Chubby Mommy: Scheming Daddy, Surrender Now!-Chapter 418: Omnipotent Braised Pork
Ethan Sterling tilted his head, looking at her somewhat abnormal expression, and started to feel apprehensive. He wasn’t used to Ruby Sullivan smiling at him; it always felt like a sweet treat before a slap in the face, making every nerve in his body tense up involuntarily.
He pretended to be calm as he turned his gaze away, saying indifferently, "Curiosity killed the cat; being too brave isn’t necessarily a good thing either."
Ruby Sullivan was surprised to hear Ethan Sterling say that, "Mr. Sterling, have you encountered some setbacks recently?"
Ethan Sterling’s brow twitched thrice, "Do you want to hear me out and have a laugh?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
It was the first time she’d heard someone say such words earnestly, and the piercing look in his eyes clearly threatened, do you want to listen? There’s no one else other than me who knows about this because everyone...
Ruby Sullivan blinked, suddenly envisioning Ethan Sterling’s pose in her dream cosplay, which made goosebumps suddenly appear on her arms.
"Don’t want to hear it!" she said decisively.
Ethan Sterling frowned, thinking, Ms. Sullivan really plays by her own rules; all those tricks taught by Aidan Sinclair were useless! No wonder he’s still single!
How could Ms. Sullivan be like those vulgar women? It certainly wasn’t an issue with how he expressed himself!
Blocked by the deadlock in conversation, Ethan Sterling could only remain silent as Ruby Sullivan tilted her head to admire the enchanting night view along The Serene River, humming serenely.
Afterward, neither spoke again, but having the person she loved beside her made nothing more wonderful.
After getting out of the car, Ruby Sullivan didn’t hurry to leave first; she waited for Ethan Sterling, who had circled around from the other side of the car, and wrapped his arm, her eyes still smiling.
Ethan Sterling grew more uneasy. He knew this woman was adept at acting; if she didn’t want to tell him something, no amount of questioning would help, so he could only stay cool.
Finally, as they were about to part in front of their rooms, Ethan Sterling couldn’t help but speak, "I recently learned a phrase: ’Admit defeat to ensure peace’; sometimes, you don’t have to be brave."
Ruby Sullivan looked at his earnest expression and realized he was worried about her. Moreover, thinking of the earlier words from this phrase... Did he stay silent all the way because he was concerned about her?
She struggled to hold back laughter and furrowed her brow, "Where did you learn it from?" Did Mr. Sterling now have his learning domain expanded to the entertainment world? When they watched those brainless shows together, he often didn’t even recognize endorsements under The Sterling Group, while she and Honey laughed, leaning back and forth, with him and Seth Sterling showing no expression.
Their son later no longer participated in such family activities, while Mr. Sterling always sat upright to keep watching.
Did he really like them, but just concealed it too well before?
Ethan Sterling gazed upwards, thinking of those random variety shows he’d watched, murmuring softly.
"Hmm?" Ruby Sullivan listened intently but didn’t catch it.
"Just... some domestic talk shows." He felt these shows differed vastly from his image or interests, feeling a bit embarrassed to mention them.
Ruby Sullivan was surprised by the answer she heard; she stared speechlessly.
Ethan Sterling felt shy, "If you want to laugh at me, you can laugh freely."
She really laughed, not for the reason he thought, just finding his current expression a bit cute. Ethan Sterling connecting to "cute"? She believed if she said it aloud, he’d want to laugh too.
Ruby Sullivan saw his face turn solemn and explained, "Sorry, I just suddenly felt not only do I lack courage, but I also... don’t quite understand you."
Ethan Sterling’s expression eased, "Then I suggest you get to know me well." Once you do, you’d understand, your man is neither so weak, nor reckless, nor unreasonable.
He had long prepared the heart to embrace the ocean to build the most luxurious harbor for her, wanting her to have a place to dock and rest when she’s tired.
Ruby Sullivan nodded, "I will... consider it."
The next day, after packing her luggage, Ruby Sullivan directly knocked on Ethan Sterling’s door, guessing he probably shared the same flight back home.
Ethan Sterling opened the door, and she bluntly asked, "How are you getting to the airport?"
"Kris will drive over later to take me," Ethan Sterling wasn’t surprised she guessed it; if she couldn’t, it would only prove she chose not to guess.
"Alright." Ruby Sullivan nodded.
"I’ll... let you know later." Ethan Sterling also felt a bit reserved.
"Okay." Ruby Sullivan nodded again, waited a bit seeing he didn’t say anything else, then returned to her room to wait patiently.
She casually tied her hair into a bun today, and since she got up early and was too lazy to put on makeup, she wore a large framed pair of glasses to cover dark circles, dressed in a loose T-shirt and ripped jeans, remarkably different from the fairy-like appearance she had yesterday.
Actually, today’s somewhat disheveled look was her favorite state.
After a night’s struggle, she had so much to say to Ethan Sterling but didn’t know where to start. Promised to go their separate ways; should she now really initiate the change of mind?
Meanwhile, Ethan Sterling fell into a dilemma, too, overly curious about her happiness. He called Alex, who spoke candidly.
Even though T and Ruby Sullivan only mentioned being friends, what man would go such lengths for ordinary friends? The concessions he gave Ruby Sullivan were repaid multifold by T.
Alex, as a kind friend, reminded Ethan Sterling of this.
T was definitely a more formidable opponent than L; since they were divorced, he should learn to let go.
Ethan Sterling’s self-esteem suffered a second blow, thinking about his earlier ’Admit defeat to ensure peace’ remark. It felt like a slap in the face, directly gloomy.
Not long after, Kris drove over to pick up passengers, Ethan Sterling naturally sat in the front seat; otherwise, it would seem like treating his friend like a driver, so he didn’t find anything odd in his zero communication with Ruby Sullivan, until it was just the two of them left when Ruby noticed Ethan Sterling’s extraordinary silence.
Even when she initiated conversation, he was half-heartedly responsive. Finding it pointless, Ruby didn’t force conversation, waiting while holding his hand through the dark period of takeoff before putting on an eye mask to nap.
She had no idea Ethan Sterling watched her the whole time, with a face looking solemn as if The Sterling Group was about to collapse.
Meanwhile, L was awakened by a servant in Caelus with someone having delivered braised pork to him through express delivery.
He stared at the familiar hue of meat in the lunchbox, his face darkened. He opened the letter, immediately crumbled it, and disdainfully tossed it onto the ground.
The servant was startled by his expression, cautiously asked, "Sir, how should we handle this?"
"Throw it in the trash!" L’s voice was low, clearly gritting with some teeth.
As the servant turned, L couldn’t help but say, "Wait!" Letting out a long breath, still furrowing his handsome brows in anger, "Put it in the kitchen; someone will fetch it later."
He subsequently called T, "Wenny sent you braised pork; have someone come retrieve it."
"Alright."
"Conditions."
"... The Cézanne painting you’ve always wanted."
"You can ’get’ it from Petrovia?" L raised a brow, though knowing T had a firm promise nature, he still doubted.
"It’s in my hand."
"It was still exhibited in the museum two days ago."
"Agree or disagree?"
L was silenced, "Send someone to fetch it."
Ruby Sullivan got up early to rent the hotel kitchen to cook braised pork for T. She actually considered many dishes, but braised pork was the safest choice, knowing L doesn’t eat such greasy food.
She hoped to have the chance to cook a full homemade Chinese meal for T again, as he provided her not just an excellent contract, but abundant courage and warmth.
The plane landed, and this time, Ruby Sullivan sat by the window. When trying to keep up with Ethan Sterling’s pace, she was bumped by passengers from behind, causing their separation once again.
She kept staring at his back, but he never turned around until disappearing from her sight.
