CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: EAGER TO PROVE

President’s office.

Ethan Sterling finished reviewing Ruby Sullivan’s newly completed schedule, and he seemed surprised, "When we first confirmed the new product launch date, you said it was absolutely impossible to complete in such a short time. Now you’ve cut a month off the schedule—have you suddenly had a change of heart?"

Ruby Sullivan had anticipated his question and was ready with an answer: "I said that initially because I was unfamiliar with the work environment. Now that I’m acquainted, the research and development are proceeding smoothly. The main reason is that I’ve spent many years abroad, and I’d forgotten about the Chinese Valentine’s Day. If the product launches on that day, it might solve a lot of men’s headaches, right?"

"Alright, since you say so, I have no reason to disagree. When can the samples be ready?"

"Next week."

Ethan Sterling nodded, "Prepare for a meeting with all the departments this afternoon. One thing—this is your choice. If any issues arise, you must bear the consequences."

"Rest assured, Mr. Sterling." Ruby Sullivan said as she briskly got up and left.

Ethan Sterling watched her back and couldn’t help but squint slightly. Is she so eager to prove her worth?

At the end of the workday, Howard knocked and entered, "Mr. Sterling, Wenny said she won’t be going back with you until after the new product launch."

Ethan Sterling nodded, "I know."

At The Fragrance Lab, Ruby Sullivan sat in front of the computer, carefully comparing the subtle differences in ingredients in each formula, discerning the nuances of each sample’s scent, adjusting and readjusting, but still feeling something was missing.

After Young left, she simply stood before the essential oil wall, looking at the rows of small bottles to find the root of the problem, not realizing it was already midnight until the security guard came knocking.

Ruby Sullivan sighed, realizing she had to go home. As she walked, she stretched her stiff limbs, and when she reached the parking lot, she was stunned.

Levi Joyce, who had long finished work, was sitting cross-legged on the hood of his car, listening to music. He self-indulgently tapped his leg to the rhythm.

"Why haven’t you left yet?" Ruby Sullivan was quite surprised.

"No rehearsal today, I didn’t have much to do even if I left early. I wandered around and when I saw you hadn’t finished work, I came here to wait for you." Levi Joyce smiled and opened the car door for her, "Anyway, I don’t understand those essential oils. I can’t help you and might even interfere with your sense of smell."

Ruby Sullivan was amused by his candid answer.

"Buckle up, we’re off!" Levi Joyce gave her a ’yeah’ gesture and cheered loudly, hoping to liven up the small car’s atmosphere.

He did this entirely out of gratitude to Ruby Sullivan. Moreover, seeing her focused on essential oils made him think of himself and his teammates in the rehearsal room.

Ruby Sullivan hadn’t been this tired in a long time. Coupled with a restless night before, she fell asleep as soon as the car left the parking lot.

When Levi Joyce woke her, she realized they had reached her residential complex. Despite her dismay, given the time, she decided not to drive all the way to the Sterling Family anymore.

After she entered her home, she called Ethan Sterling. Only then did she realize all her toiletries had been packed and taken to the Sterling Family, forcing her to leave and buy some necessities at the convenience store near her complex.

The midnight air was a bit chilly, and Ruby Sullivan felt more awake as the wind blew by. She bought herself a chocolate-flavored Cone ice cream.

She used to love sweets so much, always clamoring that life without chocolate and sugar was as good as death.

Now, avoiding high-calorie foods had become a habit.

She smiled wryly as she placed the last bite of the cone in her mouth, hoping the chocolate in the tip would bring her luck.

Launching the product early and showing Ethan Sterling her value was the best method she could think of.

Even if her identity was exposed, he would probably consider the benefits and go easy on Honey.

But this doesn’t mean she would let go of her feud with Rhonda, just temporarily slowing her pace, taking it one step at a time.

After all, she was once completely empty-handed. No matter how bad it got, it wouldn’t be worse than before.

Ruby Sullivan understood these things, and it felt like she regained full confidence.

At the Sterling Family, Ethan Sterling saw the time was about right, closed the storybook, and issued an order that he felt was very amiable, "You should go to bed now."

For the first time, Honey was hearing Ethan Sterling tell a story—how could she not seize the opportunity? She immediately hugged his arm and said sweetly, "Mr. Sterling, Honey isn’t sleepy yet."

Ethan Sterling looked at the chubby little child, and then asked gently, "Does your dad tell you stories too?"

Honey shook her head, "Honey hasn’t met Daddy yet. Mommy said I could meet him when I grow up."

Ethan Sterling squinted slightly, "Then... how about I be your dad?"

Honey tilted her head, thinking for a long time, and suddenly let go, a little hesitant, "I used to really want Mr. Sterling to be my daddy, but Mommy says I have a daddy of my own. Honey still wants her own daddy."

Ethan Sterling, hearing this, wasn’t too pleased, "Then go to sleep quickly, maybe tomorrow you’ll meet your dad."

Honey, oblivious to his irritation, nodded with a smile, "Mr. Sterling, can I call Mommy to say goodnight?"

"Of course." Ethan Sterling said and then dialed Wenny’s number.

"Mr. Sterling?" Although only two words, the tone was full of fatigue.

He hesitated before speaking, "Honey wants to say goodnight." After he pressed the speakerphone button, her voice burst with energy, "Honey, did you miss Mommy?"

"Honey really misses Mommy. Today Mr. Sterling told me a story. I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight, Mommy."

"Goodnight, sweetheart."

Ethan Sterling turned off the lights and went out, seeing the call still active, he couldn’t resist retorting, "You’d rather go crazy working overtime than admit you are Ruby Sullivan?"

Ruby Sullivan sighed, "Mr. Sterling, I’ve been under scrutiny since I started in this industry. My experience at The Lawson Group taught me that only by proving myself can I silence those who gossip."

Ethan Sterling laughed; it’s the attitude he most admired, though many liked to boast under such a banner.

She heard his silence and couldn’t help but speak self-deprecatingly, "Besides, what’s so great about being Ruby Sullivan? If she was living well, how would she end up kicked out of the Sterling Family while pregnant?"

"No one ever kicked her out!" Ethan Sterling frowned, emphasizing sternly.

"Alright, alright, it’s all your family’s business. Whatever you say, you’re right." Ruby Sullivan was too exhausted, lacking the energy to argue further.

Ethan Sterling was taken aback, then smiled, "It seems like you know better than I do?"

Ruby Sullivan joked, "If Mr. Sterling is willing to trade The Sullivan Group, I wouldn’t mind telling you everything I know."

"Alright." He said decisively.

Ruby Sullivan was stunned, doubting her ears, unsure to ask further, hesitated, and hung up the phone.

It seemed Ethan Sterling could see the chaos on her face, a smile played on his lips, intriguingly amused. He wanted to find out what she really knew that he didn’t!