Chubby Mommy: Scheming Daddy, Surrender Now!-Chapter 308: Bargaining

Ruby Sullivan hadn’t actually thought about how to answer this question. Firstly, she thought the chances of it being asked were low; secondly, she didn’t know how to answer it.

Although she had been married for a long time, she was indeed still a novice in marriage, even now not quite understanding the concept of marriage.

Fortunately, this was just a performative occasion; what she needed to say wasn’t the truth, just a dignified response.

"I don’t think anyone would be unhappy because their partner is too excellent, right? If he wasn’t excellent, why would I be with him?" Ruby Sullivan said, and a wave of light laughter immediately swept through the room, everyone feeling she wasn’t wrong.

Ruby Sullivan continued once the room had quieted down slightly: "Actually, I never thought about how to maintain my marriage. A marriage that needs maintenance would be exhausting, wouldn’t it? Mr. Sterling and I are just two simple people living life together. If there has to be a secret, it’s trust, I guess. Trust that this person will walk the journey with you. As for what others say, that’s their business."

When she finished speaking, someone started clapping, and soon applause spread throughout the venue seamlessly.

Although most people thought she was just holding up appearances, some were genuinely moved by her words.

Ruby Sullivan estimated that without paying for arranged questions, no one would voluntarily ask her about Nirvana, so she took the chance to bring it up herself. "Creating one’s brand perfume is probably every perfumer’s dream. I hope my fragrance can, like the studio’s name Nirvana, become this year’s flying phoenix."

After the press conference ended, it was time for a free meal. Since Ethan Sterling had agreed to accept an interview with his wife, Dragon Girl immediately scheduled the interview time, planning to do a long exclusive feature on them.

The Sterling Group, as a leading domestic cosmetics company, had its status. Coupled with Ethan Sterling’s good looks and various news stories, Dragon Girl had long wanted to do an exclusive with this man.

However, The Sterling Group no longer needed its boss to show up for advertising in recent years. With its transition last year, many media outlets wanted interviews with Ethan Sterling. A fashion magazine like Dragon Girl’s couldn’t land one.

Today, she only mentioned it to Ruby Sullivan offhandedly while chatting, not expecting Ethan Sterling to agree so readily. If it’s acting, the performance was flawless.

On the way back, Ruby Sullivan was curious and asked Ethan Sterling why he agreed to Dragon Girl’s interview.

Ethan Sterling gave a faint smile, "Interviews like this can be arranged more often in the future."

If Ruby Sullivan chose to stay home and be a homemaker, he wouldn’t care about others’ opinions on his personal life.

But now, his attitude directly affected how people in the circle viewed her, so he had to quickly make his stance clear to the public. He couldn’t let his wife suffer grievances over this.

Ruby Sullivan lightly leaned into his embrace, "Thank you."

Once they entered the neighborhood, the driver parked the car, and a woman started walking toward them.

Ruby Sullivan stared at her for a while before recalling who she was and tilted her head to seek confirmation from Ethan Sterling, "Gwen Yates’ mom?"

Ethan Sterling nodded.

"Is she here to plead?"

"Probably," Ethan Sterling patted her shoulder, using his eyes to soothe her emotions, "Let’s get out."

If she had been told to hold her ground, Ruby Sullivan wouldn’t flinch. But she feared the other would play the emotional card. As a mother herself, she worried she wouldn’t withstand it, so she decided to play dumb throughout, just listening to Ethan.

Once they got out of the car, Megan Vaughn quickly approached with a smile, pretending she was just passing by with a nonchalant demeanor, "Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling."

Ruby Sullivan glanced at her without speaking.

Having witnessed an unfriendly first encounter, Ruby Sullivan definitely wouldn’t respect the elderly just because the other was older.

Ethan Sterling held her hand and walked forward without even glancing back.

Left behind, Megan Vaughn’s expression turned somewhat ugly. For the sake of her daughter, she had no choice but to force a smile and catch up, blocking them in front, "Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling, could you give Gwen a chance? She knows she was wrong. Blame it on her youth. If convicted, her life will be ruined."

Ruby Sullivan frowned, mocking, "Mrs. Yates, if no evidence had been found, the one whose life was ruined would be me. So I suggest you hurry up and find evidence to prove Gwen’s innocence before the trial."

"Mrs. Sterling, I’m not good with words. I’m sorry, but the seventy million compensation is really too high. My husband and I discussed it, and we are willing to compensate with fifty million and hold a press conference to apologize." Megan Vaughn, seeing their impatience, panicked and made an unauthorized offer of fifty million.

Ruby Sullivan didn’t catch her words, but Ethan Sterling replied, "Public apology and compensation are things you’re obligated to do, not a single cent less."

When he finished speaking, the driver stepped forward to stop Megan Vaughn, "If you proceed any further, I’ll call the police immediately."

Ruby Sullivan heard Megan Vaughn’s sobs, clenched her fists, and resisted turning back.

At her age, having to plead small for her daughter was probably her limit. Though pitiful, behind every pitiful person lies a reason for hatred. Why hadn’t she raised her daughter well earlier? They indulged Gwen, thinking the rumors of our marital strife would give their daughter a chance to interfere?

Gwen’s life was ruined by her parents and herself.

Once inside the elevator, Ruby Sullivan asked about the seventy million Megan Vaughn mentioned.

"Skylar Aldrin came to plead. I said if the Yates Family compensated the studio for its losses and publicly apologized, I’d agree to withdraw the lawsuit. You seemed busy these past couple of days, so I forgot to mention it."

"Seventy million." Just saying it made Ruby Sullivan’s liver quiver, "Do the studio’s equipment and essential oils add up to that much?"

As they exited the elevator and entered the apartment, Ethan Sterling slowly said, "The essential oils and equipment total about two million."

"You’re extorting people?" Ruby Sullivan couldn’t help laughing; seeing Ethan Sterling’s gentlemanly demeanor while extorting so much money was amusing.

Ethan Sterling raised an eyebrow, "Who said the losses were only material? The rest is your mental damages." Her fright was the most significant concern, wasn’t it?

The seventy million wasn’t just random. He had investigated the Yates Family’s financial status and concluded they could undoubtedly produce this sum, though it would financially hurt them.

Despite Megan Vaughn’s pleadings today, they’ll likely deliver the money by this week’s end.

Ruby Sullivan’s eyes lit up, "So this money is for me?"

"Of course, it’s rightfully yours." Seeing her eyes lit up at the mention of money, Ethan Sterling found her utterly adorable, unable to resist pinching her cheek and leaning forward.

Not far away, Seth led Honey by the hand, "Mom and Dad are a bit busy, let’s go."

Ruby Sullivan’s face stiffened, planning to dodge, but Ethan Sterling smiled, captured her lips, and only released her after a satisfying kiss. Observing her coy demeanor, he smiled, "They need to know their parents are very much in love."

"There are many ways to show that, alright?" Ruby Sullivan snorted, turning to find Honey and Seth, "Kids, Mom’s back!"