Chapter 386: Someone Needs a Dressing-Down (Part 2)

Chapter 386: Chapter 386: Someone Needs a Dressing-Down (Part 2)

After waiting for a while, someone finally returned.

"Aunt, we’re back! Maple is doing great today. We even took her shopping for some new clothes!" Aiden Faulkner’s voice rang out before he even stepped inside.

Walter Sterling, who had just looked up, let his head sink again. Unless it was Seraphina Sterling returning, he couldn’t muster the slightest interest in anything.

When Aiden Faulkner entered the living room and saw Walter Sterling on the sofa, he composed himself, adopting the dignified air of the Faulkner family’s heir. He walked gracefully over to Walter Sterling. "Hello, Mr. Sterling. It’s been a long time. You look as hale and hearty as ever!"

"I’m getting old. Can’t keep up with you young folks anymore," Walter Sterling replied casually.

"You’re being too humble, Mr. Sterling," said Justin Hale, who was the last to enter. "You’re just like my grandfather—not only hale and hearty, but full of vigor. You don’t seem like an elderly person at all!" He had been at Hale Corporation’s tech division and ran into Aiden Faulkner and Faye Sterling as he was leaving. When he learned they were heading home, he gave them a ride.

Walter Sterling’s spirits lifted the moment he heard it was Justin Hale. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was the future heir of the Hale Family. "How’s your grandfather? Oh, no need to answer—he must be wonderful. Now that he has the Snow Hall Inkstone he’s coveted for so long, I bet he’s grinning from ear to ear!"

’The mere mention of the Snow Hall Inkstone made Justin Hale wince internally. Seventy million, not seven thousand! That was a full three times higher than his estimate! If the Sterling Family hadn’t been bidding against his grandfather, the Faulkner Inkstone would never have sold for such a price. Still, every loss comes with a gain. That one Faulkner Inkstone had also made him realize a few things. All things considered, it wasn’t a loss.’

"You know my grandfather well, Mr. Sterling. He loves antiques and paintings, but his greatest passion of all is collecting inkstones. Now that the long-sought-after Snow Hall Inkstone is finally in his hands, he’s naturally thrilled. I bet he’s using it to practice his calligraphy as we speak! And didn’t Miss Sterling mention last time that this was the very inkstone used by the great calligrapher Dongpo Sullivan? Using it to practice might just be twice as effective, don’t you think?"

The group sat on the sofa, chatting away. Uncharacteristically, Faye Sterling didn’t retreat to her room to rest. Instead, she remained in the living room, listening to the bits and pieces of their idle conversation.

This was the scene that greeted Seraphina Sterling when she arrived home. She had rushed back immediately after receiving a call from her grandfather, but she never expected to find Justin Hale and Aiden Faulkner there. ’Has my location been leaked? Is this related to them? It can’t be. I’ve been keeping a low profile lately, not making any moves against the Hale family’s businesses. Besides, I’ve already handed Keystone Technologies over to Nadia Chapman. Even Justin Hale shouldn’t be able to dig up anything!’

"Grandfather, Second Aunt, why did you call me back in such a hurry? And where’s Mom?"

"Your birthday is coming up, isn’t it? Your mother went out to get you a birthday present!" Walter Sterling’s mood finally brightened upon seeing Seraphina. He didn’t care whether she had truly gotten into Aethelgard University or how she had managed to get out of her situation; seeing her safe and sound was enough to set his mind at ease.

"Seraphina, I don’t mean to criticize you, but why would you lie to us and say you got into Aethelgard University? It’s one thing to deceive us, but do you have any idea how much damage this will do to the Sterling Family’s reputation if outsiders find out? The whole of high society thinks that you, Seraphina Sterling, got into Apex Premier Academy on your own merit. Who knew it was all a lie! People who don’t know the truth will think that we, the Sterling family, are a bunch of frauds!"