CHAPTER 384: CHAPTER 384: AN UNCONVENTIONAL TYCOON

It’s all over, it’s all over, it’s all over!

Ethan’s mind was filled with just these two words!

President Sterling heard the content of his phone call with Miss Anna.

Ethan’s first concern wasn’t that he would be rebuked by President Sterling for secretly tattling, but that the content of the conversation he just had with Miss Anna might deepen the misunderstanding between them.

Ethan was indeed a very dedicated fan; even at times like this, he was worried about whether Miss Anna’s marital happiness would be affected by his recent bluntness.

"President Sterling, please let me explain..."

Ethan wanted to explain, but didn’t know where to start.

Anna Thornton had already made it clear to him; he couldn’t dare deceive President Sterling.

Moreover, even if Ethan dared, could he really deceive him?

Anyway, Conrad Sterling didn’t listen to his explanation and turned to leave.

When Ethan, looking dejected like a puppy, returned to the office, he heard President Sterling instructing someone over the phone to send him to Africa.

Ethan: "..."

"President Sterling, may I explain just one sentence, just one sentence, please!"

Ethan cautiously asked; President Sterling ignored him.

However, this also counted as not opposing.

"I think Miss Thornton was just saying things out of anger, don’t women love to say the opposite when they’re angry? Miss Thornton was irrational at the time, so surely President Sterling, you must remain calm."

Please, don’t act impulsively!

Ethan was about to be sent to Africa for sunbathing and tanning, yet his last chance to speak wasn’t used to plead for himself.

He was more worried that he had deepened the misunderstanding between Miss Anna and President Sterling because of himself.

After all, he had already been shoved into the pit by President Sterling, shipping the CP of [Laugh and Gasp Patient] and [Battlefield Doctor].

In case during the time he’s away, without keeping an eye on President Sterling, another woman seizes the chance to enter.

Having the CP broken up would be more painful than anything else.

As a result of Ethan’s devoted efforts for his OTP, it fell upon President Sterling’s ears, only to be returned with a glaring eye-roll: "Too talkative!"

Even when restricted to saying only one sentence, Ethan managed to say two.

Great! The original time planned for training in Africa also had to be doubled.

If Ethan could use mind-reading to see President Sterling’s current thoughts, he’d surely fall to the ground, clutch his chest with one hand, and cry out ’Oh heavens!’.

Is the point that he spoke one extra sentence?

Clearly, it’s about the relationship between President Sterling and Miss Anna, which simply cannot be further deteriorated.

Ethan could see that President Sterling does care about Miss Anna.

But on Anna Thornton’s side, it wasn’t clear what internal conflict she had.

This means that to break the cold war stalemate between them, President Sterling must take the initiative, otherwise there’s no room for reconciliation.

If President Sterling also becomes petty, and at this juncture there’s Rainie Hawthorne eyeing the situation, he’s really worried about the future direction becoming worse.

However, Ethan seemed... to have overlooked a point that matters to himself.

President Sterling’s dispatch mandate doubled the originally planned time for Ethan’s training, leaving the company with a look of national distress on his face, still worrying about President Sterling and Miss Anna.

Not a problem, he found out it’s quite nice once he gets to Africa.

After all, President Sterling’s decisions have no room for amendment or negotiation.

Let’s let Ethan’s regretful tears fall upon Africa’s soil then.

...

Ethan thought President Sterling might give Rainie Hawthorne a chance out of spite with Anna Thornton?

He must have read too many domineering CEO romances.

Those novels always write about the male lead, who avoids the female lead on purpose to make her jealous, causing all sorts of misunderstandings and drama, torturing bodies and minds.

But Conrad Sterling is a CEO who doesn’t follow the usual path!

Upon realizing Anna Thornton hinted at giving him away to someone else, Conrad Sterling not only didn’t give Rainie Hawthorne a chance but instead intensified the pressure on Rainie.

He suppressed her so much that the once bold businesswoman was left with no strength to breathe.

Recently, the struggle between Rainie and Ethan Hawthorne in the Hawthorne Family had reached a boiling point.

Rainie provoked Conrad Sterling, belonged to what was supposed to be the legitimate faction.

Many relatives in the Hawthorne Family supported Rainie, despite her being a woman, but after all, she’s a direct descendant of the main branch!

Yet, Ethan Hawthorne was just a distant relative from a convoluted path, wanting him to be the successor, how could the main branch accept?

Even if they were willing, other distant relatives like Ethan Hawthorne were even more unbalanced.

Everyone started from the same baseline, all at the level of just following the Hawthorne Family for scraps, why should you get the meat?

But ever since knowing Rainie provoked Conrad Sterling, this situation changed.

The faction Rainie belonged to was shattered by Conrad Sterling, some switched sides to Ethan Hawthorne, while others continued to observe.

During the time Rainie was suppressed by Conrad Sterling, Ethan Hawthorne thrived.

A month later, Ethan Hawthorne had completely transitioned from an entertainment industry player to a proper businessman.

He even became the image spokesperson for Hawthorne Group.

It was Conrad Sterling who reminded him that the first thing to do to resolve the current predicament was to restore Hawthorne Group’s image.

Ethan Hawthorne’s celebrity status was just right for utilization.

This period Ethan Hawthorne was busy making appearances at various charity events. With the appeal of his male celebrity status, the fans accumulated were his advantage.

In a month’s time, the scandalous fire safety inadequacies that had previously plagued the Hawthorne Family were history.

Though the salacious photos scandal involved a wide scope, it wasn’t easy to resolve, but Mason Hawthorne’s lawsuit had been allocated a date. Along with many Hawthorne Group’s tax evasion incidents surfacing, all tacitly tucked under his name, imprisonment was now certain, and once the verdict came out, it would naturally quell public anger.

All in all, the Hawthorne Family’s lowest point had passed.

Next, it’s time to clean up the mess and begin rebuilding public trust.

It’s not difficult, just do more charity.

The results Ethan Hawthorne achieved from participating in charity organizations were quite positive.

However, just as Ethan Hawthorne thought he had flourished with the support of Conrad Sterling, practically reaching into the pocket and grabbing the position of Hawthorne Family’s successor.

Suddenly, he was hit with a scandal!

An identical scandal to that of his uncle!

Ethan Hawthorne’s computer got hacked, the hackers uncovering myriad R-rated videos from the memory, all featuring real people ’performing’.

Previously, rumors circulated in the industry that Ethan Hawthorne was promiscuous, frequently using work to harass female stars, some even claiming he drugged and coerced those who didn’t comply.

Like Riley Osborne!

Ethan attempted but failed with Riley Osborne; other actresses, even after losses, feared affecting their own image and the Hawthorne Family’s influence, keeping silent.

However, this time, hackers posted videos and photos clearly and uncensored online, leaving no room for denial.

Moreover, this hacker was cunning, choosing to post online at two in the morning.

Ethan Hawthorne had been worn out moving in various circles, at that time already fast asleep, blindsiding him with scandalous exposure.

By the time he woke the next morning, his ’photo albums’ had already spread across the internet privately.

Public relations had no time to react!

Ethan Hawthorne wanted staff to retrieve the photos and videos, but what should and shouldn’t have been seen had already been viewed.

Faced with this situation, Ethan Hawthorne’s first reaction was to consult with President Sterling, immediately request his secretary to contact President Sterling.