Chapter 329: Entering the Company for Training (1)

Chapter 329: Chapter 329: Entering the Company for Training (1)

Owen Sterling froze, finally understanding Seraphina Sterling’s true objective. He realized she had known his plan all along—that he had designs on her. But she had no proof and knew a direct accusation wouldn’t be convincing, so she had deliberately twisted the situation, claiming he wanted to marry Maple off to Leo Fenton! She had predicted that he would have to deny it. That way, even without concrete evidence, their father would be mostly convinced, and he himself would be left with no room to argue!

He had just denied having any intention of marrying Maple off to Leo Fenton. If he denied this new accusation, how could he possibly explain inviting Leo Fenton to their home? Even if it was for business, there was no need to bring him to their house—especially not for a private meeting!

This Seraphina Sterling was truly something else. With just a few cleverly feigned words, she had completely dismantled the plan he had been hatching for so long. And she had cornered him, leaving him no way to retaliate!

"Owen! Tell me, is what Seraphina said true? You planned to marry her off to that worthless Fenton heir? You couldn’t bear to part with your own daughter, so you set your sights on Seraphina instead? Don’t you forget, Seraphina is your older brother’s daughter! She has Sterling blood! She is your kin! Sacrificing family to resolve a corporate crisis is a sign of incompetence!"

Walter Sterling let out a furious roar, his eyes flashing with a vicious light, as if he wanted to break both of Owen’s legs on the spot. ’How could my second son be so different from my first? He panics at the slightest problem! Why hasn’t he learned a single thing from his older brother’s calm and collected demeanor in a crisis?’

"Dad, it’s not like that! The company really is in a crisis. The new project, especially, has a funding problem, and we can’t open on schedule. It’s also true that I applied for a loan from Fenton Bank. But I swear, I never had the slightest intention of marrying Seraphina or Maple to Leo Fenton! I know his reputation—how could I ever marry a daughter of the Sterling Family to him?"

Owen Sterling explained frantically. His father could beat him or curse him, but he absolutely could not let the old man be disappointed in him! Although he was the chairman of The Sterling Group and responsible for its operations, he knew very well that the true power still rested in his father’s hands. As long as the old man was alive, he could be replaced at any moment.

"Dad, for something this serious, you have to give him a chance to explain!" Jasmine Faulkner chimed in. "Owen is your son. You watched him grow up—don’t you know what kind of person he is? How could he do something like this?" After hearing Seraphina’s words, she had finally caught on. She instantly understood that Owen’s scheme had likely targeted Seraphina, not their own daughter.

"Then speak! What exactly is going on?" Walter Sterling demanded, breathing heavily. "If you had no designs on Seraphina or Maple, then why did you invite that Fenton boy to our home? And why did you specifically call Seraphina over to greet him?" His son, his daughter-in-law, his granddaughter—not a single one of them gave him any peace of mind. ’How could he ever be at ease leaving the Sterling Family in their hands?’

"First, the Quinn Family deliberately disrupted operations at the Sterling Mall, causing us to suffer massive losses! Then, they cut off all of the Sterling Family’s lines of credit! I was left with no other choice but to seek a loan from Fenton Bank. Because the sum was so large, the Fenton Family demanded physical collateral and specifically requested this villa. I wasn’t hosting Leo Fenton that day—he was here representing Fenton Bank to inspect the very villa we intended to mortgage!"

"Seraphina just happened to be coming downstairs at that moment. While Leo Fenton’s reputation may not be great, we are the Sterling Family, one of Aethelgard’s most prominent families. We must maintain our class and composure. I simply didn’t want him to think we Sterlings were rude or arrogant, so I called Seraphina over to say hello. I suppose the situation was just very sensitive, and it led to a misunderstanding!"