Lingering Passion: Mr. Sutton Wants to be Your Male Lead!-Chapter 71: Patronage or Employment

Silas Sutton moved with a lazy grace, but his expression was strictly businesslike.

Stella Grant pressed her lips together, staring at him as if trying to find some flaw in his expression.

Silas Sutton held a cigarette between his fingers, leaning back in his chair boldly, allowing her scrutiny.

After a while, Stella said with a slight curl of her lip, "I don’t believe it."

Silas Sutton replied, "Stella Grant, life needs cracks for the light to get through. You don’t need to be so wary of me. I’m not a noble person, but I’m not malicious either."

After saying this, Silas paused, then continued, "Sutton Group has been wanting to invest in real estate these past two years, but I’ve always lacked someone reliable by my side."

Stella remained silent, still on guard.

Silas laughed lightly and said, "Between women and power, I prefer the latter."

When one is besieged on all sides, it’s easy to be covered in thorns.

Especially since the day she met Silas Sutton, Stella had been stumbling constantly.

Though Silas hadn’t used any forceful tactics against her, it was this coaxing approach that made her feel trapped.

Seeing the atmosphere in the ward had become tense again, Silas stood up and said in a deep voice, "Take your time to think about it, no rush."

With that, Silas left the ward.

Hearing the door close with a ’bang’, Stella’s eyes were red.

Meanwhile, as Silas left the ward, he bumped into Forrest Keller, who had just found a suitable caregiver.

Forrest Keller reported, "I found someone who meets all your requirements."

With the cigarette between his lips, Silas said, "Then let her try it."

Forrest asked, "Starting today?"

Silas gave a nod, then suddenly thought of something and frowned, "No, wait until Stella says she wants to find a caregiver, then introduce her to this person."

Forrest nodded, "Understood."

Silas asked again, "How much is the salary?"

Forrest said, "Five hundred a day."

Silas, lighting a cigarette, spoke through the smoke, "Then make it clear to the caregiver that you’ll give her an extra three hundred a day and have her tell Stella it’s two hundred a day."

Forrest, "Okay."

Forrest didn’t show any emotion on the surface, but inside he was deeply shocked.

Having followed Silas for so long, it was the first time he realized this meticulous side of him.

After finishing the arrangements for the caregiver, Silas talked to Forrest about recruiting Stella to Sutton Group, worried Forrest might let it slip.

Listening, Forrest remained silent but felt a clear sense of how different Silas was toward Stella.

If he had been guessing before, tonight confirmed his suspicions.

Forrest didn’t know how to describe his feelings at that moment; overall, he felt quite sympathetic toward his boss.

Knowing it’s a tangled situation, yet he remains so meek.

Being good to someone, he can’t even do it openly but has to do it in secret, using Forrest as a tool.

Mrs. Grant woke up around dawn, looking at Stella who sat by the bedside, her voice dry as she spoke, "Stella."

Stella hadn’t slept, just lost in thought.

Hearing Mrs. Grant’s voice, she instantly came back to her senses, held Mrs. Grant’s hand, and softly asked, "Mom, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Mrs. Grant shook her head, "No, I don’t...\"

Mrs. Grant started to speak but choked, unable to continue.

Having cried all night, Stella was now thoroughly calm. She knew if she fell apart at this moment, the family would fall apart too. She forced a smile and comforted Mrs. Grant, "Mom, I asked Dr. Harrison earlier, and he said your illness isn’t serious and can be treated."

Mrs. Grant shed tears, the droplets trickling into her hairline, "Stella, I can’t be a burden to you anymore."

Stella, "What burden are you talking about?"

Mrs. Grant trembled, saying, "If it weren’t for this family, for me, with your abilities, you wouldn’t need to live like this."

After she finished, Mrs. Grant grasped Stella’s hand tightly, "Stella, listen to me on this. I won’t treat this illness. Save the money and live well, take care of..."

Mrs. Grant’s words were interrupted by Stella’s sobbing voice, "Mom, you’re the only family I have in this world. Have you ever thought about how I would live if something were to happen to you?"

Mrs. Grant, "..."

At two in the morning, Silas had just finished his work and took a cold shower. As he exited the bathroom, he heard the hotel doorbell ring.

Silas thought it was Forrest and frowned as he walked to the door.

Upon opening the door and seeing who it was, Silas raised an eyebrow lightly, "What’s the matter?"

Stella looked up at him, her eyes slightly red yet filled with unyielding determination, "President Sutton, I just want to confirm, do you intend to keep me as a mistress or employ me?"