Chapter 301: False Mask (2)

Chapter 301: Chapter 301: False Mask (2)

Seraphina Sterling and Nadia Chapman talked in the coffee shop for a long time, from the afternoon straight through to the evening. No one knew what they discussed. But after that conversation, Nadia Chapman—a third-year management student who hadn’t even graduated, a recently-resigned hotel waitress—underwent a startling transformation. She became the general manager of Keystone Technologies, managing the company on Seraphina Sterling’s behalf.

With the matter of Keystone Technologies finally settled, Seraphina Sterling breathed a small sigh of relief. She had made her decision at Fiona Chapman’s birthday party, the first time she saw the dejected-looking Nadia Chapman. The moment she saw the look in Nadia’s eyes—clearly sorrowful, yet feigning strength—Seraphina knew. ’Nadia Chapman is the perfect person to take over Keystone Technologies!’

Although Nadia hadn’t graduated, she attended a prestigious university, had excellent grades, and won scholarships year after year. Her theoretical knowledge was undoubtedly top-notch. What she needed was a position to gain practical experience, and as it happened, Seraphina needed a general manager to be the company’s public face.

Now that Seraphina was back in Aethelgard and living at the Sterling estate, she had to deal with her uncle’s family, and not a single one of them was easy to get along with. It would be inconvenient for her to personally handle many matters, which was where Nadia Chapman could be of great help. The business strategies Seraphina devised needed a public figure to implement them, and Nadia was the perfect fit.

Seraphina, for her part, was in high spirits. The Keystone Technologies situation was resolved. Faye Sterling was reaping what she sowed. Martin Quinn wasn’t likely to come looking for her for the time being—as long as she made a point to avoid him in the future. And Wyatt Gallagher’s work at the hospital was proceeding smoothly, without any complications. Everything was developing according to plan; nothing had fallen outside her predictions.

While her mood was bright, a pall of gloom had fallen over the Sterling Family. Faye Sterling had damaged Martin Quinn’s car, and he had personally taken her away. The situation had gotten seriously out of hand. Who was Martin Quinn? He was the future head of the Quinn Family. Offending him was tantamount to offending the entire Quinn Family! The Sterlings were already seen as a juicy target by others; if they made an enemy of the Quinn Family at a time like this, a single misstep could lead to a disaster that would wipe out their entire clan.

Owen Sterling heard the news the moment he got home from work. His daughter had been taken away. If it had been an ordinary prominent family, he could have leveraged the Sterling Family’s status to negotiate. At the very least, he could have gotten her back. But this time, Faye Sterling had offended the Quinns! The Quinn Family was one of Aethelgard’s most powerful clans. He was already thanking his lucky stars that they didn’t go out of their way to cause trouble for the Sterlings. How could he possibly dare to demand they release someone?

Jasmine Faulkner was consumed by the fear of her daughter being taken away by Martin Quinn. She was now at her wit’s end and could only pin all her hopes on her husband, Owen Sterling.

"Don’t just stand there silently, you have to think of something! What are we supposed to do now to get Maple back? We both know what kind of man Martin Quinn is. He’s ruthless! I can’t even bear to imagine our little Maple in his hands! Hurry up and think of a way to bring her home!" Jasmine Faulkner burst into tears again as she spoke, overwhelmed with worry.

"What do you expect me to do? You’re the one who spoiled Maple rotten! You always doted on her, letting her develop that defiant, lawless attitude. And look where it’s gotten us! She even dared to provoke the Quinns! She’s stirred up this huge disaster, so how are we supposed to clean it up now?" Owen Sterling was seething with suppressed rage. ’If the Quinn Family decides to move against us because of this, it will mean the end of the Sterling Family!’

"Owen Sterling! All you care about right now is the Sterling Family! What do you mean, *I* spoiled Maple? You’re always buried in your work. When have you ever had time for her? I’ve been the only one raising her since the day she was born! You tell me, how many times have you ever actually parented your child? Now that Maple’s in trouble, you dump all the blame on me! Owen Sterling, do you even have a conscience?"