CHAPTER 90: CHAPTER 90: A GIFT FOR YOU

Mercy Hospital.

Seth Sterling escorted Ruby Sullivan out of the hospital room, watching her departing figure. He took a few steps forward and held her back, "Auntie Wenny, I’ll be staying at the hospital with Honey for the next few days, so you can focus on your work without worry."

Ruby Sullivan looked down at this miniature version of a Sterling and couldn’t help but think that if Ethan Sterling were half as considerate as Seth, it would be wonderful.

She smiled, "Seth, thank you. Then I’ll leave Honey in your care."

"Auntie Wenny." Seth called out as he saw her about to leave, his expression serious as he said, "Once Honey is discharged, could you stay at my place again? During the day, we can learn painting with Uncle Don. With more people at home, we can all take care of Honey, so she won’t get hurt."

Ruby Sullivan knew he meant well, whether he was unnecessarily worrying about his father’s lifelong matters or genuinely considering Honey’s well-being, she was grateful for it all.

"Let me think about it, okay?"

Seth nodded, "Goodbye, Auntie." He watched Ruby’s retreating figure, thinking she must be very tired right now and wished his dad could give her a break.

Ruby Sullivan took a taxi home.

She was still wearing the loungewear she put on after bathing last night, with her hair casually tied into a ponytail with an elastic band, her face bare and shiny with oil, and dark circles under her eyes as she stared blankly ahead, her mind empty, as if losing her soul.

Her phone had been ringing for a while, but she didn’t hear it until the driver called her several times to bring her back to her senses.

Seeing the screen, it was Leon Sterling calling, "Hi." She responded listlessly.

"Mom said Honey is stable now."

"Yes, as long as the wound doesn’t worsen and get infected, there won’t be any danger."

"I want to do a bone marrow test. If possible, could you accompany me?" Leon Sterling was a bit nervous. In fact, he hadn’t fully made up his mind before making this call.

Ruby Sullivan was exhausted and it took her a while to stammer, "Are... are you sure?"

Leon couldn’t help but chuckle, sincerely saying, "I am indeed a little scared, but aside from big brother, I should be the most hopeful person to save Honey."

When Ruby hung up the phone, she still felt like she was in a dream, as if when God closes a door, a window is left open. Overcome with emotion, she hugged her phone and began to cry.

This frightened the driver next to her, "Miss, are you alright?"

Ruby wiped her tears and nose with tissue paper, shaking her head, sobbing, "I’m just... a bit happy."

Leon Sterling’s words gave her hope. She hurried home, took a quick bath, fixed herself up, and applied makeup, transforming into a different person. She planned to explain things to Young at the company, take a few days off, and take good care of Honey at the hospital.

Upon arriving at the company, she was stopped by Howard as she exited the elevator and was taken to the rooftop.

There was a small garden and rest area on the rooftop, which was usually more crowded at noon but was empty in the morning, making it an ideal place for a conversation.

Howard looked serious, "Wenny, I hope you can persuade Mr. Sterling. He is intent on forcefully acquiring The Sullivan Group’s shares, which is very risky."

Ruby Sullivan appeared as she usually did, but due to extreme fatigue, she seemed somewhat detached, pondering Howard’s words at length before understanding them. For a moment, she was at a loss, pointing at herself to confirm, "You want me to persuade Mr. Sterling?"

Howard nodded.

Judging from the earlier trip to see Miles Mona, it was obvious Ethan Sterling had been preoccupied with The Sullivan Group for some time. Who did Howard think she was?

Seeing his earnest gaze fixed on her without further comment, she wasn’t inclined to waste time with him and turned to leave.

Howard panicked, quickly chasing after her and blocking her with outstretched arms, "Wenny, Mr. Wallace, I’ve been by Mr. Sterling’s side for many years and have never seen him act on impulse. This takeover isn’t trivial, and you’re the only one who can persuade him."

Ruby Sullivan chuckled at him, doubtful he hadn’t learned anything under Ethan Sterling, "I’m just a perfumer. In terms of authority, I’m not even as influential as the random stockholders of The Sterling Group. How can I persuade him?"

"Mr. Wallace, I don’t know how you view Mr. Sterling, but I know he’s doing all this for you. You don’t know that after Honey was cut at the park, he stationed bodyguards outside your house 24/7. Whenever you or Honey went out, they secretly followed to protect you. Mr. Sterling specifically instructed them not to let you find out, fearing you’d be upset."

Ruby was taken aback but soon retorted mockingly, "Wasn’t he just having them follow me to investigate?"

Seeing she was resistant, Howard was truly anxious, "Mr. Wallace, if The Sterling Group really faces trouble because of this, your arduously developed Lan Mung might be stillborn, and it might not even have the chance to hit the market. Wouldn’t you be unwilling?"

Ruby Sullivan looked at Howard’s sincere expression and was somewhat helpless, "Okay, then what do you want me to persuade him of?"

"To think twice before acting." Howard was overwhelmed with relief when he saw her relent.

Ruby forced a smile and reluctantly agreed.

She had intended to first go to the lab to delegate tasks, but Howard stuck to her like glue, as if he wouldn’t leave until she entered the president’s office. Thus, she first went to see Ethan Sterling.

Ethan was surprised to see her, "Why aren’t you at the hospital with Honey?"

"Given her condition, she won’t be able to return to Bellaza anytime soon. I... came to withdraw my resignation letter."

Ethan Sterling was focused on his computer screen, seemingly absorbed in its contents, and didn’t look at her again, "I already mentioned yesterday, I’ll just pretend I didn’t receive anything."

Ruby Sullivan nodded, biting her lower lip as she pondered, unsure of how to broach the subject next.

Logically, she had no right to interfere in company decisions like acquiring The Sullivan Group, nor should she even know about such matters...

"Is there anything else?" Ethan finally glanced at her, noticing her bowed head and sensing something was off.

"Why acquire The Sullivan Group?" She asked without looking up, a seemingly random question.

Ethan Sterling fixed his gaze on her, speaking casually, "As a gift for you."

In truth, he had been working on the takeover long before Wenny joined the company, but it hadn’t seemed as urgent until now.

If this succeeded, The Sterling Group would undoubtedly ascend to new heights within three years. Solely on Rhonda Sullivan’s managerial tactics, handing over the company to them seemed a better path for The Sullivan Group.

Yet, as a well-established enterprise with strong foundations, The Sullivan Group hadn’t faced any significant setbacks. How could it possibly be gobbled up just like that?

Ethan Sterling hadn’t anticipated Rhonda Sullivan’s jealousy nor her sabotage at the product launch. Coupled with Ruby Sullivan’s later accident, he decided to push all progress forward, transferring all The Sterling Group’s liquidity into the merger.

This morning, he had a fierce argument with stakeholders at the temporary shareholders’ meeting, leaving him in a precarious position.

The previous incident with the dismissal of President Lawson from the marketing department had already stirred up significant rumors within the company. Now, Ethan’s impulsive actions drew more speculation, casting them as attempts to win a beauty’s smile, dissatisfactory to shareholders.

Unexpectedly, the "beauty" herself was now concerned about the situation.

Ethan Sterling leaned back in his chair, smiling even more casually, "Are you a bit moved?"