Claire never expected Ethan Sterling wouldn’t know about this matter. Initially, when Ruby Sullivan ntioned it, no one considered it a problem.
She glanced around at everyone, smiling a bit stiffly, "Actually, we were just saying it for fun. If there’s really a party, we don’t even know what we’d wear."
"Yeah, we were just saying," Wendy chid in.
Usually easygoing, Young But on this occasion, played the devil’s advocate, "Mr. Sterling is so good to the boss, and he can’t even manage this little thing?"
Ruby Sullivan was sowhat surprised, not expecting the shrewdest, most tactful, and always agreeable Young to say sothing so awkward.
Ruby Sullivan glanced at Ethan Sterling’s increasingly stern expression and smiled, "Your Mr. Sterling is busy like a top every day. It’s my fault for being so exhausted from overti recently that I forgot to discuss this with him in advance. Don’t worry, since I promised you all, I’ll make it happen. How about I get each of you an evening dress for the party?"
Joyce, the gentlest of them all, seeing the atmosphere was tense, said softly, "Boss, your suggestion sounds like one of those giveaways on social dia, where they claim the popularity isn’t enough and then add more prizes to make people want to click ’like’ manually."
The atmosphere suddenly grew even colder.
Yet at this mont, Young spoke again, "Boss, Mr. Sterling isn’t that nice to you, is he?"
Ruby Sullivan was montarily at a loss for words.
Ethan Sterling suddenly smiled and took her hand, "Sorry to make everyone laugh. I was just thinking about which day would be most suitable. Since everyone is here, I’d like to hear your opinions. Generally, a week’s preparation is enough, but next week we have a friend’s wedding to attend. It’s best not to overlap. How about the Friday evening two weeks from now?"
He expressed his opinion unhurriedly, waiting for everyone’s response.
But the atmosphere was already cold, making the girls hesitate to speak.
At this mont, Young suddenly stood up, "I’m full, I’m heading ho." With that, he left.
Ruby Sullivan was stunned, wanting to follow and ask what was wrong, but felt that given the current situation, chasing after him probably wouldn’t have a good outco.
Ethan Sterling acted like he didn’t see the unpleasantness and continued, "Why don’t you tell your ideal type? I can help find soone suitable. I have a few friends who don’t like attending such occasions but are actually quite nice young n."
Claire saw that he was sincerely speaking and timidly asked, "Mr. Sterling, can we take your words seriously?"
"Why not?"
"Isn’t it said that people at your level have to be suitably matched?"
Ethan Sterling looked at Ruby Sullivan and smiled, "Of course. A match like mine and your boss’, where there’s mutual affection, is rare. But I also know many who aren’t pressured by their families and just want to pursue true love."
This made everyone laugh, and Wendy covered her mouth, teasing, "This kind of PDA caught off guard—I think I just chipped a tooth from the sweetness."
After that, the atmosphere perked up. The girls eagerly discussed their ideal types while Ethan Sterling not only listened intently but also jotted down the key points on his phone.
Ruby Sullivan looked on from the side, appreciating that even if Ethan Sterling was acting, it was to save her face, and she was very grateful.
But she didn’t expect that on their way back, Ethan Sterling had already drawn up a list of eligible bachelors.
"I think if the kids in the lab want to organize a social dance, it shouldn’t be too big. Crowds make it hard to communicate, and there’s a high chance they’ll run into soone looking for a hookup. I’m thinking I could host a matchmaking event. If there’s a big charity gala, we could get so invitations and take them along—it could be seen as a perk."
Ethan Sterling waited for a while but didn’t get a response from Ruby Sullivan and couldn’t help but turn to look at her, "You don’t like the idea?"
Ruby Sullivan shook her head, "I just didn’t expect you’d be so invested in this." Her original thought was that having Ethan Sterling speak up on her behalf was already more than enough.
Ethan Sterling smiled, "I know you cherish this team a lot. And since you promised them, I obviously can’t let you down."
"Sorry for not telling you earlier."
Ethan Sterling glanced at her but still didn’t manage to say the reason for his unusual silence today.
They had a lot of unpleasant history, each heavy in its own right, and it was better not to bring up what was past and could be left behind.
He hoped Ruby Sullivan could look forward, so he had to lead by example and look forward first.
On the weekend, Ruby Sullivan slept through lunchti. Ethan Sterling played with the kids in the garden, letting Mama Bennett know not to disturb her. If she could catch up on sleep, she had missed, it would be good.
It wasn’t until three in the afternoon that Ruby Sullivan got up, feeling more and more tired with each nap, forcing herself to eat a bit but still wanting to continue sleeping.
She was held up by a call from Naomi Sinclair.
Next week is Dina Finn’s wedding, and hearing that Ruby Sullivan had returned to Celestia, Naomi was most concerned about news of Leon Sterling.
Although Ruby Sullivan quite liked the idea of Naomi Sinclair and Leon Sterling being together to resolve their awkwardness, she also knew how stubborn Leon Sterling was, and Naomi Sinclair’s persistence might only provoke irritation.
She thought of Leon Sterling wanting to organize a matchmaking event for the kids and impulsively asked Naomi if she wanted to co along. She might et soone suitable.
Naomi Sinclair was intrigued by the idea and agreed imdiately but reminded Ruby Sullivan to inform her as soon as there was any news about Leon Sterling.
In fact, Leon Sterling had already returned to ridia.
He originally went to ridia to get close to Ruby Sullivan. Once they left, he found himself without friends and decided to return to Celestia. Feeling awkward, he didn’t return ho and stayed at Sasha Shaw’s place instead.
Sasha Shaw initially wasn’t used to having a man around, finding it a hassle to rember to wear a bra every morning. But Leon Sterling cooked als and cleaned every day. Though he didn’t pay rent, she didn’t cover any food costs either.
With that in mind, she felt wearing a bra wasn’t too much of a hassle.
However, being friends with both sides, she felt a bit sorry for Leon Sterling. Knowing Ruby Sullivan so well, she thought that even a big incident couldn’t make Ruby Sullivan treat Ethan Sterling as an enemy, and there was only one reason.
From start to finish, this woman had never let go of her feelings for that man, even if she refused to admit it verbally.
Love is blind, and it wasn’t strange for Ruby Sullivan to be unaware.
Sasha Shaw tried several tis but didn’t have the courage to tell Leon Sterling. She saw him as an artist willing to disregard everything for love and ethics, as many great painters had proven with their actions.
But she didn’t want Leon Sterling to beco that kind of person. It was better for him to live in the real world.
So, one night at dinner, she seriously said, "Why not choose soone else to like? Like... ." She looked into his eyes as she spoke, feeling fear but wanting him to see her determination.
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