CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: THE REVERSE APPROACH

That night, she still didn’t sleep well, waking up several times sporadically.

When she woke up again after seven, she couldn’t fall back asleep, so she simply got up and washed and dressed.

When she went downstairs, Caleb Sinclair was sitting at the dining table, typing on his phone, with a focused and serious expression, a hint of a smile lingering at the corner of his eyes.

Sienna Monroe found this scene somewhat familiar.

Deja vu.

Oh, it was just like the sweet feeling when they were in love, chatting with each other through texts.

When she and Caleb Sinclair were dating, they too had a long period like that.

But now, she watched him chatting with another woman right before her eyes.

Her heart was pricked, yet unexpectedly, the pain wasn’t as intense as before.

"Madam, you’re awake, good morning."

Auntie Miller’s voice forcefully pulled her out of her long reverie.

She was a bit dazed, then raised a faint smile, "Hmm, morning."

Caleb Sinclair looked up, saw her, and his expression was gentle as the longing in his eyes faded without him knowing. He placed his phone face down on the table, got up, and walked over with concern, asking, "Why are you up so early today? Not going to sleep a bit more?"

"Can’t sleep."

Sienna smiled gently, walked over to the dining table, and sat down, taking a sip of her soy milk, "Yesterday mom said that the semi-annual dividend from Radiance Beauty Spa would be credited to our account next month."

"How much is it this time?"

Sienna held up three fingers, and Caleb Sinclair paused, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, "That much?"

She couldn’t see through his expression, so she could only probe, lightly nodding, "Yesterday I told mom that this Radiance Beauty Spa, we didn’t put in much effort, we only invested three million initially, and now the money has all been recouped. I’m feeling a bit uneasy about always getting the dividends as the legal representative."

"What did mom say?"

"She told me to keep it."

"Then listen to mom. When you invested three million, it was no different from an investment. Now that the beauty spa is making money, as a shareholder, you should receive the dividends. Don’t feel pressured."

His tone was natural and smooth, without any anomaly. After he spoke, he even placed a shrimp dumpling on her plate.

Sienna opened her mouth, knowing it was useless to say more, lightly nodded, ate a small fried dough stick, and drank her soy milk, without touching the shrimp dumpling he offered.

Caleb Sinclair, being meticulous, noticed and asked, "Is your appetite still not good? You used to love shrimp dumplings."

"It’s okay, just feel like soy milk and fried dough sticks are the best this morning, changing it up."

Caleb Sinclair gazed at her, his eyes filled with emotions that were difficult to decipher.

Unfathomable.

Sienna calmly smiled, "What’s the matter?"

"After the art gallery’s exhibition ends, I’ll take you out to relax, have some fun, wherever you want to go," Caleb Sinclair said with affection, "Look at how exhausted this exhibition has made you. How about I find someone to help you manage the art gallery on my end? This way you won’t have to work so hard."

Sienna was slightly stunned, remembering the text message yesterday mentioning June Ewing coveting the Serena Art Museum.

Then what about Caleb Sinclair?

Mother and son are a unit, is he scheming too?

Sienna dared not think deeply, as soon as she thought of the person she had shared a bed with for years being a vicious wolf, her heart and body trembled uncontrollably.

She suppressed her thoughts, revealing a faint smile, "No need, the people around you are in the financial sector, they probably don’t know much about the art field, don’t waste talent. I just need to take a break in a while, and it’ll be fine."

Upon hearing this, Caleb Sinclair didn’t insist, nodded, and advised, "Always prioritize your health, nothing is more important than your well-being."

"Mm, I know."

The Imperial City, which had been raining for several days, still didn’t clear up today; it was overcast.

After breakfast, she watched Caleb Sinclair drive off to the company, then turned around, and her phone rang: [Take the contracts signed with June Ewing and find Sebastian Prescott, he will help you.]

Sienna eyed the line of text, her eyes deepening.

Who exactly was the sender of the text message?

Before this, she and Sebastian Prescott were just strangers, even now, they weren’t closely acquainted.

How could they be sure Sebastian Prescott would definitely help her?

Just because he’s a lawyer?

She couldn’t figure out the answer, put away her phone, then went upstairs and brought out the several contracts signed last year with June Ewing.

She had carefully reviewed these contracts when they were signed, and there was nothing unusual about them.

Thinking about it, she didn’t even put on makeup, directly driving to Aethel Law Firm.

When she arrived, she happened to see Sebastian Prescott getting out of a silver-gray Bentley, she quickly rolled down her car window and called, "Leo."

Sebastian Prescott paused, turned around, and his deep, dark eyes were cast upon a pristine and beautiful face.

Sienna quickly got out of the car, locked it, and walked up to him, "I have something very important to consult with you."

Seeing her serious expression, Sebastian Prescott nodded, "Come to the office."

Entering the office, Sebastian Prescott took off his coat and asked lightly, "Coffee or tea?"

"Either is fine."

The assistant understood and left, soon returning with a cup of black coffee and a cup of cappuccino.

At this time, Sebastian Prescott was reviewing the three contracts she had brought, examining them thoroughly, not missing a word or detail.

A few minutes later, he said, "There’s no issue with the contracts."

It made sense; the more authentic the contracts, the less she’d suspect.

Sienna pursed her lips, deliberating before asking, "If, a shop is engaged in illegal business without my knowledge, and I was deceived into being the legal representative, after the shop is investigated, will I be held responsible?"

"What kind of illegal business?" Sebastian Prescott’s brow imperceptibly furrowed.

Sienna loosened her clenched fist, "I suspect Radiance Beauty Spa has a basement level where June Ewing is organizing illegal activities."

"Basement level? Illegal activities?" Sebastian Prescott’s eyes darkened, his fingertips slowly rubbing, "Are you sure?"

"Mm, I’m sure."

"How did you discover this?"

"Yesterday, I went to Radiance Beauty Spa for some skin care, accidentally saw a lady touching a man’s chest and entering a hidden elevator, which directly led to the basement level."

"Just because of this?"

"This... isn’t enough?"

"Did you capture any evidence?"

Perhaps the man’s gaze was too sharp, leaving her nowhere to hide, she had to lie under such pressure, "I was too shocked yesterday, didn’t have time to react, and forgot to take a photo."

Right now, she only had that text, but she had to make Sebastian Prescott believe her because only he could help her!

She was just like standing at the edge of a cliff now, if June Ewing gently nudged her, she might fall into an abyss at any moment.

"Initial funding, did you invest three million?" Sebastian Prescott tapped lightly on one of the shareholder agreements.

"Back when she wanted to open this shop, she said she was short on funds, so the three million was essentially loaned by me. Afterwards, she said to thank me, and as a return of that three million, she gave me a shareholder agreement and a legal representative contract."

She regarded Caleb Sinclair as the closest person, and with June Ewing treating her like a daughter, she naturally let down her guard with them.

June Ewing indeed leveraged this trust.

Thinking back now, it really was quite foolish.

She smirked self-deprecatingly.

"Was there an IOU written for that three million?"

Sienna Monroe opened her mouth, shook her head, and a trace of helplessness flickered in her eyes.

If she can’t prove that three million was borrowed from June Ewing, then as an investor and legal representative, she won’t be able to avoid responsibility.

"Did you participate in business decisions? Like board meetings, signing beauty salon establishment documents, anything like that?"

Sienna Monroe shook her head, "No, from selecting the location, renovations, purchasing equipment, to hiring, and business planning models, I haven’t been involved in any of it. For the entire beauty salon, I only provided the initial investment of three million and she gave me the legal representative title and... semi-annual dividends."

"How many times have you received dividends?"

"Only once so far," Sienna Monroe said, "The second is due next month. I also just learned from her yesterday that this half-year dividend is three million."

"A nominal legal representative, your mother-in-law is quite clever."

June Ewing is indeed clever; she’s good at disguise.

With that gentle, kind, and attractive face, she could easily manipulate Isaac Sinclair, the head of The Sterling Family.

She too was tricked by such a June Ewing.

If she weren’t clever and resourceful, how could she have succeeded in returning with her son to The Sterling Family? Although on the surface she seems suppressed by Rhonda Garrison and her son, she has tightly secured Isaac Sinclair’s heart.

Just based on this, she won’t lose.

Sienna Monroe’s throat felt dry, her voice muffled and hoarse, "If I want to revoke this nominal legal representative status now, what should I do?"

"Negotiate with the person in charge of the beauty salon and shareholders to revoke or dissolve the store. Or exercise legal representative rights to complain or report to the business department to prove you haven’t actually participated in the company’s operations and management. Lastly, gather evidence and sue in court to prove you were deceived and validate your claims."

Sebastian Prescott spoke slowly, his voice still calm and clear, "Given your current situation, none of these methods suit you. What you need now is to gather evidence."

Sienna Monroe felt her mind in chaos, unable to grasp anything.

"Where should I start now?"

"Get the fixed client lists, planning documents, text messages, emails, transaction records, and videos from the beauty salon underground services. Plus, obtain evidence proving you were unaware, testimonies from beauty salon staff and underground workers are crucial, or even... a recording, a confession from June Ewing confirming you were deceived."

"In such an organized prostitution operation involving many wealthy women and socialites in The Capital Circle, once exposed, the matter will be significant. With large amounts of involved funds and serious influence, the person in charge would face over ten years of fixed-term imprisonment or control."

"Therefore, evidence of your unawareness is crucial to whether the court will hold you accountable in future litigation."

Rarely did Sebastian Prescott speak at such length, Sienna Monroe lowered her gaze, processing word by word in her mind.

June Ewing would certainly do such things secretly, not letting her know.

Where should she find a breakthrough?

Just as she pondered, her phone buzzed with a new message: [Radiance Beauty Spa evaded taxes totaling 7.6 million.]

After seeing it, her heart sank. Whether it’s hosting a socialite training class without educational bureau approval or prostitution, now there’s tax evasion too.

Undoubtedly putting her as a legal representative in a fiery situation.

Her face turned pale, her hand holding the phone trembling, "If Radiance Beauty Spa evaded taxes, will I be punished if I report it?"

Sebastian Prescott scanned her hand unobtrusively, "Yes."

He put down the coffee cup, adding, "But the tax authorities will decide according to the severity, you didn’t pay the taxes, were unaware, and are the informant. In such situations, you may be exempt from punishment."

Sienna Monroe’s tense heart began to relax in his cold and indifferent voice.

"Radiance Beauty Spa evaded taxes?"

She muttered, tightening her grip on the phone, "I’m not sure, I just suddenly thought of it and asked."

Sebastian Prescott responded absentmindedly, "If that’s the case, I suggest you visit the tax office and check it out. Use yourself as bait, catching them off guard, revealing their mistakes naturally."

This is indeed a reverse approach.

It wouldn’t affect her directly, and she might indeed uncover some evidence or some bites.

Once her almost leaping heart calmed down, she prepared to stand.

The phone buzzed again with a message: [Don’t go out! Mrs. Hayes played mahjong with June Ewing! Don’t let her see you!]

Sienna Monroe’s eyes reflected suspicion.

Mrs. Hayes?

The office door knocked, and his assistant walked in, nodding, "Leo Prescott, Mrs. Hayes is here."

Sebastian Prescott checked his watch.

This Saturday would be the court hearing for Harrison Hayes’s case, initially set for last week but was postponed because the pen thief was caught.

He looked at Sienna Monroe, that direct, indifferent gaze suggesting it was time to see her off.

Sienna Monroe asked an additional question, "Is it Mrs. Hayes?"

"You know her?"

Sienna Monroe’s heart tightened, quickly standing up, "I know her. Not only do I know her, but June Ewing also knows her. Can’t let her see me here, otherwise if she tells June Ewing, it’s over. Is she downstairs or outside?"

Assistant, "She’s just outside."

"Then... is there a place to hide?"

As soon as she spoke, she surveyed the office, finding it spacious and bright, simplistic to the point of clarity.

Two floor-to-ceiling windows, one wall of bookshelves, a desk, office chair, a sofa set, and a few potted plants.

No excessive decorations or hiding corners.

She turned her pleading gaze to Sebastian Prescott, who met her glittering eyes for a few seconds before indifferently turning away, moving toward his desk.

Finally, he stopped at the wall on the right side behind the desk, gently swiping his finger, uncovering a fingerprint scanner, and placed his finger on it as the invisible wall door slowly opened to the left.

"Go in."

Sienna Monroe was shocked, gaping as she took two steps forward, "This is?"

Sebastian Prescott leaned lazily against the wall, "Resting room. Not going in?"

"Oh... going in," Sienna Monroe awkwardly touched her nose, glancing straight ahead as she walked in.

The resting room was quite spacious but still sparse, with only a bed, a wardrobe, and a frosted glass bathroom.

Once she finished surveying, the door opened again, Sebastian Prescott carried her cup of cappuccino and the contracts she brought.

Sienna Monroe was stunned, quickly taking them, "Thank you."

Sebastian Prescott gave her a sidelong glance, saying nothing, and closed the door.

Sienna Monroe stood there, holding her things, while muffled conversation could be heard outside.