CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 473: FACING BRAVELY

Aidan Sinclair looked at Ethan Sterling, who barged into his home, and was momentarily stunned, "Whoa, I heard you’ve stirred up the market over in Bellaza these past couple of weeks. Apart from Nirvana, basically all the major luxury brands there have been affected."

Ethan Sterling, with a dark expression, looked disdainfully at his sweaty upper body, and directly pushed the suitcase in his hand out. Aidan Sinclair let out an "eh" and had to step aside from the doorway.

Ethan Sterling walked in, gave him a sideways glance, "I worked hard to build an empire, all for coming home for peace and quiet with the wife."

"Then why’d you come here?"

"Because your wife is camped out at my wife’s place and won’t leave!" Ethan Sterling’s icy gaze carried shards of ice, seeming to want to stab holes into this flashy guy.

Without being polite, he came in carrying his suitcase and headed straight for the sauna on the second floor. Recently, he was so exhausted that he couldn’t hold his wife to sleep. He could only relieve his fatigue this way.

Aidan Sinclair cheerfully caught up, took his suitcase, "Here, here, big brother will help you carry it." He finished speaking and gave a teasing smile, "You also think of her as a wife?"

Ethan Sterling tilted his head at him, "Be a man and be brave. Fantasizing in your mind is creepy, hurry up and confess, a sixteen-year-old sweet wife, you deserve it."

Aidan Sinclair blinked, "How many advertisers have you seen lately?"

"Quickly have her leave my wife’s place, I’d even be glad if she called me brother-in-law." Ethan Sterling said while going upstairs, unbuttoning his suit and loosening his tie; when he stood at the sauna door, he smiled faintly, "Prepare it for me, I’m gonna do some sweating and take a nap."

Aidan Sinclair had originally been jittery seeing him undress constantly, but upon hearing this, he burst into laughter, "Oh crap, haven’t repaired it yet." Seeing Ethan Sterling’s face darken immediately, he said, "I’ll find someone right away, immediately!" and took out his phone.

His own wife was still at the other’s place freeloading for food, drinks, and stays; he felt guilty.

*

At night, Stella Jennings tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind constantly on Ethan Sterling. Suddenly, she felt like she was a bit of a third wheel.

Tomorrow was Sunday, no need for work. Ruby Sullivan wasn’t in a hurry to sleep either. She turned over to face her, "What’s wrong?" The little girl slept soundly here, every night after getting in bed, her breathing would deepen within five minutes.

Stella Jennings lay on her back, turned her head at the sound, and glancing at her, her fingers interlocked on her chest, rubbing awkwardly, "Am I disturbing your life?"

She was genuinely afraid of being disliked, but having gotten close to Ruby Sullivan, she became a bit proud and forgetful.

Ruby Sullivan raised a hand to smack her on the head.

Stella Jennings rubbed her forehead and laughed foolishly, "Why do you like Ethan Sterling?"

"Ah... when I was little, I thought he was good-looking. Maybe because back then I was too fat, always being despised, so I just wanted to be with someone excellent; it’s that kind of girly mindset, even if I’m not great, standing next to an excellent man gives a shared sense of pride and honor."

Ruby Sullivan finished speaking, chuckling, "It’s pretty silly, but you asked why I like him, and I honestly don’t quite know."

"You don’t know now either?"

"I still don’t know now, but I know living life together with him is very comfortable, not tiring, quite good."

Stella Jennings wanted to ask more, but remembered she just watched Ruby Sullivan’s interview during her talent show selection period, and stopped asking. She knew the feelings between them definitely weren’t as simple as she saw, just like Ruby Sullivan said. After going through some storms, you can find out if the hand you’re holding is tight enough.

"I’ve decided; I’ll leave tomorrow." She laughed, definitely not wanting to be some looming presence.

Ruby Sullivan didn’t know why she suddenly wanted to leave, pursed her lips, and stated frankly, "If you’ve decided, how will you face your family when you go back? I’ll send you home tomorrow. If it’s just because of Ethan Sterling, there’s no need; we’re in a relationship now, even without you, he wouldn’t stay here."

Stella Jennings sighed.

She’s an illegitimate child, to Mrs. Jennings at home, she’s like a thorn in the side, a constant reminder of the green hat above her head, a failed marriage, and the family fortune about to be divided.

But she’s also genuinely not up to par, unable to act as a well-mannered and outstanding young lady. The most promising thing she could think of was debuting as an idol, but that resulted in a flop.

Her dad said if she couldn’t debut, she must listen and go study abroad, she couldn’t even fully recognize ABCD, let alone go abroad to study... She felt dad just wanted an excuse to send her away, to spare themselves the discomfort she brings at home.

She didn’t want to sign with Morningstar either, but realizing signing was due to a personal connection with Mr. Sinclair, she felt not only was she an eyesore at home, she’d also be burdening friends outside, the mental pressure was indeed too great.

"Wenny, do you think I’m useless?"

Ruby Sullivan listened to her disheartened words, really wanting to knock sense into her little head, "Useless? You can make a living just with your looks, I want to be that useless too."

"Sounds like you’re saying you’re ugly." Stella Jennings muttered.

"Not ugly, of course, but back then a layer of lard covered my beauty; even thinking about shedding that lard is terrifying."

After she said this, both girls laughed.

The next day after breakfast, Ruby Sullivan said she’d drive her home; Stella Jennings was sleepy as soon as she got in the car, and when she opened her eyes, she realized she was outside Aidan Sinclair’s house, suddenly looking bewildered.

"Get out of the car." Ruby Sullivan tapped her head, commanding.

Stella Jennings, groggy, got out of the car, "Mr. Sinclair hasn’t woken up yet, right?"

"Recently, he’s been early to bed, early to rise; probably already done a full marathon by now." Ruby Sullivan said as she stepped forward to press the doorbell.

Stella Jennings was a bit surprised, "Is he going to participate in a competition?"

Ruby Sullivan smiled without speaking, thinking he’s doing something much more important than a competition.

Aidan Sinclair opened the door, already in a business attire suit, with a face unfamiliar to both girls, one of professional work mode expression.

Ruby Sullivan was merely a porter today, even if startled by Aidan Sinclair’s outfit, she’s still unruffled.

Stella Jennings was different though; she stood at the porch steps, fixedly gazing up at Aidan Sinclair, "Uh... should I call you uncle, or Mr. Sinclair?"

"Whatever makes you happy." Aidan Sinclair responded calmly, though internally he was overwhelmed; he definitely didn’t want to hear it, his ears were already tired of it, yet unable to adapt to her calling him "uncle."

Stella Jennings blankly thought for another moment, "Then... Mr. Sinclair, hello."

Aidan Sinclair found this term more satisfactory, though it sounded a bit distant, he believed the term proved to himself to be a regular man in her eyes!

Upon entering, Ruby Sullivan first saw the man busy at the cooking counter, wearing a blue and white striped apron.

"OMG, why are you here?"

Ethan Sterling gave a faint smile, calm saying, "She stole my wife, so I’m getting back at her husband, fair."

Afraid Stella Jennings would know, Ruby Sullivan quickly went over to cover Ethan Sterling’s mouth, glared warningly, "No talking nonsense." Girls mostly don’t want to hear about being liked from others’ mouths, she was also nervous to protect her friend.