Chapter 192: Returning All the Sponsorships

At least if his sister needed money for something while she was working, she would be able to get it right away. She wouldn’t have to agonize over the decision, only to end up sacrificing her rest time to work and earn more.

Five hundred thousand might not be a lot of money—in the eyes of the Sterling Family, it was practically a drop in the bucket—but it was the fastest way Alex could think of to get cash right now.

“I’m really not that weak. I’m usually fine.” This was what Evelyn Grant couldn’t bring herself to tell her brother: that the only reason she was in this state was because she’d just had a miscarriage.

She used to pull all-nighters for work all the time, and still have to go into the law firm during the day.

All her colleagues were so diligent and hardworking; she couldn’t afford to fall behind.

“Well, as long as I’m here, you have to rest for a few more days! I’ll stay right here and keep watch. Even if your boss from the firm shows up, they won’t be able to pressure you into going back to work. Your health is the most important thing!”

Seeing her brother lecture her so earnestly, Evelyn Grant couldn’t help but smile, but then an uncontrollable sting pricked her nose, and she almost burst into tears.

‘Looks like the only man of the Grant Family has really grown up!’

‘He’s not just good at his studies; he’s incredibly mature and considerate, too.’

Evelyn Grant pulled her brother to her side and patted his head. “Alex, I know you mean well! But your mom and I have talked about this many times. Right now, the most important thing for you is to study hard and get into a good university that you’ll be happy with! This will set you up for life, so don’t let other things distract you!”

‘Now I understand all too well that there’s a huge gap between people. Only those at the top can call the shots and have a chance to get ahead. Otherwise…’

‘…deep down, people will always look down on you.’

‘Even my marriage, which I had sincerely committed to for years, just made people think I was marrying up.’

‘They even thought all my meticulous care was just because I was afraid Julian Sterling would divorce me!’

Evelyn Grant had never thought about these things before. She’d naively believed that as long as she was sincere, tried her best not to spend the Sterling Family’s money, and didn’t cause any trouble for Julian Sterling, then no one would think she had ulterior motives for marrying him—that she was only in it for the money.

But in reality, as long as the two families’ backgrounds were so vastly different, then in the eyes of outsiders—or… from the perspective of the one in the superior position—you were destined to be looked down on.

“Sis, I’ll definitely make something of myself. Don’t you worry.”

“Mm.”

This time, Evelyn Grant’s smile was genuine.

It was only with her family that she could feel a true sense of security and happiness.

It wasn’t something illusory and intangible that you could never quite grasp, always worrying that it wasn’t sincere.

…

News of Julian Sterling’s donation to Alex Grant’s school quickly reached Ryan Sterling’s ears.

He had been busy and weighed down with his own problems lately, so he hadn’t been paying attention to Julian Sterling’s little schemes, but that didn’t mean he had let his guard down.

“He donated to the school. Did he ask for anything in return?”

Ryan Sterling had the principal of Alex Grant’s school “invited” over directly.

“Mr. Sterling… he… he just told us to give special attention to a high school senior named Alex Grant. He didn’t say anything else.” The principal couldn’t afford to offend either of them, so he had no choice but to tell the truth.

Ryan Sterling tapped his fingertips on the solid wood desktop, making a low, dull sound.

The sense of pressure was immense.

After a moment’s thought, he spoke. “Return all of his donations.”

“Huh?” The principal was shocked and stammered in distress, “But… for the new academic building, we’ve already paid the deposit to the construction company. If we return the donation, we’ll be in breach of contract! Besides, the school doesn’t have that much money to give back.”