CHAPTER 522: CHAPTER 522: SHE’S FINE

Ellie glanced at her, suppressing her complaints, and said coldly before starting the engine, "Only flowers grown in a greenhouse can wait to be cared for. The entertainment industry has never been free of storms and tempests. You’ll have to deal with it as it comes."

Stella bit her lower lip without saying a word.

After dropping her off at her doorstep, Ellie turned the car around and left without even stepping out.

Stella didn’t have work for the next three days, after which she would be shooting a commercial for Nirvana.

The advertisement maintained Nirvana’s usual style, filming a series of short dramas scheduled over a week. As she sat on the sofa and finished going over the work arrangement, she suddenly felt exhausted.

The script lay open on the coffee table, but she no longer had the mood to read it.

Thinking about taking a shower and going to bed early, she unknowingly fell asleep on the sofa. If it weren’t for the cool evening breeze from the open window waking her, she might have slept until morning.

Groggy, Stella sat up and saw her phone’s notification light blinking. She picked it up and saw Ellie had sent her an audio file, a recording from the restaurant earlier today, without any message.

She pondered for a moment, realizing Ellie likely wanted her to take this audio file to Wenny,

but instead, she deleted the downloaded file.

She no longer wanted to trouble anyone and just wanted to pretend it never happened.

*

Aidan had been preoccupied with Stella’s matter all day, finding it hard to focus on work. He figured it should be about dinnertime but hadn’t heard from Stella, so he couldn’t wait any longer and called Gavin.

He thought asking Stella directly wouldn’t work since she’d likely downplay any problems, whereas Gavin might be more reliable. Unexpectedly, Gavin seemed completely clueless, muddled by the whole situation and unable to grasp his instructions.

Gavin and Crystal had a few drinks and were on their way home, slightly tipsy due to the alcohol when answering the call, "Mr. Sinclair."

"How did things go?"

Hearing Gavin’s voice, Aidan frowned, wondering if they’d let Stella drink too. She’s not even of age!

"Boss, don’t worry, everything’s sorted. Stella agreed to withdraw the lawsuit."

"Did Crystal apologize?"

Gavin assumed Aidan was concerned about Crystal feeling wronged and cautiously replied, "At least we need to show some attitude. Even if Mrs. Sterling approaches you again, you’ll have an explanation."

Aidan’s frown deepened, "Did Stella drink too?"

"No, no, she..." Gavin’s words were cut off as the call suddenly ended.

On the other end, Aidan had already stepped out of his house, feeling uneasy.

Stella was staring blankly at the sofa when she saw Aidan’s call. She initially didn’t want to answer but thought, given their proximity, he’d likely come over if she didn’t.

Unexpectedly, once the call connected, he immediately ordered her to open the door.

Stella sighed, patting her still somewhat groggy face, and lazily got up to go to the door.

As soon as Aidan smelled alcohol, he relaxed, "I just came to check on you." Seeing her tired demeanor, he thought she was exhausted from work and another meeting, which would only add to her fatigue. He knew better than anyone how much she disliked such occasions.

Stella chuckled, "I’m fine."

"That’s good. Get some rest early."

"Hmm." Stella waved him off, waiting until he descended the stairs before shutting the door.

Yes, she’s fine, Stella reassured herself.

*

The Sullivan Group’s audit results were excellent, thanks to Ethan Sterling’s meticulous review of the accounts. The lead auditor even remarked upon leaving that The Sullivan Group’s accounts could serve as a model for other companies.

After Ethan’s thorough investigation confirmed Rhonda Sullivan’s actions had no ulterior motives, Ruby Sullivan and Rhonda Sullivan officially signed the stock transfer agreement for The Sullivan Group at The Sullivan Estate.

Once the contract was signed, neither said a word. Rhonda, dragging her only remaining suitcase, walked away without delay, her head held high, leaving without so much as a backward glance.

Rhonda, missing a front tooth, spoke less and less these days; in any case, she didn’t want to be laughed at.

Ruby, as if compelled by an unseen force, followed her to the doorway. It wasn’t to see her off, but watching her walk away evoked memories of their childhood.

Once Rhonda’s car disappeared, Ruby concentrated on the direction it had gone, as if residual shadows lingered in the backlight.

"When I was young, I was actually quite attached to Rhonda and listened to her. I remember when she left for boarding high school while I was still in junior high; I’d always feel reluctant and had to watch her car disappear before returning home."

Ruby shared her thoughts quietly, as if speaking to Ethan beside her, or perhaps to herself.

Ethan took her hand, "Feeling empathetic?"

"The Rhonda of the past is long gone; what’s there to be empathetic about?" Ruby gently pulled her hand back, folding it behind her and turned around with a smile, "I’ll soon be the boss of a public company; I can finally stand tall in front of you."

Ethan’s lips curled into a slight smile as he leisurely followed her, raising an eyebrow, "Didn’t you always want to reclaim The Sullivan Group with your own ability? Aren’t you dissatisfied now?"

Ruby laughed heartily, "All because of my youthful ignorance and arrogance."

Claiming The Sullivan Group back in such a manner was, of course, pleasing, though this joy was quite limited.

Besides, she still didn’t know how to manage such a large company. Her current plan was to dismantle the entire company, integrating useful departments into The Sullivan Group, and while Miss might be a burden, integrating it under Nirvana would be quite advantageous.

However, all of this required careful planning. After all, The Sullivan Group was a large public enterprise, and she couldn’t simply do as she pleased.

Half a month later, Nirvana’s latest commercial started streaming online. Since it was a love-at-first-sight story, and with the male star alongside Stella being strikingly handsome, their on-screen chemistry sparked a wave of attention online.

The transfer of The Sullivan Group’s equity fully took effect as well. Reporters, who had long smelled something amiss, once again hounded Ruby Sullivan, eager for details on the stock transfer.

"Mr. Sullivan, it’s said that the stock transfer went for a dollar, why would Rhonda suddenly do this?"

"You’ve always been at odds with your sister, and Mr. Sullivan left you no inheritance. Do you resent your father?"

"Has this event brought you and Rhonda back together?"

...

Struggling to reach the car with the help of bodyguards, Ruby finally faced the circle of reporters, calling out loudly, "With regards to the inheritance, I’ve never hated my father. As for the rumors of discord between Rhonda and me, we still don’t get along, and nothing has changed in that relationship. For the journalist wondering why Rhonda did what she did, perhaps you should ask Rhonda herself."