Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 79: Joy Prescott

Even though they had only met once, Sienna Monroe was well aware that Mrs. Sloane got along well with her mother-in-law, June Ewing, and now also frequently visited the underground male model industry.

Her fingertips, clutching the purse strap, turned slightly white.

Why did she have to run into her?!

If Mrs. Sloane told June Ewing about meeting her at the law firm today, June Ewing would surely start to suspect her.

Although a storm was brewing inside her, she maintained a composed smile, "Oh, Auntie Sloane. What a coincidence! What brings you to the law firm?"

"Ah, just some messy stuff that shouldn’t sully your ears, better not talk about it."

Mrs. Sloane had an arranged marriage with the head of the Chambers Family. Although they had a son and a daughter, they had never been emotionally close. There had been endless news stories for years about the Chambers Family head keeping mistresses.

Recently, there were rumors of them getting a divorce, and Sienna Monroe had heard about it too.

So her seeking out Sebastian Prescott was understandable.

Mrs. Sloane asked, "And what about you? Why are you here at the law firm, is there something up?"

Sienna Monroe kept her smile unchanged, swiftly coming up with an excuse, "The art gallery has a project lately and there’s some uncertainty regarding the operations contract. I happen to know Lawyer Prescott a bit, so I asked him to look it over."

After speaking, she looked at Sebastian Prescott, "How’s the contract coming along, Lawyer Prescott?"

Sebastian caught the plea for help in her smiling almond-shaped eyes, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, but his voice remained indifferent.

"Intellectual property and liability issues are sorted out. You’ll need to negotiate the management and maintenance responsibilities with the first party."

Sienna Monroe’s eyes flashed subtly, just like her heart that missed a beat for a second.

She nodded, "Alright, I’ll take a look later."

"Since you have things to handle, I won’t keep you," Mrs. Sloane chuckled, "When your mother-in-law feels better, have her bring you over to my place for tea and poker."

The news of Radiance Beauty Spa being investigated again and June Ewing falling ill had already spread among the elite families of Imperial City.

From the second day of its closure, many clients started calling to cancel memberships.

Only long-time clients like her worried that June Ewing might not recover from the illness.

"Sure," Sienna Monroe responded with a smile, "Once Radiance Beauty Spa reopens, you must come visit."

"Of course, tell your mother-in-law to rest assured and recover well," Mrs. Sloane said, "You go ahead, we’ll meet another day."

"Okay, take care, Mrs. Sloane."

Sienna Monroe watched her silhouette gradually disappear from view, letting out a small sigh of relief.

Leaning against the door frame, Sebastian Prescott observed the genuine emotion on her face gently fade away, raised an eyebrow slightly, then turned around and went inside, "She’s gone, come in."

Sienna replied, grabbing her purse and that cup of fruit tea, and entered his office.

"Thank you for earlier. This Mrs. Sloane is a client of Radiance Beauty Spa’s underground male model industry, one of June Ewing’s long-standing patrons."

Sebastian paused his motions of organizing the documents, looked up at her but said nothing.

He had taken Mrs. Sloane’s divorce case more than three months ago, and it had been in mediation since then.

Perhaps she could be a breakthrough point in Radiance Beauty Spa’s underground industry.

But as a lawyer, he adhered to basic professional ethics and couldn’t exploit one client for the benefit of another case.

So the Chambers Family’s divorce case couldn’t be played out slowly anymore.

It needed to be concluded quickly.

He withdrew his gaze, nodding lightly, "No problem, just a small effort. Sit down, still want some tea?"

"No need."

Sienna waved her hand; her sleep quality had been poor recently, and another cup of tea would surely lead to insomnia at night.

The feeling of wanting to sleep yet unable to is truly unpleasant.

"I’m here today about the Radiance Beauty Spa underground accounts..." She opened her phone gallery, showing him, "These are photos I took yesterday. But after comparing with the previous account books, I found significant discrepancies in the data this time. I suspect... it’s a false account."

Sebastian took the phone, frowning slightly, enlarged the photos, then extracted four or five sheets of paper from the pile on his desk, carefully comparing each one.

After a short while, his brow furrowed even deeper, finally putting down the sheets and returning her phone.

"Where did you get these accounts?"

"Same place as those account books," Sienna pointed her chin at the papers in front of him, "Looks like the previous tax audit made her more cautious."

Sebastian pursed his lips, his articulated fingers gently caressing the papers, his voice crisp, "According to criminal tax regulations, if the false tax amount exceeds ten thousand, a case should be filed and pursued."

"This account only has June Ewing’s signature, and lacks the official seal of the beauty spa. Legally speaking, this false account isn’t rigorous enough."

The implication being that it’s insufficient as evidence for "false accounts" in the underground industry.

And it would be easy for the opposing defense lawyer to exploit, or even counterattack.

Sienna wasn’t insistent on defining the false account as evidence; she was more coming for guidance on what to do with it, for peace of mind.

"If she can integrate false accounts so seamlessly, she should have issued invoices."

Sienna pursed her lips, lowering her gaze in thought.

Invoices?

She recalled the genuine account book on June Ewing’s study bookshelf.

If she could get her hands on that genuine account book, this false ledger, and invoices would be minor matters.

But how could she obtain it?

The first two times, it was the first wife who called June Ewing away, giving her the opportunity, but the third time, that excuse might not work.

With someone as astute as June Ewing, if she sensed something was off, who knows how many lies and reasons she would need to come up with to cover it.

"I’ll find a way," she said, "I’ll organize the evidence I’ve collected in this period and send it all to you."

Sebastian nodded, contemplating for a few seconds before asking, "Your divorce case evidence is almost complete, when do you plan to file?"

Sienna was momentarily taken aback; at the thought of facing Caleb Sinclair in court soon, she felt an indescribable sensation.

It felt like pain and sorrow, or oppression and suffocation.

But ultimately, it would all turn into a wisp of smoke.

Dissipating without a trace.

She sneered, lifting her gaze to the man across from her, "The divorce evidence is nearly complete, but..."

Sebastian’s sharp gaze caught the bit of emotion she was suppressing.

The motion of his fingers rubbing slightly paused, and he slowly averted his gaze, taking a sip of the cold coffee on the table, the rich bitterness sliding from his throat to his stomach.

Previously, he hadn’t thought coffee was bitter, but today it inexplicably tasted more bitter.

He frowned slightly, understanding what she was apprehensive about, calmly spoke, "My suggestion is to wait until you have substantial evidence from Radiance Beauty Spa, then sell your shares to Caleb Sinclair, and then file for divorce. There’s no rush."

Sienna understood his point.

If she filed for divorce now, June Ewing or the Sterling Family would surely intervene. Only when Radiance Beauty Spa’s underground industry was exposed would there be less trouble when the marriage ended.

Besides, when it’s revealed that Sebastian Prescott is her attorney, it won’t remain a secret for long. Last time, his involvement in the tax evasion incident with Radiance Beauty Spa was undeniable.

If June Ewing discovers this, it will definitely alert her, making it difficult for her to quietly disassociate from Radiance Beauty Spa.

And...

There’s also Vivian Nash.

How could she possibly let go of someone who attempted to harm her life so easily?

The charge of attempted murder must be pinned on Vivian Nash!

The spacious office fell into silence for a moment. Sebastian Prescott found his black coffee growing increasingly bitter, perhaps because it had gone cold.

He thought about it and set down the cup. "As for the current evidence, it is unfavorable for Caleb Sinclair, so his lawyer will undoubtedly advocate negotiation and mediation."

"The more evidence there is, the stronger the position during negotiations."

The objectives of any divorce boil down to two things: children and property.

But in most wealthy families, there are many vested interests entangled, and divorces are rarely seen.

Besides, prominent families care about their reputation. If things become too public, it is detrimental from any standpoint.

The Sterling Family is naturally the same.

Sienna Monroe rarely heard him talk so much at once. She regarded him with clear and calm eyes, like a spring rain, drizzling yet capable of cleansing all worldly things.

And that smile of hers was like a dazzling and brilliant rainbow.

"Mm, I understand."

She answered softly and then asked about the fruit tea, "By the way, do you know a place in Imperial City where I can test the components of a drink?"

Sebastian Prescott shifted his gaze to the deep brown fruit tea on the coffee table.

He had been wondering earlier about how it came in full when she brought it in, yet she hadn’t taken a sip during their lengthy conversation.

"Where did it come from?"

Sienna Monroe was straightforward, "Vivian Nash bought the milk tea. But I suspect she drugged it."

"Do you have any evidence?"

"Once it’s tested, there might just be evidence."

Sebastian Prescott glanced at the clock on the wall, calculating silently, "Let’s go. We still have time to make it."

Sienna Monroe was slightly taken aback, a bit confused, "Where to?"

"Centron Research and Analysis Center."

As she was momentarily distracted, Sebastian Prescott grabbed his coat and car keys, heading to the office door. It was only when she heard him instructing Assistant Nash to tidy up the items on the coffee table that she reacted, grabbing the fruit tea, and followed him out.

On the way to the parking lot, she had initially intended to mention that she had driven herself, but Sebastian Prescott had already opened the passenger door, so she swallowed her words, bent down to sit inside, and fastened her seatbelt.

Centron Research and Analysis Center is located halfway up Mount Quilo in Westwood, built nine years ago, sprawling over a vast area, and is an institution under the National Police Department.

It’s nearly a two-hour drive from Southcroft.

The weather in Southcroft was quite pleasant today. Although it was windy, the clouds occasionally reflected beams of sunlight. In contrast, the sky in Northgate was slightly overcast. There was a light rain earlier in the morning, and the temperature was four to five degrees lower than in Southcroft.

Compared to her uncle’s winding Mount Glimmer, the road to Mount Quilo is much straighter, though the slope is a bit steep and long, surrounded by towering mountains.

On the way, Sienna Monroe asked Sebastian Prescott if he knew someone there.

Sebastian Prescott replied that he didn’t.

This left Sienna Monroe at a loss for words, so she simply remained silent.

The car’s heating was dry and comfortable. Having slept poorly the night before, she dozed off against the back of the seat in the latter part of the journey.

She woke up just as they were nearing the Research and Analysis Center.

By the time they arrived, it was already past five.

Through the windshield, Sienna Monroe spotted a figure standing at the gate, waving at their car from afar.

Only as they got closer and slowed down did she realize it was a girl.

The girl was tall and strikingly beautiful, with short, crisp hair and a pair of radiant, lively eyes, exuding a friendly vibe.

After parking and turning off the car, Sebastian Prescott was the first to push open the door and step out.

Sienna Monroe unbuckled her seatbelt, grabbed her bag and the fruit tea, got out of the car, and shivered involuntarily as the chilly mountain wind brushed past her. She walked over to where Sebastian was standing.

She heard him inquiring about the girl’s well-being.

"All good, all good." The girl replied casually, her gaze falling on Sienna Monroe. She raised an eyebrow, "Could this be my future..."

"A friend, Sienna Monroe." Sebastian Prescott coolly interrupted her, then introduced, "Joy Prescott..."

"His sister, the older twin." Joy Prescott pointed to him, smiling as she completed the introduction.

Sebastian Prescott pressed his lips together, remaining silent.

In reality, Joy Prescott was actually three to four months younger.

To be precise, of the Prescott twins, he was indeed the older by birth.

This was a secret within The Prescott Family. Sienna Monroe didn’t know much about Sebastian Prescott, so she had no idea about this aspect of his life. She hadn’t expected that this person was his sister.

She smiled and nodded, hesitating slightly over the address, "Hello... Miss Prescott."

Joy Prescott laughed, "Just call me sis, no need for formalities. It’s cold outside; let’s go inside and talk."

External vehicles are not allowed into the Centron Research and Analysis Center, so Joy Prescott led them to her office building.

As they walked, she asked, "Sebastian has already told me; is it this cup of fruit tea you need tested?"

Sienna Monroe nodded and handed over the fruit tea, "Yes, it is."

Joy Prescott opened the lid of the fruit tea, sniffed it near her nose, frowned slightly but didn’t comment.

Once inside the office, she handed a form to Sienna Monroe, "Please fill out this application; just basic information is needed. You can leave the sections for test items and usage blank."

Sienna Monroe acknowledged with an "Okay" and proceeded to fill out the form.

Joy Prescott took the completed form, noticing the elegant, flowing handwriting, which was both delicate and resilient.

It was evident that this skillful writing had been cultivated over time.

She swiftly signed her name, used a measuring cup to sample the fruit tea, affixed information labels, and assured Sienna Monroe, "The testing period generally takes three to seven working days. Adding the time for compiling and reviewing the report, it will take about half a month."

She turned to look at Sienna Monroe, "When the results are out, I’ll call Sebastian and have him inform you."

"Alright." Sienna Monroe nodded with a smile, "Thank you, Joy."

"No need to be formal; it’s a small thing."

"As for the cost..."

"It’s alright; it’s minor. We can discuss it after the report results are ready," Joy Prescott glanced at the time, "It’s Sebastian’s first time here. Although I can’t show you around, it’s almost mealtime. How about trying our center’s cafeteria?"