CHAPTER 389: CHAPTER 389: NEW GIRLFRIEND

Ruby Sullivan never expected that after Rhonda Sullivan, she would once again be taunted by a young girl because of Ethan Sterling. Just a girlfriend, what’s there to be so cocky about?

A surge of anger rose in her stomach, "Whether it’s personal or professional, it’s between him and me. As an adult, don’t you even know what respect is?"

Hannah Jennings, intimidated by her, pouted and immediately ran behind Ethan Sterling, holding his shoulder, and said timidly, "Ethan, didn’t you just say I don’t need to avoid this?"

Ethan Sterling finally shifted his gaze from the documents, patted her hand, and smiled, "Whatever you like."

Ruby Sullivan found the scene in front of her unbearable and looked away, silently chanting the Heart Clarity Spell in her heart.

Ethan Sterling leaned back and finally looked at Ruby Sullivan, "What’s up?"

Ruby Sullivan took a deep breath, "Several raw material suppliers working with Nirvana have broken their contracts. Is this your doing?"

Ethan Sterling sneered with cold satisfaction in his eyes, took a document from a locked drawer and tossed it to her, "This is the draft acquisition agreement. If you think it through, come find me anytime."

"Ethan Sterling, I told you, even if you push me to the brink, I would rather turn to The Lawson Group than sell Nirvana to you." Ruby Sullivan hadn’t expected him to calmly produce such a proposal, and she was momentarily too angry to keep up the pretense in front of him.

"Ruby Sullivan, the perfume line was a gift for my wife. As far as I remember, you have already divorced me. Is there something wrong with taking back what’s not yours?"

"Then let’s just wait and see." Ruby Sullivan said and tore the agreement in half in front of Ethan Sterling, tossing it at him.

Before leaving, she heard Hannah Jennings ask in a sweet voice, "Ethan, why do you like such a fierce woman?" She didn’t know what Ethan Sterling said in return, nor did she want to know.

Ethan Sterling watched her slam the door and leave, only smiling slightly moments later, without answering her previous question.

This was his third day with Hannah Jennings, and the woman still had seven days of her trial period, so she came to The Sterling Group every day. He was somewhat annoyed but not repulsed by her, as her presence reminded him of the end with Ruby Sullivan and helped him stick to his plan.

Perhaps the ending wouldn’t be as he wanted, but whatever.

At least, it allowed him and Ruby Sullivan to find a way out and be free.

He stood up, still looking at Hannah Jennings with some gentleness, "What do you want for lunch?"

Hannah Jennings had never seen him in such a good mood before, and she melted instantly under his gaze, smiling as she clung to his arm, "I’m on a diet, so something light would be nice."

"The Jade Pavilion?"

"Sure, I especially love their tofu soup." Hannah Jennings replied happily.

Then they both put on their coats and walked out of the CEO’s office one after the other.

The people in the secretarial team were used to it, but Skylar Aldrin’s face was quite unsightly, frowning and glaring at Ethan Sterling with undisguised discontent in his eyes. He had once idolized Ethan Sterling partly because he was moved by his feelings for Ruby Sullivan.

In Skylar Aldrin’s worldview, a man who dares to wholeheartedly give himself to a woman is a real man. Not everyone has that kind of courage, right?

But now, he seriously doubted if he had admired the wrong person.

Thinking of Ruby Sullivan, who had just left not long ago, he quickly tidied up the things on the table, put his computer to sleep, and left.

After coming out of The Sterling Building, Ruby Sullivan’s mind was a mess. She didn’t go back to the company nor did she have an appetite to eat. She entered a nearby café, ordered a latte, hoping to calm herself down.

Shortly after sitting down, she received a call from Skylar Aldrin, saying he wanted to meet her.

The café was close to The Sterling Group, so Skylar Aldrin arrived quickly. Once seated, he bluntly asked, "Sister-in-law, what’s going on between you and big brother? Why did you suddenly get divorced?"

He knew the term "sister-in-law" wasn’t appropriate given her current relationship with Ethan Sterling, but it still felt most natural to him.

"Nothing." Ruby Sullivan didn’t want to discuss her situation with Ethan Sterling, "Is this the only reason you came to see me?"

Skylar Aldrin sighed, "Is there some misunderstanding? I can tell big brother hasn’t been doing well lately. I think you two should talk things over because it’s such a pity to separate over a misunderstanding. Just like me and Gwen Yates, we also separated because of a misunderstanding before, but I chose to trust her, to work for her, and now I’m really happy and thankful that I didn’t leave her."

"Well... congratulations." Ruby Sullivan sipped her coffee, not really wanting to hear him flaunt his relationship.

However, thinking Skylar Aldrin might know a lot, she casually probed, "How did Ethan Sterling and Hannah Jennings meet?"

"They met at a charity gala a few days ago. This Hannah Jennings is the daughter of famous snack tycoon Byron Jennings."

Ruby Sullivan nodded, "Then they’re a good match, huh."

Skylar Aldrin was anxious, "Good? I don’t think so at all. I can tell big brother doesn’t like her one bit. I don’t even know how he agreed to date her, but I’m certain that’s not love. His heart still has you in it."

Ruby Sullivan smiled, thinking she should say thank you at this point.

However, she also knew that the reality might be far from what he thought. If his insight was that good, how couldn’t he see Gwen Yates was using him? She didn’t believe Gwen Yates would suddenly change her mind, but regardless of anything, him feeling happy was a good thing.

She stood up, "I have things to do, so I’ll be leaving first."

Skylar Aldrin frowned, wanting to say something more, but ultimately only managed a simple "goodbye."

After getting into the car, Ruby Sullivan realized that the emotion welling up inside her was sadness.

She thought she was prepared for this day from the moment she chose to leave, but really seeing him with another woman made her realize how uncontrollable the sudden sadness was.

The reason Ethan Sterling forced her to give up Nirvana wasn’t hard to figure out either. To push her back into the family so she would spend more time with the kids, or simply use it as leverage to take the kids away. Or, it was purely for business reasons — The Sterling Group had invested too much in that single perfume line. As he said, now that she was no longer his wife, acquiring Nirvana would be the best compensation.

All she had now was Nirvana, and she couldn’t let it go so easily!

Ruby Sullivan drove straight to The Sterling Estate, determined not to let the children stay there any longer.

Seth and Honey were very happy to see their suddenly arriving mom. Although they had a good time with Vivian every day, they still missed their mom.

Vivian was a bit surprised by Ruby Sullivan’s sudden decision to pick up the kids, "Weren’t we supposed to let them stay for the New Year?"