CHAPTER 91: CHAPTER 91: EXHAUSTED IN BODY AND MIND

Ruby Sullivan was stunned, her severe lack of sleep made her brain unable to keep up with the pace at all.

Ethan Sterling looked at her dazed expression, blinking foolishly, and the corners of his lips slightly lifted, "Flattered?"

"Huh?" Ruby Sullivan chuckled softly, "Mr. Sterling, are you joking with me?"

"I’m not crazy enough to pull such an expensive prank." Ethan Sterling glanced at the computer screen, a hint of stiffness flashed across his face, but when he looked at Ruby Sullivan, his expression turned into one of casual indifference, "Anything else?"

On the computer screen, it was the performance of The Sullivan Group’s stocks today; every fluctuation related to the success or failure of his decision.

Ruby Sullivan felt she had been in a daze all morning, yet managed to precisely catch that unusual expression on his face. She frowned, "Ethan Sterling, have you forgotten why you had no choice but to marry Ruby Sullivan eight years ago? Don’t drive The Sterling Group into a dead end again. Even if you want to play with The Sterling Group, please don’t drag The Sullivan Group down with you."

As she spoke, she suddenly felt a surge of nameless anger and stood up to leave.

Ethan Sterling frowned, wanting to call her back, but ultimately didn’t say a word.

She walked out and saw Howard idly strolling with his hands in his pockets outside, knowing he was genuinely worried.

"How did it go?" Howard stopped in his tracks, looking at her with a blazing gaze as if she was the last straw to clutch at.

Ruby Sullivan pursed her lips, "I’ve said all I could say."

"So Mr. Sterling... changed his mind?" Howard asked cautiously, looking like he was worried about his dreams being shattered.

Ruby Sullivan avoided his gaze, "I don’t know."

Howard felt like Thanos just snapped his fingers in his mind, bringing silence to the world.

Ruby Sullivan quickly headed to the laboratory, sitting by the familiar experimental table, her mood calming substantially.

Levi Joyce saw her looking unwell, thinking it was related to company rumors, so he told Young, put down his work, and approached her, "Boss, are you okay?"

Ruby Sullivan looked up, meeting his big innocent eyes, and her expression softened considerably, "Honey is in the hospital again, I’m just a bit tired."

Levi Joyce was surprised, "Is she okay?"

"She’s okay for now." Ruby Sullivan paused, "Get everyone ready, in fifteen minutes, we’ll have a meeting in my office."

"Got it." Levi Joyce agreed, his voice somewhat flamboyant, as if earning a bonus, and his smile even more flamboyant, purely to lift Ruby Sullivan’s spirits. As he was turning away to deliver the order, he remembered something important and chased after Ruby Sullivan, "Boss, Tyler Aldrin’s livehouse has changed ownership."

He blinked his bright eyes, as if saying he had big news for her to ask about.

Ruby Sullivan was not in the mood for these things today, merely saying "Oh" and continued toward her office.

Levi Joyce could only follow, continuing, "Mr. Sterling is the boss now. Howard said he’s already spoken with the manager there. We’ve been given a stint as the house band to build some popularity before holding a special event."

"Congratulations." Ruby Sullivan said absentmindedly, as Levi Joyce’s expression was too excited, and she felt she had to say something for him to let it go.

Levi Joyce watched her back, shaking his head, thinking perhaps he should go check on Honey; something major must have happened for the boss to be this unhappy.

The laboratory’s new gossip fairy Claire came over, poking Levi Joyce to ask, "Is the boss upset because of the company’s matters?"

"What company matters?" Levi Joyce felt like he and Claire weren’t even working at the same company sometimes.

"Don’t you know?" Claire whispered in surprise, still attracting everyone’s attention. She looked at everyone and motioned them over before saying quietly, "It’s said that Mr. Sullivan deliberately clashed with our boss at the new product launch, making Mr. Sterling very angry, so he decided to show The Sullivan Group a lesson. The major shareholders arrived at the company today, and it’s said there was an argument in the conference room for over half an hour, and when they came out, they were all flushed red."

"How do you know everything?" Tina looked at her with admiration.

Claire raised her eyebrows, "Of course, because I have a bestie in Mr. Sterling’s secretary team."

"Then the boss should be happy." Young, always listening without participating, actually joined the conversation.

Tina narrowed her eyes mysteriously, "Why would the major shareholders be upset? Everyone’s saying our boss is Delilah Sullivan; wouldn’t any woman be angry hearing such comments?"

Young felt doubtful, thinking that the boss had been through all kinds of storms since joining the company, and even being publicly exposed at a press conference didn’t seem to get to her, so he couldn’t help but ask, "So what’s Mr. Sterling planning to do to The Sullivan Group?"

"How would I know, it’s confidential." Claire pouted, fantasizing with a sly grin, "The classic domineering CEO routine, buy out The Sullivan Group, let that Mr. Sullivan say goodbye."

"Stop!" Levi Joyce couldn’t stand it anymore, giving each of the five girls a pat on the head, "The boss looks unhappy because her daughter was hospitalized last night. Can the bunch of you have some team spirit and when you hear such nonsense outside, say a few words for our boss instead of just gossiping along?"

Claire wrinkled her nose, "The company even spreads rumors about you having an unusual relationship with the boss. Of course, we can’t act like you."

"You!" Levi Joyce glared, his baby face filled with anger still quite intimidating.

Claire shrank back, knowing she felt guilty; she actually defended the boss quite a lot outside.

"Alright, let’s all get to work." Young acted as a mediator.

Levi Joyce glared at Claire, speaking gruffly, "The boss said to get ready, in fifteen minutes to her office for a meeting."

As he finished speaking, Ruby Sullivan poked her head out of the office, "Young, come over for a moment."

"Okay."

Young was about to go over when Claire grabbed her arm, "Young, do you think the boss heard?"

"You gossip knowing you’re scared."

"You need to plead for me, the boss is really my idol." The more Claire thought, the more scared she became; she really liked this job.

Young shook her hand off and hurried to the office.

Ruby Sullivan let her sit down, subconsciously let out a long sigh; she was truly exhausted today, both mentally and physically.

"How has Claire’s work been lately?"

When Ruby Sullivan wasn’t around, Young was the one assigning tasks, so she had a better understanding of their work.

Young immediately guessed why Ruby Sullivan asked and, after thinking, truthfully answered, "She quickly completes the tasks assigned, although her personality is somewhat reckless, her work is very meticulous."

Ruby Sullivan had initially chosen Claire for her talent; otherwise, she wouldn’t have broken the rule to hire a fresh graduate. The laboratory holds a weekly sharing session, mainly sharing new ideas in fragrance and some formulas they want to try. Claire is a very talented kid, and she is willing to trust Claire with the faith her mentor once showed her.

If it weren’t for so many incidents, she would have had more time in the laboratory to understand and guide them.

She sighed again, "I actually quite like Claire, but the workplace is different from campus. You should have a talk with her when you have a chance." After saying this, she sighed again, as if the delicate face had become much older, "Alright, call them in."

Young couldn’t help but ask, "Boss, are you okay?" She had never seen her so lacking in spirit.