CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: CANNOT FAIL

Ruby Sullivan spent the entire morning reviewing proposals from the advertising company in the planning department. She was not satisfied with any of Cindy Sterling’s designs; they were either too flamboyant, too sexy, or too youthful. While Cindy’s looks and figure could draw attention in any composition, the concepts themselves were simply too ordinary.

She sighed, feeling her brows furrow, "Get them to make changes immediately. If Emma shoots these ads, it will only disappoint the fans."

After she left, the planning department was in an uproar, all thinking that Miss Wenny was nothing but trouble because of her favored status.

Someone scoffed and said discontentedly, "Can’t you keep a low profile? I heard Mr. Sterling’s grandmother passed away because Wenny got in between Mr. Sterling and Mr. Sullivan, causing such anger that she ended up in the hospital."

"Oh my god, even so, Mr. Sterling still indulges her..."

"You see, having a pretty face and long legs is a capital that others simply can’t compete with."

"Weren’t they married already?"

"Come on, it’s said that the child is Mr. Sterling’s illegitimate one."

After gossiping, the colleagues exchanged glances and chuckled smugly, feeling disdain for Wenny.

Ruby Sullivan was not oblivious to these rumors, nor was she completely indifferent. However, her thoughts remained unwavering. As long as the new product launch achieved good results, these gossipers would be silenced.

She had contributed to the design of the Blue Mountain product, understood its positioning, and therefore had even more confidence in her Lander Dreams.

As soon as she returned to the office, Levi Joyce informed her of bad news. "The scheduled meeting was canceled. It’s said that the cooperation for the new product launch between The Sterling Group and The Sullivan Group fell through. Mr. Sterling was furious and even sent President Lawson away with a scolding."

Ruby Sullivan was still contemplating the advertising issue, and this news made her headache even worse.

Rhonda Sullivan did it on purpose.

Right before the new product launch, if The Sterling Group sought new partners now, there wouldn’t just be no guarantee time-wise, but it might also require more investment and maneuvering. Although The Sullivan Group currently relies on The Sterling Group to survive, timing it like this could at least cause them significant damage while harming the enemy even more.

She was silent for a moment, then stood up and hurried out.

Ruby Sullivan reached the CEO’s office but was stopped by Howard. "Mr. Sterling instructed that no one is to see him right now."

"I heard there was an incident. I must know what happened."

Howard advised, "Miss Wenny, you may not understand Mr. Sterling’s temper. President Lawson’s position in the company is more important than you might think. If Mr. Sterling wants to tell you, he will inform you. Forcing your way in now will only bring trouble."

Ruby Sullivan hesitated for a moment but had to turn away.

This product must make a splash in the international market to prove herself, which is why she values it so highly this time. If, as the malicious questions at the press conference predicted, she leads The Sterling Group into ruin with the product, her future career will also be difficult.

Just as her mind was in turmoil, her phone suddenly rang. It was an unfamiliar number.

Ruby Sullivan thought it was a spam call and didn’t answer, but the person immediately sent a text: "It’s Gemma Joyce. I want to apologize for what happened last time."

Gemma Joyce?

Ruby Sullivan certainly knew this was just Rhonda Sullivan’s trick, but she still wanted to see what scheme she was playing at.

That night, she had to call Honey to apologize, saying she couldn’t have dinner with her, and only then did she find out Honey was at The Sterling Family today.

After a few words, the phone was taken by Rachel Lawson, who assured her not to worry, saying she would take good care of Honey and more.

Ruby Sullivan didn’t expect her former mother-in-law to be such a lovely person and originally felt some apprehensions. After hearing her words, she felt reassured, said thank you, and told Honey to wait for her to pick her up in the evening.

Gemma Joyce arranged to meet her at a livehouse. Upon hearing the location, Levi Joyce was quite delighted, "What a coincidence, it’s the place where I’m performing today. Our band is the opening act."

Initially worried about security, Ruby Sullivan felt relaxed hearing this, believing it wasn’t an untrustworthy place, especially since Levi would be there.

"That’s great, I can hear you sing." Ruby Sullivan initially wanted to say more, but she kept her mouth shut.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. She and Rhonda Sullivan were bound to clash sooner or later.

Before getting off the car, she adjusted the vintage emerald brooch on her shirt and double-checked the camera’s clarity on her phone before stepping out.

Right, she was also prepared. The brooch was actually a pinhole camera. She needed to gather evidence to let Ethan Sterling see Rhonda Sullivan’s true colors. Without her mentor’s help, if she wanted to reclaim The Sullivan Group, she had to turn Ethan Sterling into her weapon.

Gemma Joyce was waiting outside. Seeing her, she greeted with a beaming smile, as if they were longtime friends.

"Last time’s incident made Rhonda really angry. I was always worried you’d refuse to come out."

Ruby Sullivan didn’t conceal the disgust on her face and withdrew her arm from Gemma’s hand, "Where’s Rhonda Sullivan?"

"She’s probably in Meridia now. Most of The Sullivan Group’s business is abroad, and she travels frequently," Gemma didn’t mind Ruby’s disdain and maintained her cheerful demeanor while leading her, "Come, let’s go inside."

Gemma seemed to know everyone here, as they entered without having their tickets checked.

It was still early, with only a few people inside drinking and chatting, and a few seemingly marking their spots.

Gemma led her to a booth on the second floor, where Ruby then noticed that she had arranged for two men to join them, one of whom was a bald man she had heard of.

She didn’t know him personally, but he often made headlines with second or third-tier celebrities and internet personalities, making it hard for someone like Ruby, who dabbled in gossip news from time to time, to not know about him.

"Young Master Aldrin, this is Miss Wenny, the rising star in fashion. Wenny, this is Young Master Aldrin, Tyler Aldrin. This livehouse is part of his business," Gemma introduced with a fawning expression, sitting next to Tyler Aldrin.

From the moment Ruby Sullivan arrived, Tyler Aldrin’s eyes were glued to her. He was quite displeased with Gemma’s brief introduction. "Janie, how can you not have learned to speak properly in just a few days? Can this small place catch Miss Wenny’s attention?"

"Oh, my apologies..." Gemma quickly corrected herself, "The nationwide Thornebright Department Store is named after Young Master Aldrin."

Ruby Sullivan smiled slightly, beginning to understand Gemma’s arrangement.

She wasn’t sure what past grudge Tyler Aldrin held with Ethan Sterling, but five years ago, during her time at The Sterling Family, she recalled clearly how all The Sterling Group’s brands withdrew from Thornebright Department Store after a malicious incident.

The Sterling Group suffered losses back then, and even Brandon Sullivan, then Ethan’s father-in-law, sacrificed Sullivan Group’s business to free up a large sum of floating capital to support Ethan Sterling’s decision.

Yet, in less than two months...

Ruby Sullivan stopped her thoughts and sat a bit distanced, "I’ve heard so much about you."

Young Master Aldrin laughed heartily and said, "To tell you the truth, I’ve never been interested in things like lipsticks and perfumes. Today, I must have a good chat with Miss Wenny."

Oh, trying to poach her, is it? Ruby Sullivan smiled slightly but didn’t respond.