CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: DESTINY

In the evening, while Ruby Sullivan took Honey for a bath, Ethan Sterling seriously told his son about the elder Mrs. Sterling’s return.

Since Seth Sterling started kindergarten, the elder Mrs. Sterling had been living in Crestfall, and each year during his winter and summer breaks, she would either take her great-grandson away or come to see him. Her return wasn’t particularly unusual for Seth, just a bit earlier than expected.

Though Seth didn’t dislike his great-grandmother, he couldn’t say he particularly liked her either. Spending time with her was always a bit boring.

"She’s very likely to kick Wenny and her daughter out; you... think of something," Ethan Sterling pleaded with him earnestly, truly feeling out of options.

He was practically raised by his grandmother when he was young. Though she was his closest person, she was also the person he most feared to defy.

Seth stared at his dad for a few seconds. Realizing he wasn’t joking, he couldn’t help but frown, rather worried, "If you can’t figure something out, how can I?"

Ethan Sterling blinked, "Use your child’s knack—throw tantrums, whine, roll on the floor. Anyway, if you don’t want Rhonda Sullivan to come back and continue being your mom, you have to set your pride aside."

Seth sighed, "Alright, I’ll think about it." and walked away dejectedly.

Mama Bennett said Honey’s home isn’t safe; he simply couldn’t allow Honey and Auntie Wenny to leave the Sterling Family!

*

Honey was now staying in the room Rhonda Sullivan used before because it was closest to Seth’s room. Though it was a bit far from Ruby Sullivan’s guest room on the first floor, there was no helping it since the child liked it.

After coaxing her daughter to sleep, Ruby Sullivan tiptoed out of the room, seeing Seth at the doorway, seeming to have been waiting for her for a while.

"What’s up?" She knelt down and asked him with a smile, knowing Seth wouldn’t stay up for no reason.

Seth shook his head, unsure what to say.

He had been pondering his dad’s words but couldn’t find a good solution, growing anxious. He couldn’t help but want to see her, as if a few words with Wenny could give him enough courage.

"Can’t sleep?" Ruby Sullivan pinched his little face, seeing his troubled expression, "Want to hear a story?"

Seth hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Ruby Sullivan stood up and ruffled his hair, "Come on, let’s go to your room."

Seth’s face lit up with a smile, and he took her hand voluntarily.

Coming out of the bathroom and preparing to return to his room, Ethan Sterling watched their backs, slowly revealing a smile yet remaining undecided.

He had never thought of enjoying family bliss, but the scene at this moment stirred warmth in his heart.

To Seth, there was no voice more endearing or pleasant than Ruby Sullivan’s. His anxious heart was soothed immediately, and just as he was about to fall asleep, he hastily grabbed one of her fingers, murmuring, "Auntie Wenny, don’t worry. I will definitely protect Honey."

"Good boy, auntie is very grateful to you." Ruby Sullivan kissed his forehead and tucked him in before gently leaving the room.

Perhaps this was fate’s arrangement. Heaven took away her son, yet sent her another loving little one. To her, this was also a comfort.

Ruby Sullivan returned to her room only to be startled, upset at the man standing by the window, and scolded, "Mr. Sterling, you can’t even recognize your own room anymore?"

Ethan Sterling casually sat on the bay window, "My grandmother’s arriving; what will you do?"

Ruby Sullivan stood tensely at the door, and after a moment, she exhaled deeply, "I don’t know."

Even if the online rumors weren’t Rhonda Sullivan’s doing, she couldn’t pass up such a good opportunity to let Grandma know. Grandma had adored her since childhood, but the one she liked was the Ruby Sullivan of the past. Even if she knew Ruby Sullivan had died, she would certainly not let a married woman with a child enter the Sterling Family.

Ruby Sullivan smiled bitterly; her greatest support at the time became the most challenging obstacle now.

"Ruby Sullivan, want to come clean? It’s up to you."

Ruby Sullivan frowned, masking her unease with a helpless smile, "Mr. Sterling, I’ve told you countless times, I’m not Ruby Sullivan. Besides, do I look anything like her?"

Ethan Sterling raised his eyebrows, leisurely walked over, detachedly smiling, "Whatever; my grandmother has always been concerned about Ruby Sullivan’s disappearance. After your father had a stroke and was hospitalized, she felt more guilty about The Sullivan Family. Do you think Rhonda Sullivan could boldly move in here to be a mother to the kids? It was with Grandma’s tacit consent."

Stopping in front of her deliberately, "Do you think if she wants to kick you out, I have any way to stop her?"

Ethan Sterling peered at her disgusted gaze, somewhat fearing she’d suddenly act out, quickly smiling and leaving.

Ruby Sullivan slammed the door shut and cursed quietly.

He couldn’t figure anything out?

He simply didn’t want to bother; he already knew the answer, letting others force her into a corner, compelled to confess!

She felt suffocated; if staying in the Sterling Family didn’t work out, she could only temporarily bring her daughter to work. In any case, she absolutely wouldn’t back down because of this!

The next morning, Ruby Sullivan called everyone to her office as soon as she arrived at The Fragrance Company.

"Starting today, everyone will leave work two hours late. I want to compress the research and development cycle and launch the perfume next month."

The four young women exchanged glances, quite disgruntled, while Levi Joyce was petrified on the spot. If they were to work two hours extra, how was that different from his previous job?

Mia had recently started dating a boyfriend; if she had to work two hours overtime every day, she wouldn’t have time for dates.

Dissatisfied, she asked, "Why suddenly compress the timeline? We haven’t had any project meetings, have we?"

"I’ll talk to Mr. Sterling shortly; just be mentally prepared," Ruby Sullivan knew the decision would displease everyone and added with a smile, "Don’t worry, I won’t let everyone work overtime for no reason; after the product launch, I’ll share my bonus with everyone. Now, get to work."

Levi Joyce, looking the unhappiest, hesitantly asked, "Boss, do I have to work overtime too?"

Ruby Sullivan was aware of his situation, and given his job nature, extended leniency, "You don’t have to; you wouldn’t be of much help if you stayed."

In the lab, Mia was irritated, flailing her arms and pouting, "Does having money make you great? What’s there to be proud of about rising through a man?"

Young tugged at her arm, "Are you crazy, saying all this?"

Mia rolled her eyes, "If she has the guts to fire me, isn’t that what she does best? Domestic fragrance companies large and small abound; I’m not worried about being unemployed. My biggest wish is to marry a good man anyway."

Ruby Sullivan happened to come out of her office just as she overheard their conversation clearly, darkening her expression, "Anyone unwilling to work overtime can resign."

Upon hearing this, Mia couldn’t help but confront her, "You say resign, just like that? You’re forcing people to work overtime; I could report you to the labor bureau!"

Ruby Sullivan smiled, "Then go to the labor bureau immediately, right now!"