Chapter 112: Chapter 112

"Conrad, don’t you think the lilies are exceptionally beautiful this year?"

Marilyn bent over as she spoke, leaning close to a cluster of lilies. The freshly delivered morning flowers were still adorned with dew, filling the air with a noble and clean fragrance that wafted gently as if these flowers were born just for her.

Conrad Sterling didn’t understand these romantic sentiments, but the florist complimented, "The weather has been good this year, and the lilies are indeed flourishing. Especially now, as Miss Ford’s birthday is approaching, it’s the best period for lilies. It must feel honored to be chosen by Miss Ford to decorate a birthday banquet."

How could it not be honored? Over a hundred thousand were ordered in one go.

No one knows how the lilies themselves would feel; in any case, the florist was so happy his smile nearly reached his ears.

"Are these ordered flowers to be delivered to the residence to serve as decorations in three days?" The florist confirmed with them, seizing the opportunity to upsell, "Just lilies? Do you need other kinds of flowers for decoration? This year’s roses are quite good too."

"No, just lilies. I only kind of flower."

After making the decision herself, Marilyn remembered to ask Conrad Sterling, "Conrad, what do you think?"

"Since it’s your birthday, everything should be according to your wishes. I have no objections."

Hearing Conrad’s attitude, the florist appropriately flattered, "President Sterling is really considerate!"

Marilyn, however, felt that Conrad Sterling’s attitude toward her was perfunctory. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel✶fire.net

Although this man’s emotions were never revealed, always leaving people guessing what he was thinking.

But Marilyn just felt that although he accompanied her in making various birthday arrangements lately, he hadn’t been fully attentive.

She didn’t know when it started, but Conrad Sterling, who once scoffed at phone addicts, began checking his phone often, making his seven-figure luxury watch on his wrist little more than a display.

After finalizing the floral decorations for the birthday party and preparing to return, Marilyn glanced at Conrad when she got into the car, surprised to see him on his phone: "Conrad, are you actually using WeChat?"

"When did you start using it?"

Hearing Marilyn’s query, Ethan, who was driving, explained: "It was just a short while back. I suggested President Sterling download it for more accessible company personnel management."

"It makes sense; nowadays, having WeChat makes communication much easier."

It seemed Marilyn believed Ethan’s explanation and didn’t pursue the topic further.

Ethan turned, avoiding the rearview mirror, secretly sighing in relief, and couldn’t help but applaud himself for his resourcefulness.

Aside from his regular duties, he worried endlessly about his boss’s private life.

He hoped that when payday arrived, President Sterling would remember his contribution and give him a raise, allowing him to buy tickets and watch more of Anna Thornton’s movies.

However, this behavior of gaining a raise through deceiving a woman by his boss’s side to support another woman in his boss’s life felt somewhat excessive.

Even though Ethan told himself this wasn’t unfaithfulness since Miss Ford wasn’t truly on their side, he still felt a twinge of guilt.

He mainly felt it on behalf of President Sterling because even he could sense that over the past couple of days, President Sterling hadn’t been fully present when with Miss Ford.

After the date with Miss Thornton was canceled for some reason, his mood hadn’t been great.

Later, they found Anna Thornton and got her away from Young Master Grant. President Sterling personally stayed behind at the bar to wrap things up and then sent Anna Thornton back, not allowing Ethan to follow.

But Ethan guessed President Sterling and Miss Thornton didn’t part ways amicably that night because President Sterling’s mood worsened afterward, and they hadn’t been in contact since then.

Ethan noticed, though, that President Sterling would often secretively check his WeChat.

Unfortunately, Miss Thornton hadn’t updated her Moments since that day.

"Anna, I looked into it. That Young Master Grant is the only son of the Grant Family, and among the wealthy second-generation of the four major families of Aethelgard, he is the most valuable. Since the Grant family has few heirs this generation, he holds almost all of their profit-generating industries. He has a sister, but I heard that Sixth Miss Grant isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed... she has no ambitions, just dead set on following Young Master Willow. And since Young Master Willow is our friend, I think if you were to marry into the Grant family, there wouldn’t be much difficulty in inheriting the family estate, ensuring a life of luxury." Mary chattered on, analyzing for Anna Thornton while peeling a banana.

Anna Thornton peeled a kiwi, handed it to Pop for her to munch on, and then turned to Mary, "You must have discovered more than just that; does he have some unspeakable issues?"

"Yes, I was just getting to the negatives. I heard Young Master Grant has something not quite right up here!" Mary gestured around her head, "It seems he experienced some trauma, leaving him with lingering effects. The medical term is bipolar disorder, and when he has an episode, his emotions are uncontrollable, and he can do anything—that’s giving it lightly. Considering the immense power and wealth he wields, it’s quite scary."

Anna Thornton recalled that Conrad Sterling had called Finn Grant a lunatic before; turns out it was literally true.

That explains why, when Finn Grant reached a marriageable age, he didn’t choose one of the noble heiresses of Aethelgard.

He claimed that his standards were high and not just anyone would suffice.

Similarly, the noble heiresses weren’t interested in him either.

In this day and age, wealthy families cherish their daughters dearly.

They’d rather avoid opportunistic marriages and live comfortably than jump into a pit where the husband might be psychotic, posing risks of domestic violence.

"That night, he seemed pretty normal at first, but did you notice how his eye changed after you rejected him? It was really scary, like he was about to hit someone." Mary threw the last banana peel into the trash and sighed, "Young Master Grant really had good conditions: so handsome, but who would have thought he had such an illness?"

Thinking back, Mary was truly relieved that after finishing the dangerous meal, she and Anna returned in one piece.

"Do you think he would cause us trouble for rejecting his proposal that night?" Mary worriedly asked.

"Since he didn’t then, he probably won’t in the future either."

"That’s good. But Anna, such a big ring...," Mary gestured with her fingers, "Honestly, didn’t you feel tempted?"

"There must have been; after all, what woman doesn’t love jewelry! My heart skipped a beat just watching from the sidelines." Mary candidly guessed.

Yet, upon hearing this, the clever Pop clung to Anna Thornton’s arm, shaking her head: "Mommy... that’s not okay!"

"Not okay to feel tempted, right? Only if Daddy gives it would it be okay?"

Pop nodded, taking another bite of the kiwi.

"Little clever one!" Mary tousled the little girl’s head, which had newly sprouted hair, "Who says your dad won’t give a huge diamond to mom? Right now, he’s probably busy with someone else."

The more Mary thought about it, the more unfair it seemed, though Anna had already rejected Finn Grant’s proposal, at least Conrad should know Anna wasn’t short of admirers.

Women, by default, the more sought-after, the more their men will care.

That Marilyn Ford managed to keep Conrad interested in her; wasn’t it relying on this principle?

Fortunately, Mary had prepared in advance. She had taken a secret photo of the proposal scene at the restaurant, obscured Finn Grant’s face, and uploaded it to Anna Thornton’s Moments.

Of course, Anna Thornton being a public figure meant Mary couldn’t expose her private life for all to see.

So, when uploading, she set the privacy settings so only Conrad Sterling could see it.

Sure enough, shortly after she posted it, President Sterling’s call came in.