Chapter 39
Sterling Group.
Inside the corporate conference room, the atmosphere was quiet but laced with tension.
Sean Sterling sat at one end of the table, holding a pen. Kingsley sat at the other. A project contract lay open before each of them.
The pen tip glided across the paper. Sean signed his name with a flourish, put down the pen, and looked up at Kingsley, shifting the topic. “What are your plans for that land in Eastborough? Can the Sherwood Group swallow it p>
“You have ideas?” Kingsley leaned back in his chair, his tone unhurried, fingers tapping lightly on the table.
Sean smiled and spoke directly. “I do continued cooperation is better than fighting separately, isn’t it p>
Kingsley’s finger paused. His gaze fell on the contract in front of him, and he just said casually, “Wait p>
He raised his eyes, his deep gaze fixed on Sean, and changed the subject. “Ethan is researching anti-cancer drugs. Didn’t he ask you for investment p>
“I invested long ago. Thurston put a foot in too,” Sean smiled helplessly, raising an eyebrow in return. “You, on the other hand, didn’t invest a cent p>
“I have no money,” Kingsley said, his tone still flat, “Why don’t you lend me some p>
“No money?” Sean chuckled at that, then teased, “Then go find Thurston. His wife and father-in-law hold investment banking resources. Getting a loan would be easy, wouldn’t it p>
Kingsley didn’t respond. He handed the signed contract to his assistant, Shane, standing behind him, and stood up. “I’m leaving. I have another engagement p>
Sean stood up too, waving a hand. “I won’t see you out. I have a meeting with a designer from The Holt Group coming up shortly p>
Kingsley nodded slightly, and the two walked out of the conference room side by side.
Shane quickly stepped forward to press the elevator button. The metal doors slowly lit up with the waiting indicator.
Just then, the phone in Kingsley’s pocket vibrated suddenly.
He pulled it out. The name “Joyce” flashed on the screen. He paused for a few seconds before sliding to answer.
one
“Kingsley!” Joyce’s anxious voice, laced with sobs, came through immediately. “That rich heir from the Sterling family came to school block me. He’s using a megaphone to confess to me in public, Can you come over, please p>
The elevator doors slid open.
Kingsley stepped into the elevator with his long legs, his tone hard. “I’m busy right now. I can’t get away p>
“But he won’t dare to be reckless only if you come Joyce’s voice turned soft instantly, feigning weakness. “I’m scared, Kingsley p>
Kingsley’s brows furrowed tightly. His knuckles unconsciously rubbed the edge of the phone. “Joyce, you need to learn to handle these things yourself p>
“Kingsley… Kingsley Joyce repeated his name regardless, her voice clinging and annoying.
Kingsley glanced at the jumping numbers on the elevator panel and said in a deep voice, “I’ll send Shane over p>
Just as he finished speaking, the elevator doors opened again.
Kingsley hadn’t hung up yet. He looked up and froze abruptly.
There, outside the elevator, was Lucy, whom he hadn’t seen in two years. She was dressed in a white casual suit its sharply tailored shoulders emphasizing her height and posture.
Her makeup was really well done. Her eyebrows were arched just right, and there was a cool, sharp look in her eyes. The light lipstick made her skin look bright and clear. A small pearl stud adorned her earlobe.
Her fragmented long hair was pinned behind her ear, revealing a clean jawline. Her eyes held that look of pure professional efficiency and distance.
Kingsley froze. The voice on the phone vanished into static. His breath hitched, his entire focus locked on Lucy.
Her gaze was utterly vacant, as if he were a stranger. She didn’t even pause, simply stepping sideways to clear a path for the people in the elevator.
“Mrs. Sherwood!” Shane reacted first, instinctively calling out.
“You have the wrong person,” Lucy’s voice was faint, holding not a single ripple of emotion.
Kingsley finally snapped back to reality. He hung up the phone and turned to look at Shane, his tone as cold as ice. “Have you lost your mind? I’m divorced p>
With that, he stepped out of the elevator without pausing, as if that moment of distraction had never happened.