Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 73: Cooperation

On the other end of the phone, Franklin Hughes laughed, "You know him?"

"Not only do I know him, but I’m also acquainted," Sienna Monroe said with a smile in her voice, "I consulted him when I first started suspecting Radiance Beauty Spa of illegal operations, and later, he represented me in the case."

"I see, that’s good. It saves me the introduction. The second son of The Prescott Family is impeccable in law. You can rely on him, and feel free to consult him anytime if there’s an issue."

"Sure, I know, Uncle."

Franklin Hughes’ voice turned a bit more serious, "Don’t just rely on him."

Sienna chuckled, "Yes, I should also rely on Uncle."

"As long as you know. With your dad and brother not home, of course I’m your support. You shouldn’t bear such big matters alone. Rest assured."

Sienna’s eyes felt a bit sore.

Ever since her mother died in a car accident, Leo Monroe and Shane Morgan had been away from home most of the time, leaving her with an inevitable sense of emptiness.

Now, her uncle’s caring words seemed to fill that void.

She softly responded, "Mm."

Franklin Hughes didn’t forget to remind her, "Also, don’t mention this to Caleb Sinclair for now. After all, it’s about his mother."

"Mm, I understand."

"Alright then, go on with your work. Call me anytime if something comes up, don’t handle it on your own."

"Okay."

After the call ended, the melancholy in Sienna’s heart spread rapidly. It took a while before those ripples gradually calmed down.

When she got home that evening and opened the door, the aroma of food greeted her.

She recognized it as the sour and spicy fish and golden tofu stuffed with meat that Caleb Sinclair had made.

These two dishes...

He had secretly learned to make them for her birthday last year because she had once tasted and praised them at a restaurant.

He had remembered it.

Her birthday was in August, and by that time, Caleb Sinclair was already involved with Vivian Nash.

How ironic.

Caleb Sinclair came out of the kitchen, saw her, and immediately called out with a smile, "Honey, you’re back! Come quickly, let’s eat. I was just about to call you to ask when you’d be home."

Sienna snapped out of her daze, walked over to the dining table.

Besides the two memorable dishes, there were also stir-fried seasonal vegetables and a pot of soup on the table.

But she inexplicably felt as if she had been slapped twice by an invisible hand.

Recalling the joy and sweetness she felt when she first tasted those two dishes made her feel a burning pain.

"I’ve already eaten. You go ahead," she remarked casually before heading upstairs.

"Honey..."

Caleb stood there dazed, calling out to her until her figure disappeared from view. He then pursed his lips and withdrew his gaze.

*

The next day, after two days of on-and-off sleet, the weather finally cleared. The air was filled with a hint of moisture, and the biting cold wind felt like a sharp knife cutting against the face.

At ten in the morning, as expected, the market regulation and quality inspection departments came for their routine check at Radiance Beauty Spa.

June Ewing didn’t come to the spa that day because she felt cold.

As the manager, Clara Shaw was extremely anxious.

A total of seven people from the two departments arrived. After presenting their enforcement badges, the leader stated the enforcement code.

"There have been reports of false advertising, product fraud, and evidence provided against Radiance Beauty Spa. We are here to investigate according to the law. Please cooperate with the investigation."

Clara Shaw was taken aback and quickly explained, "Is there some mistake? Our spa has always conducted honest business. How could there be false advertising and product fraud?"

"Whether it’s a mistake will be determined after our investigation. Where is the person in charge of the spa?"

"The director isn’t in today. I’ll have someone call her right away."

The leader nodded, "Lead the way."

Clara was nervous but didn’t dare delay. While having someone notify June Ewing, she also exchanged a meaningful glance with another.

That person understood and nodded, turning to make a call.

The enforcement officers mainly inspected the spa’s promotional strategies, product testing, ingredient lists, and procurement channels.

After taking photos and making backups of everything, they selected twelve products from the warehouse for sample testing.

June Ewing hurried over as the enforcement officers awaited her arrival.

"Are you the person in charge of the spa?"

"Yes..."

Due to anxiety, her face appeared somewhat pale.

"Regarding the false advertising and product fraud at Radiance Beauty Spa, we hereby notify you to rectify the spa within 15 days. Additionally, based on your monthly sales, a fine of 127,000 yuan is imposed. The samples taken will be further tested, and we’ll notify you of the results."

The market regulation and quality inspection departments arrived silently but left differently, attracting quite an audience from surrounding shops.

What broke June Ewing was that in the afternoon, the market regulation department posted this penalty notice on the nearby commercial bulletin board.

In no time, rumors of Radiance Beauty Spa deceiving and defrauding consumers spread widely.

June Ewing was numb, feeling as if the entire building and world were spinning rapidly.

No need to guess; someone was deliberately targeting Radiance Beauty Spa, specifically targeting her.

Her head was a chaos of confusion and dizziness.

People who shop on this commercial street usually have significant status. Such a big event will soon spread around every corner of Imperial City.

The thought of facing Isaac Sinclair’s questioning and blame, Rhonda Garrison’s mockery and gloating made her heart race. She simply closed her eyes and fainted.

When she woke up, it was already dark. The familiar layout before her eyes was that of the master bedroom in the side wing of The Sterling Estate.

Many people were standing around.

Isaac Sinclair, Caleb Sinclair, Sienna Monroe, Cecilia York.

Rhonda Garrison, having heard of June Ewing’s faint and unexpected return, had inquired about what happened. Hearing that Isaac Sinclair was back, she came over to watch the drama.

In just a month, a small beauty spa was involved in two major incidents, leaving Isaac Sinclair’s face tarnished.

Her gaze first fell on Isaac Sinclair, whose face was solemn.

Over the years, she understood Isaac Sinclair’s temperament well.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately decided to borrow Isaac’s hand to handle this matter, to find out who was causing trouble behind the scenes.

Her hands waved anxiously in the air twice, her voice filled with heavy sobs, grievances, and fragility.

"Isaac, I just wanted to open a beauty salon to pass the time. Whose path did I cross to deserve such harm? What should I do? Is my beauty salon doomed?"

Isaac Sinclair’s heart, initially as hard as iron, softened instantly seeing her pitiful, tear-streaked face.

He knew June Ewing well.

Such a kind and gentle person could never commit deceptive acts against consumers.

He held her hand, comforting her, "Don’t cry. I’ll have someone investigate this matter."

Sienna Monroe had seen this scene more than once over the past few years.

But she still couldn’t stop the goosebumps from rising.

Despite being over fifty, June Ewing maintained herself well, without a wrinkle at the corners of her eyes, and was in good shape.

Even standing next to Caleb, they could be mistaken for siblings.

With such a demeanor, she knew how to appear weak.

Could this not easily evoke Isaac’s protective instincts?

Rhonda Garrison’s face darkened instantly upon seeing June’s pitiful appearance, "Two shameless old fools."

Sienna watched Rhonda’s figure disappear at the doorway, pressing her lips together.

Recalling the underground ledger in the small study’s safe, she hesitated for a few seconds but then decided to follow.

Caleb saw this, instinctively wanting to call Sienna, but upon hearing his mother’s sobs, swallowed his words, and after hesitating for about half a minute, quietly left the room.

Sienna called out to Rhonda, who was heading downstairs, "Madam."

Rhonda turned at the voice, her well-maintained face full of indifference, "Yes?"

Sienna understood the concept of walls having ears.

After all, that entire wing was full of June Ewing’s people.

Standing about a meter away from Rhonda, Sienna maintained a light smile and spoke gently, "I invited Susan to an art gallery last time and gave her my card, telling her to contact me anytime. But Susan has yet to reach out."

"I know she likes Audrey, and it’s rare for Audrey to host an exhibition domestically and so nearby. It would be quite a pity if she missed it."

Rhonda furrowed her brows slightly, for she had no knowledge of this matter.

Just as she was about to inquire further, a figure appeared at the staircase, causing her to stop speaking.

Caleb didn’t catch the full exchange and wasn’t sure what was being discussed, but he worried Sienna might suffer at the hands of Madam, so he hurried over to ask, "Sienna, what’s wrong?"

Hearing this, Sienna turned to him and seeing his concerned expression, shook her head, "It’s nothing. I happened to find out that Susan likes Audrey’s work. It’s a pity she missed the last exhibition.

Coincidentally, next month on the 19th, our gallery will host an exhibition featuring Audrey and Faye Irving. It will last for a month, and if Susan is interested, she can contact me at any time."

Caleb looked at Rhonda, "In that case, Susan should go if she likes it. Sienna is her sister-in-law, no need to be shy."

Rhonda, catching the emphasis on "sister-in-law", cooled her expression but didn’t refute, "I will convey your message to Susan, but whether she goes or not is up to her."

With that, she turned and left.

Caleb withdrew his gaze and softly said, "Sienna, even if you wish to irk Madam for Mom’s sake, don’t rush in alone. Madam has a bad temper, be careful she doesn’t take it out on you. I’m just afraid you’ll suffer."

Annoy?

Did he think she was deliberately provoking Madam with her words just now?

Sienna frowned slightly but didn’t explain further. She nodded faintly, saying ’noted,’ and then went downstairs to the kitchen to fetch June Ewing a bowl of chicken soup.

Back at the main building, Rhonda pondered Sienna’s words, feeling there was more implied.

Especially about the business card matter, as she hadn’t heard Susan mention it at all.

After some thought, she dialed Susan Sinclair’s number.

*

Sienna received Rhonda’s call the next day at noon, unsurprised she arranged to meet Rhonda at a cafe in the afternoon.

The weather was nice today, with the ice melting and the afternoon sun warm and pleasant.

Arriving early, Sienna chose a seat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, ordering a cappuccino with milk and sugar and a slice of strawberry mousse cake.

The Sterling Estate was a bit far from this place, and after waiting about twenty minutes, she finally saw Rhonda walking in, clad in a burgundy cape coat and carrying a crocodile-skin Hermès bag.

Sienna put down her cake spoon, stood up, and greeted, "Madam."

Rhonda spotted her immediately, nodding indifferently before walking over to sit down, ordering "a hot Americano" from the server.

Once the server departed, Rhonda’s gaze landed on Sienna, "I apologize on Susan’s behalf. That girl is always absent-minded and heedless.

She went to a birthday party that day and got thoroughly drunk. By the next day, she had completely forgotten about your business card."

Sienna was taken aback; she initially thought Madam was indifferent and didn’t want to collaborate with her, hence the lack of contact.

Turns out, Susan hadn’t mentioned it at all.

This revelation gave her more confidence about today’s cooperation.

She slowly smiled, "It’s alright. There’s no need to worry, Madam."

"I heard from Susan that you want to discuss a collaboration regarding your mother-in-law. It’s not her sending you to seek me out, is it?" Rhonda, preferring straightforwardness, bluntly asked, "Wouldn’t it be easier if your mother-in-law approached me directly?"

Sienna’s expression remained gentle, her serene eyes showing a soft, warm smile, "If it were her, I wouldn’t need to secretly avoid her and Caleb. I would have come directly to you last time at the estate."

Rhonda thought that made sense.

Besides, if June Ewing sought collaboration, she wouldn’t target her.

This piqued her interest, especially since Sienna claimed to avoid Caleb as well.

Yesterday’s memory of Caleb’s protective demeanor while she was speaking with Sienna was still fresh in her mind.

She knew well how strong their marriage was.

Soon, the server brought the coffee, Rhonda took a sip and invited, "Go ahead, tell me." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Sienna didn’t beat around the bush, pulling a few pages from her bag and gently sliding them across to Rhonda, "Have a look at this first, Madam. Otherwise, no matter how much I say, you might not believe me."

Rhonda put down her coffee, confused, as she picked up the documents, initially looking like ledgers.

These were daily, monthly comprehensive summaries.

The monthly totals were substantial.

However, it wasn’t until she saw the third page that she noticed the bold title: Radiance Beauty Spa Comprehensive Account Ledger.

She was full of shock and confusion, "What do you mean by showing me this?"

Sienna took a sip of her coffee, wetting her lips, her voice calm and slow, "These are the ledgers of Radiance Beauty Spa’s underground illegal operations."