Chapter 236: Happy Wedding, I Wish You Happiness
"That has nothing to do with me! What century is this? Who still has arranged engagements?! That second son from the Rockwell family probably doesn’t even want this marriage! Has he ever visited us in all these years? It’s not like we live a world apart. We’re in the same city, Rockwellburg, and he’s never once been to our house!"
"But you’re the one who broke the engagement! And then you got pregnant with Christopher Sterling’s child! You’ve completely disgraced our family!"
"Lana, go to your room. Don’t make your father any angrier." Tina Walsh sent her daughter away, then returned to comfort Mason Sheffield. "Is there any other way? Is this project really that important? If Evan Fairchild doesn’t want to work with us, then just forget it."
"Forget it? Do you have any idea how much money I’ve just lost? Thirty billion! And this is a project that can only be done with Evan Fairchild! If the company doesn’t get this project off the ground, we’ll face even bigger losses! Our very capital is at risk!"
"Then what are we going to do?"
"What can I do? There’s no reasoning with Evan Fairchild. That little bastard intimidates the hell out of me! First thing tomorrow morning, I’m heading to Argent to see Quentin Fairchild in person."
...
Rose Shaw was leaving the office when she noticed a car still parked in one of the company’s reserved parking spaces.
’Isn’t that President Sterling’s car?’
She took a few steps closer, trying to see if anyone was inside.
Suddenly, the car door opened, and Christopher Sterling stepped out.
A flutter of panic seized Rose Shaw’s heart, and she turned, wanting to flee.
"Rose, it’s so late. Why are you still here?" Christopher Sterling’s voice sounded from behind her.
Rose Shaw stopped and turned around. "I had a few things to take care of, so I’m running a bit late. President Sterling, why are you still at the office?"
"I came back to get some files."
"Well, I’ll be going then."
"Wait." Christopher Sterling walked toward Rose Shaw. "I bear a great deal of responsibility for what happened at the company today."
"President Sterling, this has nothing to do with you. It was Sheffi—"
"Lana is my wife. I have to take responsibility for what she did at the office today. I won’t terminate Melody Monroe’s contract because of her, and I will not allow this to happen again. You can proceed according to your original plan."
"President Sterling, Starfall has signed Zane Langdon and a whole wave of new talent. They’ve already become stronger than us. Our veteran artists, like Aya Winters’s group, all have their own studios, so our contracts with them are uncertain. Melody Monroe is the most promising of the newcomers. I’ve already ended my working relationship with Raymond Ford. Moving forward, I want to focus exclusively on managing Melody Monroe, putting all my energy into her career. I hope you can support my choice."
"I trust your judgment when it comes to work."
A bitter pang went through Rose Shaw’s heart. ’In his eyes, I’m probably just a capable assistant. Nothing more.’
A single act of kindness from him had pulled her back from hell.
He hadn’t just saved her life.
But to him, it was probably a trivial matter, something he never gave a second thought.
"It’s late. You should go home and get some rest."
"President Sterling... do you love your wife? Did you marry Lana Sheffield because you love her?" Rose Shaw finally blurted out, unable to hold it in any longer.
Christopher Sterling didn’t answer.
Rose Shaw nodded. She had her answer.
’A man like Christopher Sterling, despite the Sheffield family’s power and immense wealth, could never be forced into marrying Lana Sheffield against his will.’
’His silence was an admission.’
’What was there left for her to cling to? Her final shred of hope was gone.’
She had always told herself that he only married Lana Sheffield because of the crisis Stellaris was facing. But that wasn’t the truth.
"President Sterling, I haven’t said it yet, but... congratulations on your marriage. I wish you happiness." With that, Rose Shaw turned and walked away.