CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: CHOOSE ONE OF TWO

At ten o’clock in the evening, Anna Thornton finally saw the legendary Sterling Residence.

Even more luxurious than when she saw Conrad Sterling enjoying the entire neighborhood by himself in Veridia four years ago; indeed, this man’s worth has multiplied several times.

In Aethelgard, where land is unbelievably expensive, he could build such a luxurious villa with distinct features of a European castle. The greenery covers more than two wetland parks, and it took almost ten minutes driving through the European-style wrought iron gate, presumably through the shortest road Conrad Sterling took. The scenery Anna Thornton saw was likely just one-tenth of the house.

Upon entering the house, the interior was so extravagant that Anna Thornton was overwhelmed. She thought a random painting in the hall would probably require a lifetime of her hard work.

No, maybe not necessarily!

Anna Thornton would never underestimate herself; when she climbed to the position of a world-renowned movie star, the things here might not be beyond her reach.

Contrarily, Conrad Sterling delayed time on the road and took her in circles while going back to get her luggage. Perhaps he was secretly instructing the servants to put away the more valuable things, guarding against her.

Thinking of this, Anna Thornton unhappily glared fiercely at the back of the man walking in front of her.

There were quite a few servants at Sterling Residence, employing hotel-style management, all standing in two rows as if ready to shout slogans.

However, they were preparing to bow and greet when President Sterling raised his hand to stop them.

The man signaled silence, and the middle-aged woman in the lead, resembling a housekeeper, immediately noticed the sleeping Pop in Anna’s arms and stepped forward to ask softly, "Miss Thornton, holding the child all the way must be tiring, shall I take over?"

This person surprisingly addressed correctly right at the start, leaving Anna Thornton somewhat surprised.

However, Anna did not give Pop to her: "I’m fine, not that tired."

Conrad Sterling glanced back at her: "She’ll take you to your room later, don’t wander around tonight."

These words sounded more like a warning than advice.

After speaking, the man went straight upstairs into the study, showing no intention of managing Anna Thornton further.

The servants of Sterling Residence were well-trained, no one questioned unnecessarily; once Conrad left, each went about their business.

Only the housekeeper standing in front of Anna Thornton introduced herself: "Miss Thornton, my surname is Chandler. Your and the little miss’s rooms are both arranged on the second floor, the same as President Sterling’s, come with me."

"Alright, thank you, Granny Chandler."

Anna Thornton, holding the child, followed her upstairs, and Granny Chandler first led her to the room prepared for Pop.

The children’s room decorated with bright yellow elements, distinctly mismatched with the Sterling Residence’s generally heavy and minimalist style.

As soon as the door was opened, Anna Thornton felt the rush of a cute atmosphere.

Apart from a small bed, other decorations served as toys. The room also had a slide for the child’s entertainment, packed with bubble balls in the shape of little yellow ducks under the slide for protection, together with a collection of plush toys of the twelve zodiac, various beautiful Barbie dolls.

When the Thornton Family had not yet fallen, Anna Thornton was also raised like a princess.

But she had to admit, some Barbie dolls here she didn’t even have, and in that instant, the call to her girlish heart was both comforting and poignant.

"Miss Thornton, are you satisfied with the room?"

"It’s nice, Pop likes yellow, she’ll be very happy seeing so many little yellow ducks upon waking up."

Anna Thornton put the child in the small bed, covered her with a little blanket, and patted gently.

"Miss Thornton, your room is next door."

"I don’t need it, I’ll share with Pop, could you help move a bed here?" said Anna Thornton.

"This..." Hearing this, Granny Chandler seemed a bit embarrassed: "I need to ask President Sterling first."

"No need to ask him, he was reluctant enough when bringing us back. Just move the bed over as I said, even if discovered, he’d thank you for saving space with this arrangement."

Seeing her say so, Granny Chandler could only respond with a tactful smile.

But is it really like this?

If President Sterling was reluctant, why would he meticulously prepare the children’s room for the child?

The children’s room, although arranged in a rush after Conrad Sterling was persuaded by Aunt Murray, some of the Barbie dolls can’t even be bought with money at short notice.

At the very least, it had to be prepared a week in advance.

Nevertheless, Granny Chandler followed Anna Thornton’s instructions.

After all, President Sterling, being a single man for many years, might be unfamiliar with some situations.

A three-year-old indeed can’t yet be separated from their mother, this little miss bears a significant resemblance to President Sterling, any mishap would be unacceptable.

Thus Anna Thornton and Pop stayed together in the children’s room.

Another bed was arranged for her right against Pop’s small wooden bed, allowing her to revisit the feeling of being a little princess.

Now, the area of this children’s room was much larger than the apartment she rented since returning home, even accommodating an actress’s wardrobe would be spacious.

After tidying up the luggage, Anna Thornton intended to take a bath when she suddenly heard a knock on the door of the adjacent room.

She smirked, neither went out to check nor responded.

After bathing, she came out of the bathroom, first walked to Pop’s small wooden bed, checking on the sleeping child, then opened the door quietly, remembering Granny Chandler said Conrad Sterling’s room was also on the second floor.

No need to ask, Anna Thornton directly followed to the largest and most luxurious room and knocked, couldn’t be wrong.

Pushing the door open, the first thing in sight was the man’s tall and slender back, barely covering with a towel just in time.

Conrad Sterling, apparently just finished bathing as well, turned around with a sour face.

"Why aren’t you in the room I arranged for you?" the man asked her.

"Oh, I was afraid you might secretly install pinhole cameras in my room. Isn’t that kind of news frequent recently? As a female star, of course, I have to be cautious, afraid of encountering a peeping tom."

Hearing her nonsense, Conrad Sterling got angry: "Between you and me, who do you think seems more like a peeping tom right now?"

"I knocked first, who knew you just finished showering," Anna Thornton anyway felt unlike her own description.

Conrad Sterling: "Did I let you in?"

"Weren’t you looking for me? Now you show a stance of not wanting to bother with me, who knows what you mean? Should I step out and reflect on seeing something I shouldn’t have?"

This woman is really... silver-tongued, her face thick as a wall!

A week ago, Conrad Sterling thought no one dared to waste his time.

But now, he had become used to Anna Thornton’s various antics, too lazy to blame.

Also, because it was late at night, Conrad Sterling didn’t want to waste time further, directly turned, bypassed her, and stepped out first, ordering: "Follow me to the study!"

Anna Thornton followed the man into the study, where she didn’t have time to estimate the value of those few rare oil paintings in the room.

Immediately, she saw Conrad pointing to the two files placed on the desk beforehand, saying: "Choose one!"

Anna Thornton glanced at the file on the man’s left, her eyes lighting up upon realizing: "Is it a contract for me to join Dynasty Entertainment? I remember you had their staff say they wouldn’t sign me. How are you going to explain this to Miss Ford?"

Conrad ignored her gloating, sowing discord appearance, "Continue!"

Anna Thornton then looked at the file on his right, her expression turning serious: "Since when did you do bone marrow typing with Pop?"

"That’s none of your concern! You just need to choose one now, sign the contract, or have me donate bone marrow?"