CHAPTER 145: CHAPTER 145: ATTENDING THE BANQUET

She didn’t take a step back.

"Aren’t you afraid this time it’s a trap set by the Sterling Family to catch you and use you against me?"

Ethan Sterling glanced at her, his eyes deep, his voice chilly, "If that’s the case, don’t ask me to save you."

"They won’t."

Seraphina Redgrave was certain the Sterling Family wouldn’t dare. If they had intended such a thing, she could have acted while she was still in school.

The Sterling Family has long been under Ethan’s control; Ryan Sterling and Selena Quinn were mere figureheads.

Surely, they had some lackeys, but none capable of challenging Ethan.

Otherwise, in just this one year, Ryan would have had plenty of chances to rebel against Ethan.

"Seems you’re not entirely foolish," Ethan let out a cold laugh, "Fine, I’ll have Nathan Ayers check the schedule. If I’m busy, you go; if not, you stay home with me."

Having spent enough time with Ethan, she understood that this meant he had already agreed to her request.

Seraphina sat up, leaning closer to Ethan, "You’re not going back to the Sterling family banquet?"

"What? Want me to accompany you?"

Ethan glanced at Seraphina.

"No."

She was merely curious.

"Not going." Ethan’s voice was icy, "Expecting me to attend to bless those two dogs’ wedding? Dream on."

Seraphina received the expected reply and nodded thoughtfully, without intending to lie back down.

After contemplating for a while, she spoke up, "When I go to the Sterling family banquet, I have my own matters to handle. It’s not about cozying up to them, nor about plotting against you."

Don’t overthink it.

Hearing Seraphina’s sincere explanation, Ethan’s lips curled into a mischievous smile as he said amusingly, "Afraid I’ll misunderstand?"

He wouldn’t misunderstand Seraphina, not because she was particularly trustworthy, but because he didn’t care. Even if Seraphina genuinely wanted to kill him, he wouldn’t mind.

What he cared about was whether Seraphina was planning to leave.

"It’s better to clarify."

Right now, Seraphina was focused on paving the way for her future and didn’t want to bicker with Ethan over trivial matters.

Their current state was quite good, and she didn’t want to ruin it.

Hearing this, Ethan smirked. How could there be clear boundaries between a man and a woman? Seraphina was still too naive.

Ethan swept Seraphina into his arms, his amber eyes dark, "Seems you still have the strength to say so much."

He wasn’t concerned about that, and Seraphina needn’t waste her breath.

Having said this, he pinned Seraphina beneath him.

Knowing Ethan’s intent, Seraphina spoke helplessly, "I’m sore all over..."

How could he be so energetic?

"I’ll take good care of you."

Ethan kissed Seraphina’s lips, silencing her unspoken words.

Perv.

Thought he was taking care of her.

Perv!

The next day, feeling as though her waist was nonexistent, Seraphina was nearly furious enough to tear Ethan to pieces. Their situation was far from good!

Ryan and Chloe Quinn’s anniversary was being grandly celebrated at the Sterling Family’s old residence, attracting the cream of society.

Everyone knew Ryan and Ethan didn’t get along, but the extent was unknown.

Ethan had merely forced Ryan out at gunpoint yet spared his life, still allowing Ryan to stay at the Sterling Family’s old mansion.

Moreover, Ethan hadn’t stopped the Sterling Family from hosting the banquet. Many attended to honor Ethan, considering Ryan’s past stature and Ethan’s current status, attending to congratulate Ryan.

The sun set in the west.

As office hours wound down within the Sterling Consortium, those who had finished their work clocked out while the rest stayed behind for overtime.

Nathan Ayers exchanged a few pleasantries outside before stepping into the CEO’s office.

"Knock, knock."

"Come in."

Nathan Ayers pushed the door open, "Young Master Sterling."

Entering, Nathan spotted Ethan reviewing documents in the office, one every half minute, with no apparent issues.

No, there was an issue!

The Young Master hadn’t returned to the Hibiscus Garden but stayed to work overtime!

Nathan’s eyes widened at Ethan incredulously.

Seated at his desk, Ethan didn’t even look up, leading Nathan to steadily curtail his exaggerated expression and say, "Young Master Sterling, are you returning to the Hibiscus Garden tonight?"

"What do you usually do after work?"

Ethan spoke casually, still not looking at Nathan, only focused on the file in his hand.

"What?"

Nathan didn’t understand why the Young Master was suddenly interested in his after-hours life.

Yet he answered honestly, "Sometimes I go out to eat and drink; generally, I stay home to sleep or play games."

Needing to spend extended durations at Ethan’s side, he had little personal time, unsure of what to do post-work.

Listening to him, Ethan set the documents down, his amber gaze meeting Nathan’s, "Alright, then let’s go drinking."

What?

Nathan was stunned, "You’re not returning to the Hibiscus Garden?"

"No, if I go there every day, she’ll soon forget her own name."

Ethan let out a cold laugh, handing the documents to Nathan, himself turning to don his blazer.

"Understood, Young Master."

Nathan took the file, confused.

Wasn’t the one at risk of forgetting their own name Ethan’s doing? Previously, he’d rush to the Hibiscus Garden even if it meant leaving early. So why skip it today?

This was illogical.

Nathan tidied up the file and placed it back on the desk before hearing a text alert from his phone. Checking it, he saw it was from Granny Coleman.

"Granny Coleman: Special Assistant Ayers, Miss won’t be home tonight. I’m all alone here with nothing to do, so I want to take a leave to visit my family."

Now it makes sense.

He promptly understood.

At seven PM, Seraphina Redgrave arrived on the road before the Sterling Family’s old residence, invitation in hand.

Though merely a banquet, the road leading up was lined with police officers and security guards maintaining order.

The trees flanking the road were adorned with expensive-looking decorative lights, their arrangement more artful than everyday orange or colorful varieties, creating a long, illuminated path stretching to the Sterling Family’s gates from afar.

One luxury car after another was gridlocked at the entrance, each a limited edition, exuding a sense of competition over who was wealthier or more powerful.

Seraphina didn’t arrive by car, walking the road toward the Sterling Family’s mansion instead.

"Please show your invitation."

A squad of bodyguards stood guard at the door, checking each guest’s identity one by one.

"We are Selena Quinn’s good friends from university."

A familiar voice.

Seraphina glanced over, seeing Serena Lowell and a group of women at the entrance, each dressed extravagantly, with intricate touches on their gowns that sparkled under the lights, becoming shimmering figures wherever they stood.

Seraphina, unwilling to waste time, straightforwardly handed her invitation to a bodyguard.

"Sylvia Shaw?"

Serena Lowell stood by the entrance, her expression changing as she looked at Sylvia Shaw, "You came too? Selena Quinn is too kind-hearted, isn’t she?"

Seraphina didn’t even glance at Serena, waiting for the bodyguard to finish his inspection.

Serena and the other women couldn’t resist slyly observing Seraphina. Today, she wore a navy long dress with embroidery of stars and moons, its color and style not particularly striking.