Chapter 129: Chapter 129

Marilyn explained to Amelia about Conrad Sterling’s past entanglement with Anna Thornton, and the fact that they have a child.

Amelia was shocked and furious: "I never expected this, I always saw Conrad as so composed, but he’s done such an absurd thing? He even has a child, and yet he’s pursued you while keeping it under wraps?"

"Conrad probably didn’t know beforehand, Anna hid it and gave birth without telling him," Marilyn explained.

"But no matter what, he should explain such a big matter to us."

"After Anna returned to the country, she tried to contact him, but Conrad didn’t pay much attention. Anna’s daughter fell ill and just had surgery recently. Once she recuperates, I reckon Conrad will probably send the mother and daughter away."

Despite being so proud, Marilyn used words like ’I think’ and ’should’, indicating her uncertainty.

Objectively speaking, Conrad Sterling’s behavior didn’t have any major faults; he had always maintained a distance from Anna and her daughter.

Yet, no matter how strict a man might be, he can’t escape a woman’s sharp sixth sense in detecting anomalies.

Even if Anna is beautiful and cunning, Marilyn believes that with Conrad’s intelligence, that woman has no place to dance in front of him.

Conrad’s tolerance towards Anna is excessively high! ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⸺fire.net

It’s one thing for him to tolerate Anna himself, but why should Marilyn also tolerate Anna?

Just a few words about Anna’s past from Holly was enough to make him feel hurt?

"Just now, Conrad even snapped at me because of Anna."

"What? He snapped at you?" Amelia, upon hearing this, felt indignant for her daughter, "I need to go talk to Conrad, the mistress is already flaunting around, what’s his plan? He better not forget how he tried so hard to win you over when you hadn’t even planned to say yes."

Amelia said as she got up, completely forgetting that Anna’s past with Conrad came first, and Marilyn came after.

Even she said Marilyn hadn’t agreed to Conrad yet, so how can the term mistress stand?

Though Marilyn was angry, her mind was clearer than her mother’s, and she quickly restrained Amelia: "Don’t go, Conrad dislikes when parental figures interfere in matters between two people, speaking that way will make him resentful."

"What right does he have to be resentful? Don’t forget, he pursued you, we hold the upper hand here! Among all the heirs of Aethelgard’s elite, can’t we find someone better than him?"

Amelia’s words were merely for bravado, after speaking, she sat back down without Marilyn pulling her. On closer thought, it seemed there was no better candidate for a son-in-law than Conrad Sterling.

The current generation of wealthy heirs in Aethelgard is lackluster, while those like Finn Grant are mostly unsophisticated and lacking in clear thoughts.

Or like Ethan Hawthorne and Henry Willow, they are frivolous and lustful, clearly not capable of achieving great things.

In comparison, in every aspect, Conrad Sterling stands out.

Though Amelia consistently verbally asserts they hold the upper hand, she doesn’t dare actually fall out with Conrad Sterling.

After all, Conrad Sterling is no longer who he was three years ago, he’s now a figure that even the four great families of Aethelgard rely on.

Even with an illegitimate daughter... as long as it doesn’t threaten the inheritance of future properties, he remains the top choice for a son-in-law in the Ford Family’s eyes.

"All said and done, I think it’s the fault of that Anna Thornton. Seeing her bringing the child and directly making a beeline for Conrad, one would suspect she had ulterior motives. Calm down, don’t fall into her trap. Focus on happy thoughts. Isn’t Conrad planning to propose to you today?"

Oh, right, Marilyn nearly forgot about that scene, Conrad had already custom-ordered a ring, intending to propose to her today.

"Marilyn, remember you can keep him waiting and not give an answer right away, make sure Conrad gives an explanation about this matter."

After the birthday dinner, only the final fireworks watching segment remained.

As a guest, Anna Thornton felt she was more exhausted today than the party’s protagonist.

She had long wanted to slip away, but considering the hard-earned opportunity, she hadn’t seen the most important part of the plot yet.

Finally, it was time!

Against the backdrop of dazzling fireworks filling the sky, Marilyn stood elegantly on the highest point of the viewing platform, like a noble and graceful medieval princess—despite the earlier unpleasantness, it didn’t impede her from waiting for Prince Sterling to present her with the highlight of the birthday gifts and blessings.

How similar it is to a brainless idol drama from Mary Sue stories, borrowing the auspicious time, accompanied by so many supporting spectators, proposing along the way—absolutely perfect.

But Anna guessed, given Marilyn’s personality, she might not be willing to accept Conrad’s cost-saving approach.

Combining a birthday with a proposal day, how could it make her feel important? The revered Actress Ford forever needs to be catered to.

Perhaps she would act up a bit, wouldn’t that mean Anna would still have a chance?

Focused on watching the drama, Anna didn’t know when Finn Grant wandered over to her side again.

"Do you kind of thing? I can arrange one for you too!" He maintained his request, "As long as you promise to give me five children."

Anna slanted a glance at him, just wanting to send this ’childbearing captain’ away: "Young Master Grant, I just saw your sister, Miss Grant, and Henry Willow heading to the depths of the little garden, you’d better go take a look."

Upon hearing her say that, Finn was about to storm off: "What? That bastard Willow is seeking death!"

Yet after taking two steps, he turned back to remind Anna: "When the banquet ends, wait for me in the parking lot, I’ll drive you home."

Anna responded to Finn Grant, then turned her attention back to the drama.

Before Marilyn and all the guests present, Conrad Sterling finally presented the prepared gift, it was a jewelry box that looked prestigious even from a distance, the contents surely expensive.

However, judging by the box size, it was about ten times the size of an average ring box.

Wasn’t Conrad supposed to propose?

Why wasn’t it a ring?

Could Anna be too uninformed? Maybe the packaging by renowned designers is especially grand, hence different from regular ring box specifications.

Or perhaps President Sterling, being extravagant, had a whole set of jewelry designed, with more than just a ring inside?

But it wasn’t just Anna, even Marilyn had some doubts.

She personally opened the box containing the gift, yet didn’t see any ring, only a diamond necklace.

Marilyn herself was stunned: "What’s this?"

"A custom necklace designed for you by your favorite Italian jewelry designer Milo, happy birthday!"

He only said happy birthday?

Conrad Sterling didn’t propose!

Yet, Marilyn clearly received news that he contacted the most renowned jewelry designer and spent nearly a billion to customize a globally unique engagement ring.

If Marilyn was just given a necklace, then where’s the ring?