Chapter 728 - 724: Like Teasing a Dog

Her indifference and scorn left Shawn Lane’s seething rage with no outlet, only making him look like he was throwing a powerless tantrum.

Thirty percent of the net profit—no one would agree to such terms. It was practically an unequal treaty. For the Lane Group to agree would be an utter humiliation.

Shawn Lane stared at Cecilia Sterling. At this moment, his heart was completely devoid of any other feelings for her. His gaze was pure, filled to the brim with nothing but hate!

Without another word, he turned and walked out.

After he left, the smile on Cecilia Sterling’s face widened. ’How amusing,’ she suddenly thought. ’It’s always so amusing to see Shawn Lane lose his temper.’

All it took was a few words from her—sometimes she didn’t even have to do anything—to make him completely fall apart.

’Just like teasing a dog!’

"Cecilia, what if the Lane Group actually agrees to your terms?" Gavin Garrett suddenly asked.

The others all looked at him. "Then the Lane Group must have gone insane."

Cecilia Sterling shrugged. "Then we’ll let them. Like we just said, we’re not against making money. The deal hasn’t been closed for one simple reason: they’re not offering enough."

"If they offer enough, we can afford to take a step back."

Giving them thirty percent of the net profit, after the Lane Group deducted their other costs, would probably leave them with no profit at all.

Glancing at the time, Cecilia Sterling stood up and clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone. I’ve already booked a table at Cirrus Palace. It’s about that time, so let’s call it a day and head out early."

"Cirrus Palace?" Timothy Rowe asked, surprised. "Don’t we always go to Aetherium?"

The others also looked at Cecilia Sterling. Cecilia could only offer a humblebrag of an explanation. "I just finalized the acquisition of Cirrus Palace. Now I own both places. From now on, we’ll alternate between the two for our get-togethers. You know, for a change of pace."

Everyone just stared, shocked and speechless...

*

Cleanscape Branch Office.

The branch had just opened, so things were hectic. Jasmine Sterling had been swamped at the branch lately.

That evening, Yvonne Sterling knocked on her sister’s office door, carrying an insulated food container.

"You haven’t seemed yourself lately, and you’ve lost a lot of weight. I figured you weren’t in the mood to cook or eat properly, so Brendan made some of your favorite dishes at home for you."

As Yvonne spoke, she took the dishes out of the container one by one and arranged them on the table.

There was Soy Sauce Chicken, Stir-fried Bitter Melon and Egg, and Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup. In the lower compartment, there was rice and a piece of Jujube Cake.

"Eat up. That whole thing is over now, and Lily is doing great, so don’t dwell on it anymore," Yvonne Sterling consoled her.

Jasmine Sterling managed a small smile. "Sorry for making you all worry," she said apologetically.

"What are you talking about? In the beginning, Brendan and I were so worried we couldn’t sleep at night either, let alone you, her mother." Yvonne Sterling sighed with heartfelt sympathy. "But thankfully, Lily is being so sensible, and Cecilia handled the aftermath beautifully. I think this whole affair should be behind us now."

Jasmine Sterling nodded. Not wanting to make her sister worry, she picked up her chopsticks and started to eat.

"It was nice of Brendan to go to the trouble of making Soy Sauce Chicken."

"Oh, he was more than happy to. He hasn’t found a suitable job yet, so he’s desperate for me to give him things to do. He went to the market first thing this morning to buy a live chicken and prepared it himself when he got back."

It was a habit he’d developed over decades. When he ran his shop, he was very particular about his ingredients, and even now that the shop was closed, he still insisted on using the freshest possible produce.

"Sis, did you transfer the money to Connor?" Yvonne Sterling asked, taking the opportunity.

"I did. He wrote an IOU, so I sent it. Otherwise, Mom would be calling me eight times a day. It’s so annoying."

"The business with Lily caused quite a stir. Didn’t she ask about it?"

Jasmine Sterling snorted and shook her head. "Besides setting me up on blind dates and asking for money, when has she ever taken the initiative to care about us two sisters?"

Yvonne Sterling pursed her lips. "That’s true. I can’t even remember the last time she called me on her own."

"It’s for the best. It’s rare to get some peace and quiet. You just focus on living your happy life with Brendan on the down-low. That’s better than anything."

"You’ve got a point there."

As the two sisters were talking, there was a knock on the office door. An employee from the front desk came in, holding yet another bouquet of flowers.

"Jasmine, flowers from Mr. Vance."

Yvonne Sterling looked at her sister in confusion, only to see Jasmine say with a resigned sigh, "Just put them on the table by the door."

The employee, who seemed used to this routine, put the flowers down and left.

"Sis, what’s the situation here?" Yvonne Sterling’s eyes widened as she walked over to the bouquet.

It was a large bouquet of fiery red roses, each bloom vibrant and impossibly fresh. There was a card with it that read: "Jasmine, please give us another chance."

"That’s the situation." Jasmine didn’t even need to look at the card to know what it said.

Because for days now, Finn Vance had been sending a bouquet every day, the card always begging her to give him a chance.

She had sent him a message, but he had simply replied that as long as she hadn’t started a new relationship, he wouldn’t give up.

In all other respects, however, Finn Vance was very tactful. Until Jasmine gave him the nod, he did nothing more than send a bouquet each day, with no other harassing or boundary-crossing behavior.

"He seems pretty devoted. Sis, why not give him another try?"

"Don’t you start getting involved. Besides, Cecilia would never agree."

"Well, aren’t there any other eligible, single, middle-aged men around you?" Yvonne Sterling put the card down and sat back down. "With your current standing, it shouldn’t be hard to find someone, right?"

"I’m so busy I can barely catch my breath. The branch just opened and there’s a mountain of things to do." Jasmine didn’t want to talk about it anymore, so she changed the subject. "Have you given it enough thought? Come help me out."

"Of course I’ll come if you’re swamped. Once Ronald leaves the country with Lily in a couple of days, I’ll come learn the ropes from you."

Just then, the intercom on the desk suddenly rang.

It startled them both. Jasmine put down her chopsticks and answered. "Jasmine, there’s a lady at the front desk who wants to know about our company’s services. She’s looking to set up a recurring cleaning plan for her home."

"Then take her to see the team leader for client services."

"The lady said she wants to speak with you."

Jasmine replied, "Alright, show her to a meeting room. I’ll be right there."

After hanging up, Jasmine felt a pang of curiosity. The company had dedicated departments to handle new clients; she had never encountered someone who specifically requested to speak with her.

"What is it?" Yvonne Sterling asked curiously.

"We have a client. Why don’t you come with me? It’ll be a good chance for you to learn about the company’s business."

In the meeting room, Ivy Winters sat gracefully on the sofa. She had been examining her surroundings with curiosity ever since she stepped into Cleanscape. If it weren’t for Randall’s situation, she probably would never have had a reason to set foot in a cleaning company in her entire life.

The old man was getting impatient. Since she was both the wife of the eldest son and the only woman in the family, the task of meeting Jasmine Sterling naturally fell to her.