Chapter 158 - 158: 158: Crying herself into unconsciousness (4)
Chapter 158 - 158: 158: Crying herself into unconsciousness (4)
Without Maxwell Gregory and Steve Burton’s conversation, the dining room seemed somewhat empty and desolate.
Ruby was afraid that Steve would look down upon her father, so she explained,
“My dad just made a casual comment. Don’t overthink it.”
Steve was very smart. He not only understood Maxwell’s insinuation but also knew why Ruby, who had been quietly eating beside him, suddenly started complaining about her father.
She probably thought he wouldn’t help the Gregorys. She was afraid that if he refused, it would hurt her father’s pride, so she tried to change the subject and not let him speak up.
Ruby had always been like this, fighting in her own way to marry him so that she could rely on this relationship to make the Gregorys respected and successful. She never thought about coming to him and asking for help directly.
Now, the Gregorys’ business was in chaos and on the brink of collapse. They urgently needed loans but could never get them.
On the night of his birthday, he asked her about the Gregorys’ situation. Yet, she only quietly changed the subject and never told him that the Gregorys desperately needed money.
All he wanted was for her to ask him for help in difficult times, but she never did.
She hadn’t three years ago, and she still hadn’t.
In her heart, she didn’t want a husband, a marriage, or a family. What she wanted was a marriage alliance, a contract, and a collaboration.
Steve’s silence made Ruby unsure whether he believed her explanations, or whether they had come across as a cover-up. She shut her mouth, only sitting stiffly and ceremoniously in her dining chair.
After an unknown length of time, Steve finally looked at his wristwatch and stood up. “It’s getting late,” he said. “I should be going home.”
Ruby quickly raised her head to look at Steve, then promptly averted her gaze and nodded. “Oh,” she said.
Steve stood there, watching Ruby for a while, then turned and walked out of the dining room.
Ruby followed behind him.
After Lady Gregory had prepared a hot bath for Maxwell, she walked out of the bedroom to see Steve picking up his suit jacket. “Steve, won’t you stay a bit longer?” she asked.
“No,” he replied. “It’s getting late.”
“Ruby, go see Steve off,” Lady Gregory insisted as she personally escorted the two of them to the door. “Come visit us whenever you have time, Steve,” she said.
“I will, Aunt Gregory, goodbye.”
“Goodbye..”