CHAPTER 11: CHAPTER 11: WHY SHOULD HE REJECT US?

"Impossible!"

Every demand Anna Thornton made hit a nerve with Conrad Sterling.

And she still dared to make such demands?

Did this woman really think she could hold him hostage just because of a child?

"President Sterling, you don’t have to answer me so quickly. I can give you a few days to think it over."

After all, it’s hard for anyone to immediately accept a wife and child popping up from nowhere.

"No need to consider, I won’t agree to a single one of your conditions!" Conrad Sterling directly refused, leaving no room for compromise.

Having been in the business world for many years, what he hated most was people not knowing their limits.

Anna Thornton didn’t seem too surprised by his answer.

She only showed a slight disappointment on her face: "Alright then, since we can’t reach a private agreement, I’ll have to see if I can get what I want by other means."

"Don’t go messing around in front of Marilyn!" Conrad Sterling warned her.

"What are you worried about? I’m just a small-time actress, neither rich nor powerful. I can’t force you to marry me. But Miss Ford isn’t officially your girlfriend yet. I suppose... she has the right to know the truth and learn about your past, doesn’t she?"

Hiss—

As Anna finished speaking, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist.

The red wine glass half-filled with liquid slipped from her fingers, spinning twice in the air before being caught just before it shattered on the floor.

The crimson wine spilled everywhere, as Conrad Sterling placed the glass steadily back on the coffee table, then let go of Anna’s hand.

"I can give you a sum of money, but that’s it!"

"Don’t take my warning lightly!"

Those were the last two sentences the man left before departing.

After Conrad Sterling left, Anna Thornton picked up another glass of red wine from the table, feeling that its red color was blinding, reminiscent of the pool of blood during her labor in the mental hospital...

"Conrad Sterling, do you think money can repay what you owe us?"

...

"Anna, this is bad! The media that took pictures of you holding Pop yesterday, I couldn’t negotiate a good price with them. Now they’re asking for fifty million for the photos, or they’ll release the news. Where are we going to get that kind of money?"

Early in the morning, Anna Thornton was woken up by Mary’s frantic phone call.

She sat up in bed, watching the little one next to her rub his eyes, yawn, and roll over to continue sleeping.

Anna gently patted the child, then got up, put on a coat, and went to the balcony: "Okay, hold a press conference for me right away."

"What are you going to do at a press conference?"

"Expose my own gossip about having an illegitimate child! Once all the other reporters are almost there, tell the media that took the photos yesterday—give me fifty million as hush money, or I’ll make sure their news becomes worthless."

Mary: "... You must be joking, right? Do you really have to go that far?"

Though thinking about it, it does seem quite thrilling.

Mary was also angry at the other party for taking advantage and making such outrageous demands, but at this moment, one can’t just think about vindication; the most important thing is the future!

"Maybe we should think this over more carefully?" Mary advised her, "You’ve only just returned to the country, with no social network here and no reliable PR agencies to cooperate with. If the news gets out, how will you control it?"

"Don’t worry, someone will handle the PR for me. Moreover, when that person steps in, they’ll definitely hire the best PR agency in the country."

Hearing Anna’s confidence, Mary became even more curious.

"... Anna, be honest with me, have you found a sugar daddy?" Mary asked her.

In this industry, it’s not uncommon for actresses to find sugar daddies; it’s not just one or two cases.

Unless you’re fortunate like Marilyn Ford, born into wealth with countless resources coming her way without effort, it’s tough for others to rise to the top.

Especially for those overly beautiful yet without family background, even if you do nothing, there are always those with ulterior motives trying to lure you.

If you refuse, you offend people. Having someone above pressuring you makes it even harder to succeed.

That’s why Anna Thornton, despite working hard for many years, still remained unnoticed and lukewarm at best.

While abroad, she had refused countless unfair propositions, which displeased many moguls, forcing her to be cautious.

But after returning home for just a couple of days, her tone had changed dramatically, so it wasn’t surprising Mary suspected something.

"Just assume so. Do as I say and don’t worry about the consequences," Anna answered.

"Then tell me, who exactly is that man?"

Mary held her phone with one hand and clutched her chest with the other, showing a pained expression of ’who has taken my precious cabbage.’

"Conrad Sterling!"

"The Conrad Sterling from the Sterling Group? Anna, you really are something; did you really manage to woo the head of Dynasty Entertainment at last night’s banquet? With such a strong backing, won’t we dominate the entertainment circle from now on?"

Not just the entertainment circle! That’s the entire Sterling Group!

With its business empire centered on Aethelgard and sprawling across Asia, where couldn’t he dominate?

Listening to Mary’s tone, Anna could guess the smile on her face turning from gloomy to sunny on the other end of the phone, possibly even a shameful smirk. She didn’t feel distressed about her precious cabbage anymore.

"But Anna, if President Sterling finds out you have a child, would he... would he... look down on you?"

"Why should he look down on us?"

Hearing these words irritated Anna immediately!

If it wasn’t for him, would she have had to give birth to Pop alone?

Back then, he walked away heartlessly, and now he wants to brush them off with money.

Conrad Sterling, you don’t want us to disturb your peaceful life, but I intend to turn everything upside down!

Mary couldn’t discern Anna’s true emotions over the phone and naively agreed.

That makes sense!

President Sterling is merely a benefactor; he doesn’t need to care whether Anna has ever had a child.

After all, it’s not like he would marry her.

Mary had heard a bit about Conrad Sterling. Apparently, he already has someone he cherishes by his side.