Marrying His Nemesis: Kicking My Scumbag Fiancé Away!-Chapter 81: Lipstick (Part 1)

Paganini International Violin Competition, the list of entrants for the domestic division.

It was quickly sent to Sean Hale’s email by the committee staff—after all, Ethan Sterling was that "extravagant" sponsor.

After receiving the file, Sean Hale immediately organized it, printed it, and personally delivered it to Ethan Sterling’s office, placing it on his desk.

"President Sterling, here’s the list of all the finalists." Sean Hale placed the file on the desk, purposely adding a note, "This time, over six hundred people registered, with 19 finalists. You should be proud, your wife came first with a score of 99, how impressive!"

"Of course!"

Ethan Sterling’s tone carried undeniable pride.

"What’s 99 points? A few years ago, our Seraphina scored a perfect score."

Our Seraphina?

Sean Hale chuckled internally.

Look at you, feeling all proud!

Reaching out to take the data, Ethan Sterling examined it carefully.

The finalist list was printed in order of scores, with Seraphina Thorne first and Julia Chamberlain second.

Seeing Julia Chamberlain’s name, the man frowned displeasedly.

The Chamberlain Family, truly persistent.

"There isn’t any urgent work this afternoon, should I book you a restaurant?" Sean Hale suggested voluntarily, "After all, your wife is in first place, she deserves a proper celebration."

Even though this is just the qualifying round, not the official competition.

But among hundreds of registered competitors, achieving such a score already demonstrates Seraphina Thorne’s skills.

"No need."

Ethan Sterling looked up, casting a pointed glance at Sean Hale.

"Don’t let my wife know I’m the sponsor for this competition."

So far, Seraphina hadn’t told him about participating in the competition.

If he celebrates her achievement, wouldn’t he be exposed?

If Seraphina asked how he knew her score, how could he explain?

"Understood." Sean Hale’s tone carried a hint of reluctance, "President Sterling, I truly don’t get it. You sponsor the competition but don’t let your wife know, what’s the point?"

Previously, during mergers with Fortune 500 companies, Sean Hale never saw Ethan Sterling put such thought into it.

A man spending money to please his wife, he could understand.

But what’s Ethan Sterling doing?

Going through all this trouble yet not letting the other party know, he truly couldn’t comprehend his boss’s thinking.

Ethan Sterling leaned against the back of the chair, his black eyes deep.

"If you want to change jobs, just say it."

Sean Hale: ...

He was genuinely trying to be helpful, wasn’t he?

To avoid losing this rare high-paying job, Sean Hale obediently shut up and left the office.

He didn’t want to hear Sean Hale’s words, but there was one truth Sean Hale wasn’t wrong about.

Such a score deserves a celebration!

Staring at the list in hand for a moment, Ethan Sterling stood up, grabbed the coat off the rack, and walked out of the office.

Driving to the supermarket, he bought some groceries.

Leaving the supermarket, he saw the jewelry store’s advertisement at the door, and Ethan Sterling stopped.

The advertisement featured new jewelry from the store, with a decorative chain in the center.

On the thin chain, small tassels adorned with several blue gemstones.

Staring at the photo in the advertisement, Ethan Sterling couldn’t help but think of Seraphina Thorne.

Seraphina’s skin was pale; if she wore it, she’d look even better than the model.

Ethan Sterling turned and entered the jewelry store, pointing at the advertisement.

"I want that one."

"That’s our newly arrived anklet, the latest design this year, you truly have an excellent eye."

The salesperson hurried to take out an anklet and placed it on the counter.

An anklet?

Ethan Sterling paused.

At first glance, he thought it was a bracelet, but...

Thinking of Seraphina’s delicate ankle during their intimate moments, as fragile as a flower in his palm, Ethan Sterling’s lips curved.

"Alright, please wrap it for me."

After paying, carrying groceries and the small paper bag, Ethan Sterling returned to The Paramount Gardens.

Waiting at the unit door, Chloe Foster saw him and immediately smiled and approached.

"Ethan!"

Ethan Sterling was slightly surprised, "How did you know I live here?"

"Of course, my brother told me." Chloe Foster reached out her palm, attempting to take the shopping bag from him, "Here, let me help you."

"No need." Ethan Sterling dodged her hand, "Is there something you need?"

"What, I can’t visit you and Seraphina?" Chloe Foster laughingly raised her right hand, "I felt quite embarrassed last night, so... I specially made a chocolate pie as an apology to Seraphina."

"Chloe." Ethan Sterling cleared his throat, "About the past, I hope you don’t misunderstand. In my eyes, I’ve always considered you as a little sister."

"I know, you’re married now." Chloe Foster looked up and pitifully gazed at him, "Can’t we even be friends?"

Staring at the familiar face so similar to Seraphina Thorne’s, Ethan Sterling’s heart softened.

"How could we? As long as you’re willing, I’ll always take care of you like a brother."

"Thank you, Ethan!" Chloe Foster stepped forward, embracing his shoulders, "I knew... you wouldn’t abandon me!"

Not far away on the roadway, Seraphina Thorne just happened to drive back.

Seeing the "embraced" couple from afar, she slammed the brakes.

Ethan Sterling, with his back to the road, didn’t notice Seraphina.

Carrying things in hand, he frowned.

"Chloe, don’t do this."

But Chloe Foster already saw Seraphina’s car, deliberately lifting her face to rub her lips against the man’s collar, casually releasing the embrace.

Just then, another car came by and honked at Seraphina’s stationary vehicle on the road.

Seraphina quickly drove over and parked beside the two.

Recognizing Seraphina’s car, Ethan Sterling smiled and turned his face.

"Honey, you’re back?"

Chloe Foster followed him, helping Seraphina open the car door.

"Seraphina, I’m really sorry about last night. I wasn’t feeling well and went upstairs to rest, didn’t see you off."

"Oh." Seraphina smiled and shook her head, "As long as you’re fine."

"Then..." Chloe Foster raised her right hand, handing over the box with the chocolate pie, "This pie is for you, I just baked it. You and Ethan should eat it while it’s hot, as my apology."

"Thank you!" Seraphina took the box of chocolate pie from Chloe Foster’s hands, "Why don’t we go upstairs and chat?"

Chloe Foster glanced at Ethan Sterling, displaying a well-behaved look.

"Won’t I be bothering you?"

"How could you?" Seraphina fished out her keys from the bag, "Let’s go!"

Ethan Sterling couldn’t say anything further and followed the two girls into the elevator.

The three of them went upstairs together, Seraphina opened the door and invited Chloe Foster into the living room, proactively pouring her hot tea.

"Well... you two have a chat first, I’ll go sort out the groceries."

Chloe Foster clearly came for Ethan. Seraphina didn’t want to be a third wheel.

She voluntarily took Ethan’s purchased food and went into the kitchen.

"This is heavy, let me, you carry that."

Ethan Sterling hurried to follow, taking the heavy shopping bag from her hand, following her into the kitchen.

Chloe Foster sat on the sofa, glanced around the surroundings.

Her gaze landed on the small bag Ethan placed beside the coffee table.

She looked towards the kitchen, discreetly picked up the small bag, took out the jewelry box and opened the lid.

Seeing the beautiful anklet in the box, a hint of surprise flashed in Chloe Foster’s eyes.

She checked the kitchen’s direction, quickly put the item back in place, and pretended to sip tea.

Seeing Seraphina and Ethan return, Chloe Foster set down the teacup and stood up.

"Come to think of it, I haven’t congratulated you yet, Seraphina!"

"Congratulations?" Seraphina paused, "Congratulations on what?"

"Of course, congratulations on making it to the Paganini domestic qualifying round!" Chloe Foster beamed, "My teacher David just happens to be a judge in this competition. He just praised you as the most impressive contestant among all the entrants."

Ethan Sterling extended his arm and affectionately wrapped it around her shoulder.

"My wife is so amazing!"

"It’s just preliminaries..." Seraphina smiled slightly, "It’s not the official competition yet."

Originally, she planned to tell Ethan tonight, but Chloe Foster got ahead of her.

"Come on, with a score out of 100 points, you got 99. This is really impressive. Other divisions didn’t score this much." Chloe Foster took out her phone, "I’ll call my brother too, see if he can join us. The four of us can celebrate properly."

Ethan Sterling initially planned to celebrate with Seraphina alone, quickly trying to stop her.

"Don’t go over the top, Nathan is so busy, he probably has no time."

"How is it over the top?" Chloe Foster gave him a teasing nudge, "For someone who’s a husband, how could you not celebrate such a big thing for your wife?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Seraphina stood aside, simply smiling lightly.

If it were Chloe, he’d surely make a big fuss about celebrating, wouldn’t he?