CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: PRESIDENT STERLING ENCOUNTERS ETHAN HAWTHORNE

From the filming location to the city center, Conrad Sterling continued driving for an hour. The restaurant was chosen according to Marilyn’s usual preferences; it had a Japanese style.

However, as soon as the two entered the restaurant, they ran into someone they knew.

A handsome man in a white suit noticed Conrad Sterling and Marilyn Ford’s silhouettes, narrowed his long eyes to observe for a moment, and then got up to greet them proactively: "Marilyn! President Sterling!"

Upon hearing this, Marilyn Ford turned her head first: "Ethan, is that you?"

The visitor was indeed Ethan Hawthorne. Due to the marriage relationships among the four big families in Aethelgard, there was some familial connection between them. Marilyn Ford knew Ethan Hawthorne since childhood, though they never became very close.

Ethan nodded and greeted Conrad Sterling once more: "President Sterling, long time no see!"

Only then did Conrad Sterling turn around, glancing at Ethan for a moment, which was his way of responding.

Conrad Sterling had always been like this, but the other party was still a member of the Hawthorne Family after all.

Even though Ethan was not from the main branch of the Hawthorne Family, just relying on his surname ensured he was celebrated wherever he went in Aethelgard, having an incredibly smooth journey in the entertainment industry with fans who always praised him for being handsome and charismatic.

He hadn’t expected that being proactive to greet Conrad Sterling would still result in such a cold reception.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Marilyn Ford quickly eased the tension: "Ethan, did you come alone?"

"I’m here with my girlfriend."

Ethan pointed to the dining table behind him, and a girl in a pink dress happened to turn around and look in their direction, revealing a very pretty face. When her gaze met Conrad Sterling’s, she slightly lowered her head, seemingly a bit embarrassed.

A few days ago, it was heard that a minor celebrity had an abortion for him on set, yet Ethan already had a new girlfriend so quickly.

However, in high society and the glamorous entertainment circle, it was not unusual for relationships to be dramatic and short-lived.

Seeing that Ethan was accompanied, Marilyn Ford didn’t persist in inviting him to join them for dinner.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the waiter had already come to lead Conrad and Marilyn to their reserved table.

"Conrad, if you’re uncomfortable around acquaintances, shall we switch to a private room?" Marilyn asked, knowing Conrad generally didn’t hold Ethan in high regard.

But unexpectedly, they coincidentally met at the same restaurant today, with their reserved spot quite close to Ethan’s, only separated by two diagonally aligned tables.

"No need, staying here is fine."

"Alright then."

Marilyn picked up the menu to order, and after putting it down, she looked over at Conrad, unable to resist asking, "Conrad, why do I feel like your mood is not very high today while having dinner with me?"

"Is that so? Aren’t I always like this?"

"True!"

Marilyn felt she might be overthinking. Conrad naturally didn’t like to smile and wasn’t intentionally keeping a cold demeanor in front of her.

In her memory, Marilyn had almost never seen him smile.

Though Conrad’s icy demeanor was reputed to be attractive enough to make people’s knees weak, if she really agreed to his proposal, Marilyn was a bit worried she would face his emotionless expression for the rest of her life; would life be too depressing?

"Conrad, why don’t you try smiling; I’d like to see you smile."

"..."

Marilyn’s words didn’t get a response, and just then, the dishes she ordered arrived.

The man had a habit: he didn’t talk while eating and didn’t like hearing others talk either, so the topic was temporarily shelved.

They ate quietly, while at Ethan’s table, the two seemed to have a dispute, and during moments of excitement, the girl’s voice sporadically traveled over.

"Young Master Hawthorne, Kiki just lost her baby... Now she’s physically weak and emotionally distraught; I came today hoping you could go with me to persuade her."

It sounded like that girl wasn’t Ethan’s girlfriend but rather a friend of his girlfriend.

However, Ethan responded, "I’m not an obstetrician; what use is there for me to see her?"

"But aren’t you... Kiki’s boyfriend?"

Upon hearing this, Ethan couldn’t help but laugh: "Is that what she told you?"

"Mm, isn’t that the case?"

"Probably not; she and I just had a few flings. One night while at a bar, I ran into her; she voluntarily followed me to the hotel room, saying she hoped to get help for a new drama. After I slept with her, I also gave her the resources she wanted. It’s just a fair trade, not a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, right?"

"Actually, compared to her, I like you more; you have more potential. If we’re talking about a girlfriend, if you two stand together, I’d definitely pursue you."

As he spoke, Ethan’s hand had already touched the leg of the person across the table from him.

The girl’s face immediately turned red, and she picked up her bag, ready to leave.

However, Ethan pressed down on her hand and said, "Don’t rush to leave; I was just joking."

"Is there a joke like this? I don’t find it funny. Young Master Hawthorne, Kiki is still so young, under twenty at that, and she got pregnant and had an abortion for you. We’re not like you, we are just newcomers to the industry, without money or status, and getting into the Imperial Film School was just the beginning of our dream pursuits. But because of this incident... Kiki’s future might be completely ruined."

"Alright, I know what you want to say; sit down first." Ethan suggested, "After we eat, I can consider accompanying you to the hospital."

"Really? Are you willing to visit Kiki at the hospital?"

"Mm, sit down first, then let’s talk. There are acquaintances of mine in the restaurant; let’s not make it look ugly."

Hearing Ethan’s willingness to accompany her to the hospital, the girl then sat back down.

Marilyn regretted not insisting on a private room; she wanted to have a quiet date with Conrad, but ended up overhearing this drama.

However, Conrad didn’t seem affected, not even raising his head.

"Conrad, I’m going to the restroom."

"Mm."

Almost finishing her meal, Marilyn stood up and went to the restroom to touch up her makeup.

When she came out, she happened to brush shoulders with the girl brought by Ethan.

The girl smiled at her with some excitement and approached: "Miss Marilyn, I’ve watched your works many times; could I take a photo with you?"

Marilyn also smiled at her but politely declined: "Sorry, today is a private occasion, inconvenient for photos."

A lot of newcomers in the entertainment industry tried hard to associate with her, and they could easily use a photo to create a spectacle, but Actress Ford naturally had experience in avoiding such troubles.

"Alright."

Seeing her unwillingness, the girl didn’t insist further.

Just as Marilyn returned to the restaurant, passing by Ethan’s table, she caught sight of him secretly putting something into the sake with her peripheral vision.

Marilyn didn’t look for long nor stopped, heading straight back to her seat.

Soon after Marilyn sat down, the girl who went to the restroom also returned, and they could hear their conversation from here.

"Young Master Hawthorne, are you really coming to the hospital with me?" The girl confirmed again.

"Of course." Ethan handed her the cup of sake he had tampered with: "Drink this first."

"I don’t drink!"

"This is sake; the alcohol content is very low; it doesn’t count as drinking."

"..."

"Drink it, after drinking we’ll head to the hospital immediately."

Marilyn didn’t turn back to look but she guessed the girl probably drank it, which made her frown slightly: "Conrad, let’s go for a walk after dinner, shall we?"

Seeing that she didn’t want to stay here any longer, the man nodded, stood up to settle the bill.

Passing Ethan’s table upon standing, Conrad didn’t glance sideways, walking past directly.

Marilyn subsequently got up, intentionally avoiding Ethan and his company, without even saying goodbye.

After settling the bill, Conrad saw Marilyn already waiting at the exit.

"Did you forget anything?" The man asked.

Marilyn hung her bag over her shoulder, seemingly without leaving anything behind.

The reason Conrad asked was that the seat he had been occupying allowed him to witness Ethan’s little actions.

Ethan probably put some sedative or some drug into the drink, with dubious intentions.

The girl had already drunk the sake, if no one reminded her, the outcome could be obviously unfortunate...