All Chapters of MARRIED TO MY RUTHLESS CEO : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The private room at Sterling Holdings was silent.Ethan sat across from Vanessa Hartwell, his expression unreadable.He had known this conversation was coming.The moment he announced his engagement, he knew Vanessa would not stay away.She had always been someone who needed answers.Especially when those answers involved him.Vanessa placed her handbag on the table and looked at him carefully."So it's true."Ethan didn't respond.She continued."You're really marrying her.""Yes."The simple answer irritated her.No explanation.No hesitation.Just certainty."Who is she, Ethan?""You know who she is.""I mean who is she really?"Vanessa leaned forward."A woman appears out of nowhere, and suddenly she becomes your fiancée.""That isn't like you."Ethan's eyes hardened slightly."You asked to meet me. If this is about Sophia, choose your words carefully."Vanessa noticed the warning in his voice.She smiled faintly."You're defending her already.""I'm stating a fact.""That is exac

The Sterling Foundation Gala was the biggest charity event of the year.Business leaders.Politicians.Celebrities.The country's most influential families.Everyone who mattered was there.Outside the grand hotel, cameras flashed without stopping.Reporters called out names as luxury cars pulled up one after another.Then a black Rolls-Royce stopped at the entrance.The crowd immediately became restless."It's Ethan Sterling!""The Sterling heir has arrived!"The chauffeur stepped out and opened the rear door.Ethan stepped onto the red carpet first.He wore a perfectly tailored black tuxedo that matched his calm, commanding presence.As always, his expression revealed nothing.A second later, he turned and offered his hand into the car.Sophia looked at it for a brief moment before placing her hand in his.She stepped out gracefully.The soft silver evening gown Ethan had chosen suited her perfectly.Her hair fell gently over one shoulder.Around her neck rested the elegant necklace

The morning after the gala felt strangely quiet.Too quiet.Sophia stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, looking down at the city below.From this height, everything seemed peaceful.The people walking on the streets.The cars moving through the busy roads.The world continuing as if nothing had happened.But Sophia knew better.One night had changed everything.Her name was now attached to the Sterling family.The media knew her.The business world knew her.And whether she wanted it or not...People were watching her.Her phone rested on the table beside her.The screen was filled with notifications.Messages.News alerts.Articles.She had avoided looking at them since waking up.But eventually, curiosity won.She picked up the phone.The first headline immediately caught her attention.ETHAN STERLING STANDS BESIDE FIANCÉE AFTER GALA CONTROVERSY.Another one read:WHO IS SOPHIA HAYES, THE WOMAN ACCEPTED BY THE STERLING FAMILY?She slowly placed the phone down.A s

Sophia woke up earlier than usual.For a few seconds, she stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above her.Then reality returned.The penthouse.The Sterling name.The life that had changed overnight.But strangely, those were not the first things on her mind.It was Ethan.The way he had stood by the window.The way his voice had changed when he spoke about his family.The way the strongest man she knew had looked uncertain for the first time.Sophia had spent the entire night thinking about one thing.Ethan Sterling wasn't afraid of enemies.He was afraid of the truth.Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing.She looked at the screen.Mom.A smile immediately appeared on her face."Hi, Mom.""Finally."Sophia laughed softly."Good morning to you too.""I was beginning to wonder if becoming Mrs. Sterling meant forgetting your old life."The words were playful, but Sophia could hear the concern behind them."I would never forget you.""I know."A pause followed.The

The document remained on Daniel's desk for almost ten minutes.He had read it more than once.Then again.And every time, the result remained the same.The authorization code was real.The signature was real.The access was legitimate.But the person behind it...That was the problem.Daniel leaned back in his chair, staring at the old records displayed on his computer.For years, these files had remained untouched.Buried and forgotten.Except they were never truly forgotten.Someone had made sure they stayed hidden.And now Ethan Sterling had discovered them.Daniel knew Ethan better than most people.He knew the man was ruthless when protecting Sterling Holdings.He knew Ethan could handle enemies.Competitors.Betrayal.But this...This was different.This involved his family.And family was the one thing Ethan never truly recovered from losing.Daniel picked up his phone.His finger hovered over Ethan's contact.Then he stopped.Not because he wanted to hide the truth.Because he