Ruby Is Your Employer, After All

Claire said, "The doctor said it's just a muscle strain. It should recover in about ten days or so. Don't worry. It'll definitely be better before their engagement banquet."

Hearing that, Ruby relaxed quite a bit.

As if thinking of something, she said, "When the time comes, I'll take you to get a custom dress made. We'll make sure you're so gorgeous you crush everyone there!"

Claire laughed. This good sister of hers was even more anxious than she was.

She thought of the man himself, Julian Sterling, and asked worriedly, "Ruby, when is your brother leaving on his business trip? I'm afraid if he's still around then, we might run into each other."

"Uh... in the next couple of days. He's leaving for his business trip in the next couple of days!" Ruby started lying without even blinking.

"That's great!" Claire finally relaxed completely.

She suddenly remembered what Julian Sterling had said to her and asked curiously, "Ruby, have you ever met fake Julian Sterling's sister?"

"Hm? What's up with his sister?"

Ruby's hand paused as she drank, and she looked over at Claire guiltily.

If Claire found out that the sister herself was sitting right in front of her, who knew what kind of expression she'd make.

"He said he's an orphan, and that his younger sister is his only remaining relative. He also said his sister has five children and is a very hardworking housewife."

Pfft!

Ruby suddenly sprayed out a mouthful of water.

She coughed violently, choking so badly her face turned red.

"F-five children?"

When had she ever had five children? Where were the kids? How did she not know about them?

Claire thought Ruby was just shocked that five children was too many, so she didn't think much of it. She nodded and said, "Yeah. You're surprised too, right?"

"I'm freaking shocked to death!" Ruby couldn't even laugh.

Claire sighed and said, "I wonder what kind of man that sister's husband is. Maybe he treats her really well—that's why she'd be willing to have so many children."

Ruby's mouth twitched.

The hell she did! She wasn't even married yet, and somehow she'd already magically had kids.

She hadn't expected Julian Sterling to say something like that. And what else had he said?

That he was an orphan?

If their daddy and mommy, who were both still very much alive, found out her brother had said something so outrageously unfilial, they'd immediately end their vacation, fly back, and kill him.

Claire looked at Ruby and said, "Right, he said he isn't very close with his sister, so I thought I'd ask whether you knew her. Maybe someday I could go visit his sister."

"Uh, I guess you could say I know her. We're just not very close." Ruby forced herself to say it.

Afraid Claire might suddenly decide to go looking for Julian Sterling's sister, she quickly changed the subject and said, "I'll take you there when I have time. Let's not talk about that for now. Let me ask you—how far have things progressed between you and him?"

At that, a faint blush appeared on Claire's cheeks.

"Not far at all. We didn't do anything. Don't overthink it."

Ruby patted Claire on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Claire, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but when you meet a good man, go for it. The man I introduced to you may not be perfect, but he's still way better than Ethan Sterling."

Hearing Ruby say that, Claire couldn't help speaking up for Julian Sterling.

"How is he imperfect? I think aside from not having a good family background, he's great in every other way. He has a sense of responsibility, and he's attentive and considerate. He's also pretty good at taking care of people. He's not nearly as bad as you're making him sound."

Ruby looked at Claire with a smile, and only after Claire had listed all of Julian Sterling's good points did she ask, "Then have you fallen for him?"

Claire was startled and immediately shut her mouth.

"N-no!" she denied in a hurry.

Even though she denied it, she couldn't help secretly wondering in her heart whether she did like Julian Sterling after all.

There was no denying that she did have some good feelings toward Julian Sterling.

Thinking of everything he had done made her want to smile, and their relationship had been growing closer and closer. They had even, this morning...

Claire felt like her mind was a tangled mess, and she had no idea what Julian Sterling really thought of her.

Did he like her, even just a little?

He probably did, right? Otherwise, why would he have taken the initiative to kiss her?

Claire's cheeks grew hot again, and even her heartbeat sped up.

Seeing Claire like this, Ruby knew her long march had advanced another huge step. She was so moved she almost cried. It really hadn't been easy for her!

Judging from how Claire had looked just now, she was definitely into her brother.

She was waiting for the day she could openly and properly call Claire her sister-in-law!

Ruby stayed with Claire at the apartment for the whole day. In the evening, Claire shooed her back home. She was obviously perfectly fine, so why did Ruby need to stay at the apartment and watch over her?

At first, Ruby refused to leave no matter what, as if she had something on her mind.

Later, only after Claire coaxed and persuaded her every which way did she finally manage to send Ruby off.