Chapter 383 - 381: Rotten Wood Cannot Be Carved

It was almost a perfect reenactment of the scene when Quentin Perry came downstairs just moments before.

Shoshanna Perry was also taken aback.

Once again, it was Wendy Duncan who exclaimed in surprise, "Shoshanna, you’re home too?"

Monica Coleman, seemingly displeased with the tone her daughter had used when coming downstairs, shot her a disapproving glance before saying, "We have guests today. Naturally, we have to wait for everyone to arrive before we can start dinner."

"Jasmine," she said, turning to Jasmine Sterling to make the introduction, "this is my daughter, Shoshanna. Wendy knows her."

Shoshanna Perry’s gaze drifted over the group for a moment. She first greeted, "Mrs. Goodman," after which Monica Coleman introduced her to Jasmine Sterling and Cecilia Sterling.

Unlike Quentin Perry, who was a smooth talker, Shoshanna Perry greeted everyone mechanically. When she faced Cecilia Sterling, however, her eyes held the distinct look of someone sizing up a peer.

Cecilia Sterling’s beauty was the kind that couldn’t be ignored or denied; even other women had to admit it, however grudgingly.

Shoshanna Perry, on the other hand, carried the unmistakable arrogance of a rich heiress, much like Quentin Perry’s rakish air. They were both typical scions of a powerful family.

You didn’t even have to look closely; just standing next to people like them, you could smell the money.

Cecilia Sterling had no issue with these "darlings of fate," who were born into privilege. Winning the birth lottery was a skill in itself. Perhaps they had been great philanthropists in their past lives to be blessed with endless fortune in this one.

Besides, when it came to being favored by the heavens, if she claimed to be second, no one would dare claim to be first.

That was why the undisguised arrogance in Shoshanna Perry’s eyes meant nothing to Cecilia Sterling.

Because at her core, Cecilia Sterling was wild. She was just more restrained and didn’t constantly display that wildness to others.

Just then, the housekeeper came over. "Ma’am, dinner is ready."

Monica Coleman warmly invited everyone to take their seats. Ignoring everyone, Shoshanna Perry walked straight to the primary guest seat on the left and plopped down.

Only when Monica Coleman reached the head of the table did she see that her daughter was already seated. Her expression immediately darkened. "Shoshanna, where are your manners?"

Shoshanna Perry paused for a second, then realized that as the junior, she shouldn’t be sitting there.

Powerful families have many rules. Even if you’re spoiled rotten at home, you still have to follow proper etiquette when guests are present.

She pouted, rose reluctantly, and shuffled over to the second seat on the left.

But her mother’s unrelenting gaze was still fixed on her. It took Shoshanna Perry a moment to understand, and she silently stood up again.

Wendy Duncan then took the primary guest seat on the left.

Cecilia Sterling and her mother were on the opposite side of the table. Jasmine Sterling hesitated, wanting her daughter to take the primary guest seat on the right. "Cecilia, sit here next to your Miss Monica. She wants to chat with you."

Cecilia graciously replied, "Mom, you should sit here. It wouldn’t be right for me to take a seat before you. We’re only one seat apart; I can still talk with Miss Monica just fine from here."

Monica Coleman nodded, her smile filled with admiration. "Cecilia is right. This child is so sensible. Poised and graceful, it’s no wonder she’s so likable."

As she spoke, she instinctively glanced at her own daughter.

Shoshanna Perry’s expression soured and she pouted. She waited until everyone was seated before sitting down herself, immediately shooting a hostile glare at Cecilia Sterling.

Cecilia Sterling acted as if she hadn’t seen it. As soon as Monica Coleman sat down, she turned eagerly to Cecilia and asked, "Cecilia, I heard from your mother that you’ve been investing in quite a few projects lately. What industries are you mainly involved in?"

"Right now, I’m mostly investing in the film and television industry," Cecilia answered honestly. "But that industry has a long return cycle, so I haven’t seen any profits yet."

Monica Coleman nodded in understanding, frowning slightly as she analyzed the situation. "But the domestic film and television industry is in a major slump right now. Take TV series, for example—actor salaries take up the bulk of the budget, and the genres have all become so formulaic. Whether it’s a historical or a modern drama, it’s just the same old thing in a different package. In their hunt for the next blockbuster, production companies churn out hundreds, even thousands, of projects a year. Only a handful ever become hits, while the vast majority flop into obscurity."

"And that’s not even mentioning movies. The domestic film market has regressed at least twenty years. I’m friends with the owner of Stellaris Pictures, and when we had dinner together over the New Year, I heard him complain about how depressed the market is. His company had to shut down over two hundred of its theaters in the country last year alone."