterling’s intent for sending Mama Bennett here.

Still, Mama Bennett was family. She trusted this old servant who watched her grow up wouldn’t betray her even if she learned the truth.

In the evening, the Sterling father and son faced the unappetizing meals, neither wanting to eat.

Ethan Sterling simply put down his chopsticks to talk to his son, "Why do you want Wenny and her daughter to stay?"

Seth Sterling saw his father not playing the part, so he also put down his chopsticks frankly, "Auntie Wenny’s cooking is delicious, more suited to be my mom than Mrs. Sullivan." Seeing his father’s frown, he added, "I’m also helping you."

Ethan Sterling was silent. This kid was only five...

"Why don’t you like Rhonda Sullivan?" Even if Rhonda wasn’t sincere, her care and efforts were genuine. Few stepmothers could be as good as Ruby Sullivan.

"Why would I like her?" Seth Sterling thought his dad asked a silly question, "When I was three, I overheard her telling a servant that once she married you and had a child, she’d kick me out."

Three years old, he managed to remember till now, his grudge-holding skill seemed a match for Wenny.

Ethan Sterling didn’t pursue this topic further, only asked about the servant who chatted with Rhonda Sullivan. The kid, indeed, remembered clearly.

On Monday, Mama Bennett sent Honey to kindergarten, and Ruby Sullivan was about to call a taxi to work when she got a call from Ethan Sterling.

"Open the door."

Before Ruby Sullivan could react, the call had ended. She opened the door curiously, finding Ethan Sterling standing outside.

She joked, "Mr. Sterling, have you been watching idol dramas lately?"

Ethan Sterling glanced at her, "I just don’t want a disabled employee getting hurt again." He said, stepping inside to pick up her crutches.

Ruby Sullivan wasn’t polite either, pointing at the bag hanging in the entryway, "Please take that down for me, thank you."

She enjoyed this special care from the boss, confirming once again her judgment of Ethan Sterling as a visual creature, feeling both disdainful and heartbroken. A man like him, once made her devote herself completely, really wasn’t worth it!

This time, just like before, Ethan Sterling carried her into the car. Ruby Sullivan waited for him to sit down as well, intentionally saying apologetically, "After I finish interviewing assistants today, Mr. Sterling won’t have to bother anymore."

"You’re looking for an assistant?" Ethan Sterling couldn’t help raising his eyebrows.