Chapter 169: Chapter 169

Conrad Sterling walked in from outside, and his leather shoes tapped out a crisp rhythm on the floor.

He walked against the light, dressed in a black suit, his tall and slender figure exuding an imposing aura that was almost intimidating.

Riley Osborne looked up at him, suddenly realizing in a delayed manner that her clothes were disheveled, hurriedly blushing and bowing her head to pull the coat tighter that her agent had draped over her.

"Riley, the twenty million was lent to us by President Sterling. If not for President Sterling, I really wouldn’t know how to save you today!"

At these words, Riley bit her lip, stood up, and said to Conrad Sterling, "Thank you... President Sterling."

"With your current ability, you can’t compete with Ethan Hawthorne. Fighting against odds is the most foolish choice."

"President Sterling, do you know about the matter between Ethan Hawthorne and me? Do you believe me?"

Conrad Sterling didn’t say whether he believed or not, he only said, "If I were you, I’d find a way to protect myself first."

Ever since Riley chose to go against Ethan Hawthorne, everyone around her didn’t support her, even her agent and best friends saying she was digging her own grave.

Although Conrad Sterling’s words were not pleasant, Riley could hear that he was advising her to preserve her strength first. The most update n0vels are published on n0velfire.net

He wasn’t unsupportive of her seeking justice but suggested she should bide her time until the right moment came.

Feeling finally understood by someone, Riley’s eyes instantly reddened, tears spilling out in grievance.

Conrad Sterling didn’t like seeing women cry and didn’t have the heart to comfort anyone.

Seeing the scene, the man turned abruptly, preparing to leave.

"President Sterling, wait!" Riley suddenly called out from behind.

Conrad Sterling stopped but didn’t turn around: "What’s the matter?"

"The twenty million?"

"No need to rush to repay it! I said, wait until you have the ability to discuss it."

"I will definitely have that ability to bring Ethan Hawthorne to justice and repay the twenty million I borrowed from you!" Riley promised, facing the back of Conrad Sterling.

Watching the man leave, Riley’s gaze not only shimmered with tears and determination.

But also, an emotion a young girl couldn’t hide...

Conrad Sterling walked out of the private room and ran into Anna Thornton at the elevator entrance, who wore an expression as if she was witnessing a juicy scandal.

Unexpectedly meeting him here, Conrad Sterling was somewhat surprised.

Anna Thornton took the initiative to smile at him: "President Sterling, not only did I see it, but I also want to go out and spread rumors."

"What did you see?" Conrad Sterling asked her.

"While Actress Ford isn’t around, you come to this place to celebrate Ethan Hawthorne’s birthday, and then rescue a damsel in distress when he’s not looking. I really didn’t expect you to be such a Conrad Sterling!"

Anna Thornton sighed, slightly disappointed, "Previously, someone spent millions buying the dress I was wearing, and I was flattered, thinking ’this person’ must have feelings for me. Unexpectedly, President Sterling, for the sake of playing hero, spent twenty million to redeem that little girl without blinking an eye, it seems I was really imagining things."

"Some people look proper on the outside and aren’t inclined towards women, but secretly flirt with one after another. And specifically target innocent young girls, even close to engagement, yet still eyeing other options. If Miss Ford found out, do you think she’d be jealous?"

Hearing Anna Thornton’s increasingly exaggerated words, Conrad Sterling’s face darkened: "I helped her out, without those implications you imagine."

"President Sterling, you’re not exactly known for altruism! If not interested in that little celebrity Riley Osborne, would you have helped her? Also, now you actually side with Ethan Hawthorne, celebrating for him? That’s not something you’d do, what exactly is your agenda?"

Conrad Sterling was scrutinized by Anna Thornton’s clever and beautiful eyes, his Adam’s apple moved.

Recently, Conrad Sterling had watched Florian Hollis’s new MV too.

This woman’s gaze truly had magic, she managed to entice so many through the lens.

Let alone facing him directly, staring so intently?

For a moment, Conrad Sterling felt the impulse to blurt out, ask her: "So eager to know my purpose? Want to know my story?"

"Then come to my side, be my woman!"

Yet what he said was: "Mind your own business!"

"What if I can’t?" Anna Thornton challenged him.

"Then I’ll do it for you."

Conrad Sterling moved a step closer to her, causing Anna Thornton to back away immediately.

Originally just teasing and joking, seeing the other side getting serious, Anna Thornton became cowed instantly.

At this moment, the sound of someone approaching was suddenly heard.

Conrad Sterling grabbed Anna Thornton and they both hid into the stairwell.

"You guys said someone spent twenty million to redeem Riley Osborne? Does she have a sugar daddy?" This was Ethan Hawthorne’s voice.

"Looks like it. She herself can’t possibly come up with twenty million, and an unknown artist’s company definitely wouldn’t spend so much on her. Otherwise, her agent wouldn’t have sold her out for a mere two hundred thousand earlier."

"I’ve already spread the word in the industry that Riley Osborne is to be blacklisted. Who would still sponsor her at this time, not showing me any respect?"

Those who don’t care about Ethan Hawthorne’s face likely have higher status and power, thus disregarding him.

"Young Master Hawthorne, don’t you find it odd? Previously in the industry, no one dared offend you, yet since Riley Osborne’s incident, media dare to break into your room to take photos, and even reported it, someone must be backing her."

Ethan Hawthorne had also suspected how the media managed to break into his room.

He had been a player for some time, but this was his first scandal.

After investigating, he couldn’t find any outcome, so he resigned himself to misfortune.

Thinking back now, perhaps someone was indeed behind it.

All four major families are bound by interests, essentially relatives, it shouldn’t be plausible for someone to trip him up.

"In Aethelgard, the only ones who could disregard me, Young Master Hawthorne, besides the four major families, are Conrad Sterling..."

"Didn’t you say you encountered President Sterling at the restaurant the day you planned on dealing with Riley Osborne?"

"Impossible, President Sterling and I are good brothers." Ethan Hawthorne analyzed, "It might very well be Finn Grant, among the four major families, he has the quirkiest personality. Besides, the Grant family is almost wiped out, with the weakest ties to other families, notoriously disrespecting everyone. Beyond him, I genuinely can’t think of anyone who’d openly challenge me?"

If Finn Grant truly supported Riley Osborne, things might get tricky.

During Actress Ford’s birthday party and private parties, Ethan Hawthorne had noticed Finn Grant was interested in Anna Thornton.

Men like them often have multiple women, it’s not unusual.

Ethan Hawthorne seemed unlucky, having his eyes on two difficult women, both backed by Finn Grant.

Inside the stairwell—

Anna Thornton hearing this conversation couldn’t help but glance intriguingly at Conrad Sterling.

"The time Ethan Hawthorne’s scandal was exposed, you were responsible, right?" Anna Thornton asked him quietly.

Conrad Sterling didn’t confirm, nor did he deny.

Just comfortably let Finn Grant, who’s currently not in the country, take the blame.

Anna Thornton found it even more peculiar!

Why did Conrad Sterling seem to clandestinely undermine Ethan Hawthorne, yet openly do him favors?

Not just Ethan Hawthorne.

He seemed to be tentatively...approaching the entire four major families.