CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 82: DRUNK AND UNRULY

Leon Sterling only thought his big brother was a bit drunk, and didn’t take his sour face to heart, "I’m going to a ball with Wenny tomorrow, but I didn’t bring formal wear this time, so I’m here to borrow a suit from you."

Ethan Sterling frowned deeply and, taking advantage of the alcohol, acted petulantly, "No loan."

Leon blinked, "Then just give me a set." He said, and went to Ethan’s wardrobe, after picking out a suit, he didn’t forget to swindle a pair of leather shoes, a brooch, and a matching watch. Luckily their builds were similar, and their feet too.

When he came out of the wardrobe, Ethan was still sitting with his legs bent on the window seat, drinking and looking at the moonlight outside.

"Go to bed early, drinking too much is bad for your health." Leon advised, then closed the door and left.

Although now he can communicate normally with his big brother, there was still an inexplicable barrier in his heart, preventing him from getting close to that man even if he wanted to.

Ethan heard the door close and poured himself another drink.

He wasn’t drinking wine today, but strong whiskey, that kind that burns from the throat to the chest and then spreads throughout the body, making him feel a bit more comfortable inside.

He could vent inexplicably on Wenny, but he couldn’t really snatch away the clothes in Leon’s hands, refusing to let him wear them.

Because his life was saved by his brother, and towards him, there was only the phrase "no choice."

Actually, at that time, he pitied not only himself but also his brother, more than once he thought, it’s better to just die, dying would be the most straightforward release.

*

In the middle of the night, Ruby Sullivan’s phone rang, she groggily opened her eyes, saw clearly the caller ID, and instantly became half-awake, quickly answering the call, "What’s wrong?"

"Come down."

The person on the other end of the phone was slurring, and before Ruby could understand, the call was disconnected. Anxiously, she immediately dialed back, only to be prompted that the other person’s phone was off.

She was confused, three in the morning, called her, said nothing, and then the phone ran out of battery...

She dared not think recklessly, got out of bed and headed outside while calling Howard, luckily the call connected quickly, "Wenny, it’s so late, what’s up?"

"Aren’t you with Mr. Sterling?"

Hearing something related to Ethan Sterling, Howard perked up, "No, why?"

"I just got a call from him, he seemed drunk, then the call got cut off, and his phone’s off, I’m a bit worried." As she spoke, Ruby was already quietly leaving her home, "Did he mention where he was going tonight?"

"No, he just told me to leave work early today and then went to find you."

Thinking of his outburst, Ruby became even more worried, "Where does he usually go to drink?" Due to poor signal in the elevator, she had to repeat the question several times before Howard heard clearly.

"Mr. Sterling can’t drink too much, he usually just drinks a little wine at home to help him sleep."

Ruby recalled his stomach problems, and in those few short minutes, everything about Ethan Sterling flooded back into her mind, all those small details she paid attention to, the health issues she worried about repeatedly, things she thought she had completely forgotten, like devils escaping Pandora’s box, instantly occupying her entire mind.

Ethan Sterling, are you trying to worry me to death?

Before she finished speaking, Ruby was already quickly walking out of the building, suddenly seeing a figure by the roadside. She blinked in a daze and said somewhat bewilderedly to Howard, "I found him."

Standing by the roadside, Ethan Sterling looked like a lost child, fidgeting helplessly with his black screen phone, unable to make the screen respond no matter how he pressed those few buttons.

Suddenly, he felt a darkness in front of him, looked up, tried hard to see the person before him, but struggled in vain.

The streetlamp was glaring, his head was a bit dizzy.

Ruby was overwhelmed by the smell of alcohol on him, her nose uncomfortably twitching, crouching down after a moment’s pause, she asked him, "What are you doing here?"

Hearing her voice, Ethan recognized the person before him, suddenly raised his hand and hugged her, just tightly embracing her, saying nothing.

Ruby froze.

She had never seen Ethan Sterling act drunk, except that one time.

So, is he drunk again and looking for a woman?

A wave of humiliation surged in her heart, but she couldn’t bring herself to harshly push away this man who could barely stand, "Ethan Sterling, you’re no fun like this."

"I don’t care." He replied petulantly, eyes blurry, unclear if he understood her words.

She sighed, "How did you get here?"

"Hired car." He slurred, yet answered every question obediently.

"Let me take you home." Ruby patted his back, hoping he would loosen his grip.

"No." Ethan refused, suddenly stood up straight, trying to kiss her.

Ruby blocked his mouth with a palm, looking at him, the same as years before, feeling only sorrow, "Ethan Sterling, I’m not the same person anymore." She looked at his bewildered eyes, knowing he wouldn’t hear anything she said now.

"Is getting drunk such a big deal?" With that, Ruby suddenly let go, tiptoeing to kiss him, as if trying to reclaim all she hadn’t received years ago. Just as he wanted to go further, she sharply bit his lip until he shouted in pain.

Ruby released him, stepping back several paces.

She looked at him coldly, "Sober up and go home by yourself." With that, she turned and left without looking back.

She couldn’t be soft-hearted with him, absolutely couldn’t, couldn’t let herself fall again in front of him.

Staring blankly at her retreating figure, Ethan couldn’t make sense of what just happened, and once she disappeared, he went back to fiddling with his phone that wouldn’t turn on.

When Ruby Sullivan opened her eyes in the morning, the first thing she thought of was Ethan Sterling. Last night, she forced herself to sleep but tossed and turned until nearly dawn before dozing off.

After some hesitation, she called Seth Sterling.

At this hour, Seth should just be waking up.

"Auntie Wenny, what’s up?"

"Seth, is your dad home?"

Seth was puzzled, "He came home really early yesterday, um...let me check if he’s here now." He thought of his dad’s bad mood yesterday and guessed something might have happened, understanding the purpose of Ruby’s call without her having to clarify.

Seth trotted over to his dad’s room, saw him sleeping inside, still dressed.

He gently shut the door and told Ruby, "Auntie Wenny, dad’s sleeping, he seems very upset, did you two...have a fight?"

"No, just some work issues, thanks, bye." Ruby hung up, lying on the bed thoughtfully.

Could Ethan’s temper be because he’s jealous? She couldn’t quite believe Ethan would have such emotions, but couldn’t think of a better explanation.

Today with Ruby accompanying Honey, she didn’t miss Seth much, in the afternoon, planning her timing, she picked a champagne-colored gown, capable of making her the center of attention under the chandeliers, regardless of the dance.

She wanted to be high-profile, to enrage Rhonda Sullivan without her being able to do anything about it.

But she didn’t expect, Rhonda Sullivan’s birthday party didn’t invite many guests, to be precise, only a few guests were there.