Chapter 134
Ethan’s POV
I couldn’t help bursting into laughter. In all the years I’ve known
Ridley Sterling, this was the first time I’d seen him so flustered. The
man was clearly jealous, yet too stubborn to admit it.
“Well, well, looks like my charm is still fully operational,” I teased,
watching with delight as Ridley’s expression darkened with each
word.
“Seriously though,” I said, dropping the playful tone, “don’t tell me
you’ve fallen for this young designer? I always thought Daisy would
end up as Mrs. Sterling someday.”
“What gave you that ridiculous notion?” Ridley’s eyes were cold as ice,
his brow furrowed with displeasure.
I cleared my throat awkwardly. “Come on, man. Everyone in our circle
assumes so. Your mother parades Daisy around at every social
function whenever she’s in town. The entire Gold Coast practically
considers her the future Mrs. Sterling already.”
Before I could continue, Ridley reached out and pulled Cedar to his
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Chapter 134
side with surprising possessiveness.
“What are you doing?” Cedar exclaimed, turning to glare at him.
I couldn’t suppress my laughter. Seeing Ridley, Chicago’s design
mogul, being challenged so openly was a rare sight indeed.
As my laughter subsided, I finally took a proper look at Cedar Wright.
She’d been sitting in the shadows before, but now with the light
hitting her face properly, I could finally get a clear look at her.
“You look so familiar…” I said, staring at her face. “Have we met
before?”
“We have, Mr. Pierce,” Cedar replied with a polite smile. “At your
company’s gala two years ago. We exchanged a few words. I’m
surprised you remember.”
That wasn’t it. The sense of familiarity I felt wasn’t from some
forgettable corporate event. It was something else, something I
couldn’t quite place, but it nagged at me like a forgotten melody.
As I continued to study her, Ridley stepped forward, deliberately
blocking my view of Cedar.
“It’s getting late, Ethan,” he said coldly. “Shouldn’t you be heading
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Chapter 134
home? I’m sure your mother is wondering where you are.”
“So territorial!” I snorted. “I just looked at her for two seconds, no
need to be so possessive. Ridley, I swear you’re more jealous than a
teenage boy with his first crush–seriously, dial down the
possessiveness! Alright, I’ll get out of here before your jealousy gets
any worse.”
I hurried to my car. Within seconds, I was speeding down Lake Shore
Drive, leaving the odd couple behind.
Cedar’s POV
I watched Ethan Pierce’s car disappear down the street, feeling oddly
conflicted. His reputation in Chicago’s design circles was impeccable
-double PhD from overseas, brilliant mind, heir to the Pierce
fortune, and undeniably handsome. Any single attribute would be
enough to make women swoon.
Yet I’d never imagined Chicago’s most eligible bachelor would be so
vibrant and playful in private. Something about his animated teasing
had stirred an unexpected feeling of familiarity within me, an
inexplicable desire to connect with him…
Strange. Why would I feel this way about someone I barely knew?
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Chapter 134
“Miss him already?” Ridley’s cool voice snapped me back to reality.
I hadn’t even noticed the irritation in his tone. “Mr. Sterling, are you
and Ethan close friends?” I asked innocently.
Ridley’s expression was unreadable as he stared at me.
His intense gaze made me uncomfortable. “Don’t misunderstand,” I
said quickly. “I was just curious. Oh my, it’s nearly eleven already! I
should get home. Good night, Mr. Sterling.”
“Get in. I’ll drive you,” he commanded, opening his car door with a
finality that brooked no argument.
The street was deserted at this hour, leaving me little choice but to
accept his offer. As soon as I settled in, Ridley tossed something into
my lap.
I caught it reflexively, then stared at it in confusion. “Mr. Sterling,
what’s this?”
“An invitation to my mother’s birthday celebration this Saturday.
You’re welcome to attend if you’re available.”
“But-” I began hesitantly.
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Chapter 134
Ridley’s eyes flashed. “What, you don’t want to come?”
“No, that’s not it at all,” I quickly clarified. “It’s just that Aiden already
gave me an invitation today, and I’ve already accepted his.”
The implication was clear: I was going to the Sterling mansion for
Aiden’s sake, not for his father.
Ridley looked slightly disgruntled.
“Sterling family private events don’t require formal attire,” he said,
gripping the steering wheel. “Something simple will suffice.”
“Thank you for the advice, Mr. Sterling.”
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