CHAPTER 499: CHAPTER 499: A CALCULATED APOLOGY

After a simple beginning to the round table dance, partners would take turns swapping, and after a brief exchange, they would return to their original partners. Although it was just a mere half-minute, Gina collapsed the moment she saw T watching her intently, lowering her voice but in a fit of anger said, "I’ll apologize, I’ll go and apologize later!"

She was almost smitten with T at first sight, and their identities were perfectly matched, a pairing like black and white couple, would be envied by all.

But he rejected all her advances, even pretending not to know her when they coincidentally met at the cookie shop!

Despite feeling heartbroken, she thought that’s because he has character; if a man agrees right away, wouldn’t that be boring?

Even if T doesn’t like her, he should at least choose a woman as good as she is, how could it be someone like Ruby Sullivan, that bitch? She couldn’t accept it, and let her anger surpass her logic. Fortunately, after calming down, her fear returned, and she finally saw T’s silent warning.

Seeing Ruby Sullivan rotate next, T’s fierce gaze immediately softened, as if in his world, Ruby Sullivan was an existence brighter than moonlight, just quietly watching, his heart would calm down.

At the end of the song, with T’s support, Ruby Sullivan made the final backbend motion, her graceful waist seemingly boneless, eliciting cries of admiration from several spectators nearby.

Ten seconds later, the venue erupted in enthusiastic applause.

As the host elaborated, all the men and women in the dance floor lined up with their partners, waiting for the audience to vote.

All spectators just on the sidelines could go to the service desk to get a rose, offering the flower to their favored dancer, of course, even if you didn’t watch, you could still take a flower to offer.

Ruby Sullivan received so many flowers that her hands were soft, repeatedly saying thank you, but it seemed mostly gentlemen came to give her flowers.

Finally, a girl appeared, it was Anna.

"Darling, you were absolutely stunning just now." She handed the flower to Ruby Sullivan and gave her a big hug.

"Thank you."

Afterward, Ruby Sullivan was startled by the person coming to offer flowers.

The other was dressed in a royal blue velvet suit, hair slicked back, looking elegant and a bit of a rumor, as if he was the man who truly should stand beside her.

Ethan Sterling received her photo on the plane, and so immediately matched with this suit, planning to appear before the opening dance. Unfortunately, he didn’t expect so many people would come to see The Jasmine Festival’s closing ceremony, the previously not very spacious roads were blocked to the brim, only finally arriving after the opening dance started.

What disturbed him even more was his wife’s dance partner being T.

"You look really beautiful today." He handed her the rose, smiling faintly.

Ruby Sullivan had already forgotten she was at the event, exclaiming with delight, "Everything is settled over there? How did you get here?"

Ethan Sterling raised an eyebrow, "I think we can talk later." He finished speaking, smiling at T, "Thank you."

T also smiled, "You’re welcome."

Truly, he had a great attitude, coming to Valeria, extending his stay here for Ruby Sullivan, wanting to see her, yes indeed, wanting to dance with her, yes indeed, even started learning the steps and rules of the round table dance that afternoon for her, it was all true, yet he genuinely wasn’t jealous of Ethan Sterling’s appearance.

On the contrary, seeing Ruby Sullivan’s genuine smile made his heart feel at ease too.

He had never had such a feeling with any woman, possession didn’t matter, as long as he could watch from afar, knowing she was well was enough.

Anyway, at this point, no other woman mattered except Ruby Sullivan, so he genuinely didn’t know Gina, wasn’t deliberately avoiding, he really didn’t know her.

But now he’s remembered that woman.

After the voting ended, the couple from Valeria won as the most beautiful dancers.

Ruby Sullivan conveyed a word to T and immediately carried her dress over to Ethan Sterling.

Ethan Sterling saw her in such an eager manner, saying aloud to slow down, but already stepping forward toward her, opening his arms to catch the almost pouncing little elf.

Ruby Sullivan didn’t know why she was so eager to throw herself into his arms, but breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne, her heart settled down, even if facing thousands of troops, she could hold down the fort without any fear.

Ethan Sterling gently patted her back, instinct telling him Ms. Sullivan’s mood didn’t seem quite right, "What’s wrong?"

Ruby Sullivan nuzzled herself in his arms, "Nothing." Only then she remembered she had put many layers of powder on today, letting out a small "ah" and leaving his embrace.

"Is my makeup smudged?"

"No, you look especially beautiful." Ethan Sterling’s words were true; she had applied so much powder that there was no visible sign of smearing, especially at night, only able to see her face under the moonlight, not that clearly.

However, this hazy look had a special beauty of its own.

Ruby Sullivan didn’t believe his words, holding a small mirror to check herself thoroughly before letting out a relief sigh.

"By the way, how did you come here? Didn’t you say you had no time?"

"I wanted to surprise you but... I hit a traffic jam after getting off the plane." Previously, when Ethan Sterling and Ruby Sullivan came to Veridia, the way was smooth throughout.

"This small town has gathered too many tourists these days, so it’s not surprising to have traffic jams." She linked her arm through his, "My work is done today, let’s go for a good stroll."

Ethan Sterling seemed to unintentionally glance elsewhere, "Dancing with T is work?"

Ruby Sullivan looked at him pretending not to be jealous, unable to hold back a small triumph, "Of course not, T was my dance partner, he came to rescue."

"Hmm, looks like my thank you was spot on." He chuckled shrewdly.

As the two were heading toward the pedestrian street, Gina suddenly rushed over blocking their way.

Ruby Sullivan’s face darkened, "What do you want now?"

"Apologize!" Gina firmly said before losing further composure, then unwillingly bowed her head, "I apologize for the unfounded comments I made earlier. Having said that, she sneaked a glance at Ethan Sterling, explaining, "When I mentioned your free access to L’s study, it was merely out of envy and jealousy, because I know you are close to L, there is no other insinuation."

Ruby Sullivan took a deep breath, truly impressed by this woman, clearly seeing Ethan Sterling by her side, coming with a low profile to stir trouble?

Ruby Sullivan didn’t notice T watching not far away, then turning to leave. Of course, unaware of Gina’s impulsive afterwords, otherwise he wouldn’t have turned away, but Ethan Sterling saw his silhouette.