Chubby Mommy: Scheming Daddy, Surrender Now!-Chapter 271: A New Journey

Ruby Sullivan set out early the next day to personally inspect several office buildings that Ethan Sterling had suggested for rent. She ultimately decided on a location on the fringe of the CBD business district. Though the space wasn’t large, it was more than sufficient for a studio.

After negotiating the price with the property owner, Ruby immediately signed the lease contract, paying a year’s rent upfront. Spending that money left her bank account with less than enough for a meal, but for the first time, Ruby felt no panic over being low on funds.

She took the keys and returned to the cubicle, staring blankly for quite some time. Imagining the empty room filled with essential oil cabinets, large refrigerators, experimental benches, and various instruments stirred a rush of excitement within her.

When she had nothing, she managed to endure, and this start felt exceptionally positive to her.

"Come on, Ruby Sullivan," she encouraged herself just as she did the first time she encountered essential oils in the laboratory, pressing forward with determination. She refused to believe she wouldn’t eventually stroll down the path of success!

Upon leaving the office building, she intended to call Sasha Shaw to see if she had time for a meal, but Ethan Sterling called first.

Ruby was pleasantly surprised to see his name on the screen, feeling his timing was impeccable. "Mr. Sterling." Her tone was filled with good cheer as she spoke.

Ethan Sterling had calculated that she would have finished looking at those places by then and wanted to check on her decision.

The sweet sound from the phone warmed his usually cold demeanor, filling him with spring-like warmth, "How did it go with the office buildings?"

"I decided on the one on Clearview Road. It’s quite cost-effective, the transportation is convenient, and it’s close to home," Ruby said, hesitated for a moment, then swallowed the last part of her sentence. The location was also very close to The Sterling Group’s office building.

Ethan had initially favored that location but thought Ruby might have her own considerations, so he didn’t openly express his opinion. His main attraction to the place was hard to state directly: it’s conveniently close for picking up his wife after work and easy to arrange lunch if he’s free at noon.

"I’ve mostly wrapped up my work here. Wait for me; I’ll come over to find you."

"Okay." Ruby agreed almost instinctively.

Lately, she seemed to have grown accustomed to the closeness between her and Ethan Sterling. Besides, he would need to eat, so inviting Sasha out would be a hassle—having a meal with Ethan would be the same. Ultimately, she convinced herself of this.

During the meal, Ruby asked about Ethan’s plans for the distribution of the laboratory colleagues.

The Sterling Group primarily started in the cosmetic industry, boasting several brands and subsidiaries. The lab personnel were elite members previously transferred from various subsidiary fragrance departments. After Ruby left, the lab continued to handle corresponding fragrance projects for the subsidiaries.

Now that Ethan said no more perfumes, typically, the lab staff would return to their original positions or be reassigned to new ones.

Ethan noticed Ruby’s hesitation and guessed what the little fox was plotting, "Do you want the studio staff to come and help you?"

Seeing her intentions exposed, Ruby admitted candidly with a smile, "Though I have this idea, there’s uncertainty about their willingness to come. My place is a small shop and certainly can’t offer them the stability provided by The Sterling Group."

Despite her words, she was quite confident inside. In her life, she was only sure of two things: her culinary skills and her ability to blend fragrances. So before opening the studio, she had considered opening a restaurant but worried that becoming a chef would lead her back to her old physique, discarding the notion.

Thus, her perfume studio was definitely not a mere hobby—it was destined to flourish. Ambitions must be pursued, after all.

Ethan nodded, "I’ll arrange a gathering for you tonight, and you can discuss it with them."

"Thank you." Ruby immediately beamed like a flower, even the meal in front of her seemed tastier.

"Once you’ve finalized the personnel, I’ll send someone to deliver the lab equipment over," Ethan said, placing his chopsticks down and wiping his hands, "I’ll take you to register the company in the afternoon. Have you decided on a name yet?"

Ruby nodded, "I’ve had it planned for a while—Nirvana, symbolizing my rebirth through fire. I intend for Sasha to design the logo, a phoenix motif representing Celestial styling while fitting the company image."

She smiled with delight as if Sasha had already completed the design.

Ethan, observing her vibrant and innocent manner, suddenly felt an urge to taste her ketchup-touched lips, taking a deep breath to restrain himself, "Silly girl."

Upon hearing his comment, Ruby quickly slurped up her spaghetti, "Cough, do I look silly now?" She stared at Ethan with seriousness, very concerned about the matter.

Having once been Wenny, she constantly minded her aura and behavior. But as she spent more time at home, she naturally returned to her true self—this wasn’t good. She was set to be a boss, after all.

Ethan, seeing her seriousness, couldn’t help but laugh, "Being silly in front of me is quite lovely."

Ruby Sullivan: ...

This won’t do—how is this man making her heart flutter again? She pursed her lips and focused on eating without looking at him further.

In the afternoon, Ethan took Ruby to register the business. They had previously made arrangements, coupled with prepared documents and procedures, allowing them to complete the registration promptly.

As Ruby gazed at the business license, she felt an overwhelming urge to cry happily. She never imagined she’d truly reach the point of starting her own business. Previously, she thought she was forced onto this path, but now she realized she’d been longing for this moment all along.

Yet, she wasn’t out to prove anything to anyone but to validate her life instead!

Ruby dressed casually for checking out the office, donning a white hooded sweatshirt above jeans and simple white sneakers, looking like a college student starting a business.

Ethan was inexplicably moved watching the delighted girl under the sun, approached and ruffled her hair, "Home?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Okay." Ruby put away the license, freeing her hand to be held by him, and while still a bit unaccustomed, she didn’t dislike the feeling.

In the car, Ruby recalled Ethan’s previous mention of moving out, unable to resist asking again: "Are you really moving out? Where to? Are you prepared?"

"Yes, I’m prepared, Miss Ten Thousand Questions." Ethan chuckled softly, couldn’t help but pinch her cheek.

His girl, why is she so adorable?