CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 78: BLOSSOMS OF SPRING

Half an hour later, Ethan Sterling finally came out of Honey’s room, saying Honey was already asleep and reminding Mama Bennett to be quiet when she went in.

Ruby Sullivan saw him at the door and deliberately provoked him, "You’re doing this because you’re afraid Honey won’t acknowledge you in the future, right?"

Ethan Sterling didn’t seem worried about this at all and smiled, "Blood is thicker than water, what’s there to worry about? I’m leaving now."

Ruby Sullivan watched his relaxed face, and a feeling of indignation surged within her. Before he closed the door, she coldly reprimanded him, "Without the bone marrow, Honey won’t have a future at all."

Ethan Sterling paused but didn’t turn his head. After a moment of silence, he said, "I’ll take care of the bone marrow." Then he stepped out and gently closed the door.

Ruby Sullivan frowned deeply, staring fixedly at the door, her throat feeling like it was burning with a flame, making her uncomfortable.

When Ethan Sterling came home, Leon Sterling was sitting in the living room drawing. Seeing his brother come in, he put down his pencil and smiled, "You’re back."

Ethan Sterling was a little surprised, "Why haven’t you slept yet?"

"The sofa in the living room is more comfortable than the bed. I want to finish my drawing here." Leon Sterling explained briefly, continuing to draw stroke after stroke on his notebook.

Ethan Sterling originally didn’t think there was anything unusual, but when he passed by, he unintentionally glanced at the notebook. It was a portrait of a woman’s face, already in the final stages.

He froze, "You’re drawing Wenny?"

"Yes," Leon Sterling displayed the drawing to him, "I’m especially fond of her eyes." He had a faint smile on his lips, his gaze falling on his drawing, eyes glowing.

Ethan Sterling scrutinized his brother’s expression, feeling slightly puzzled. His brother looked at the portrait as if looking at Wenny herself, and in those glowing eyes were not only admiration but perhaps... infatuation.

Although he didn’t understand art, he knew that a painter of Leon Sterling’s caliber wouldn’t just draw any person unless they were extraordinary to him.

Leon Sterling looked up and saw Ethan Sterling deep in thought, and asked, "What’s the matter, brother?"

Ethan Sterling never liked to speculate with family and spoke bluntly, "Do you like Wenny?"

Leon Sterling hesitated momentarily, feeling a bit embarrassed, he held the drawing close to his chest and laughed awkwardly, "Yeah, it’s just... I haven’t figured out how to confess yet."

"She’s already married." Ethan Sterling took a deep breath, asked coldly.

Leon Sterling replied indifferently with a smile, "Given her current situation, even if she’s married, it’s probably just short of a divorce agreement, but it doesn’t matter how things are. Liking her is my business."

Ethan Sterling frowned, his mood sinking to rock bottom, and he reprimanded sternly, "Go to sleep earlier." After speaking, he strode upstairs like a whirlwind, his expression as dark as if he lost a billion-dollar deal.

Leon Sterling, being sensitive by nature, was frightened by his brother’s sudden anger, shrinking back. Only when Ethan was halfway up the stairs did he speak up slightly, "Got it." Though he said so, he still opened the sketchbook, wanting to continue finishing the drawing.

After his shower and drink, Ethan Sterling lay in bed unable to sleep, his mind filled with the words his brother had just spoken.

He frowned, all because of that foolish woman, always smiling after leaving the company, unable to restrain herself even a little—it infuriates him to no end!

The next afternoon, Ruby Sullivan was holding a meeting at the Fragrance Lab, working on the second product of the Lanmeng series, when Levi Joyce suddenly came in carrying a bunch of macarons and milk tea, beaming, "Boss, Howard said this is Mr. Sterling’s reward for the fragrance research department’s afternoon tea."

Since Mia left, the lab had recruited new members. Upon hearing that the benefits were from the big boss, they all instantly sported looks of being unexpectedly favored.

They hadn’t been in the company long enough and weren’t qualified to attend major meetings, and although they knew the big boss worked on the same floor, they hadn’t met him in person.

Tina excitedly asked Young, "I heard our Mr. Sterling is super handsome, the most good-looking among top bachelors in Ariston, is that true?"

"I don’t know if he’s the highest, but Mr. Sterling is genuinely handsome, and he has two very attractive long legs." Young said with a dreamy look, squinting and giggling a few times.

Tina became even more excited upon hearing that, having heard that domineering CEOs often fancy Cinderella. If she could have a chance encounter with Mr. Sterling in the hallway, could she become a phoenix? Actually, whether she becomes one or not doesn’t matter, a dreamy romance would be nice!

Joyce snapped her out of her daydream with a pat, "What are you thinking? Finish eating and get to work." She originally wanted to say Mr. Sterling was Wenny’s boyfriend, but seeing Wenny coming out of the office, she swallowed back her words.

After finishing her small tasks in the office, Wenny headed straight for Ethan Sterling’s office.

Doesn’t he think there are enough rumors in the company? Besides, the Fragrance Lab doesn’t need such frivolous benefits. More than a small treat like afternoon tea, she hoped her team could receive a generous bonus at the end of the year.

"Mr. Sterling, I hope you’ll cancel the afternoon tea for the Fragrance Lab. If necessary, I’ll handle such small matters myself," Ruby Sullivan sat opposite Ethan Sterling, her tone straightforward, tinged with a bit of dissatisfaction.

Ethan Sterling thought she had come with a stern face because of something really important—a matter he’d forgotten about after saying it.

He pondered for a moment, confused, "Is it not tasty?"

"It’s not about taste."

"If it’s not bad, then have more," Ethan Sterling said, pursing his lips and adding, "Don’t you like sweets?"

Ruby Sullivan became increasingly confused, "I don’t want the Fragrance Lab to be treated differently."

The Sterling Group doesn’t allow outside food upstairs. The afternoon tea, having gone through reception, would surely have spread to all those gossiping long-tongued women in the company by now. Even before the new product has hit the market, various issues have already emerged. The pressure she faces at The Sterling Group, doesn’t he know about it at all?

Ethan Sterling looked at her earnest expression, seemingly a bit angry, and couldn’t help but chuckle, "Since you joined The Sterling Group, how many special favors has the Fragrance Lab received? Rebuilding, reallocating staff, even revising the benefits system, Wenny, have you forgotten how many demanding requests you made upon joining?"

Ruby Sullivan was speechless; every event he mentioned flashed through her mind, leaving her unsure how to refute. She said assertively, "That’s different."

Ethan Sterling pursed his lips, nodding, "It is indeed different."

"So, please cancel it immediately."

"The previous concessions were for finding The Sterling Group the best perfumer, believing you were worth it. Now... I just want you to eat more, be happier." Ethan Sterling looked at her earnestly, suddenly revealing a sweet smile, like spring returning to the earth in an instant, even turning the sunlight pink.

Ruby Sullivan stared at him, dumbfounded, her mind echoing only one thought: That smile, it’s way too beautiful!

The sudden knock on the door shattered the warm atmosphere in the office. Howard’s voice came from outside, "Mr. Sterling, Mr. Sullivan is here."