Chapter 342: Chapter 342

"President Sterling, I bought this bottle of ’85 red wine at an auction, specially to present to you today!"

"Simon Chandler, President Sterling owns private vineyards. What kind of wine doesn’t he have? Does he need your humble offering?"

"You guys just don’t get it, do you? President Sterling’s wine may be good, but this bottle of mine is very special!" Simon Chandler raised his eyebrows, showing a smile only men understand, "The workers who made this wine were all selected beauties, exclusively for European noblemen. As for the part of the body used to crush the grapes, can you guess where?"

Conrad Sterling wasn’t interested in these matters, although he used to enjoy collecting red wine.

But seeing Simon Chandler’s lewd expression, he suddenly lost interest and even put down the glass in his hand.

In the club’s private box, a group of people surrounded Conrad Sterling, trying to curry favor with him, always having a new approach ready.

"President Sterling, I heard you’ve been collecting diamonds in South Africa lately? I have a top-grade yellow diamond at home, and I brought it specially for you to take a look."

Upon hearing this, Conrad Sterling raised his brow slightly, at last showing some interest.

President Sterling’s diamond buying was from a long time ago when he was customizing a ring for Anna Thornton.

Now the ring has been returned by that woman, so if there’s other fine jewelry, he might as well take a look.

"The quality is good, what’s the price?" Conrad Sterling asked.

"President Sterling, speaking of money makes things distant. If you like it, it’s our family’s great honor; we wouldn’t dare ask for money. Besides, the stocks you recommended last time have risen quite a bit; if you yellow diamond, just take it as a gift."

"And me, President Sterling! I have a beautiful woman here. If she catches your eye, maybe you could show me a profitable path next time. When I eventually take over the family business, it would be great to have the chance to collaborate with the Sterling Group."

These people never expected to connect with Conrad Sterling, let alone profit through him.

All thanks to Ethan Hawthorne’s influence!

However, including Ethan Hawthorne, no one dared to get too close to Conrad Sterling, always feeling there’s an unapproachable aura about him.

Although they’ve met a couple of times at gatherings, and aren’t strangers, these dissolute sons always behave especially self-aware in front of Conrad Sterling because they clearly know they don’t measure up.

To others, they’re all buddy-buddy, but in front of Conrad Sterling, they can only address him as ’President Sterling.’

With so many people around, it was giving President Sterling a bit of a headache; he never liked noise.

Fortunately, Ethan Hawthorne, being sensible, shooed the others away: "Go on, don’t crowd around here. And Leon, have you even considered the standard of the girl you brought? Would she meet President Sterling’s high expectations?"

Leon Zane, after being criticized, glanced at the beauty beside him, wondering if her figure—a model’s with a full chest, slim waist, and long legs—wasn’t good enough?

He spent a fortune to find this girl; she’s the best there is, so what’s the problem?

Just then, there was a knock on the private box door from outside.

Ethan Hawthorne went forward to open the door, and a woman dressed in high-end fashion walked in.

"Miss Marilyn is here!" Ethan Hawthorne said this deliberately glancing at Conrad Sterling.

Everyone immediately understood his meaning.

After all, no matter how beautiful, women pulled from the nightlife scene aren’t clean.

Especially in this day and age, no one knows how many hands they’ve passed through.

How could they compare to the pristine and noble daughters of the Ford Family like Marilyn Ford?

"President Sterling, I just ran into Miss Marilyn when I was entering the club. She came in to say hello." Ethan Hawthorne explained to Conrad Sterling.

Everyone else in the private box knew how high-minded and proud Miss Ford was; they remember how even President Sterling couldn’t win her over after pursuing her for three years. No one else had the right for her to personally greet them, so they sensibly gave space to Conrad Sterling and Marilyn Ford.

"Conrad, I heard from my aunt that she ran into you at Sacred Heart Kindergarten a few days ago and almost had a misunderstanding with you over a small issue. She has regretted it since and told me to apologize to you on her behalf if I saw you."

While speaking, Marilyn Ford poured two glasses of the opened ’85 red wine and handed one to Conrad Sterling.

"She has already apologized."

Conrad Sterling implied he wasn’t going to fuss over it.

But Marilyn Ford didn’t take a breath of relief; she looked at the man who showed no response to her, lowered her voice, and said: "In front of so many people, how long do you want me to hold this wine glass?"

"If you can’t hold it, you can put it down!"

Marilyn Ford never realized before how much Conrad Sterling’s words could get her down.

Perhaps because Conrad Sterling used to always accommodate her, his harsh words were reserved for others, never shown to her.

Every time she thought of the difference between now and then, Marilyn Ford’s regret deepened even more.

"What more do you want from me?" she thought, "I just made a wrong step, and I’m already aware of it and remorseful. How long do you plan to deliberately neglect and torment me?"

Marilyn Ford gazed intently into the eyes of the man in front of her, but President Sterling preferred to look elsewhere, unwilling to give her the slightest response.

It seemed that ever since their breakup, making Conrad Sterling see her again had become the world’s most difficult task.

Marilyn Ford took a deep breath: "I heard from my aunt that two children in the Sacred Heart Kindergarten’s little classes call you Uncle. But why have I never heard that you have other relatives?"

When she mentioned the two children, Conrad Sterling finally looked at Marilyn Ford.

Yet it was with a ’none of your damn business’ expression.

It wasn’t the first time she’d felt cold in front of this man, but Marilyn Ford found she couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Conrad, do you really hold such a grudge against me?"

"Is it because you’re still bothered about last time that you won’t drink the wine I’m toasting to you? I’ve already explained to you that I was unaware of any drug in the wine. Besides, I’ve repeatedly shown you my apologies and goodwill. As a man, shouldn’t you be more magnanimous? Given our three years of history together, shouldn’t you spare me from embarrassment in front of so many people?"

Marilyn Ford’s words were spoken in a tone only heard between her and Conrad Sterling, but they were filled with grievance.

However, Conrad Sterling remained indifferent, even turning his head in another direction, bored enough to open WeChat and play on his phone.

Yes, apparently, there’s no past affection to recall!

Currently, Conrad Sterling was entirely preoccupied with Anna Thornton, who refused to engage with him, only able to try checking his WeChat moments for news about that woman whenever he had the time.

She felt her dignity was wholly ignored, her hand shaking slightly while holding the glass.

"President Sterling is in a bad mood today, advised not to drink beforehand. I’ll drink this glass for him!" Ethan Hawthorne took the initiative to smooth things over.

He took the glass meant for Conrad Sterling from Marilyn Ford, clinked it with her glass, and straightforwardly downed it in one go.

However, Marilyn Ford didn’t drink hers; she just slightly curled her lips into a cold smile.

She heavily slammed the glass on the bar, stood up, and walked away with pride.

The wine she was offering wasn’t for just anyone to drink!

Ethan Hawthorne had originally intended to smooth things over, only to find himself courting humiliation.

This was his own doing, inviting Marilyn Ford into this situation in hopes of pleasing Conrad Sterling.

Who would have thought that the flattery would backfire, making the mood awkward for everyone?

But it also made it clear that there’s no chance between President Sterling and Marilyn Ford anymore. Read full story at novęlfire.net

It’s only natural. Marilyn Ford acted high and mighty due to her family’s status, like some ethereal goddess, yet this pretentiousness and arrogance are the least appealing in men’s eyes.

Perhaps before having her, they might indulge her a bit but would surely tire after a taste.

Damn it, serves her right!

Acting like a bigshot only to be taken down!

Ethan Hawthorne secretly felt schadenfreude. He’d long been annoyed by Marilyn Ford’s superior attitude.

Although they’re still relatives, the distance between them is considerable.

Marilyn Ford humiliated him in front of so many, so Ethan noted this in his heart.

Now that he’s latched onto a powerful ally, he felt again like his voice doesn’t count in the Hawthorne Family, and that’s why they looked down on him, right?

When he becomes the man in charge of the Hawthorne Family, there’ll be a time for regret.

As he pondered this, Ethan Hawthorne moved to greet President Conrad Sterling with a smiling face.