CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: THE ELDER MRS. STERLING’S RESOLVE

Ruby glanced at Ethan’s car and grudgingly walked toward her own, only to see Howard already waiting there.

"Mr. Wallace, I’ll take your car to your house, rest assured." Howard smiled politely, reaching out for the car keys. Seeing her intent to bypass him, he stepped in front of her, clearly not accepting rejection.

Howard’s smile widened, "Mr. Wallace, the car keys."

Ruby had no choice but to hand him the keys, then headed back to Ethan’s car.

"Mr. Sterling, what breeze blew you here today to grace us with your presence?" Ruby asked with a cold smile.

Ethan ignored her sarcasm and directly hit the gas pedal, "Have you bought your dress for tomorrow’s banquet?"

"What banquet tomorrow?" she retorted, then suddenly recalled the banquet indeed scheduled for tomorrow—it was a birthday party for Rhonda, organized by the elder Mrs. Sterling. Levi gave her the invitation on Tuesday, which she angrily tore up and tossed in the trash.

Ruby’s face fell as she looked ahead, mocking, "Does Mr. Sterling want me to wish Miss Sullivan a happy birthday, or does he want me to send her a wreath?" Honey almost lost her life because of this woman, yet he still dared to send her an invitation.

"A wreath?" Ethan laughed, "That’s quite the creative birthday gift."

Ruby tilted her head, glaring at him, "Don’t think I won’t do it. I haven’t settled accounts with her over what happened to Honey!"

Ethan’s face also hardened, "You’re going tomorrow anyway. If you don’t, I’ll propose to Rhonda."

WTF? Ruby was taken aback, unsure, "Mr. Sterling, are you threatening me?"

"Of course." Ethan glanced at her with a huge Cheshire cat smile.

Ruby stared at him for a full three minutes, realizing he wasn’t joking. She calmed down and returned the Cheshire cat smile, "Alright, I’ll be there tomorrow."

"Great." Ethan concluded, clearly pleased.

Ruby watched his smug profile and rolled her eyes dramatically.

Ethan originally planned to take her shopping for clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry, but Ruby flatly refused. She wanted to go home and have dinner with her daughter; nothing was more important than that.

Hearing her reason, Ethan happily joined the Sullivan family for dinner, a delightful gathering that had been a rarity.

Mama Bennett watched from the side, always smiling, thinking, no matter what those two said, they were essentially one big happy family when seated together!

In the evening, Ethan took his son home. Rhonda was chatting with the elder Mrs. Sterling as the father and son returned, their singing abruptly silencing.

"Great-grandma, Aunt Sullivan." Seth respectfully greeted them, then headed upstairs without a second glance.

The elder Mrs. Sterling sighed, complaining to Rhonda, "This child is so spoiled, he’s becoming impolite."

Rhonda reassured her with a charming smile, holding the elder’s hand, "I read in parenting books that children at four or five are going through a rebellious phase. The more you scold them, the more they push back. It’s all about communication and understanding their thoughts, with a bit of patience."

The elder Mrs. Sterling was pleased with her response, "You’ve always been such a gentle and understanding child. I’m at ease leaving Seth in your care."

Ethan walked over and stood by, "Grandma, it’s late; you should sleep."

"Humph, do you even know what time it is?" In the Sterling household, the elder Mrs. Sterling was practically the matriarch; how could she not know where Seth had been lately? But she wasn’t bothered about trivial matters now. As long as Ethan’s marriage to Rhonda was settled, everything else would naturally resolve.

She patted Rhonda’s hand, "Child, go get some rest. I need to have a word with him."

"Alright." Rhonda stood up with a smile, "Ethan, I’ll head upstairs now."

Ethan frowned, "Why are you going upstairs?"

The elder Mrs. Sterling slapped his leg hard, "You brat!"

"Grandma!" Rhonda felt guilty, "Since Ethan doesn’t like it, maybe I should go home." She grabbed her bag, ready to leave.

"Stay put, go upstairs. If this brat makes me angry, I’ll be mad at you too." The elder Mrs. Sterling pretended to be angry, winking frantically at her.

Ruby looked at Edwin, hesitated for a long moment, and then reluctantly went upstairs.

Ethan slumped onto the sofa, arms crossed, legs propped up, his face as sour as a stock market crash for The Sterling Group.

"Look at you." The elder Mrs. Sterling scolded, poking his head, "Don’t forget, your grandmother here is the largest shareholder of The Sterling Group. If you marry Rhonda obediently, I’ll immediately transfer my shares to Seth, and until he’s eighteen, you’ll be his legal guardian. After that, I won’t meddle in your affairs."

"Grandma, I’ve heard this eight years ago."

The elder Mrs. Sterling huffed, "Back then, I said as long as Ruby added to the family, I’d transfer the shares. But you lost your wife and still have the nerve to bring this up."

"What if I say Ruby is still alive? Still want me to marry Rhonda?"

These days, her grandson had repeated this line numerous times, so much that her curiosity had waned, "If she’s alive, bring her to me. If you can’t find her, propose to Rhonda obediently. I’m halfway through my life and don’t want to leave with regrets."

She grasped her grandson’s hand, thinking of her regrets, her eyes suddenly misting, "I wronged your grandfather. Your mother resents me, took Ming and Cindy to Gallia, and never returned. I can’t watch you mess around lonely like this. With a good woman to care for you, I’ll be at peace. Otherwise, how would I face your grandfather in the afterlife?"

As she spoke, her eyes moistened, quickly stopping herself from crying.

She sighed, "Grandma knows you don’t like Ruby and also knows you’ve been separate for three years. But Rhonda is different; she’s beautiful and capable, has been with you for so long, you can’t let her down."

After finishing, she got up and was about to leave.

Ethan felt a storm inside but still stood up immediately to assist the old lady.

The old lady waved her hand, passing her arm to the accompanying maid, "It’s late, hurry up and get some sleep."

The elder’s words left Ethan filled with emotions. After a bath, he habitually drank a glass of decanted red wine by the bay window.

Whether it was exhaustion or frustration today, after half a glass of wine, sleep overtook him, so he downed the rest in one gulp and went to bed.

Meanwhile, Ruby was already lying in bed, on the phone with Sasha.

Sasha, hearing she wanted to send Rhonda a wreath, burst into laughter, "Girl, that’s a great idea! Tomorrow, I’ll find a crew prop and arrange a delivery car for you. We need to come up with a nice elegy plaque to match the grandeur of Rhonda’s style."

Ruby also laughed but retained some rationality, "Forget it, can’t really send that. It’s not that I care if she’s insulted, but if it upsets the elder Mrs. Sterling, it’s not worth it. Besides... my target is the Sullivan Group. These negligible matters should be set aside."

Sasha dismissed it, "The Sullivan Group is one thing; petty revenges are another. Mercy to our enemies is cruelty to ourselves. Save your previous kindness and naivety, think of all your rage."

"Comrade, impulsiveness is the devil. Unable to endure small disturbances will spoil the grand scheme."

Sasha was displeased, "Then... send it in my name. If they dare to come after me, let them. As Ruby’s best friend, sending a wreath to Rhonda is justified!"

Ruby slyly smiled, quite tempted, "Sounds kind of appealing."

"Absolutely."

They both laughed out loud, enjoying their mischief.