Chapter 171 The Name on the Paycheck
When Ste brought up Sterling Global, her <b>face </b>lit up with pride.
She still had no clue who the person behind it really was, but in her mind, they had to be a <b>total </b>saint–giving her that many projects and paying so <b>well </b>for each one.
“My studio would’ve been lucky to clear a <b>million </bst year,” she said, “but thanks to Sterling Global, we made over seven
million.”
With them as a <b>client</b>, she felt like she could finally stand tall.
She spoke excitedly, not noticing the fleeting warmth in Abraham’s eyes when she mentioned the name.
He watched her little smug expression and chuckled. “That impressive?”
“Well, Sterling Global’s boss clearly has taste. <b>Took </b>a <b>chance </b>on a little nobody like me<b>.</b>”
Without them, a small, unknown design studio like hers wouldn’t have made it anywhere near that kind of money.
She looked up at him. “Wait–so why would Judson think sending Lillian <b>to </b>you was a good idea?”
It was hrious.
Abraham snorted. “Maybe he’s getting senile.”
What?”
Judson? Senile? He didn’t even seem old.
<b>And </b>it was true–<b>Ethan’s </b>dad, Judson, was ridiculously handsome. He carried himself well, didn’t <b>fool </b>around, and had at spotless reputation.
So how the hell did he end up with a son like that? Judging by everything that had happened recently, Judson was <b>probably </b>coughing blood by now.
<b>And </b>sure enough-
When news got back to Judson, he almost lost itpletely.
“He <b>says </b>it’s got nothing to do with Lillian? This is nothing to do with her?” He mmed <b>his </b><b>hand </b>on the table. “They <b>said </b>Ethan’s not even allowed to see her!”
Madeline’s face <b>was </b>just as <b>dark</b>.
Judson turned to her. “You’re going to the hospital yourself tomorrow.”
What about the <b>Luke </b>heir? The contract meeting with his chosen partner is tomorrow.”
Judson didn’t answer.
His face just got darker. He looked like he wanted to strangle Ethan
Madeline <b>wasn’t </b>far behind him in that sentiment,
Meanwhile, Ethan had just left the Keene estate and was hounding Jason to track the Luke heir’s current location.
4:41 PM
Chapter 171 The Name on the Paycheck
Ethan’s brow furrowed. “This has nothing to do with her<b>.</b><b>” </b>
He was firm. Absolutely sure.
Finished
Madeline snapped, “Their reply was that you’re not to see Lillian ever again, and you still think this has nothing to do with
her?”
_What?”
“Ethan, <b>Lillian’s </b>poison. No one even knows what kind of life she <b>was </b>living overseas. She came back with half a body. You think she’s some innocent victim?”
Her tone was sharp andced with implication.
Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
“You exin to me then–how does someone even get uterine <b>cancer</b><b>? </b><b>That’s </b>not a <b>disease </b>you catch from drinking the wrong water. You think <b>she’s </b>spotless?”
He hated this.
He’d been hearing people whisper nasty things about Lillian’s condition for weeks. He could tune out strangers–but his own
mother?
He couldn’t take it.
“Mom. You know what kind of person Lillian is.”
“I’ve always thought she <b>was </b>dangerous<b>. </b>
Madeline had never liked her.
Even back when Ste was <b>still </b>in a hospital bed, Lillian had been circling Ethan like a hawk.
To Madeline, she was maniptive. She’d always had that vibe.
<b>Someone </b>like that could never bring peace to a family–only chaos
And they hadn’t even married her yet, and already the Keene family was in <b>trouble</b>.
What would happen if she <b>actually </b>got through the door?
Ethan’s breath caught.
Madeline didn’t stop..
“Remember, you are not to see her–not until we’ve secured the deal with the Luke family. You understand how important. that is, right?”
After that, Madeline didn’t care what he did.
<b>But </b>right now–if Ethan dared defy her, she’d destroy Lillian herself.
Her words were cold enough to freeze bone. Ethan got the message loud and clear.
“Did you hear me?”
When he didn’t respond, her tone dropped another degree:
“I heard you.” Ethan finally said.
4:41 <b>PM </b>
Chapter 171 The Name on the Paycheck
He couldn’t see her–but that didn’t <b>mean </b>he couldn’t call
Ethan dialed Lillian’s number.
She answered right away, clearly thrilled to hear from him.