CHAPTER 5: CHAPTER 5: I’M QUITE FAMILIAR WITH PRESIDENT STERLING

Anna Thornton arrived at the Starlight Hotel, the extravagance of the banquet inside was apparent even from the money-sweeping decorations outside and the gold-plated signposts.

It seems that in the past four years, Conrad Sterling’s assets have probably multiplied dozens of times.

This world is truly unfair; cold and ruthless men live thriving lives, while Anna’s stepmother still hasn’t faced legal consequences, and Anna herself can only make ends meet through hard work and struggle.

So, now she’s back!

First, there’s Conrad Sterling.

Then it’s Holly Sutton’s turn.

The old grudges should be settled.

Anna noticed that the invited guests were entering with custom-made invitations and had to match personal information that was recorded in advance, making it difficult to sneak inside.

Just then, she saw a Maserati sports car stop at the hotel entrance.

First, a girl wearing limited edition Chanel high heels and a short red evening dress exited the car, followed by a handsome and tall man from the passenger seat.

The girl seemed angry, and with every step forward, it seemed she wanted to strike the marble floor into pits.

The man quickly caught up, seemingly to pacify her, but just as he reached to pull her, he received a harsh slap directly to his face!

"Henry Willow, what do you think you are? Being your date is a compliment to you!"

Having said that, the spoiled girl retraced her steps in her high heels, slammed the car door shut, and screeched off as the tires grazed the ground.

As for the man called Henry Willow, left standing, his face was still frozen in the position of having been slapped, and a trace of malevolence suddenly flashed in his narrow eyes.

"Hey, handsome!"

With a cheerful greeting, Anna had somehow already appeared before him, proactively offering, "Need a date?"

Hearing this, Henry turned his head to look at Anna.

At just one glance, his expression clearly showed astonishment.

The fleeting malevolence in his eyes seemed to have never existed.

Only a pair of deeply affectionate yet lightly teasing eyes remained.

"I never refuse the company of a beautiful woman, let alone a top-tier beauty!"

Linked with her freshly ’acquired’ escort invitation, Anna was still stopped at the second gate after entering.

The person in charge of registration looked at her, then awkwardly turned to Henry, "Young Master Willow, wasn’t Miss Grant supposed to be your date tonight?"

"I’ve got so many girlfriends, do you expect me to report each and every one of them to you?"

"No, that’s not it..."

"Besides, look at the beauty beside me now—isn’t she much more elegant than Sarah Grant? You should really be thankful it’s not her tonight, or else President Sterling’s banquet prepared especially for Miss Ford would turn into a scene like the Monkey King wreaking havoc at the Peach Banquet."

After listening to him, the two responsible for registration exchanged looks, then respectfully bowed and gestured, inviting them in.

For others, it might be different, but Young Master Willow was known to be close to President Sterling, and everyone was aware of his infamous flirtatious nature, changing women every day wasn’t surprising at all.

However, Anna caught an important piece of information from Henry’s earlier words.

"Did you say this banquet is for Miss Ford? The one who just won Best Actress, Marilyn Ford? Is she Conrad Sterling’s current girlfriend?" Anna asked.

"The first two are correct, but those two... saying they’re a couple isn’t accurate, saying they’re not isn’t accurate either; the situation is quite complex."

"How complex?" Anna showed a curious expression, continuing to probe, "Could it be that Conrad Sterling is two-timing, undecided?"

Given Conrad Sterling’s current status and influence in Aethelgard, few dare to call him by name.

Henry was surprised to look at Anna, "You must not be from Aethelgard, right? There’s no reason a beauty of this caliber could escape my notice in Aethelgard. But from the way you speak, you seem quite familiar with Young Master Sterling?"

"I haven’t been developing my career domestically these years; I just returned today. But with Conrad Sterling... I’m indeed quite familiar." Anna replied.

When you’ve met frankly and engaged deeply, can’t that be considered familiar?

"That’s odd. Given my friendship with him, there’s no reason I wouldn’t know you; could it be he was worried I’d snatch you away, so he hid you intentionally? This is too unfair; when I see him, I must talk to him about it." Henry teased.

"I’m from Veridia; did he ever mention Veridia to you?"

"Um... Veridia? Nope!"

Seeing Henry shake his head, a hint of self-deprecating smile curled on Anna’s lips.

Indeed, four years ago, a not-so-clever girl willingly threw herself at him, was used without objections, then mocked and thrown out to fend for herself.

A woman so easily claimed certainly wouldn’t have left a deep impression on a man.

But the Anna of four years later ensures that she will leave President Sterling with a ’profound impression’ soon.

Although Anna’s heart was brewing a storm, her tone showed no perturbation as she continued, "You still haven’t answered my question."

"Oh, you mean about Young Master Sterling and Miss Ford? The reason they’ve been stalling and haven’t made it official isn’t because of him. Mainly, it’s because Miss Ford she..." Henry suddenly leaned toward Anna’s ear, taking a deep breath of her hair’s fragrance, and whispered as he took advantage, "Plays too hard to get!"

Anna: "..."

So it’s Conrad Sterling pursuing her and hasn’t won her yet, is it?

Anna wanted to sneer, but the ’naughty hand’ exploring her waist left no room for distractions.

"Your tattoo is quite unique; did you design it yourself?" Henry complimented the tattoo while holding her closer, "I like tattoos too, maybe we can discuss them sometime?"

"I don’t mind discussing tattoos, but you’ll need to introduce me first." Anna nonchalantly brushed his hand away.

"You’re not here for me then, huh? Is it possible that my charms aren’t enough?"

Though Henry enjoyed playfully flirting with her, he indeed led Anna toward the center of the banquet.

After passing several socialites exchanging niceties, Henry stopped the busy Conrad Sterling, "Young Master Sterling, I’ve brought an old friend to see you."