CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: YOU’VE CROSSED THE LINE

Ethan Sterling’s foot landed heavily on the ground, as if Ruby Sullivan’s sudden bite had hit a critical nerve. He stood still for three seconds, then continued walking toward the parking spot without any change in his expression, as if just a small fly had flown by, slightly messing with his rhythm, not worth even looking down at the little insect in his arms.

Meanwhile, the "little fly" felt her face burning and her heart thumping uncontrollably.

Taking the initiative was harder than Ruby Sullivan imagined.

When working at The Lawson Group, Dr. L had taken her to various venues to observe men while trying to concoct a seductive fragrance. Men in bars waiting to hunt, those polite ones at banquets, ones on dates in cafes, and the men from her workplace.

She thought she ought to have developed some immunity to men.

Apparently, not so much.

She bit her lower lip hard until it hurt to calm herself down a bit, desperately trying to recall the calm demeanor of the female model in her perfume ad campaign.

To win this battle without gunfire, she must be the unyielding hunter, not the prey!

She took a deep breath, cautiously glanced up at Ethan Sterling.

A face of serene indifference and incorruptibility!

Ruby Sullivan’s slightly bashful gaze settled down, a hint of regret in her heart.

Just as she was feeling flustered, Ethan Sterling put her down and opened the car door, gazing at her with a more serious expression than usual, "Get in."

Ruby Sullivan’s face also grew stern. Oh wow, is he angry now? Unhappy, she glared at him, only getting into the car after finishing her staring contest.

Unexpectedly, Ethan Sterling didn’t close the door. Instead, he came over to fasten her seatbelt, his warm breath cascading ambiguously down her ear.

"Woman, you overstepped," he whispered softly, almost like a midnight murmur to a bedside companion.

Ruby Sullivan suddenly felt uneasy, her back instinctively straightening up though she hadn’t had time to react before feeling a pain in her ear.

Ethan Sterling straightened slightly, admiring her stupefied look from a short distance and smiled satisfied.

Ruby Sullivan blinked, seemingly looking at him, yet her gaze was unfocused. Her ear still bore the tender touch of his tongue, and the sensation was incredibly delicate.

Only when he withdrew, snickering, did she let out a sudden breath.

Before she finished catching her breath, the closed car door opened again.

Ethan Sterling leaned back in and abruptly blocked her mouth.

Ruby Sullivan felt her mind go blank, and when she regained her senses, he had already closed the door again, she could faintly hear the whistle he blew.

She forced herself to stay calm, encouraging herself, don’t panic, he... he has taken the bait!

With a breezy smile, Ethan Sterling got in the car. As soon as he fastened his seatbelt, his phone rang, automatically connecting to the car’s system and displaying Rhonda Sullivan’s name on the screen.

Ruby Sullivan frowned, pretending not to see it as she turned to look outside.

Ethan Sterling pressed the answer button, continuing to drive out, "Speak."

"Ethan, the servants said you left in a hurry this morning, is there anything wrong?"

Hearing the word "hurry," Ruby Sullivan couldn’t resist turning to give him a small, gloating smirk.

Ethan Sterling lightly coughed, pretending to be composed as he replied, "Nothing."

"That’s good, I’ll personally cook some dishes for you at noon. You haven’t eaten my cooking for a while," Rhonda Sullivan’s voice was tenderly sweetened with a coquettish tinge.

Ruby Sullivan indifferently turned her head again, just in time to hear the man respond affirmatively, "Alright." She immediately rolled her eyes.

After hanging up, Ethan Sterling cheerfully suggested, "If you’re interested, you can join me for lunch."

Ruby Sullivan squinted, "Forget it, dining opposite that Miss Sullivan at your house might upset my digestion." She bit her lip, unable to resist reminding, "Mr. Sterling, your smile right now is hideous!"

What’s with that mischievously smug expression on his face? Feeling triumphant?

Ethan Sterling, after listening, pulled down the makeup mirror, grinning at his reflection, feeling a bit chilled—perhaps this wasn’t suitable for him. Casually, he pushed the mirror back up, "In fact, her cooking skills are miles behind my ex-wife’s."

Well, at least he still remembers she cooks well! Ruby Sullivan scoffed internally but said nothing aloud.

Ethan Sterling glanced at her, seemingly in an even better mood. Curiously, there was something he found quite appealing about her pretending to be indifferent when she was clearly upset, a secret gratification.

They rode in silence until arriving at The Sullivan Family, where Mama Bennett had already prepared a table full of dishes.

Ethan Sterling caught the aroma, yet he left with Seth Sterling, causing the little master to sulkily refuse to even look at him properly in the car.

Honey was also quite disappointed; she thought Seth would stay over this weekend to play with her.

Mama Bennett noticed Ruby Sullivan also looking gloomy and smiled as she made excuses for Ethan Sterling, "Sir is constantly busy; perhaps he has an engagement he must attend." Living to her age, hearing is one thing, seeing is another. She doesn’t care about Seth and Ethan Sterling’s furniture business dealings, but the look in their eyes could not deceive her, the observer.

Ruby Sullivan threw her bag onto the sofa disgruntledly, "He is indeed busy." Busy eating Rhonda Sullivan’s cooking.

At The Sterling Family.

Seth Sterling eyed the table full of dishes, glancing coolly at Ethan Sterling, "Dad, I’m not hungry, can I go to my room?"

Ethan Sterling contemplated for three seconds, "Go ahead."

Seth Sterling had anticipated a lecture but was surprised at the quick permission, yet he still promptly jumped off the chair and left.

Rhonda Sullivan watched him head upstairs, hesitant to speak as she turned to Ethan Sterling, "I specially made dishes Seth likes. Is he in a bad mood?"

Ethan Sterling nodded, "He originally planned to have lunch with a friend today."

"A friend?" Rhonda’s heart sank—wasn’t Seth’s only friend Wenny’s daughter? "Did you see Wenny this morning?"

Ethan Sterling’s face remained expressionless as he looked at her, "Do I need to report where I go to you?"

Rhonda Sullivan bit her lip, her eyes filled with disappointment, poking sadly at the rice before her, "Ethan, you know, I never imagined another woman could take you from me, but Wenny makes me anxious."

She exhaled, gazing at Ethan Sterling with a self-mocking smile, "Even knowing she’s married, I still can’t help but worry she’ll take you away, isn’t that foolish?"

Ethan Sterling’s brow twitched, his expression darkening significantly as he put down his chopsticks, looking at her and saying seriously, "I think it’s time certain things were clarified."

Rhonda Sullivan didn’t know where his sudden solemnity stemmed from, only feeling frightened by his look, "Let’s eat first, otherwise... everything will get cold." She forced a smile, a sixth sense making her not want to hear what he would say next.