Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 66: Does She Want Her to Be the Middleman?
Sienna Monroe’s expression shifted from surprise to delight, "This is great news, congratulations Mom, you’re about to have two stores. How is the progress going now? Do you have a plan? How about the location?"
"The plan is rather simple, just follow the scale and management style of the main store, it’s not difficult."
June Ewing got up to pour her a cup of warm water, sighing as she spoke, "As for the location, we haven’t found a suitable one yet. Your family is from Northgate, you grew up there, so you might know it well."
Listening to her words, Sienna Monroe felt alerted.
Is she trying to make her a middleman?
She pondered seriously for a moment, then shook her head, "You know, my dad and my brother are often not home, I only see them a few times a year, and there have been big changes in recent years, I’m not too familiar with the situation in Northgate."
She spoke truthfully, her father Leo Monroe is a history professor at Meridia University, he only returns for a few days during summer vacation and New Year’s.
As for her brother Shane Morgan, his visits home are even less frequent.
After graduating from The Diplomatic Academy, he joined The Press Division and was transferred to The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last year, becoming the youngest envoy in its history, currently serving as the Deputy Director at the Valerian Embassy.
She hadn’t seen him for more than a year.
Both of them are rarely at home, it’s reasonable for her not to return to Northgate often.
June Ewing glanced at Sienna Monroe and smiled slowly, "True. Look how forgetful I am, it’s not a big deal, the store can be chosen slowly. Back then, Radiance Beauty Spa was all thanks to your three million dollars, and now it thrives, you are definitely a major contributor."
Sienna Monroe could hear the underlying implications in her words.
She often heard June Ewing praise her, both to her face and in front of others, always elevating her position.
How could the Second Madam of The Sterling Family not have three million?
Even if she was temporarily short, as soon as Rhonda Garrison wasn’t willing, Isaac Sinclair would have given her the money.
She couldn’t help but think how innocent and foolish she was back then.
They say there’s a dagger hidden behind a smile, and needles hidden in soft cotton.
She saw this embodied in June Ewing.
She glanced at June Ewing, a trace of sadness passed through her gentle eyes.
She used to see her as her real mother and even felt incredibly lucky, with a husband so caring and loving, and even her mother-in-law doted on her and cared for her.
But these two things, now thoroughly destroyed the happiness and beauty she believed in.
"What you said, Mom, I only borrowed that three million from you back then, and now I’m a shareholder of Radiance Beauty Spa, receiving millions in dividends every six months, I’m feeling guilty."
Cecilia York heard this and her heart jolted.
Millions every six months.
Could her aunt’s beauty salon be that profitable?
Could she benefit from the new branch?
She instinctively glanced at June Ewing, then at Sienna Monroe, licking her lips as her thoughts became more active.
June Ewing deliberately put on a stern face, "Even if the money isn’t divided with you, it’s handed to someone else. Mine is yours and Caleb’s. Besides, there’s also one in your belly... Tell you what, when the new store opens, I’ll give fifteen percent shares to my grandchild..."
Sienna Monroe felt a ripple of emotion through her heart.
June Ewing indeed wanted to rope her in.
But what was her purpose in doing so?
How would dragging her down be beneficial to her?
Sienna Monroe hurriedly interrupted her, "Mom, please don’t... How could I bear this? I’ve been taught that one should not accept rewards without merit, I’m already embarrassed receiving dividends from the main store, how could I ask for the branch’s share?!"
"It’s not for you, it’s for my grandchild, why are you in such a rush?" June Ewing gave her a sideways glance with mild annoyance, but kept her smile, "It’s decided, once the location is chosen, we’ll draft a contract."
"Mom, there are still over eight months until the baby is born, it’s not even developed yet. Fifteen percent shares are a lot, the child will feel pressured..."
Sienna Monroe is not a superstitious person, but this saying about children is prevalent.
Being young, they shouldn’t bear too much burden.
Even the name can’t hold too much significance, or the child might not grow well.
June Ewing hesitated upon hearing this, knowing this saying at her age. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
After all, her grandchildren are meant to be cherished by her.
If that’s the case, there’s no rush in this moment.
When the child is born, transferring the shares to Sienna Monroe would be the same.
She smiled, "Right, the child is still young, it’s not appropriate, waiting until birth isn’t too late."
Cecilia York chuckled and questioned with surprise, "Sis-in-law, you’re pregnant?"
Sienna Monroe met her genuine and gentle eyes, nodding, "Yes, just over a month."
Cecilia York’s smile was soft, her words were remarkably pleasant to hear, "Congratulations to you and my cousin, soon to be parents. No wonder my aunt has been radiant and cheerful lately, turns out happiness brings good spirits, she’s going to be a grandma."
"You have such a sweet mouth." June Ewing laughed and poked her forehead.
Sienna Monroe smiled, glancing at Cecilia York, wondering whether enrolling in the underground socialite training class was her own choice or due to June Ewing’s persuasion?
After contemplating for a few seconds, she spoke slowly, "Cecilia seems to have become much more outgoing, also quite talkative."
Cecilia York lowered her eyes modestly and whispered, "That’s because I’m with family..."
June Ewing took over the conversation, "You should also be open and bright in front of outsiders."
"Yes, I understand, Aunt." Cecilia York replied with a smile.
Sienna Monroe had lunch with June Ewing and Cecilia York, and returned to the art gallery in the afternoon. As soon as she entered her office, her phone suddenly chimed with a text message notification.
[The final location of Radiance Beauty Spa’s branch will be set on Riven Street, Northgate, at the commercial building at number 164. It has five floors, and the owner is Michelle Lowe.]
Michelle Lowe?
Sienna Monroe was startled upon seeing the name.
The surname Lowe isn’t common in Imperial City.
The only family she knew was related to the Hughes Family.
The Hughes’s First Madam, her aunt, was indeed named Michelle Lowe.
Was June Ewing aware while choosing this building, or was it by coincidence?
Honestly, she didn’t believe it was a coincidence.
Could it be that June Ewing wanted to involve her uncle’s family?
The Hughes Group is a presence that cannot be ignored among the elite families of Imperial City, also leading in real estate and resource development.
Caleb Sinclair could acquire that construction company due to The Hughes Group’s influence.
Currently, his company has at least three or four major projects related to The Hughes Group.
As the son-in-law, her uncle Finnian Hughes and cousin Justin Hughes are willing to mentor more.
Because of this, the construction company he manages never lacks projects, progressing smoothly.
Now, June Ewing uses her unpleasantly lengthy influence to disgust her aunt?
How dare she, how could she do such a thing?
Sienna Monroe clenched her fists, turned, and left her office to take the elevator down, just as the driver hadn’t left yet. She got into the car again, "To Northgate Hughes Family."
The driver hesitated for a moment, but didn’t ask further, nodding as he started the car.
