Chapter 681 - 677: The Bureau of Urban Development Has Arrived

’Sexy?’

That word made Ethan Sterling feel a bit embarrassed.

"Did you learn it yourself?"

"I guess so. I watch British dramas and intentionally imitate the pronunciation. Over time, I just picked it up." Ethan Sterling looked at Helen White and asked, "Have you seen Downton Abbey? I love it."

"Me too!" Helen White nodded excitedly. "None of my friends have seen it. I can’t believe you have."

Helen White’s gaze toward Ethan Sterling took on a different quality. She couldn’t hide her interest and said, "Ethan Sterling, I’m discovering you’re a real hidden gem. The more I get to know you, the more interesting I find you."

"Really?" Ethan Sterling was a bit surprised. "No one’s ever said that about me before."

"Then they just haven’t noticed yet. I didn’t think so at first either," Helen White said bluntly. "At first, I thought you were just one of those gaming nerds, you know? Maybe one of the better-looking ones."

"I’m really not."

"I’ve noticed. You’re not a homebody at all, and you’re different from a lot of guys." Helen White picked up her fruit juice from the table. "I’m really glad I got to know you. I enjoy being your friend."

"Me too." Ethan Sterling also raised his glass.

The two clinked their glasses and smiled at each other.

"Actually, I know why you used the other ticket on me." Helen White put down her glass and spoke in a serious tone. "I don’t want to be a killjoy, so I’ll give it some serious thought. But don’t get your hopes up too high."

"Because I really don’t like forcing myself to do things I don’t want to do. And as of right now, I have no interest in joining the school team."

She was being perfectly frank and open, but compared to her previous firm refusal, she had clearly softened her stance a little.

"I don’t want to put any pressure on you. Even though I used the ticket, you paid for the flight and hotel, so we’re even. You don’t need to feel like you owe me anything because of this."

Ethan Sterling paused for a moment before continuing, "But I’m still very happy that you’re willing to consider it. Even if you told me not to get my hopes up, I’ll remain hopeful."

"Someone else came looking for me, you know?"

Helen White suddenly changed the subject.

Ethan Sterling was taken aback, not understanding at first. "Huh?"

"Another person came to me and invited me to join his school team." Helen White asked uncertainly, "Was it one of your people?"

Ethan Sterling shook his head. Besides Jameson Stone, there was no one else on his team yet.

"He said his name was Owen Griffin." Helen White recalled, an expression of disgust unconsciously appearing on her face. "He was so greasy, really obnoxious."

"Oh, him..." Ethan Sterling sneered. "He’s probably targeting me. That guy has issues. Even if you don’t join my team, I hope you stay far away from him."

"Don’t worry about that. If I join a team, it’ll only be yours."

Ethan Sterling smiled at her words. "Where do you want to go after we finish eating?"

"I want to go look at some bags nearby. If you think it’s boring, you can go back to the hotel and rest. I can go by myself; you don’t have to come with me."

"Don’t we have these luxury stores back home? Are they cheaper abroad?"

"The price difference isn’t that big, but the stores in Occidenta have a more complete selection of styles. A lot of models are sold out and unavailable back home."

Ethan Sterling nodded in understanding. "I’ll go with you. I want to buy a gift for my sister, but I don’t know much about this stuff. Can you help me pick something out?"

"Of course!"

*

That morning, Cecilia Sterling had some free time and was at a nearby pet salon with Yoda for a bath and grooming when her phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Elvira Underwood, the property manager of Genesis Park.

Normally, Elvira Underwood would report to her on WhatsApp and rarely bothered her with a direct phone call.

"Flora."

"Boss," Elvira Underwood’s voice was tinged with nervousness. "Some staff from the Bureau of Urban Development are here at the park. They said they have something to discuss with you."

Hearing this, Cecilia Sterling was instantly alert.

’The fifteenth of the month just passed, and the Bureau of Urban Development is already making a move?’

"Entertain them well. Tell them to wait a bit, and that I’ll be there in about half an hour."

With no time to take the dog home, Cecilia Sterling drove directly to Genesis Park in Sunstone District with Yoda in tow.

In the manager’s office, two employees from the Bureau of Urban Development were drinking tea and casually asking Elvira Underwood for some information.

"How many tenants does this industrial park currently have?"

Facing government officials, Elvira Underwood didn’t dare to lie. She knew the park’s situation very well and replied in a natural tone, "Currently, there are 464."

This number startled the two officials. "That many?"

Elvira Underwood smiled and nodded. "Genesis Park is the largest industrial park by area in Sunstone District. It’s popular with small companies and studios, so we have a high percentage of small and medium-sized businesses. Generally, one floor can accommodate five to ten companies. We have larger companies too; it’s common for two to share a floor, and some occupy an entire floor by themselves."

"Then doesn’t the daily foot traffic in and out of this park exceed ten thousand people?"

"Yes." Elvira Underwood nodded. "That’s why the park has four gates—north, south, east, and west. Crowd management isn’t an issue, and our fire safety measures are excellent. We pass every inspection."

The two officials couldn’t help but exchange a look, their faces simultaneously showing their concern.

Just then, the office door was pushed open, and Cecilia Sterling appeared at the entrance, dressed in casual clothes and holding a small white dog.

Before the two officials from the Bureau of Urban Development could react, Elvira Underwood stood up and made the introduction. "Gentlemen, our boss is here."

The two men looked startled and subconsciously stood up. Cecilia Sterling had already walked into the room. "Hello, I’m the owner of the industrial park. My surname is Sterling."

"You’re Cecilia Sterling?"

The official had clearly done his homework; he just hadn’t expected this Cecilia Sterling to be a young woman in her early twenties.

"Yes, I’m Cecilia Sterling. Please, have a seat."

"We’re from the Sunstone District Bureau of Urban Development. We’re here to discuss a matter with Miss Sterling," one of them said.

"Is it about the redevelopment of Sunstone District?" Cecilia Sterling didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly.

But she knew, and it wasn’t surprising. Everyone in Lorcain, and even the whole country, knew about it.

"Yes."

"If necessary, I will cooperate fully."

Cecilia Sterling being so proactive and straightforward made things much easier.

If the Bureau of Urban Development’s outreach teams could always run into people like Cecilia Sterling, then completing their work would be just around the corner.

But the two men before her both looked troubled. One of them sighed. "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Sterling. However, after learning about the park’s situation just now, we find it rather tricky. Regarding the acquisition of the land for this industrial park, I think we’ll have to go back and report to our superiors."