Chapter 402 - 398: No Problem, I’ll Go with You

Buy it just to drive around for fun?

A 3 million dollar car, bought just to drive around for fun?

Hearing Cecilia Sterling say it so casually, everyone present stared wide-eyed. How obscenely rich did someone have to be to say something like that so nonchalantly?

Even the wealthy man couldn’t help but steal another glance at Cecilia Sterling. He noted that she wasn’t very old, about the same age as his own son. To be so young and so extravagant, her family must be incredibly influential.

The man immediately adopted a cautious demeanor, worried he might have inadvertently offended someone important. He quickly approached Cecilia Sterling with a much better attitude. "Miss, my surname is Griffin. Here is my business card. Thank you for generously parting with the car today."

He presented the card with both hands, and Cecilia Sterling took it after a brief glance.

"Chairman of Griffin Electronics Group," Walter Griffin!

Cecilia Sterling’s lips curled as she read the name, and her tone softened considerably. "A name that promises boundless profit. A fine name indeed, Mr. Griffin."

Walter Griffin offered a placating smile and nodded. "I get that a lot."

"I’m afraid I don’t have a business card, however," Cecilia Sterling said directly.

She wasn’t lying. It had never even occurred to her to have business cards made. When she met a kindred spirit, she just added them on WhatsApp.

Hearing this, Walter Griffin understood. It only further convinced him that Cecilia Sterling was the daughter of a wealthy and powerful family. He smiled and said, "No matter. I happen to know a few prominent businessmen in Lorcain with the surname Sterling. Perhaps I even know your father."

She simply smiled, unfazed by his presumptuous attempt to probe for information.

Just then, his salesperson chimed in, "Mr. Griffin, could you come with me to copy your identification documents?"

"Oh, of course!"

Walter Griffin turned to leave, thanking Cecilia Sterling once more before he went. He was, at the very least, a polite man.

His son, however, was another story. Even after Cecilia Sterling had glared at him, he didn’t settle down. While he no longer dared to stare at her openly, he kept sneaking glances in her direction.

The moment before the glass door swung shut, his eyes were still fixed on Cecilia Sterling.

"Sis, the 911 is too expensive. It costs even more than the car I had my eye on. Let’s just forget it. It’s too much of a waste."

Ethan Sterling sat down next to his sister, his expression conflicted.

His sister had already made good on her promise of a car as a reward. He had no reason to ask her to buy him another one. It was just for the college entrance exams; no matter how well he did, one car was already a luxurious enough prize. He was more than content.

But Cecilia Sterling simply ruffled her brother’s hair and asked with a smile, "Just tell me this, do you like the 911 or not?"

Ethan Sterling lowered his head slightly, then gave a silent nod. "I do like it, but..."

"Liking it is enough. I bought it for you because I could tell how much you liked it."

Ethan Sterling looked up, his eyes shining with emotion. "But it’s really a bit too expensive..."

"I never worry about spending money on you. Besides, it’s not expensive. To me, this amount of money is nothing."

Ethan Sterling was speechless.

The paperwork to take delivery of the 911 went smoothly, with no further interruptions. Since Ethan Sterling didn’t have his driver’s license yet, Cecilia Sterling had to drive the car home for him.

"You should hurry and get your license during summer break. You can take the test with Mom," Cecilia Sterling reminded her brother with a smile.

Ethan Sterling nodded repeatedly. He had already picked out a driving school and planned to go tomorrow.

Just then, Cecilia Sterling’s phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the screen and saw it was Julie.

"Julie," Cecilia Sterling answered.

Julie’s voice on the other end was clearly tense. She spoke in a deliberately low voice, "Miss Sterling, the police are here at Aetherium. They say they need to understand the club’s situation. You might need to come over."

Cecilia Sterling’s heart clenched at her words.

’In the past few months, the police have investigated everything under my brother’s name. Now, they’ve finally come for Aetherium.’

’I was prepared for this. I knew this day would come sooner or later.’

She replied calmly, "I understand. Cooperate fully with whatever they want to investigate. There’s nothing wrong with our club, so we have nothing to fear from an inspection."

"I understand. I’ll cooperate with them for now and wait for you to get here."

After hanging up, Ethan Sterling noticed his sister’s expression seemed off and asked with concern, "What is it, Sis? Did something happen?"

Cecilia Sterling shook her head, her smile returning. "It’s nothing major. You should grab a taxi home in a bit. I have to go out."

Ethan Sterling didn’t dare to ask any more questions and simply nodded obediently.

「Aetherium」

When Cecilia Sterling arrived, Mr. Young had already been questioned by the police.

Seeing Cecilia Sterling, Mr. Young subtly gave her a look, signaling that everything was fine.

Cecilia Sterling understood and walked briskly toward them.

"And who might this be?"

The lead detective looked Cecilia Sterling over with a puzzled expression, and then a thought flashed through his mind.

’Huh?’

’This girl... why does she look so much like the person on Captain Thorne’s phone screen?’

Before he could dwell on it, Cecilia Sterling introduced herself. "Hello, I’m one of the partners of Aetherium. My name is Cecilia Sterling."

The detective was startled by her words and stared at Cecilia Sterling for a long moment without reacting.

’This girl, who looks like she’s only twenty, is one of Aetherium’s partners?’

"Captain Shepherd, according to Aetherium’s registration documents, the club is currently a three-way joint venture. Besides Wesley Yates, there are two other partners, and one of them is indeed named Cecilia Sterling."

His colleague, having snapped out of his surprise, added in a low voice, "Furthermore, our investigation shows that Wesley Yates and this Cecilia Sterling are quite close. They have been seen dining together privately on occasion. Their relationship is likely more than just a simple partnership."

Hearing this, the look in Captain Shepherd’s eyes as he gazed at Cecilia Sterling grew more profound. The more he looked, the more he was convinced that she was the person on Captain Thorne’s phone screen.

But he couldn’t be sure.

’If they are the same person, then Captain Thorne’s own girlfriend is involved with Wesley Yates. Would Captain Thorne not know about that?’

"I’m not sure what you officers are investigating, but our club just recently underwent a professional financial audit. You are welcome to review it at any time."

Cecilia Sterling took the initiative. Usually, when the police raided a place like this, it was to check the finances.

"We’ve already seen that."

Captain Shepherd replied coolly, his gaze never leaving Cecilia Sterling. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, "Miss Sterling, we may need you to come back to the station with us to assist with the investigation."

Mr. Young, who was standing to the side, was shocked and blurted out, "Wait, why are you taking her? She hasn’t done anything illegal, has she?"

"Don’t worry, it’s just to assist with the investigation. We wouldn’t trouble you without a reason. We have our grounds, and we hope you will cooperate fully," Captain Shepherd explained sincerely.

Mr. Young wanted to say more. He was genuinely worried about Cecilia Sterling, and even more afraid that the matter with Jeb would implicate her.

But Cecilia Sterling raised a hand to stop him, then nodded calmly, a fearless expression on her face. "No problem. I’ll go with you."