CHAPTER 474: CHAPTER 474: ACCEPTING KINDNESS

Ethan Sterling was amused by Ruby Sullivan’s nervous expression. No matter what kind of new expression his wife showed, it somehow always managed to amuse him.

"Have you had breakfast yet? Want a heart-shaped fried egg?"

Ruby Sullivan’s mouth twitched, "So you showed up at Aidan Sinclair’s house this early just to make him a heartfelt breakfast?"

Ethan Sterling froze, "Have you gone silly hanging out with that little guy?"

"I heard you..." Aidan Sinclair frowned. What’s this heart-shaped fried egg nonsense? Regardless of whether the fried egg was made for him, isn’t that more like a cursed egg?

Stella Jennings wrinkled her brows awkwardly and protested softly, "I heard it too..." What do you mean by going silly hanging out with her? Though she admits she’s a bit silly... self-deprecating is okay, but being mocked by others isn’t!

Ruby Sullivan squinted awkwardly with a smile, while Ethan Sterling looked indifferent. Did he say anything wrong?

Stella Jennings rolled her eyes, deciding not to stoop to his level, considering Ruby Sullivan’s face, and felt less nervous than when she first saw Aidan Sinclair.

"So what’s the reason you asked me here?"

Aidan Sinclair ignored the couple and gestured for her to sit on the single sofa. He pushed the prepared contract on the coffee table towards her, "This is Nirvana’s contract. It’s your last chance."

His expression was serious, without saying any unnecessary words, and left no room for negotiation.

One thing was for sure, even if she didn’t sign it, he couldn’t let her go abroad. Such a naive woman, being in a place he can’t see, how is he supposed to live? Worrying would drive him insane.

Stella Jennings picked up the contract, furrowing her brows and biting her lower lip, unsure of how to respond.

Ruby Sullivan quickly ate Ethan Sterling’s heart-shaped fried egg and hurriedly nudged Ethan’s arm, "Let’s go, take me on a tour of Aidan Sinclair’s mansion."

Ethan Sterling raised an eyebrow slightly, "You don’t want to stay and watch the drama?" He didn’t even lower his voice a bit, acting like he wasn’t afraid they could hear, and immediately received two dagger-like glares from his wife.

He immediately changed his tone, "The sauna room upstairs is really nice, let me show you." With that, he took his wife’s hand and headed upstairs—perfect timing, if Ruby Sullivan liked it, they could start renovations right away.

Aidan Sinclair internally let out a long sigh of relief, thankful these two finally decided to step aside.

Suddenly, Stella Jennings started crying while holding the contract. At the moment the tears fell, even she was startled, "How strange, why am I crying?" She hadn’t put on makeup, so she randomly wiped her tears away, a self-mocking smile on her face.

Aidan Sinclair frowned and handed her the box of tissues.

"Thank you." Stella wiped away the tears, took a deep breath, and said, "Let me ask you again, is this contract signed with my uncle or with Aidan Sinclair, Mr. Sinclair?"

"It’s Aidan Sinclair signing with you." Aidan raised an eyebrow, giving a third answer, "Because you’re someone I like, I want you to be happy, just that."

He said it all in one breath, and his old face was already burning with embarrassment even though he was trying to remain composed.

Stella was momentarily stunned, "Thank you, uncle." She said it with utmost sincerity, showing she didn’t interpret his kind of liking as romantic affection.

Aidan Sinclair’s heart skipped a beat but he didn’t have the courage to correct it, "Alright then, uncle it is."

Stella stood up and gave a respectful ninety-degree bow towards him, "Thank you." After that, she stood up straight, took a deep breath, and decided to voice her concerns.

"Because we’re friends, I don’t want to drag you down, afraid you’ll hate me for affecting you, I’m... very scared of losing friends."

She spilled this out in one breath, nervously staring forward, not daring to make eye contact with him.

She’s accustomed to being disliked. When with her mother, she was considered baggage, and being taken back to her father’s home offered no better. Because of this, she understood the significance of being liked and thus cherished Ruby Sullivan and him greatly.

She knew even if she signed the contract and he lost lots of money or had a tarnished reputation, he wouldn’t care. He’s so capable that a small fry like her couldn’t possibly cause real harm, yet she’s worried that because of such burdens, he might stop liking her.

Aidan Sinclair looked at her stubborn expression, defeated by her unusual thought process. Such a silly girl, he’s only at ease if she’s by his side.

"Friends are meant to burden each other. Ask Ethan Sterling how many messes he’s caused for me to clean up? Has he ever worried about dragging me down?" He rested his hands on the back of the sofa, showing a familiar habit of hers.

Stella took a long breath, "I still like this side of you, like a social uncle." She chuckled after saying it, adding as she noticed Aidan Sinclair’s disheartened expression, "This way I feel like I have someone in society—it feels secure."

Aidan Sinclair laughed too but soon straightened his face, knocking his shoulder with his fist, "Respect."

Stella followed suit with a gesture of respect, "Respect."

Afterwards, she reviewed the contract again and asked, "Can you arrange a place for me to stay?"

"Of course." Aidan Sinclair agreed without hesitation, thinking there’s an empty villa next to his house, ready for her instant move-in anytime.

Ruby Sullivan was very happy for Stella after she signed the contract. Rather than listening to her family’s arrangements to study at some obscure university abroad, she believed Aidan Sinclair would arrange something much better for her.

She recalled Aidan Sinclair’s earlier promise, "Seems like someone mentioned hiring an artist for me at a bargain price as a spokesperson?"

"Hey, taking advantage of Holly too, are you even human?"

Ruby Sullivan retorted rudely, "You shamelessly made that promise yourself, whether you exploit your employees is up to your conscience, it has nothing to do with me."

Stella Jennings hugged Ruby’s arm, "I’ll endorse for Nirvana, I don’t need to be paid!"

"No way, you have to ask him for money, or I’ll lose out." Ruby Sullivan raised an eyebrow, speaking confidently.

Aidan Sinclair frowned, "When did your wife become so inelegant?" Talking about shamelessness and old maid stuff.

"She’s always been this elegant." Ethan Sterling smiled, showing the look of someone who understood better, then took his wife’s shoulders, "Let’s go, time to go home and sleep."

Ruby Sullivan arrived sweaty, "Do you have to be so enlightening in front of the kids?"

"Only those who ponder deeply are kindred spirits." Ethan Sterling tilted his head with a charming smile, captivating everyone.

Ruby Sullivan inwardly admitted defeat, wrapping her arm around his waist, then turned to wave at Stella Jennings, "Your boss will take you back, we’re off."

Just as Stella was anxious to follow them out, Aidan Sinclair stopped her, "You don’t need to be a third wheel. Ethan Sterling has severe insomnia. Without Ruby Sullivan, he’d often spend the whole night spacing out at the window."

Stella Jennings was shocked again, then looked at the two as they went off together, laughing, "Why am I suddenly feeling a bit jealous of them?"

Aidan Sinclair wanted to say ’cherish the people in front of you,’ but held back, for now cherishing is enough for himself. "Let’s go. I’ll take you to Morningstar to finalize the contract." As they got into the car, he also called the driver to come over and send Ethan Sterling’s car back.

Really... always trouble with such minor issues, why isn’t he as aware as Stella Jennings? Living worse off than a young girl.

Aidan Sinclair glanced at Stella Jennings, even not as good as his young girl.