Chapter 81
The silence in the private dining room was deafening.
Gloria could hear her own nervous breathing as Sterling studied the medical report. His scrutinizing gaze felt almost tangible, requiring all her concentration not to betray herself.
When he didn't respond, Gloria finally bit her lip and pulled a medical report from her purse.
"I missed my period this month," she explained, voice trembling slightly. "Remembering you didn't use protection that night, I went for a check-up, and..."
She looked up at him with vulnerable eyes. "I just got the results this morning. I don't know how to tell my parents or my brother. Sterry, what should we do about the baby?"
She dug her nails into her palm, forcing herself to produce tears.
Sterling's long fingers picked up the report. The diagnosis clearly confirmed pregnancy.
He hadn't used protection that night—that much was true.
In his brief moments of sleep these past nights, he'd vaguely recalled a woman's pleas at the final moment. But the voice in his dreams wasn't clear enough to determine if it belonged to Gloria.
"I know that night was just an accident," Gloria said softly. "I'm not trying to use this to get anything from you. My parents don't know what happened. So if you don't want this child, I'll..."
She placed a protective hand over her abdomen, her voice trailing off with implied sadness.
Sterling understood her meaning perfectly. If he rejected the child, Gloria would terminate the pregnancy, as if the baby had never existed.
His gaze lingered on her abdomen. If Gloria was telling the truth, a life connected to him by blood might be growing there.
After a long moment, Sterling finally spoke. "If this is genuine, I will take responsibility."
Gloria heard only his promise of responsibility, her eyes brightening momentarily.
The next second, however, Sterling tucked the report into his pocket.
"Sterry..." she began nervously.
Already suffering from insomnia-induced headaches, Sterling found this news intensifying his discomfort.
Rather than responding, he called the manager over and changed several strong-flavored dishes to milder options.
Throughout the meal, Gloria made several attempts to retrieve the report, but Sterling's intimidating presence prevented her from voicing her request directly.
---
After lunch, they descended to the ground floor together.
"I'll drive you," Sterling offered, the report still in his possession.
Gloria, increasingly anxious, couldn't bear to be alone with him. "No need. I drove here myself."
Sterling didn't insist, seeing her to her car before turning back.
Blake, who had just finished his own lunch, emerged from the restaurant. Seeing Sterling alone, he glanced around curiously, looking for Gloria.
"She left on her own," Sterling explained.
Blake nodded and opened the car door for him.
As they settled into the vehicle, Blake was about to start the engine when Sterling handed him a document through the rearview mirror.
"Verify if this is authentic," Sterling instructed.
Blake took the paper and glanced at it. Seeing the medical report, his eyes widened in shock.
Gloria was pregnant?
He looked up to gauge Sterling's reaction.
Sterling was leaning against the window, one hand supporting his forehead, his expression unreadable.
Blake suppressed his surprise. "Right away, sir."
He carefully tucked the report away and started the car, pulling away from Moonlight Restaurant.
On their way back to Lancaster Group, they passed a shopping center.
Sterling glanced at it. "Isn't the product launch being held nearby?"
Blake checked the location. "Yes, sir. Would you like to stop by?"
Having finished his lunch earlier than expected with no pressing matters to attend to, Sterling nodded. "Let's take a look."
Blake made a U-turn and headed toward the event venue.
At the launch venue, with two hours remaining before the event, Willow had been working non-stop since arriving at noon.
The pain in her ankle, initially manageable, had become excruciating. Every movement sent sharp stabs of agony through her foot.
Just as she was about to sit down for a brief rest, someone called to her. "Hey you, bring that box over here! Hurry up!"
Willow's ankle was red and swollen. When she tried to stand, the pain caused her to collapse back into her seat.
"What's the holdup? At this rate, we'll never finish!" The man stormed over, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "Get moving!"
"I'm sorry, my foot is injured," Willow explained, her face pale with pain.
The man scowled. "Women always have excuses! You look fine to me. I thought your foot was broken or something!"
Despite having nothing in his hands, he insisted on ordering Willow around.
Everyone else was busy with their tasks, leaving just the two of them arguing in the corner.
With no choice, Willow gritted her teeth and stood, fighting through the pain to retrieve the box.
It was unexpectedly heavy, filled with who-knew-what.
As she struggled with the weight, the strain on her injured ankle intensified to nearly unbearable levels.
Someone rushing past bumped her shoulder.
Willow staggered, the box wobbling precariously in her arms.
Just as she was certain she would fall, a steady hand caught her waist from behind, while another hand secured the box.
"Thank you," Willow said with relief, immediately expressing her gratitude.
Her thanks was met with silence.
Blake appeared, taking the box from the man and turning to Willow. "Ms. Spencer, please rest over there. We'll handle this."
Willow froze, suddenly recognizing the familiar presence beside her.
She turned to find herself looking directly into Sterling's intense gaze.
"Un—Mr. Lancaster," she greeted respectfully, adding another thanks. "I appreciate your help. You can let go now. I can manage."
There were tables and chairs nearby she could use for support.
Sterling loosened his grip slightly. "Are you certain?"
Willow nodded.
The hand at her waist released her.
Willow attempted to step forward.
The moment her foot touched the ground, searing pain shot through her ankle.
Only Sterling's quick reflexes prevented her from collapsing.
This time, she didn't resist as he guided her to a corner to rest.
Sterling's presence, however, drew significant attention. All eyes turned toward them, making Willow acutely uncomfortable.
The moment she sat down, she hastily pulled her hand away, creating distance between them. "Thank you, Mr. Lancaster. I'll be fine resting here. Please, don't let me keep you."
Sterling's hand hung empty in the air. Seeing Willow's expression—clearly eager to be as far from him as possible—his brow creased almost imperceptibly.