CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 93: TRAP

Ethan Sterling’s smile remained unchanged, but his eyebrows raised noticeably. Hearing her words, he couldn’t help but feel underestimated.

With a flicker in his eyes, he took a sip of tea with a slight smile and glanced at the time, "Is there more?"

Ruby Sullivan frowned, not understanding his words.

Ethan Sterling put down his teacup and asked leisurely with a smile, "Giving it to you isn’t right, doing it for my daughter isn’t right either. Besides worrying that I’ll become bankrupt, is there anything else?"

Ruby Sullivan met his gaze, but something in his eyes felt off. How could a man who was impulsive for women and children lead The Sterling Group to its current glory? She frowned, growing more puzzled.

What on earth was Ethan Sterling up to?

Before she could figure it out, Howard’s voice came from outside, indicating that Miles Mona had arrived. Not wanting to say more, she quickly stepped to Ethan Sterling’s side, assuming the role of an assistant.

Miles Mona entered, and Ethan Sterling quickly greeted him, "Elder Mona."

Miles Mona nodded slightly, following him to the table to sit down. Though his smile was very harmonious, he spoke without wasting a moment, "And where’s Ruby?"

Ruby Sullivan, standing aside, was taken aback, her heart began to pound.

Ethan Sterling turned his head to look at her, very gentlemanly pulling out a chair for her, "Ruby, at this point, you should not hide your identity any longer."

As soon as he finished, Ruby Sullivan couldn’t help but look surprised, while Miles Mona frowned, starting to scrutinize the woman’s face.

He hadn’t seen Ruby Sullivan for a long time, only remembering her as a chubby girl. After Brandon Sullivan’s incident, Rhonda Sullivan said she left because of a fight with her husband and went missing. Five years passed without a trace, and no one believed she was still alive.

Ethan Sterling smiled at Ruby Sullivan, nudging his lips, gesturing for her to sit.

Ruby Sullivan knew she was in a difficult predicament now.

This man was indeed plotting against her. From the first time he took her to meet Miles Mona, he had planned today’s situation, hadn’t he? She was foolish to be moved by his words!

If she denied her identity in front of Miles Mona, it would mean that in future situations where she needed his help, she would be especially passive, and reclaiming The Sullivan Group couldn’t be done without Miles Mona’s assistance. Additionally, if her denial reached Rhonda Sullivan’s ears, who knows what facts it would be twisted into. If Miles Mona then took offense, any action he took would be disastrous for her.

She couldn’t calmly say she was just a friend of Ruby Sullivan at this moment.

Admitting she was Ruby Sullivan, convincing Miles Mona to stand with Ethan Sterling, kicking Rhonda Sullivan out of The Sullivan Group, not only avenged herself but also punished Rhonda Sullivan and allowed Honey to continue living a normal life.

It all seemed good.

Except, that she was being used by Ethan Sterling, becoming a pawn for him to take over The Sullivan Group, and taking it back after it was in Ethan Sterling’s hands would be even more difficult...

She exhaled deeply, gathering her spirits to face Miles Mona, "Uncle Mona, long time no see."

Miles Mona looked at her in confusion, unable to believe Ethan Sterling’s words, "How can you prove you are Ruby Sullivan?"

"The year mom passed, you attended her funeral and gave me a peace pendant, saying you hoped I would wear it and always be safe. Though I no longer wear it, I have kept it well."

Ruby Sullivan wasn’t sure if Miles Mona remembered such an old event, but she knew that if she didn’t, only Brandon Sullivan would know.

Miles Mona’s frowning expression gradually smoothed out, but he still didn’t fully believe, "Why did you disappear back then?"

Ruby Sullivan instinctively glanced at Ethan Sterling before saying, "At the time, Rhonda Sullivan was secretly sabotaging my relationship with Ethan. After finding out I was pregnant, she plotted behind Ethan’s back to force an abortion on me. I was saved by a friend overnight, and by the time I woke up, everything at home had gone wrong."

Ethan Sterling took the opportunity to chime in, "Ruby thought I had conspired with Rhonda to harm her, so she left to protect the child and didn’t dare to return. Later, she changed her name and identity; it’s only recently that I found out her whereabouts and explained the truth to her."

Miles Mona had also heard about The Sterling Group spending heavily to hire a young perfumer from abroad. Opinions outside varied on this move; some thought the young president of The Sterling Group had taken a risky step, but if it was a cover to bring his wife back, it almost made sense.

Miles Mona pondered for a long time before asking, "So why reveal your identity now?"

Ethan Sterling chuckled, "To be honest, Elder Mona, my father-in-law’s sudden illness back then was extremely abrupt. Rhonda Sullivan not only took full control of The Sullivan Group but also rightfully inherited all the shares, which with my understanding of my father-in-law, is impossible. Later, you backed Rhonda Sullivan, helping her secure her footing in The Sullivan Group. Before I could ascertain your relationship with Rhonda Sullivan, I dared not have Ruby reveal her identity."

Miles Mona took a sip of tea, replaying past events in his mind.

After Brandon Sullivan’s incident, Rhonda Sullivan was the first to come to him, stating that it was her sister’s elopement that gave their father a stroke. Due to previous arguments about this matter, Ruby Sullivan reportedly signed a declaration giving up her shares.

Compared to Ruby Sullivan, whom he hadn’t seen in years, he was more familiar with Rhonda Sullivan, who began interning at the company before college graduation. Despite knowing she wasn’t Brandon Sullivan’s biological daughter, he was aware his brother had always been attentive in grooming her. Therefore, he had no suspicions at the time.

It wasn’t until Ethan Sterling started contacting him this year, revealing bits of relevant information now and then, that he started having doubts. But these doubts weren’t enough for him to support Ethan Sterling wholeheartedly.

"Alright, I can sell the stocks at market price, but all under Ruby Sullivan’s name." This meant that to complete the procedures normally, all of Ruby Sullivan’s identity proofs had to be presented. If this woman was an imposter, Ruby Sullivan wouldn’t incur losses when she returns, and if she was dead, her stocks would revert directly to Brandon Sullivan.

Ruby Sullivan hadn’t expected such a windfall to fall from the sky.

She tilted her head to watch Ethan Sterling, curious to know how shocked and annoyed he really was under that smiling mask.

If he agreed, he would genuinely be giving The Sullivan Group back to her, but if he didn’t agree...

Ruby Sullivan pondered for a long while, thinking he might very well not agree.

Buying The Sullivan Group was never an urgent matter for Ethan Sterling. He created a sense of urgency just to trap her, didn’t he?

Though her mind wasn’t working well today, Ruby Sullivan wasn’t quite happy after understanding these stakes.

She withdrew her gaze, somewhat dazedly staring at her entwined fingers, not wanting to hear Ethan Sterling’s answer.