CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 27: WAIT UNTIL I MARRY CONRAD STERLING

Anna Thornton stayed in the hospital with Pop for three days, and Conrad Sterling didn’t come to see them even once.

However, during these three days, Ethan would deliver meals to them on time.

At first, it was nutritious porridge for Pop, but later, even Anna Thornton and Mary got to enjoy it. The dishes, featuring local specialties from all over the country, were creatively varied and delicious, making them realize how much they’d missed gourmet food after years of bland meals abroad.

"Anna, what are we gonna do when little Pop gets discharged and we can’t eat all these delicious foods anymore?"

"Once I marry Conrad Sterling and officially move into the Sterling Family, you can often come over to visit."

Mary had just finished lunch, and was wiping her mouth with a tissue, but upon hearing this, she couldn’t help but free a hand to give Anna Thornton a thumbs-up for her confidence.

Pop, lying in the hospital bed with a pacifier and playing with a toy car, seemed to have very keen ears. Imitating Auntie Mary’s gesture, the little one also gave Mommy a thumbs-up in encouragement.

"But seriously, President Sterling came by only on the first day to drop off little Pop. Since then, not even a word from him. Aren’t you worried that after discharge, he might want to send you away again?"

"What use is empty worry?"

After all, with his power and wealth, Conrad Sterling could suppress them at any time.

If he really wanted to be so ruthless, Anna Thornton would just have to face it head-on and fight with all her might.

"Think of something, like the cute kid tactic, or the beauty tactic, or whatever you can use. After all, I’ve heard that he and Marilyn Ford have always had a lukewarm relationship, with no progress despite all this time. You should take the chance to win him over."

"I’d like to, too, but haven’t I tried all those? He’s immune!"

"No way? A man not interested in cute kids or beauties, is he even a man?" Mary doubted Conrad Sterling could lack normal male desires.

"He probably has normal desires."

Anna Thornton remembered that day in the elevator when she noticed Conrad Sterling had reacted to her.

So, the beauty tactic wasn’t entirely useless, it just had no effect.

Four years ago, Conrad Sterling was able to walk away after sleeping with her, and four years later, she certainly couldn’t rely on climbing into that man’s bed for a guaranteed marriage.

"Dealing with a man who’s not lustful is really tricky. I think you first have to find his weak spot," Mary concluded.

"The key is, with President Sterling’s current status, it’s hard to negotiate with him... tsk, I wonder if there are any elders in his family who could suppress him, preferably someone more reasonable."

"Makes sense," Anna Thornton nodded, "Though I feel like I’ve never heard of him having family elders back when I was in Veridia."

"No family, not even a relative? Could he be destined to be a lone star? No wonder he’s so indifferent. Anna, do you know what the public is saying outside now? Initially, when President Sterling took you home, everyone thought you’d secured a deal with Dynasty Entertainment. But now, the public opinion has turned to accuse you of self-promotion and being a third party destroying a relationship, calling for a national boycott. That Conrad Sterling is really something."

"It might not be him," Anna Thornton responded.

"Not him? Then who else could have attacked and abused you if not him?"

"Marilyn Ford, perhaps."

Speak of the devil.

Soon after mentioning her name, Marilyn Ford indeed showed up at the hospital.

She inquired with the nurse about Anna Thornton and her child’s room, but since Crestlight Hospital is a private hospital under the Sterling Group, privacy information is well-protected, and with Conrad Sterling’s special instructions, she couldn’t get any information.

Eventually, Marilyn Ford found Anna Thornton’s phone number and called her directly: "Miss Thornton, I am currently at the hospital. Is it convenient for us to meet and chat?"

Anna Thornton was not surprised to receive Marilyn Ford’s call.

After all, since she was fighting for the man, she knew the day would come eventually.

"Alright, but the hospital room is simple and not good for hosting. Let’s meet at the fast-food restaurant across the hospital."

When Anna Thornton arrived at the fast-food restaurant, Marilyn Ford had already chosen a seat and was waiting. Next to her were flowers and a fruit basket for visiting patients, showing she came prepared, though she hadn’t expected to be received there.

Marilyn Ford’s expression revealed slight impatience, showing her discomfort with the surrounding environment.

"I’m sorry, Miss Ford, there’s no café near the hospital. I can’t go too far away because my child might need me anytime," Anna Thornton apologized courteously after sitting down.

Marilyn Ford gave Anna Thornton a look, one that contained unclear emotions.

It’s like a meeting between rivals, but Marilyn Ford’s refinement wouldn’t allow her to act like a shrew creating a scene, nor would her dignity.

"Miss Thornton, it must have been hard for you to raise a child alone all these years, right?"

"Not too bad, mostly because Pop is very obedient. Seeing her so cute every day, I don’t feel it’s hard at all."

"I once saw your child in a mall, truly adorable." The exchange was rather calm and composed, but the tension hid in the spaces between words. "It’s a pity such an adorable child is used by you as a money-making tool."

"A tool? What do you mean?"

"There’s no one else here, and my schedule is quite packed recently. Just say it, how much money do you want?"

Anna Thornton saw Marilyn Ford preparing to fill out a check from her globally limited edition Hermes bag and hurriedly stopped her: "Miss Ford, how could I take your money?"

"My money is no different from his. Conrad has taken care of me a lot these years, and a few million is just a small matter for me. As long as it can solve the problem for him, it’s worth it."

In those words, Marilyn Ford not only declared her ownership and emphasized her intimacy with that man in front of Anna Thornton, but she also pressed down on Anna Thornton with an air of superiority.

Evidently, Actress Ford had a good reason for being able to stay with Conrad Sterling for years without a definitive status, and her awards weren’t won without reason. She portrayed the rightful partner role very well.

However, her only mistake was using the word ’problem’ in her sentence.

This word successfully irritated Anna Thornton, who fiercely protected her daughter, sharpening her tone: "I came back for Conrad Sterling, pulling you, an outsider, in is truly inconsiderate. Besides, it’s not about the money; I refused the five billion Conrad offered when we met. Miss Ford, you should save your money for buying more bags."

Did Anna Thornton really call her an outsider?

"Ha," Marilyn Ford couldn’t help but laugh softly, "If it’s not for money, then what do you want?"

"The person! I want Conrad Sterling himself!"

Anna Thornton was direct and straightforward at all times, catching Marilyn Ford, who was accustomed to euphemisms, off guard, exposing her emotions, as her face visibly darkened: "Absurd! Conrad didn’t even know about the child’s existence before, which means you were the one who hid it from him four years ago. He owes neither you nor the child anything."

"Miss Ford, for you to say such things, you must not know what really happened between me and him four years ago, right? If you’ve already decided that he’s the singularly good man, then no matter what I say about his past betrayal, you won’t believe it."

"But what I can tell you is that my being with him is absolutely a blessing for the people, saving you from disaster. Maybe someday, you’ll even thank me."