Chapter 323 Termination of Charity
Bella had been mulling it over for a while, but after much hesitation, she finally clicked on an interview video about Sterling ending his charity work.
In the video, he was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, sitting in a bright interview room, facing the camera with an air of calmness.
Surprisingly, he was wearing a pair of platinum-framed glasses, something he usually avoided. These glasses didn't add a scholarly touch to his appearance; instead, they made his deep-set eyes even more inscrutable, as if hiding endless secrets and profound thoughts.
Sterling's expression was unusually stern as he faced the camera and the world.
Gone was the warm, gentle smile he used to wear.
It was as if overnight, he had shed all pretense and decided not to be the kind-hearted man everyone knew.
Every move, every glance, exuded an indescribable sense of detachment, making him seem almost unfamiliar.
Bella watched him quietly on the screen, feeling a mix of emotions. The Sterling she once knew seemed so distant now. The current Sterling radiated a cold aura, like an unapproachable iceberg.
Despite Sterling's drastic change in appearance, Bella remembered the days they spent together, the laughter and tears, the late-night conversations and confessions. She knew Sterling wasn't like this.
"Mr. Windsor, why have you decided to stop your charity work? What will happen to those you were helping? Have you thought about that? They need your support."
"Mr. Windsor, you're the richest person in the country. Are you unwilling to spend this money? Aren't you afraid of disappointing everyone?"
"Mr. Windsor, did something happen to cause this change? Can you explain it to us?"
Sterling sat on the interview couch, leaning against the soft cushion, his hands lightly folded on his knees, looking composed and resolute. His gaze swept over each reporter present, silently conveying that he was ready to face any question they might ask.
"I never did charity for your approval." Sterling's voice was deep and powerful, each word reaching the reporters' ears.
"I chose to end my charity work, and I don't need to explain it to you or anyone else. From start to finish, this has been my decision alone. Whether I do it or not has nothing to do with any of you. You weren't involved, so you have no right to question me. Whether you're disappointed or not is irrelevant to me because I don't care."
Sterling's words hit the reporters like a hammer, leaving them stunned. They exchanged glances, their expressions varied—some were shocked, some angry, others confused. His statement was a direct challenge to their professional dignity, making them feel embarrassed and awkward.
In this tense atmosphere, the reporters dared not ask more questions or be aggressive. They knew that pressing further would only make them look worse. So, they chose silence, some jotting down notes, others quietly putting away their recorders and cameras.
Seeing this, Sterling's lips curled into a barely noticeable smile. He knew his words were blunt and sharp, but he didn't owe anyone an explanation.
The interview, though filled with tension and awkwardness, led the public and media to speculate about Sterling's sudden change.
He had always appeared with a warm smile and sunny disposition, whether at charity events or business functions, earning people's love and respect with his humility and friendliness.
Now, he seemed to have donned a heavy armor, becoming cold and distant. His smile was no longer bright, and his eyes held a deeper, more complex look. This sudden change left many puzzled and curious.
People began to guess if there was an unknown secret or incident that caused Sterling's drastic transformation.
Some speculated he might have faced a major setback or blow, while others thought he might be disillusioned or angry with certain societal issues, expressing his dissatisfaction and resistance in this way.
Bella sat on her couch, holding her phone, reading the news and comments about Sterling. She felt a mix of emotions.
Bella knew why Sterling was acting this way; she just didn't understand why he chose to face the public and media like this instead of openly sharing his feelings and thoughts.
She sighed softly and turned off her phone. It was his personal choice and decision. She couldn't change his mind or actions.
Knowing that Colin and Sterling's new company was right across the street initially stirred some emotions in Bella. After all, she had some history with both of them, and now their business was so close, which made her feel a bit nostalgic.
But for a long time, she hadn't seen them in public, and her heart gradually settled. She thought maybe this was the best arrangement—everyone busy with their own lives, not interfering with each other, pretending not to know about it.
However, recently, there had been some subtle changes in her café. The once quiet place suddenly received many large delivery orders, all from the office building across the street.
Bella recognized the familiar addresses and order details, understanding that these orders were likely related to Colin and Sterling's new company.
Though she didn't ask directly, the occasional chatter among her staff revealed some hints.
Bella didn't show much surprise or dissatisfaction with these orders. Instead, she accepted them with a calm attitude. After all, it was business.
If their company needed her café to provide delivery services, she was happy to accept the cooperation. It was undoubtedly good news for her business.
At the same time, Bella realized that these orders might carry a deeper meaning. Perhaps Sterling was trying to send her a message or test her attitude, but regardless, she decided to stay calm and rational, not overinterpreting the actions behind these orders.