CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 192: THE MISTY BAR

Jean Ellison finished proofreading the transcript of the last interview recording, saved it, and shut down the computer.

She rubbed her tired eyes and looked out the window; it was already completely dark, with only a few scattered lights still on in the office building.

After packing her things, Jean hurriedly left the magazine office and headed to the evening daycare where Jesse was.

The daycare was already quite empty, giving a sense of calm.

The caretaker auntie saw Jean and greeted her with a smile.

"Miss Ellison is here. Jesse is inside reading a picture book, being very good."

The auntie led Jean to the reading corner, and sure enough, Jesse was quietly sitting on a small chair, attentively looking at a picture book.

"Jesse, mommy is here to pick you up," Jean called softly.

Jesse looked up, saw her mom, immediately put down the book, and rushed over like a happy little bird to hug her leg, "Mommy!"

The daycare auntie remarked on the side, "Ms. Ellison, I’m not exaggerating, but among all the kids, your Jesse is the most well-behaved. On the first day, he neither cried nor made a fuss, didn’t ask for you, just played by himself. Eating and sleeping are never a problem either; he’s truly a good child."

Jean felt warmth in her heart, bent down to pick up her daughter, kissed her soft cheek, and smiled at the auntie.

"Thank you, our Jesse is indeed quite well-behaved."

She carried Jesse, bid farewell to the auntie, and left the daycare.

The early autumn night already carried a bit of chill.

Jean held Jesse and slowly walked in the direction of home.

Jesse lay on her shoulder, softly recounting what he ate and what pictures he drew at daycare today.

When they reached the apartment building, Jean noticed a familiar figure waiting there.

Simon Sterling was wearing a dark coat, standing under the streetlight halo, his figure appearing somewhat lonely.

"Doctor Sterling?" Jean was a bit surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Simon Sterling saw her, walked forward a few steps, his gaze pausing on her and Jesse, his tone warm.

"I just got off work and was passing by, heard that you moved here, so I thought I’d stop by to see."

He paused, looking at Jean.

"Would it be convenient for me to come up and sit for a bit?"

Jean tightened her hold on Jesse slightly.

She shook her head, an apologetic tone to her voice.

"It’s not very convenient, Doctor Sterling. It’s late, and I still need to bathe Jesse, put her to sleep, and we have to get up early tomorrow."

Simon Sterling noticed her distant demeanor, his eyes darkened, but he didn’t insist, just nodded.

"Alright, maybe another day then."

"Okay," Jean responded, holding Jesse, and walked past him into the building.

Simon Sterling stood in place, watching her figure vanish behind the door, not leaving immediately.

The cool night breeze ruffled his coat, and he sighed lightly.

"Hey!"

A crisp voice with a touch of bossiness suddenly sounded beside him.

Simon Sterling turned his head and saw Rhiannon Ford standing beside him, seemingly out of nowhere.

She was wearing a sequined short dress tonight, with a leather jacket over it, her makeup impeccably done.

"You’ve got quite the eye."

Rhiannon crossed her arms, giving Simon Sterling a sidelong glance, then looking up at the lit window of Jean’s home.

"That woman is indeed beautiful, with a good temperament. No wonder you’re so smitten, standing outside her building like a lovesick fool at night."

Simon Sterling furrowed his brows, looking at this elusive heiress. "Were you following me?"

"Hah! Who’s following you?"

Rhiannon rolled her eyes disdainfully, pointing with her bright red manicured finger to a corner where a new bar had opened up, its lights bright with music faintly spilling out.

"See that? The new Misty Bar, the owner is a friend of mine. I came here tonight to support him, to liven things up a bit, happened to pass by and saw you stupidly standing here."

She looked Simon Sterling up and down, her tone teasing.

"What, you got rejected, feeling bad, really need some alcohol to numb the pain?"

She nodded in the direction of the bar she came from.

"Come on, have a drink with me, all the foreign liquor is on the house tonight, Miss Ford is treating."

Simon Sterling refused expressionlessly, "I don’t drink."

"Really?" Rhiannon looked as if she’d heard the biggest joke in the world, exaggeratedly widening her eyes, "You don’t drink as an adult? How old-fashioned and boring you are!"

Simon Sterling ignored her mockery and simply said, "Alcohol is harmful."

"Fine, don’t drink then."

Rhiannon pouted, feeling it was boring.

She turned, clacking her heels as she walked toward the bar.

After a few steps, as if remembering something, she stopped, turned back to look at Simon Sterling still standing there, her tone carrying a hint of warning.

"Hey! I’m saying, don’t just stand there taking the cold wind."

"In case you actually freeze something serious, tomorrow’s headline could be about a hospital’s young and talented doctor lovesick, freezing to death under his crush’s building at night, that’d be quite the scandal!"

"Our families haven’t backed down on our engagement yet, I don’t want to lose face in front of the media before anything even begins!"

After speaking, she gave a huff and walked into the bustling bar without looking back.

Simon Sterling watched her disappearing figure, then looked up at the warmly lit window of Jean Ellison’s home, standing still for a moment.

Finally, he turned around and silently walked into the night.

Simon Sterling was about to open the car door when his phone rang.

It was Dean Ford calling.

He answered the call.

"Simon," Dean Ford’s voice was urgent and undeniable, "Where are you right now?"

"Outside the hospital."

"Hurry up and navigate to The Misty Bar, that girl Rhiannon has gone there again, mixing with her group of unruly friends."

"Help me take her home, even if you have to drag her back. I have an important video conference and can’t leave. I’m counting on you for this."

Simon Sterling was silent for a second, then replied, "Alright, I got it."

He hung up the phone, re-fastened his seatbelt, started the car, and drove towards the brightly lit Misty Bar not far away.

The car stopped at the entrance of the bar, and the deafening music could be faintly heard through the car door.

Simon Sterling got out of the car and walked to the entrance, only to be stopped by a tall, black-suited security guard.

"Sorry, sir, Miss Ford has booked the place for the night," the guard said expressionlessly, "Members and invited guests only. Please show your membership badge."

Simon Sterling, dressed in simple casual pants and a jacket, stood out among the fashionable crowd ready for the nightlife.

He glanced at the guard and said calmly, "I’m not a member."

The guard looked him up and down, his gaze lingering on Simon’s excessively handsome yet stern face for a few seconds. Suddenly, as if he realized something, a peculiar smile broke out on his tense face, and he stepped aside.

"Oh, I see, you’re the male model, right? Come on in, you’re the last we were waiting for, the dance is about to start, hurry up and change backstage."

Male model? Dance?

Simon Sterling’s eyebrows instantly furrowed.

What exactly was Rhiannon doing?

Renting out a bar just to watch a bunch of male models dance?

She had just turned eighteen not long ago.

He now understood why Dean Ford said, "Even if you have to drag her back."

He ignored the guard’s urgings, pushed open the heavy soundproof door, and walked in.

The lighting inside the bar was dim, strobe lights flashed, and the music was deafening.

The air was thick with the mixed scents of alcohol and perfume.

The dance floor was empty, but the booths around it were filled with trendy-dressed young men and women, chatter and laughter incessant.

He had just walked in and didn’t have time to look for Rhiannon when a man wearing a floral shirt and a headset, seemingly a floor manager, rushed over and grabbed his arm.

"Oh, why are you only just here? Hurry, go change in the back, Miss Ford and the others are getting impatient, the show is about to start."

Simon Sterling shook off his hand, his voice clear and cold amidst the loud music.

"I’m not here to dance."

He ignored the stunned man and scanned the venue sharply, quickly spotting Rhiannon in the largest circular booth.

She wore a shimmering short dress, surrounded by a group of equally well-dressed young men and women, holding a brightly colored cocktail and laughing with abandon.

Simon Sterling strode over, through the laughing crowd, and directly stood in front of Rhiannon.

The music was loud, and he had to raise his voice.

"Dean Ford wants you home now."

The noisy booth quieted down significantly, with everyone’s eyes focused on them.

Rhiannon’s smile froze. She looked at the suddenly appearing Simon Sterling, and being reprimanded like a child in front of so many friends made her face burn with embarrassment, unable to maintain her composure.

A silver-haired young man next to her was the first to snicker, nudging Rhiannon as he teased, "Wow, Rhiannon, really? You’re an adult and still have to be the obedient girl? Just one word from the old man and you have to scurry back home?"

Another girl in a spaghetti-strap dress covered her mouth and laughed.

"Exactly, sending a bodyguard to bring you home? Uncle Ford really doesn’t trust you, does he? Looks like in the elders’ eyes, our Miss Rhiannon still hasn’t grown up."

There was a suppressed laugh among the group.

Rhiannon’s face alternated between red and white, angry and embarrassed.

She slammed down her drink, angrily shouting at Simon Sterling, "Who are you? You don’t need to manage my affairs! Leave, don’t interfere with me here."

Simon Sterling watched as her face flushed with anger and the eager gazes of the people around her, with no expression on his face.

He didn’t waste any more words with her, directly taking out his phone, locating Dean Ford’s number, and dialing it, then pressed the speakerphone button.

The call was quickly answered, and Dean Ford’s stern and angry voice came through the speaker clearly, even over the background music.

"Hello, Simon."

"Did you find Rhiannon? Get her on the phone, this is nonsense, tell her if the nanny doesn’t see her at home in half an hour, all her cards will be canceled next month, let’s see where she can go then."

Dean Ford’s voice was like a thunderclap over the booth.

The group of young men and women who were just laughing and teasing a moment ago instantly fell silent, their faces showing embarrassment and awkward smiles.

Rhiannon felt like she had been publicly slapped hard, losing face completely.

She bit her lip hard, her eyes turning red instantly, not from sadness but from extreme shame and indignation.

She abruptly stood up, gave Simon Sterling a fierce glare, her eyes seeming ready to consume him alive.

She grabbed her small bag, pushed aside the people blocking her way, and ran out of the bar without looking back.

Simon Sterling watched her figure vanish at the door, put away his phone, and then turned around, following her out unhurriedly.