CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 14: YOU MUST BE INTERESTED

Assistant Ethan had just taken out the trash bin full of magazines from the office when he happened to run into Marilyn.

"Miss Ford."

"Ethan, is Conrad in?"

"He is. I’ll notify President Sterling that you’ve arrived."

Ethan was about to turn and help her open the door, but Marilyn stopped him: "I want to surprise him."

"Alright."

Ethan perceptively stepped back, ready to disappear quickly from the scene.

However, just as he brushed past Marilyn, she suddenly noticed what he was holding.

"Wait a moment, what are you doing with those magazines?"

"President Sterling tossed them out and asked me to take care of them."

Cleaning was supposed to be the janitor’s job, and what Conrad Sterling meant by taking care of them wasn’t just what it sounded like.

From Ethan’s understanding, having worked by his side for over two years, President Sterling meant that these magazines would cease to continue.

"Conrad never cares about entertainment news, did these magazines report anything special today? Let me see." Marilyn said curiously.

"Miss Ford, these magazines were already dirty from being thrown into the trash bin."

"Then get someone to clean them up and give them to me."

When Marilyn walked into Conrad Sterling’s office, she was holding an entertainment magazine that had been retrieved and sanitized.

The man sitting behind the desk reading reports frowned as soon as he heard the door being pushed open.

But upon lifting his gaze and seeing it was Marilyn, his frown relaxed.

"What brings you here?"

"President Sterling has been busy working lately, and it’s hard to find time for lunch together, so I thought I’d come by your company to see." Marilyn teased.

Though the two hadn’t explicitly defined their relationship, they interacted privately like any couple.

Primarily because Marilyn insisted she was in an important stage in her career and couldn’t afford to date, Conrad Sterling accommodated her.

But actually, when not working, it was Marilyn who stuck to him quite tightly.

Perhaps women tend to overthink; sometimes Marilyn felt she was insignificant to Conrad Sterling.

Despite this man officially pursuing her and indeed accommodating her well, the passion and desire to always want to be together were missing.

It might be that everyone has different perspectives on love; Conrad Sterling treated relationships like he treated work—meticulously controlled, never making mistakes, and never revealing what was in his heart.

"I’ve indeed been busy these days, but I’ve already had Ethan clear the time after noon tomorrow specifically for you."

Upon hearing this, Marilyn’s lips revealed a smile.

She walked up to the man, placing the magazine on the desk with a tone both coquettish and reproachful: "If you don’t explain this, I won’t have lunch with you tomorrow. This magazine has my photo on it, why did you throw it in the trash bin?"

Upon hearing this, Conrad Sterling finally noticed that the magazine cover featured Marilyn.

Earlier, he might have been so infuriated by those baseless rumors that he overlooked such a detail.

"Moreover, I heard from Ethan that you got angry over those magazines earlier. Why were you mad, was my interview not written well?"

Marilyn asked, and Conrad Sterling followed with an answer: "Yes."

"Was it because they mentioned you? Actually, I’ve specifically asked them not to write randomly and to focus on my work."

"However, dealing with the media is also difficult; the audience and fans are keen to delve into my personal life. Luckily, there was nothing excessive written here. I’m quite familiar with the editor-in-chief, let’s just let it slide. Could you have Ethan remind them, but don’t be too hard, okay?"

"Marilyn, I have my own judgment in handling things."

"But..."

"You don’t need to worry about this matter; Ethan knows how to handle it."

Conrad Sterling spoke, leaving no room for negotiation.

He’s always like this – once he decides on something, it doesn’t change for anyone.

But Marilyn happens to love him most at times like this, with his domineering spirit and courage.

Only a man who’s mastered full capacity dares to be so assured.

"Conrad, are you somewhat upset with me?" Marilyn asked, "About avoiding mentioning our relationship when I answered questions about relationships. A woman’s career prime is short, and I want to seize this period to achieve the best so I can stand by you at my finest."

Marilyn is ambitious in her career; she knows standing beside a man as outstanding as Conrad Sterling may overshadow her brilliance, which is why she hesitates to accept him too early.

"And I’ve succeeded. In the past three years since my debut, I’ve claimed most of the awards I aimed for and became the youngest Best Actress in the country. Now I’m just one step away; I’ve eyed a terrific movie script, confident I can attain a grand slam next year. I’ve already planned, once I’m on the highest podium, to announce our relationship, making you and my dad proud."

...

In the afternoon, as Marilyn left Sterling Group, she received a call from an unknown number.

"Miss Ford, this is Anna Thornton."

"Anna Thornton, how do you have my number?" Marilyn asked in surprise.

"That’s not important; what’s important is I guess you lost the note I gave you that night."

"..."

"But it’s okay, let’s have coffee tomorrow. There’s something I can tell you face-to-face."

Marilyn: "Why do you think I’d agree to have coffee with you?"

Anna Thornton: "Because what I have to say is about President Sterling... you’ll find it interesting!"