CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 178: AFTER 25, YOU’RE ESSENTIALLY 65

Simon Sterling drove back to his parents’ house.

He usually lived in an apartment near the hospital and only occasionally returned to pick up some things.

As he pushed open the door, the sound of laughter and conversation from the living room reached his ears.

He looked up and saw, in addition to his parents on the sofa, two guests.

Dean Ford, and beside him was the girl in the pale mauve dress, who seemed somewhat stiff in her posture, Rhiannon Ford.

Simon Sterling’s mother was the first to notice him, and her face immediately lit up with a warm smile.

"Simon is back, come over quickly, Dean Ford and Rhiannon are just here for a visit."

Rhiannon Ford turned her head instinctively toward the door upon hearing the voice.

When she saw clearly that the person walking in was Simon Sterling, her big eyes instantly widened.

The obedient expression she deliberately maintained collapsed instantly, and she stood up from the sofa almost by reflex, her slender fingers pointing directly at Simon Sterling.

"Why is it you?"

Simon Sterling’s parents frowned slightly, and Dean Ford’s expression was also somewhat awkward.

But Simon Sterling didn’t furrow his brow in the slightest, as if he didn’t notice Rhiannon Ford’s outburst.

His gaze passed over her and looked directly at his mother, his tone calm and indifferent.

"I’m back to get a few changes of clothes. The patients’ conditions at the hospital have been unstable recently, so I’ve been staying there."

Mrs. Sterling quickly smoothed things over, smiling as she pulled Simon Sterling’s arm, facing the Ford father and daughter.

"Simon, I haven’t had the chance to formally introduce you. This is Dean Ford’s daughter, Rhiannon Ford, Miss Ford."

She then smiled at Rhiannon Ford and said, "Rhiannon, this is my son, Simon Sterling."

Simon Sterling’s gaze finally fell on Rhiannon Ford, giving a slight nod as a greeting, without any extra expression.

Rhiannon Ford looked at his indifferent and aloof demeanor, as if he didn’t recognize her at all, and a nameless anger flared up.

She hated being looked down upon, especially by self-righteous old men like him.

"Doctor Sterling, is it?"

Rhiannon Ford raised her chin, tone provocative.

"Do you think my going to the hospital tomorrow as an intern nurse is just because of my dad? Do you think I can’t possibly be a good nurse?"

Her words were abrupt, carrying a sense of urgency and defiance wanting to prove something.

Everyone thought she was a spoiled, sheltered rich girl, but only she knew how many nights she stayed up, how much hair she lost to secure the intern nurse spot, competing against thousands with the highest scores in written and interview tests.

She always strove to be the best, never expecting fate to mess with her, forcing her to marry an old man, who in reality was this cold-faced doctor she had a horrible first impression of.

Simon Sterling looked at her slightly flushed cheeks, his voice remained flat.

"I’ve never judged your ability. That’s the decision of the hospital’s HR department."

He paused, turned his gaze to his parents, his voice steady.

"Dad, Mom, I made it clear over the phone before, I’m not going to marry Miss Ford. It’s obvious she’s too young; we don’t suit each other, whether in age, experience, or personality."

"You!"

Rhiannon Ford’s chest heaved with anger, his words were practically blatant disdain.

She immediately retorted, her voice crisp.

"You think I’m young, but I think you’re old. A man is sixty-five once he’s over twenty-five. You’re already twenty-seven, and yet you have the nerve to call me young?"

"Rhiannon, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Dean Ford immediately reprimanded, his expression serious, cutting off his daughter’s unrestrained words.

He turned to Simon Sterling, his tone apologetic.

"Doctor Sterling, please don’t mind her. This child has been spoiled by me."

"You’re our hospital’s most promising young attending physician. Everyone knows you did a combined bachelor’s and Ph.D. program, studied overseas, and earned your doctoral degree at twenty-five. You’re a genuine young talent."

"Rhiannon is still young and immature, speaking carelessly."

Rhiannon Ford, reprimanded by her father in front of others, bit her lip. Though her face still held defiance, she surprisingly refrained from talking back.

She lowered her head, her long, thick lashes obscuring the emotions in her big eyes, her fingers twisting together, the previously flamboyant and domineering fire subsided considerably, leaving her looking somewhat obedient and aggrieved.

Simon Sterling’s gaze lingered on her bowed head for half a second.

Watching her transform from a clawing wild kitten into a scolded, drooping-eared rabbit in an instant, the contrast was startling...

His lips briefly curled upward, forming a tiny arch, a fleeting smile that even he might not have realized.

He said nothing further, nor did he acknowledge the slightly awkward atmosphere in the living room, and he turned straight away, stepping up the stairs to the second floor to fetch his change of clothes.

Simon Sterling came down from upstairs, carrying a simple bag in his hand.

In the dining room, dinner was already prepared, and everyone was seated.

At the rectangular table, Mr. Sterling sat at the head, with Mrs. Sterling beside him.

Across from them was Dean Ford, and beside Dean Ford was an empty seat, next to which sat Rhiannon Ford, puffing her cheeks in reluctance.

Clearly, that empty seat was meant for him.

Expressionless, Simon Sterling walked over and sat down in the empty chair next to Rhiannon Ford.

As soon as he sat down, Rhiannon Ford immediately grabbed the edge of her chair, purposefully making a shrill scraping sound as she scooted away, creating a larger distance between them.

She then lifted her chin, shooting him an obvious glare.

Simon Sterling appeared as if he hadn’t noticed, calmly setting his napkin in place.

Dinner began.

Rhiannon Ford immediately started her performance.

She vigorously twirled spaghetti with her fork and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing loudly and unabashedly.

She then used her knife to cut the steak, the metal scraping against the porcelain plate, making an ear-piercing screech that made one’s scalp tingle.

Even more outrageous, there was a tray of roasted shrimp on the table, and she directly picked one up with her hands, peeling off the shell and making her hands greasy.

Not even glancing, she casually wiped her greasy fingers on the side of her expensive pale mauve dress, leaving visible stains.

Mr. and Mrs. Sterling exchanged a surprised look at this scene.

Mrs. Sterling’s smile became slightly stiff, while Mr. Sterling’s eyebrows knitted slightly.

This Miss Ford’s table manners were remarkably unsophisticated.

Dean Ford’s face turned crimson, and he coughed heavily twice, giving his daughter a stern glare.

At home, his daughter might be lively, but she was never this rude.

This girl was doing it on purpose, clearly to make the Sterling family dislike her.

"Rhiannon!"

Dean Ford softly admonished, with a hint of warning.

Mrs. Sterling quickly intervened, forcing a tolerant smile on her face.

"It’s alright, it’s alright, Rhiannon is just being genuine and straightforward. It’s actually quite nice, I like lively and unpretentious girls like her."

Meanwhile, Simon Sterling quietly continued with his meal.

His posture was upright, with a straight back.

The way he used his knife and fork was smooth and precise, cutting the food with hardly any sound.

He brought the food to his mouth, chewing slowly and carefully, the entire process quiet and graceful, exuding a natural gentlemanly demeanor, forming a stark contrast with the unrefined Rhiannon beside him.

Hearing his mother’s clearly perfunctory words to smooth things over, Simon Sterling lowered his head, the corners of his mouth curving into a faint smile.

There seemed to be a hint of amused understanding in his smile.

Rhiannon Ford happened to catch this fleeting smile and immediately harbored a silent curse in her heart.

Hypocritical, pretentious, sanctimonious old man.

She puffed up angrily, stabbing a piece of broccoli with her fork and shoving it into her mouth, chewing it vigorously with exaggerated noise.