CHAPTER 16: CHAPTER 16: HOT POTATO

Sienna Monroe took a deep breath, forcing a smile, "Mom, don’t blame Caleb. He’s been really good to me. I’ve just been so busy lately, haven’t had much of an appetite, and didn’t sleep well last night."

"That’s not good. No matter how busy you are, your health is the most important." June Ewing said tenderly, holding her hand as they walked inside, calling for the nanny, "Bring a bowl of the bird’s nest soup I made, for the Third Young Mistress."

The nanny responded and went to the kitchen, soon bringing back a crystal-clear bowl of bird’s nest soup.

Sienna reached out to take it, "Thank you, Mom."

"It’s just bird’s nest, no need for thanks. If you like it, take it all home when you leave tonight, and have a good replenishment."

Sienna took a few sips, then had the servant present the gift she brought to June Ewing, smiling and congratulating her, "Mom, happy birthday. This is a little token from Caleb and me, wishing you eternal youth, constant joy, everything smooth, happiness and peace."

"Oh my, you both are so thoughtful."

June Ewing took each gift, the smile in her eyes growing deeper, and said to the servant, "Arrange this bunch of carnations in a pretty vase."

"It’s just a regular birthday, yet you two went to such lengths."

Sienna laughed, "Where’s your mind going, Mom? It’s right for us to honor you."

June Ewing looked gratified, "Ah, I don’t know if Caleb is blessed from eight generations ago, marrying such a wonderful girl like you."

Sienna lowered her eyelashes, saying nothing.

If Caleb Sinclair is blessed from eight generations, then what about her?

At noon, the three of them had lunch in the side building, and Sienna suddenly proposed, "Mom, I haven’t gone to Radiance Beauty Spa for treatment in a long time, and I happen to have some time this afternoon. Why don’t we go and relax?"

June Ewing didn’t hesitate, smiling and agreeing, "Alright, I had the sixth floor renovated a couple of months ago but haven’t had a chance to show you. Perfect timing, you’re busy and should relax a bit too. Caleb, you’re the chauffeur."

Caleb Sinclair laughed, "It would be my honor."

Radiance Beauty Spa sits in the city center’s Prosperity Avenue, with the entire spa covering six floors. The renovation took half a year last year, with opulent and elegant designs, and it only opened last October mid-month.

The spa operates on a membership system.

Halfway there, Sienna heard the notification sound of a text message in her bag, but since June Ewing kept talking to her, she didn’t find the chance to look.

Upon arriving at Radiance Beauty Spa, the manager enthusiastically greeted them, "Madam, Young Master, Young Mistress."

Sienna nodded slightly and followed June Ewing onto the elevator to the sixth floor.

As they exited the elevator, June Ewing said to Caleb, who was standing nearby, "You should get a massage too, we’ll be at least an hour or so."

"Alright, let me know when you’re ready to leave."

Sienna nodded, watching him leave.

Once in the changing room, she finally had a chance to check the message: "Radiance Beauty Spa has a basement level. Every floor has a secret passage elevator going down. Inside are 12 private rooms, 2 large conference rooms, 2 large dormitories, with a socialite training class of 16 people, and 12 male models involved in certain activities."

Her pupils shrank, her heart stopping suddenly.

After over a year of operations, the system was this well-structured.

She had her suspicions—how could a spa break even in just a year? Is the industry that lucrative now?

No wonder.

Shock, bewilderment, and fear as a legal entity all loomed over her.

She couldn’t even imagine what her miserable fate would be if this was exposed one day.

It can’t happen, absolutely not!

She would never allow something like this to occur.

She remembered when she signed the legal contract, the spa area was only noted for these six floors. She didn’t even know there was a basement level.

She needed to go back and gather those contracts to let Sebastian Prescott review them.

The masseuse’s technique was exceptional, and perhaps because she was truly exhausted lately, with too much on her mind, her tense body gradually relaxed through the massage.

Chatting with June Ewing, she fell asleep.

When she woke up, it was already close to four, and June Ewing next to her just finished her manicure with a smile, "Awake? You fell asleep right after the massage started. Don’t wear yourself out."

Sienna rubbed her face in realization, took the mirror the beautician handed her.

The face in the mirror was beautifully defined, skin as white as snow, delicate and smooth. She smiled complimenting the beautician, "Excellent skills."

"Thank you, Young Mistress. It’s that your skin has a good base."

"Since the Young Mistress praised you, your bonus will be doubled this month."

"Thank you, Madam. Thank you, Young Mistress." The beautician bowed to them both with joy.

Sienna looked at June Ewing’s purple nails, "The nails look great, making your hands whiter and prettier."

June Ewing softly tapped her forehead, "I was going to have them do yours too, but you fell asleep, and I wasn’t sure if you’d like my choice."

"I’d like anything you choose for me, Mom."

June Ewing gave her a fond look, "Such a sweet talker. If we had more time, I’d pick a set for you now."

Sienna glanced at her phone, picked up a pastry to eat, asking, "It’s past four—it’s time to head back, right? I’ll message Caleb."

"Yeah, we should head back early for dinner with your dad."

While preparing to leave, they ran into a forty-year-old lady wearing gray fur, plump and exuding affluence in the ground-floor lobby.

June Ewing greeted enthusiastically, after exchanging pleasantries, the lady glanced at Sienna, "And this is..."

"My daughter-in-law."

"Wow, Ewing, you’re really lucky. Having such a handsome son, and a pretty daughter-in-law too."

"Oh please."

June Ewing made a few polite remarks, lightly patted the lady’s arm, "Mrs. Sloane, I’ve saved the items you ordered earlier for you. You go enjoy them first. Next time, let’s play some mahjong. I heard from Mrs. Chaney that you’re an incredible card player."

"Alright, I’ll wait for that. You’re busy, I’m headed off."

Listening to their casual conversation, Sienna sensed something amiss.

Items?

Enjoy?

Could it possibly refer to the male models in the basement?

"Sienna, next month marks your half-yearly dividend payout." June Ewing leaned closer, deliberately teasing, "Do you know how much it is this time?"

Sienna froze, tightening her grip on her bag chain, digging her nails into her palm, feeling a sharp pain before forcing herself to regain composure.

Her eyes overflowed with well-timed anticipation and curiosity, "How much?"

June Ewing held up three fingers.

Her mind buzzed, her heartbeat suddenly accelerating uncontrollably, "That much?"

She couldn’t even comprehend how a spa that’s only been open for a year could have revenues this high. If it continued for several years and gained deep roots, the earnings would be far beyond this.

Those earnings felt too much like a hot potato.

Sienna felt anxious and fearful.

She licked her lips, attempting to return the burden, "Mom, you only took three million from me initially. That money has been recovered long ago. Plus, managing the spa isn’t easy for you. I’ve done nothing, yet receive such a high dividend. They say one shouldn’t take reward without merit. You shouldn’t give me dividends anymore, let’s annul the legal contract too."