CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: YOU’VE GAINED WEIGHT

After finishing breakfast and grabbing their lunchboxes, Honey and Seth Sterling followed Mama Bennett out the door hand in hand.

Meanwhile, Ruby Sullivan, with a cold expression, rejected Ethan Sterling’s invitation and got into the car driven by Levi Joyce.

Levi Joyce wore a white T-shirt with light blue ripped jeans today, looking so youthful it was almost glaring, prompting Ethan Sterling to quickly roll up the window, his face turning even darker.

Once the car hit the boulevard, Ethan Sterling, who’d been wearing a murderous expression, suddenly asked Howard, "Am I handsome?"

"Huh?" Howard didn’t react immediately.

"Forget it!" Ethan Sterling interrupted him before he could catch on, "Have Levi Joyce come to my office today, avoid Wenny."

"Okay."

At the company, Levi pushed Ruby Sullivan to her workstation, planning to use the bathroom, but as soon as he stepped out of the lab, Howard, waiting at the corner, pulled him aside.

"Mr. Sterling wants to see you."

Levi’s heart jumped to his throat upon hearing this. Has the president found out he got in through connections?

The president’s office.

Levi doubted his own ears, "A week’s paid leave for me?"

Ethan Sterling raised an eyebrow and glared at him, "I want you to take a week’s sick leave; Howard will arrange the payment separately."

Levi thought for a moment, "Can it be settled today?"

...

Near quitting time, Levi suddenly had an acute stomachache and dashed off clutching his stomach. Ruby Sullivan was considering calling a car to go home and needed Mama Bennett to meet her downstairs, but was led out of the lab by a colleague, with Ethan Sterling and Howard waiting outside.

A few researchers, all in their twenties, stood up straight instinctively at the sight of Ethan Sterling, sneaking several more glances while greeting him.

No matter the expression, their boss’s face is gorgeous from every angle!

Ruby Sullivan, however, looked up at him with disdain, "Mr. Sterling, do you have business at this time?"

"I’m here for some product issues," Ethan Sterling said without changing his expression, then turned to the researchers uncertain whether to leave or stay, "You can call it a day."

Everyone quickly said, "Goodbye, Mr. Sterling," and hurried off, not wanting to be left behind to work overtime.

Ruby Sullivan raised an eyebrow, "What does Mr. Sterling want?"

Ethan Sterling glanced at Howard and turned towards the elevator, "Mama Bennett says she’s cooking pig trotters tonight, I’m a bit hungry."

Ruby Sullivan was puzzled, unable to react before Howard pushed her to Ethan Sterling’s side.

There were hardly any employees on the top floor, so there was no worry about being overheard. Ruby Sullivan went on a rampage, "Mr. Sterling, are you forcing me to go home with you?"

Ethan Sterling tilted his head, looked at her with a forced smile and squinted, "It’s to take you home safely, no need to thank me."

Howard, seeing Ruby Sullivan’s truly sour expression, couldn’t help but chime in, "Wenny, it’s for your safety since you’re less mobile now."

Ruby Sullivan frowned as if she hadn’t heard, feeling somewhat conflicted.

She should be happy with his attention, but thinking of Honey, if she happily accepted Ethan Sterling as a new dad, then what?

Coming to her senses, the trio was already in the underground garage, where Ethan Sterling, with familiar ease, went to carry her, noticing her sour expression.

He frowned, instantly displeased.

For a woman to have Ethan Sterling escort her around the globe could be quite impressive, yet how she didn’t appreciate it?

Ethan Sterling rolled his eyes, lifting her up still.

But this interesting expression was caught by Ruby Sullivan, making her instantly unsatisfied, and fiercely returning the eye-roll.

Howard watching their faces’ vibrant expressions, felt sweat behind his head, grateful he didn’t have to be the driver today.

Along the way, Ruby Sullivan kept her eyes on the road, afraid of confronting him about his eye-roll.

Meanwhile, Ethan Sterling, driving, didn’t look much better, just that he maintained his composure, only asking once the car parked at the complex, "Wenny, do you hate me?"

Ruby Sullivan sneered, "Mr. Sterling, it was you who rolled your eyes when holding me, so how can it be me hating you?"

Ethan Sterling pondered uncertain if he really did roll his eyes, slightly flustered, "That’s because..."

Ruby Sullivan looked at his exasperated face unable to speak, suddenly recalling a teenager.

Always aloof, denying the delicious ribs he secretly enjoyed, his reticent manner as if one more word would cost a pound of flesh, but when stuffed with snacks, his smile made her heart blossom and her whole world bright.

Ruby Sullivan turned away, "Mr. Sterling, aren’t you already hungry?" Cutting him off, fearing he’d notice her flushed cheeks, "I’m hungry too."

Ethan Sterling glared, even more upset, coldly remarking as he carried her out of the car, "I just thought Wenny, you seem to have gained weight."

Ruby Sullivan paused, her face growing hotter, retorting through gritted teeth, "Thanks for noticing."

Ethan Sterling noticed the blush beneath her light makeup, suddenly enlightened, placed her in the wheelchair and began to push, smiling slightly, "Seems Mama Bennett is doing a good job, deserving a bonus."

Ruby Sullivan sat stiffly, feeling rather tumultuous, convinced she was ridiculed; she must’ve been ridiculed!

In the evening, Ruby Sullivan found herself unappetized by the melting pig trotters.

She always worried about gaining weight, knowing the struggle it took to shed the pounds, and wouldn’t let them come back!

Seeing her mother’s troubled look, Honey thought she was upset, and selected a large piece of trotter for her, "Mommy, Mama Bennett’s trotters are extra delicious, have some more."

"I agree," chimed in Ethan Sterling approvingly.

Ruby Sullivan glanced at him, coughing awkwardly, "Mama Bennett, please make dinner lighter, lately I’ve found it hard to exercise."

"Understood, Miss Wallace," Mama Bennett promptly replied.

Ethan Sterling’s mood improved noticeably.

After dinner, Seth played puzzles with Honey in the room, while Ethan and Ruby watched TV in the living room, digesting. Ruby seized his good mood to casually ask, "Mr. Sterling, and Miss Sullivan, how are things?"

Ethan Sterling showed some displeasure, pretending not to hear.

Ruby Sullivan raised an eyebrow, smiling, "I heard Mr. Sterling hasn’t accepted news of his ex-wife’s passing, still searching for her whereabouts, and with Miss Sullivan... I’m curious, who really is Mr. Sterling’s true love?"

Ethan Sterling’s brow twitched, "Miss Wenny left The Lawson Group, even leaving her husband for Celestia, and that Dr. L is really generous."

Dr. L? Ruby Sullivan didn’t quite get his meaning, lightly laughed to cover up her confusion, "Mr. Sterling doesn’t want to discuss, no need to change the subject."

Ethan Sterling locked eyes with her, slowly leaned forward as though scrutinizing her curiosity, smiled faintly, "Alright, I want to ask Miss Wenny, what it means if I love Ruby Sullivan or Rhonda Sullivan?"

Ruby Sullivan met his gaze, her previously calm demeanor gradually tightening, panicking at the closeness which immersed her in his scent.

Like a lone pine on a snowy peak, he had the aura of pride, a commanding presence, and something else, like the sunlight on snow-covered branches.

That warmth was lethal.

Ruby Sullivan quickly popped a cherry into his mouth, withdrawing to the far end of the sofa, smiling, "I detest cheaters, rumor has it in Celestia’s past, such people were drowned in a pig basket."

"Nowadays they aren’t, quite a pity," Ethan Sterling took a glance, spat out the cherry pit, calling out, "Seth, time to head home."