Chapter 395: Mr. Grant’s Appearance (3)

Chapter 395: Chapter 395: Mr. Grant’s Appearance (3)

"Seraphina, this is where you’re wrong. The Sterling and Faulkner families are relatives. With such a profitable project, how could you not think of your own family? The Sterlings and the Faulkners already have many collaborations. Even if you license it to The Faulkner Group, you can’t be too demanding. We’re all one family, and there will be plenty of opportunities to work together in the future!" Owen Sterling chimed in, putting on the airs of an elder as he began to lecture her.

Seraphina Sterling glanced at the pile of exquisite, high-end designer shopping bags that Aiden Faulkner and Faye Sterling had carried in. A cold smirk touched her lips. "It seems Second Uncle truly considers the Faulkners his own family. So much so that Aiden Faulkner can just walk into any of the high-end Sterling Malls, take whatever she wants, and leave without paying! I imagine Miss Faulkner had quite a haul today accompanying Faye on her shopping trip! This brand of cosmetics costs at least twenty or thirty thousand. Miss Faulkner certainly makes herself at home—just takes things and walks out! You really are one big, happy family!"

Aiden Faulkner never thought Seraphina Sterling would bring this up. She had grown accustomed to it; every time she went to a Sterling Mall with her aunt, she would simply take what she wanted and leave without paying. It had been the same just now while shopping with Faye Sterling. After so many times, she’d begun to see it as perfectly normal. Only now that Seraphina had called her out in front of everyone did she realize with a jolt just how improper it was!

Walter Sterling’s expression darkened considerably. Jasmine Faulkner immediately lowered her head, not daring to speak. Even with her head bowed, she could feel the patriarch’s gaze on her, and it was ice-cold.

But Seraphina Sterling wasn’t about to let them off that easily. "My mother is a Sterling by birth, yet she has never walked out of a Sterling Mall with merchandise she didn’t pay for! Perhaps in Second Uncle’s eyes, a Faulkner is closer to you than a Sterling, enough to condone Aiden Faulkner’s behavior! But then again, the Sterling Family is a massive enterprise. We donate millions to charity every year. I suppose the family won’t even bat an eye at Miss Faulkner’s trivial expenses!"

Aiden Faulkner’s expression grew even more grim. ’Is Seraphina Sterling implying that I need the Sterling Family’s handouts? That they’re providing me with poverty relief? That this is their charity work?’

"It’s just that if word of this were to get out, the optics would be terrible. People might think the Faulkner Family can’t even afford to give their own young lady pocket money. Or perhaps that your fiancé, Justin Hale, is too cheap to buy things for his own fiancée. Is that why Miss Faulkner has to resort to taking things from Sterling Malls, because she can’t afford to pay? It wouldn’t look good for the Faulkner Family, or for the Hale Family!"

The battle lines had been drawn to include Justin Hale. She’d heard him loud and clear just moments ago, telling the patriarch to discipline her. And yet, Justin Hale maintained his gentle smile, as if he hadn’t heard a single word Seraphina had said. Only his slightly narrowed eyes betrayed the fury simmering within. Seraphina immediately shifted her attack to a new front.

"And besides, Second Uncle, didn’t you mention not long ago that the company was having some cash flow issues? And they weren’t minor, either—you’d already gone to Fenton Bank. Why didn’t I see your so-called ’family’ lend a hand back then? If you had a few more relatives like the Faulkners, Second Uncle, I’m afraid the Sterling Family would be just a stone’s throw from bankruptcy!" Seraphina delivered this last line with crushing weight. It struck the most vulnerable nerve in both Walter and Owen Sterling’s hearts. The one thing they could never tolerate in their lifetimes was the thought of the Sterling Family going bankrupt.

"Owen! I had no idea the company was in such trouble under your management! And what nerve you have! Letting people just take things from the mall without paying? And his wife!" he bellowed, turning on Jasmine. "I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve pulled a stunt like this, is it? If anything like this ever happens again, you’re not to set foot outside this house! And you," his glare returned to Owen, "if you are incapable of managing this company, then step down and make way for someone competent! I can just hire a professional CEO!" After his thunderous roar, Walter Sterling spun around and stormed back to his room.