Chapter 642 - 638: Dare Not Accept

Randall Jennings carried the natural air of a man in power. Even with his refined smile and amiable tone, the moment he spoke, everyone instinctively stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him.

Cecilia was puzzled. ’What does Mr. Jennings mean by that?’

’How could the same plot of land be worthless in Mr. Jennings’s hands, yet more valuable in hers?’

"It’s like this, Cecilia," Randall Jennings began to explain. "While the Jandon Group isn’t a state-owned enterprise, it has always been inextricably linked with Cathay. Does that make sense?"

Cecilia tried to process this, nodding slowly.

Given the Jandon Group’s power and the industrial empire it commanded, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was a driving force in Cathay’s economy.

"So, whenever the higher-ups have a major project that involves our group, we give our full support, never looking to make a huge profit from it."

"And it’s not just the Jandon Group; several other mega-corporations operate the same way. Take the current redevelopment of the Sunstone District, for example. Our group has some businesses and unused land there. If the government needs it, the group will certainly sell it at a low price—at most, we’d just recoup our initial investment."

"But if it passes through your hands first, the profit will be a whole different story."

Cecilia understood now, but she asked with some hesitation, "Mr. Jennings, is that really okay? What if someone investigates?"

"Don’t worry." Randall Jennings smiled and shook his head. "It’s not like we’re the first to do something like this. Besides, no one would dare to investigate the Jandon Group over such a trivial matter."

"In past years, the funds allocated by the government for reconstruction projects of this scale often had a surplus. If we don’t take it, that extra money just ends up in the pockets of people who don’t deserve it. So you shouldn’t have any reservations. This is money worth making!"

With Mr. Jennings putting it that way, Cecilia understood. "Alright. In that case, Mr. Jennings, how about we split the profits seventy-thirty?"

The profits from selling land were no small sum. Cecilia knew she couldn’t keep it all for herself; she had to share the success with Mr. Jennings.

Randall Jennings also understood the propriety of the gesture and nodded. "Alright. We’ll do it your way."

Cecilia happily raised her glass to toast Mr. Jennings. Thirty percent was a substantial return. In other words, Mr. Jennings could have given this opportunity to anyone, and she was, of course, grateful that he had chosen to give it to her.

The others were completely lost, with no idea what the two were discussing. But when they saw them toast each other, they knew an agreement had been reached.

Jasmine Sterling also raised her glass and looked at Randall Jennings. "Mr. Jennings, thank you for always looking after Cecilia."

"Don’t be so formal. Cecilia is the most intelligent and capable young person I’ve met from her generation. I’m sure she’ll become more and more successful."

After dinner, Lily and Ethan took it upon themselves to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen.

Jasmine Sterling personally walked Randall Jennings out to his car.

"Bring Megan Nash with you next time. I’ve invited her a few times, but she’s always too busy."

At the mention of Megan Nash, Randall Jennings’s expression faltered for a moment before he smiled and shook his head. "She’s been very busy lately. Most of the time, she isn’t even in Lorcain. It’s really not easy to see her."

"Well, then, whenever she’s free. Drive safely."

Randall Jennings said no more, simply nodding before signaling the driver to leave.

「That night.」

Yvonne Sterling came out of the bathroom after a shower. Brendan Harris was sitting on a chair with a cigarette dangling from his lips. Just as he was about to light it, she snatched it away. "Don’t smoke in here. Go out on the balcony."

Every room in the villa had its own private balcony. Brendan Harris quickly came to his senses and stood up. "Right, right, you’re right. I can’t smoke inside in such a beautiful house."

Yvonne Sterling changed into a new set of pajamas that Cecilia had given her, then threw on a coat and followed Brendan Harris out onto the balcony.

The night breeze swept by, and with her hair still slightly damp, she couldn’t help but shiver. "Lorcain is really cold."

"You should go back inside. You’ll catch a cold."

"I’m not that delicate," Yvonne Sterling said as she looked out at the backyard. The grounds were illuminated, revealing a garden, a swimming pool—everything you’d expect. It looked like a resort from a movie.

She couldn’t help but sigh. "This is so wonderful. My sister worked hard her whole life; she can finally relax and enjoy herself."

Especially after arriving in Lorcain today and seeing how her sister was living now, that happiness became tangible. Yvonne Sterling was genuinely happy for her sister, because she deserved it.

"Our life is pretty good, too." Brendan Harris wrapped an arm around his wife, afraid she might be cold, and looked at her. "Even though Sarah and Ronald aren’t as good in school as Cecilia and the others, they haven’t given us too much to worry about."

"And Cecilia helped us get our money back. Once you’ve recovered, we can go back and rent a new storefront. With our skills, we’ll be fine anywhere."

The couple felt nothing but happiness for what her sister now had, not a shred of jealousy. They were both the type to be content with their lot, never asking for more than what they had.

Yvonne Sterling smiled and nodded. "Things will only get better for all of us."

「Then, on the third day.」

Jasmine Sterling brought her sister and brother-in-law to a sprawling luxury apartment in a high-end residential building.

The apartment was on the 39th floor in a prime location, just a ten-minute drive from Hearthstone Villas. It was a massive 580 square meters, with an interior by a top-tier designer. It came fully furnished with every possible necessity; it was completely move-in ready.

The moment they stepped through the main entrance, they were greeted by an entire wall of immaculate, floor-to-ceiling windows. You could even see Hearthstone Villas, a tranquil oasis in the distance. Yvonne Sterling’s jaw dropped. The sense of open, transparent space in the apartment was even more breathtaking than the villa.

"Sis, did you buy another new place?"

Brendan Harris stood awkwardly by the door, the marble floor so clean it reflected his face. "Are there any slippers? We don’t want to get the floor dirty."

"It’s fine. I’ll have cleaners come do a full pass before anyone moves in. Come on in and have a look," Jasmine Sterling said.

’When had the couple ever seen a luxury home like this? They say in Lorcain, every inch of land is worth its weight in gold. So wouldn’t a mansion in a prime location like this cost an astronomical sum?’

At this point, they could no longer even begin to comprehend the extent of Cecilia’s wealth.

Then they heard Jasmine Sterling say casually, "I haven’t earned enough to afford a place this big yet. Cecilia bought this for you."

As she spoke, Jasmine Sterling slowly pulled a set of purchase documents from her bag, right before her sister’s and brother-in-law’s stunned eyes. "The property deed won’t be issued this quickly, but you two should hold onto this."

"F-For... for us?" Yvonne Sterling’s mind went numb, and she didn’t dare reach out to take the papers.

Brendan Harris was dumbfounded, completely forgetting how to react.

Jasmine Sterling nodded and looked at Brendan Harris apologetically. "Brendan, please don’t take this the wrong way. When Cecilia bought the apartment, she only put her aunt’s name on it. If you want to add your name later on, we won’t object."

Brendan Harris didn’t respond. He was still in a state of shock.

’This wasn’t about whose name was on the deed anymore. It was about...’

’They didn’t dare to accept it!’