CHAPTER 20: CHAPTER 20: ABANDON THE CAR TO SAVE THE KING

Sienna Monroe was taken aback.

She wasn’t very knowledgeable about stocks and funds, but she did have some investments, all managed by Caleb Sinclair.

In the first year after purchasing them, every time there was a major change, Caleb would inform her, but she couldn’t understand a thing and trusted him completely, so she stopped asking him to update her on everything.

If it weren’t for the text message, she wouldn’t know whether her stock funds had made any profits over the years, or how much.

UG Eastern Intelligence Tech.

She found this out the next morning.

It was a tech company that went public two years ago, focusing on robotics, drones, and electronic chips.

Its market value was 1.13 billion.

The current price was three point five yuan.

The price was relatively low.

Without hesitation, Sienna Monroe re-registered a new account in the stock market and bought 200 lots directly.

Unexpectedly, within a week, the stock rose to over a hundred yuan, earning her more than three million.

While she was still immersed in joy, the tax authorities officially sent someone to investigate the finances of Radiance Beauty Spa.

As the legal representative, even if in name only, she naturally couldn’t escape a thorough investigation.

When Sienna arrived at Radiance Beauty Spa, June Ewing was explaining to the police about the matters of the deputy minister of finance.

The deputy minister was a middle-aged man, appearing very calm and natural.

Sienna knew he was the scapegoat June Ewing had put forward; she must have promised the deputy minister something.

Once the police and others left, her face turned pale as she incredulously approached June Ewing, "Mom... how could there be tax evasion? What’s going on?"

June Ewing remained calm, though a bit heavy-hearted inside. Seeing Sienna’s frightened expression, she quickly stepped forward to hold her hand, realizing it was sweaty.

She gently reassured her, "Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, good girl. This was my oversight. I just found out someone in the finance department was falsifying accounts. The police have already taken the person away. Don’t worry; this has nothing to do with you. Once they find out the truth, we’ll pay the taxes we owe, and it will be fine."

Sienna’s palms were sweaty with nervousness.

She planned to report anonymously, but since it was her first time doing something like this, she was uncertain about it.

Although this incident caught June Ewing off guard, she clearly had a pre-planned response.

Sacrifice a pawn to save the king.

She nodded, hesitated, and asked, "Then... doesn’t this mean the beauty salon must temporarily close for rectification?"

"Looks like it, considering the mess this has caused."

June Ewing sighed, looking toward the crowd at a middle-aged woman in a black suit, "Clara Shaw, please apologize to the customers and try to finish their current projects. If there are any inconveniences, ask them for understanding, especially our VIP clients."

Clara Shaw, the salon manager, heard the undertone in her words and nodded, "I’ve already called the VIP section. Let me go check again."

Having said that, she turned and left the crowd.

Sienna’s eyes followed her, her gaze indifferent, naturally understanding her implication.

The so-called VIP section was probably referring to the ground floor.

It’s early morning; Radiance Beauty Spa usually opens at nine-thirty. It’s barely ten, yet there are already clients downstairs?

The tax bureau’s investigation would take time, and Sienna’s hand was being held by June Ewing, making it impossible for her to follow and find out more.

Half an hour later, Caleb Sinclair arrived, informed of the situation, only to find Sienna pale, with heartache in his eyes, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"I’m here, don’t be afraid."

Sienna suppressed her inner rejection and disgust, not pushing him away. Her eyes filled with tears, she choked, "Why did you come so late?"

Caleb’s heart sank instantly at her words, holding her tightly, softly coaxing, "It’s my fault, my fault. It’s nothing, they’re just doing a routine inspection, don’t worry."

Soon after, someone from the tax authority called out, "Who is the person in charge and the legal representative of this beauty salon?"

Caleb accompanied her inside, immediately shielding her with his body, saying, "Hello, although my wife is the legal representative of this shop, she is merely a figurehead and never involved in its operations or finances."

June Ewing caught a glint of shrewdness in her eyes and aided their persuasion, "My daughter-in-law indeed hasn’t been involved in the decision-making or operations of the salon. This tax evasion came as a surprise to me, let alone her, despite being the legal representative."

While they were talking, Sienna had secretly turned on the recording pen in her bag, still displaying a tense and frightened expression, fearing responsibility.

The tax authority’s agent glanced at her, "We need to copy these account books and take them back for archiving. We now officially notify you that Radiance Beauty Spa must, within seven working days from receiving the written notice, pay the owed taxes, fines, and shut down for 20 days for rectification. The written notice will be delivered on time by this afternoon or tomorrow."

After speaking, they each carried their files and left the salon.

June Ewing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, seven million or so only!

She would pay it.

As long as the underground venture remained uninterrupted, it would be sufficient.

Once the crowd dispersed, Sienna and Caleb both went to her office.

As soon as the door closed, Caleb couldn’t help but say, "Mom, how about removing Sienna’s status as a legal representative? She’s not involved in the salon’s operations or decisions; look how scared she was by this incident."

June Ewing slightly frowned but seeing Sienna’s face, which hasn’t regained its color, she pondered deeply, then said softly, "I didn’t expect this situation either. It’s my fault for trusting them too much."

Caleb said, "Even though the salon has been open for just over a year, the management needs a thorough review."

"Yes, it indeed needs a check."

"I really don’t want to see Sienna in fear anymore."

"This time was an exception..." June Ewing thought it over and sighed, "Alright. Let’s hold a shareholders’ meeting this afternoon and meanwhile, revoke Sienna’s legal representative position."

Sienna’s heart was on edge as Caleb was speaking, and she unconsciously slowed her breathing.

This was absolutely the best opportunity to rid herself of the legal representative role.

Especially since it was coming from Caleb, leaving no suspicion on her.

So when June Ewing relented, she exhaled the breath she had been holding.

This ticking time bomb was finally removed.

It was much easier than she imagined.

But then she suddenly realized she was also a shareholder of the salon, and Radiance Beauty Spa’s underground business still involved her.

Ultimately, she wasn’t completely clear yet.

June Ewing would definitely use dividends as an excuse to keep her involved for the shares in Radiance Beauty Spa.

Including her, there were only four shareholders.

They were all affluent wives within The Capital Circle, and Sienna didn’t know if they were aware of the underground business, but the vote to remove her as a legal representative passed smoothly and unanimously.

Once June Ewing resolved the tax matters, she successfully signed the application to change the legal representative.

Seeing her departing figure, June Ewing slightly furrowed her brows, just as her phone rang.

"Ms. June, have you found out who the whistleblower is?"

"Who?"

"Sebastian Prescott, the principal lawyer at Aethel Law Firm."

"Sebastian Prescott?"

June Ewing raised her voice, a hint of disbelief in her eyes, as she recalled seeing Sienna dining with a stranger recently.

That man was indeed Sebastian Prescott.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, a slight doubt forming in her mind, but the person on the other end continued, "Ms. June, Orchid Beauty Salon’s legal advisor is a senior lawyer from Aethel Law Firm."