CHAPTER 455: CHAPTER 455: THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE ASHAMED

Ruby Sullivan never expected that Rhonda Sullivan would invite her to some pre-wedding party.

"Mr. Sullivan, I’ve been busy with overtime recently and don’t have time to attend your party, sorry." After directly declining over the phone, Ruby was about to hang up when the other party called out, "Wait a minute."

"You’ll regret it if you don’t come."

Rhonda’s provocative tone made Ruby’s brain twinge harshly.

She frowned, "Whatever." After saying that, she hung up the phone, only to find that for an instant, her hands had started to tremble. She clutched her chest, as if the oxygen around her suddenly wasn’t enough, and it took several deep breaths before she didn’t feel so bad.

This feeling of anxiety persisted until after work. She really wanted to call Ethan Sterling. Tonight, he had a dinner party, and they had already agreed not to meet. Ruby knew that the gathering he was attending must be very important, but despite holding her phone, turning the screen on and off repeatedly, she couldn’t bring herself to make the call.

She didn’t want her nervousness to affect him.

Ultimately, Ruby put away her phone, acting as if nothing had happened, and left the office after tidying up her things.

Meanwhile,

The person dining with Ethan Sterling tonight wasn’t anyone important, but rather Skylar Aldrin.

The plot of land The Aldrin Clan seized had encountered issues; the sellers had forged an important government document, and the land was severely desertified, making it impossible to lay a foundation, let alone construct buildings. Even the cost for building houses was extremely high.

If it weren’t for the previous release of so much favorable news, along with The Sterling Group’s competition, Tyler Aldrin wouldn’t have been so easily duped. The involved personnel had already donated and fled, leaving The Aldrin Clan to take the fall and inherit this mess. This was initially a major capital investment for a big plan, but it’s significantly hurt them, disrupting their financial chain entirely. If the banks apply pressure at this point, The Aldrin Clan could face the risk of bankruptcy and acquisition.

Whoever dared to do this clearly wasn’t anyone mild-tempered; at least, they don’t need to run away for such matters. If they’ve run, it’s likely to protect the mastermind behind the scheme.

Upon hearing the news, Skylar Aldrin realized this was all a setup by Ethan Sterling. He was not only a pawn in this scheme but also a sacrifice. If it weren’t for this, he might not have fought so intensely with Gwen Yates, maybe... he could have kept their child.

He didn’t know this was why Ethan Sterling kept him around and agreed to his job transfer.

The Sterling Group had no intention of being enemies with the Aldrin Family because of the complex network of relations that lurked behind them. Every point directed at him could potentially cause substantial trouble for The Sterling Group.

"Why did you use me?"

"If I directly told you to break up with Gwen Yates, would you listen?" Ethan Sterling raised an eyebrow and spoke calmly.

He had long noticed someone leaking important company information, so he previously tested it with some minor project details, quickly identifying the problem centered around Skylar Aldrin. He believed Skylar wouldn’t betray the company, and a little investigation revealed Gwen Yates and her relationship with Rhonda Sullivan.

"Do you think I’m just an idiot?"

"You’re only a little foolish in front of Gwen Yates." Ethan Sterling spoke frankly.

In reality, he did think he was somewhat silly, but he didn’t expect him to perform exceptionally in the sales department, skillfully creating profits, someone capable in sales isn’t an idiot.

Skylar looked at him with a heartbroken expression, angry at his indifference. This fraudster used him, yet behaved as if nothing had happened. His emotions were somewhat out of control; he suddenly stood up and grabbed Ethan’s collar, "Do you know, because of you, I lost my child? Do you know?"

His fiery demeanor didn’t result in the expression he desired on Ethan Sterling’s face; there was no apology or remorse, instead, there was a contemptuous smile!

Clearly, he was the one who did wrong, who should be ashamed, but why was he showing this expression? Thinking of Gwen Yates’ admiration for Ethan, recalling Gwen Yates’ disdainful expression, made his rational mind snap like a silver thread unable to bear any more weight.

Skylar clenched his molars and swung another fist; he didn’t even know when he had clenched it.

Pity, he truly wanted to punch Ethan’s face to break his contemptuous smile; yet Ethan easily caught it in his hand.

Ethan’s seemingly light push released the grip on his fist.

Skylar was clutching his collar tightly, preventing himself from staggering back. After a moment of daze, he released his hold, his previous anger turned into frustration and bewilderment.

He realized attributing all problems to Ethan was just because he couldn’t accept the outcome. He was numbing himself with work every day, yet he couldn’t accept the fact that Ivan Yates didn’t love him.

This big guy was surprisingly clutching his head and crying.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, one could think he was the one who had just been hitting others.

"Get a grip."

"Your life is so happy, you can’t possibly understand how I feel."

"How do you know that I don’t understand?" Ethan looked at him, feeling like he saw himself a while ago. He may not have cried, but sitting on the window ledge, brooding while drinking at night, wasn’t much better.

Thinking about it, he suddenly felt a bit irritated.

Who would want to remember their unglamorous past? Those memories should always be left behind.

"Work hard in the sales department, you’ll meet better women." Ethan sighed.

"She’s the best." Skylar didn’t want to talk to this playboy, who only realized the worth of his wife after playing around elsewhere, not understanding his pain.

As Ethan listened, he got annoyed and slapped him on the head, "Then you hurry up and leave, shave your head and become a monk, don’t be a nuisance here."

Skylar glared at him unhappily, and after being glared back, felt even more upset, he loudly called the waiter over, "I’ll have a dozen beers, the pure ones."

Ethan rubbed his forehead, not wanting anyone to see his face.

The waiter apologized, saying, "Sir, we don’t have beer here."

"Erguotou will do." He relaxed his demand.

The smile on the waiter’s face became very awkward.

Ethan, afraid he’d say something earth-shattering, quickly interrupted, "Bring a bottle of vodka and an serving of ice, please."

"Alright."

Skylar shouted discontentedly, "Get the most expensive kind."

Ethan immediately felt a headache coming on. If it weren’t for his sales talent, he absolutely absolutely absolutely wouldn’t tolerate it!

He didn’t know that Ruby Sullivan was already being overwhelmed with worry and even started to have stomach pains, deliberating whether to call him.