Chapter 428: Chapter 428
"Conrad Sterling, you’ve been slacking off the past few days, isn’t it your turn to take the kids to kindergarten today?"
"Alright, I’ll take them!"
"You’re even wearing such dark clothes, isn’t that a bit too somber? Be careful with that stern face at kindergarten; you might scare the kids."
Conrad Sterling was dressed all in black today, without even a tie, and he even prepared a pair of sunglasses.
"This outfit is suitable for the hospital," the man explained.
Conrad Sterling was visiting the hospital today to offer condolences to the families of those injured or killed in the recent project accident.
Anna Thornton casually asked, and managed to uncover his schedule.
It’s something neither his secretary nor assistant could do.
After all, President Sterling is quite aloof, not one to engage with people.
He would only bother to explain further to Anna Thornton.
Anna was merely probing him, but Conrad Sterling actually listened.
He even secretly laughed to himself, thinking his wife noticed his change today.
He deliberately softened his facial expression, trying not to appear so serious at home.
"By the way, I’ve got a commercial shoot abroad, it’ll take about three days."
If Conrad normally heard that Anna was leaving, he would definitely be reluctant.
Though the little woman is now indifferent to him, even if facing cold stares, Conrad prefers to keep her under his watch.
He absolutely has the ability to make the company that signed with Anna stay in the country.
It’s not like there aren’t places for them to shoot domestically, why go so far?
But lately, the company has been too busy, so Conrad hasn’t stopped her.
Actually, Anna has her own plans for shooting the commercial abroad. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on N()velFire.net
Especially choosing this timing!
She arranged that during her absence, Conrad would be responsible for caring for the two little ones.
At three fixed times each day, both kids must video call her.
Which means, Conrad is under Anna’s watch during these times.
Regarding his whereabouts, Anna need not ask, she can know indirectly.
When Anna raised the request at the breakfast table, Lola suddenly spoke up, "I can use a phone myself; I’ll take my sister and video with Mom."
But Conrad gave her a sideways glance, asserting as the old father, "Kids shouldn’t use phones, starting today your computer is confiscated."
Conrad doesn’t find it troublesome; the daily video calls with the two little ones are also his chances to talk to Anna.
Lola saw through Conrad’s intent, hence deliberately trying to sabotage his opportunity.
However, the little one has no idea about her mom’s plan?
Simply screenshot the video calls with Conrad and send them to Rainie Hawthorne.
As for what Rainie’s backer plans, whether it succeeds or fails, it’s not something she needs to worry about.
Anyway, Anna is abroad, and whatever happens domestically during this period wouldn’t likely be tied to her.
Mary, as the agent, of course goes abroad with Anna.
"Anna, that shot just now looked particularly beautiful. The director said we can rest now, because the weather forecast says it’ll rain this afternoon, so the remaining shots are for tomorrow when the sun is good."
Shooting commercials is much slower paced than TV dramas, and the schedule is fairly relaxed.
Mary originally wanted Anna to take the chance to rest more.
However, after Anna finished video calling with the two little ones, she lay on the hotel bed playing with her phone, not the least bit interested in sleeping.
Mary glanced at her several times and found Anna flipping through Weibo and then social news.
She mainly wanted to see the recent developments back home.
Conrad Sterling, in the phone video call, wasn’t much of a talker, just silently watching her.
Anna didn’t ask much either and simply sent the screenshots to Rainie Hawthorne.
Today is her second day abroad, yet the domestic situation has already become chaotic.
It wasn’t Conrad Sterling directly responsible for the Sterling Group’s fatal accident.
He’s the big CEO, overseeing thousands of projects.
But this particular problem is difficult because it wasn’t just a commercial project.
Sterling Group is highly competitive across industries, and this project was for expanding venues for next year’s international sports events.
It gained significant attention, involved a considerable number of casualties, and now not only has attracted the attention of higher-ups.
The key issue is the explosion in social media discussions!
Anna casually flipped through online comments and discovered someone deliberately directing the blame toward Conrad Sterling.
Although the brawl wasn’t instigated by Conrad Sterling, he’s the boss, isn’t he?
If the employees under you get into trouble, who else would they target? Sitting at such a high position, you’re the first to be seen!
With workers dead and injured, someone has to take responsibility for this matter.
The terrifying power of public opinion is something Anna understands better than anyone.
There’s already scrutiny on how Sterling Group will handle the compensation.
Although those involved weren’t officially Sterling Group employees, they were doing high-risk jobs usually covered by insurance in their contracts.
However, this time was an exception; insurance for the workers wasn’t included in their contract.
Now, many netizens have highlighted this point!
Laborers already have it tough, yet now it’s about fraud in contracts and disregard for human life!
As for which part went wrong, no one knows.
Perhaps the layout was earlier than even Anna or Rainie imagined, with the handler long bribed, staging a concealment.
Even Conrad Sterling himself didn’t know!
But who cares whether you’re aware or not?
As netizens’ anger rises, they’re just looking for someone to lash out at!
Conrad Sterling has money, power, and good looks; such a person occupies all advantages naturally attracting envy.
Besides, he has his fans; their recent ’handsome husband’ comments under societal news annoyed bystanders.
So this time, a concentrated backlash!
Of course, there’s surely a media manipulator behind this!
Without deliberate guidance, there wouldn’t be so many arrows pointing at Conrad Sterling.
After Anna finished reading, she turned off her phone screen.
Just as she was about to close her eyes and relax, Mary’s shriek echoed from behind her, "Anna! President Sterling’s company is in trouble!"
"It looks quite serious; shouldn’t you call him for comfort?"
"He was just on video."
"Did you comfort him?"
"So after tomorrow’s shoot, are we catching the first flight back to the country?"
"No rush, stick to the normal schedule."
If going by the normal schedule, Mary intended to stay another day here.
Anna’s popularity has risen, likely to surge during the airing of "Step by Step."
Not just domestic ads flocking to her for shoots, many international brands have begun noticing her.
Mary wanted to use this overseas opportunity to discuss deals with some favored brands.
If Anna were anxious to return, Mary could represent her for collaboration talks.
But now, Anna was already napping under the covers, with absolutely no concern!
Alas, President Sterling is quite the unlucky guy!