CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 114: GIVE HIM SOME TIME

Ruby Sullivan tightly closed her eyes pretending she couldn’t understand, but little did she know, she was so flustered she didn’t dare to move, and the arm pressed against Ethan Sterling’s felt like it was in a cast, all her little thoughts were thoroughly guessed by him.

Ethan Sterling tilted his head to look at her and couldn’t help but laugh, "Good night."

Ruby Sullivan’s body tensed up, hesitating whether to reply or not, thinking over and over, she decided to pretend to sleep to the end.

Perhaps it was the alcohol’s effect, the usually punctual Ruby Sullivan woke up the next day to find Ethan Sterling’s figure already gone.

She tilted her head to look at the empty pillow next to her, feeling somewhat unaccustomed for a moment. She shook her head clear, gently sat up, only to find it was already past eleven o’clock. If she slept a bit longer, she could have just had lunch before heading to work.

She couldn’t believe it, even if her biological clock failed her, the alarm at eight-thirty would wake her up, how come she didn’t hear anything today? She sighed, truly feeling that drinking leads to trouble, and decided that going forward, she’d resist any impulses and not lose control.

Since it was already this time, she wasn’t in a hurry.

After Levi Joyce left, she no longer planned to hire an assistant, and Ethan Sterling had long instructed that any personal matters needing an assistant could be entrusted to Howard. Although Howard, under Ethan Sterling’s orders, acted and deceived her, his professional capabilities were impeccable, and Ruby Sullivan had no objections.

She checked, and not only hadn’t Howard called her, but he hadn’t sent any messages, meaning there was nothing happening at the company.

Not sure if those few girls played too wildly yesterday—if there was a collective tardiness today, well...let them be late.

Ruby Sullivan pondered, lightly pursing her lip, feeling amused in her heart, thinking this was exactly what young people should be like.

Living in the mundane world, who wouldn’t want to disentangle occasionally? Even minor things like being late can bring great joy, right?

She finished freshening up, got dressed, and went downstairs, where Mama Bennett immediately greeted her, "Honey and Seth are with madam in the garden painting."

"Got it, when is lunch ready?" If it was going to be a long wait, she’d plan to head to the company first.

"It’s usually around twelve, if you’re in a rush, I can start preparing immediately."

Ruby Sullivan hesitated for a moment, remembering Rachel Lawson, and since there was nothing urgent at the company, she didn’t ask Mama Bennett to prepare earlier; it was a good time to check on Honey and Seth in the garden.

Honey saw her mom and immediately threw herself into her arms, "Mom, are you awake? Dad said you were tired yesterday and should sleep in today, instructing me not to disturb you. We didn’t dare call you for breakfast."

Ruby Sullivan felt briefly guilty, cheerfully skipping over the parts she didn’t want to hear, "Mom’s awake now, I’ll have lunch with you all later."

She got up, greeted Rachel Lawson and Seth, and walked over to check on their paintings.

Although the sun was somewhat harsh at this time of year, their easels were in the shade, making it quite cool.

Seth lately didn’t seem as awkward calling her mom as before, though she heard that he used to enroll in numerous interest classes every summer, this year he canceled them all for Honey. While saying reading was the same for him, Ruby Sullivan kept this older brother’s sacrifice in mind.

Thankfully, Rachel Lawson not only taught them painting but also French and English, and both kids were eagerly learning.

Ruby Sullivan chatted with the two children for a while before sitting with Rachel Lawson.

Rachel Lawson wore a brightly colored dress, sunglasses, sitting in a lounge chair sipping juice, looking leisurely as if vacationing in her garden. Seeing her daughter-in-law sit, she removed her sunglasses, smiling, "Seems like you and Ethan are getting along well lately."

Are all mothers-in-law this nosy? Ruby Sullivan felt a bit shy under her gaze, smiling quietly without speaking.

Rachel Lawson pursed her lips, speaking to herself: "Initially, hearing about your marriage worried me a bit, I’d heard some about his acquisition of The Sullivan Group. But seeing Ethan say not to disturb your sleep this morning eased my mind."

Ruby Sullivan was indifferent, not understanding how such matters could reveal anything, even if Ethan Sterling had some thoughtfulness, what did it matter?

Rachel Lawson, noticing her silence, squinted at the two children in the distance and softly laughed: "Ethan never lived in a normal family environment. Later, the passing of his father and my departure greatly impacted him. That child, having never received love, has to learn bit by bit how to love others."

Every mother sees her son through rose-colored glasses; Ruby Sullivan didn’t want to argue about such matters with her, yet inside, she felt defiant. Back when she married him, she brought her full heart to love him; but what did she receive?

Moreover, even if the elder Mrs. Sterling groomed him as a successor, wasn’t that also a form of love? She truly disagreed with Rachel Lawson’s views.

Ethan Sterling was never incapable of love; he simply didn’t love her.

Rachel Lawson saw her silence, her gaze seemed distant as if absorbed in thought, thus raised her voice slightly, "Please, give him more time, alright?"

Ruby Sullivan looked at her with sincerity, feeling momentarily at a loss, then turned her gaze away, showing a slight smile, "When I was little, I had no talent for painting at all. Honey’s temperament and intelligence are quite like mine, a bit silly; hope she hasn’t frustrated you?" From what her daughter told her, it was all interesting things, but she hadn’t really chatted about her daughter with Rachel Lawson.

Rachel Lawson chuckled, covering her mouth, "For intelligence, I’m not sure; but Honey’s skills in painting and languages are strong. Seth isn’t particularly interested in painting; he’s likely just learning it to accompany Honey."

Ruby Sullivan listened to this, looked at Seth, unaware of what Honey whispered, causing him to smile shyly.

Rachel Lawson also followed her gaze, "Mama Bennett mentioned that after meeting Honey, Seth’s smiles increased, and he speaks more than before. The two kids coming together is fate."

Ruby Sullivan nodded, taking it as solace granted by the heavens; thinking of the lost child, she felt somewhat comforted.

After lunch, she coaxed the two kids for a nap, then drove to the company.

Upon entering the laboratory, Young stated Mr. Sterling left word for her to visit the president’s office once she arrived.

Ruby Sullivan never took work lightly, immediately setting her bag down and heading over.

Upon seeing her, Ethan Sterling set aside his work, "Sit." He pointed to the sofa, stepping away from his desk.

Ruby Sullivan, noting his business demeanor, obediently sat on the sofa.

Ethan Sterling indeed maintained a work style, not sitting beside her but on a single armchair, asking very seriously, "Are you busy with work recently? Can you spare a week?"