Chapter 286: Meeting Justin Hale Again (4)

Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Meeting Justin Hale Again (4)

"Oh, so that’s why you invited Seraphina Sterling this morning when Grandpa was there. You had it all planned out! Mom, you’re amazing!" Faye Sterling’s anxiety subsided.

"I watched Seraphina Sterling grow up. Between Kimberly Jennings and the Old Master, she would never disappoint those two! This time, we’ll definitely teach Seraphina a good lesson!" Jasmine Faulkner had always been one to seek revenge for the smallest slight. Kimberly Jennings had made the Old Master despise her, and Seraphina Sterling had slapped her daughter Faye Sterling twice. It wouldn’t be in her character not to retaliate!

Aiden Faulkner was also waiting for Seraphina Sterling’s arrival. She had yet to get revenge for what happened in Tollan Town! Before, Tollan was Seraphina’s turf. But now they were in Aethelgard, and this was Aiden Faulkner’s home ground. She was going to settle every single score, clearly and completely.

"Cousin, I don’t see your boyfriend. Today’s your birthday, why isn’t he here?"

’If getting revenge on Seraphina Sterling was her primary goal, then her second was to meet Aiden Faulkner’s elusive boyfriend! No, her fiancé! The supposed future heir to the Hale Family, Justin Hale. But she had only met him once at the engagement ceremony—and a very brief meeting at that. She hadn’t seen him since!’

"Justin is a bit busy. He’s already the general manager of Hale Corporation, and a lot of major projects are waiting for his decisions. It’s just my birthday; I can’t have him wasting his time! After all, work comes first. A company as big as Hale Corporation is already enough to wear him out. How could I make him work even harder for my sake!"

Speaking of Justin Hale, Aiden Faulkner’s heart felt sweet. But deep down, there was still a hint of bitterness. They were in a relationship, after all. No matter how magnanimous she was, what woman didn’t want her boyfriend to celebrate her birthday with her? She hadn’t even expected Justin Hale to remember her birthday, so she had brought it up with him half a month in advance, asking if he could attend her party. At the time, he had said he needed to check his schedule.

He hadn’t rejected her outright, which had made Aiden Faulkner quite happy and filled her with anticipation for the party. But when she asked again last night, the answer was no. Something had come up with Hale Corporation’s electronic information division that he had to handle personally. He didn’t have any extra time to come over. Though disappointed, she knew there was nothing to be done.

In front of others, however, she still needed to maintain her image of being tolerant, magnanimous, and understanding. And of course, she had to show off her happiness from time to time. This was a woman’s vanity and pride. Every woman enjoys the envious gazes of others. It doesn’t matter how you’re truly doing; you always want to appear happy in others’ eyes.

"Oh, I see! Your fiancé is really incredible! Cousin, you’ll be Mrs. Hale soon, moving up a whole level in status! And with your fiancé being so capable, there’s no doubt he’ll inherit the Hale Family fortune. When that time comes, Cousin, you can just sit back and enjoy life!"

Faye Sterling was genuinely envious. After all, the Hale Family was not a connection just anyone could make. Moreover, Justin Hale was the most outstanding talent of his generation in the family, with an exceptional gift for business. Many veterans who had dominated the business world for years sang his praises, saying the Hale Family had a worthy successor. Faye Sterling had heard these things so often that she had grown increasingly curious about Justin Hale. She had hoped to finally meet him today, but who knew he wouldn’t even show up!

Seraphina Sterling parked her car, not expecting to run into Justin Hale in the elevator. Thinking back, it had been nearly a year since they had last seen each other. Ever since they had settled the handover of Philip Hale’s assets, Justin Hale had returned to Aethelgard, and the two had lost contact. She never thought they would bump into each other in an elevator.

"Miss Sterling, your methods truly are something else! You were the biggest beneficiary of Philip Hale’s assets! You made a killing without spending a dime! That antique shop of Philip’s, you sold it for quite a pretty penny, didn’t you?" Seeing Seraphina Sterling, Justin Hale felt a sharp pang remembering the sixty million he had paid. Not only had he spent sixty million, but he had also exhausted himself mentally and physically, scheming tirelessly, only to end up with nothing.

Seraphina Sterling gave a faint, brilliant smile. "Mr. Hale, your memory might not be the best. If you hadn’t been so aggressive back then, I wouldn’t have sold the jade business to you. And you wouldn’t have suffered such a heavy loss. One can only say your luck wasn’t very good, not that my methods were so great."

At the mention of this, Justin Hale felt infuriated and aggrieved. It was all his own doing! If that weren’t the case, he would have settled the score with Seraphina Sterling long ago. But even so, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Seraphina Sterling was inextricably linked to it all. He just had this gut feeling.

"Are you here on business, Miss Sterling?" Justin Hale decided to drop the subject. Unless he had concrete evidence to prove his suspicions, there was nothing he could do.

"I imagine I’m here for the same reason you are, Mr. Hale," Seraphina Sterling said with a small smile, walking straight out of the elevator and into the grand hall of the birthday party. Justin Hale followed close behind.

’So, she hadn’t been sure it was Aiden Faulkner, but the moment she saw Justin Hale, she was certain.’

"Maple, she’s here!" As she spoke, Jasmine Faulkner was already walking over to greet her. Appearances had to be kept up. "Seraphina, why are you just now arriving? Aiden has already cut the cake! You can’t do this next time. It’s a good thing Aiden is one of us and won’t mind you being late. If you were at a party hosted by someone else today, they wouldn’t be so forgiving!"

"Seraphina Sterling, it’s a good thing my cousin has a good temper and doesn’t hold things against you. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t be so nice about it!" Faye Sterling perked up, her energy returning. The main event could finally begin.

"Miss Sterling, you really know how to make an entrance! But Miss Sterling, why did you come all by yourself? Don’t you have a date to accompany you? Your charm must be sorely lacking!" Aiden Faulkner adopted a lofty posture; she finally had the chance to mock Seraphina Sterling.

"Seraphina Sterling, you walk too fast!" Just as Aiden Faulkner finished speaking, Justin Hale caught up to them.