CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 173: COMPETING FOR EASTMINSTER MOUNTAIN

President Phillips’s voice was full of apology, and Sienna Johnson joked, "President Phillips, you are so busy every day. I completely understand."

"Naughty!" he said indulgently, his voice soft and slightly low, like a feather brushing across her heart.

Hearing how busy he was on the other end of the line, Sienna Johnson got straight to the point. "Brother, I called because I want to buy thirty outdoor LED advertising billboards from your company, Schindler Media, for a six-month advertising period..."

"For your company’s promotion, I suggest choosing TV and online platforms. They’ll be more effective than outdoor LED advertising," Noah Phillips advised.

"It’s not for my company..." Sienna Johnson then explained her deal with Matthew Harris. After listening, Noah Phillips asked unhappily, "Why didn’t you come to me when you ran into such a big problem?"

"Brother, I’m not a child anymore. Don’t you think you’re being a bit too protective?"

"I just don’t want you to work so hard." Noah Phillips’s concern was palpable, even through the phone.

"Brother, I chose this path, and it’s destined to be difficult! You’re so busy; I can’t expect you to solve my problems every time I encounter one. You don’t have the time or energy for that. My grandmother is right; I have to rely on myself in the future."

"Baby..."

"Brother, there’s still a lot I don’t understand about business. If you really want what’s best for me, then teach me more."

"I have a few good people here; I’ll ask them to help you," Noah Phillips said generously.

"No, no..." Sienna Johnson hurriedly stopped him. "Brother, are you trying to help me or hurt me? Any ambitious young person wants to develop on a broader stage. If you ask them to leave Genesis Group and come to our small Eastminster Group, wouldn’t that be a waste of their talents? Then, they’d grow resentful and blame all their dissatisfaction on me. I’d be terribly wronged, wouldn’t I?"

"I have something to attend to here. I’ll call you back later."

"Okay."

Sienna Johnson had just hung up with Noah Phillips when a call came in from home. It was Kathryn, the servant who attended to the Old Madam, saying that guests had arrived and asking her to hurry back.

It was almost the end of the workday, so Sienna Johnson decided to leave early.

Uncle Ray, the driver, had been Dexter Johnson’s chauffeur for many years. After Dexter Johnson passed away, he became Sienna Johnson’s driver. Dexter Johnson, too, had been an experienced driver, known for his remarkably steady driving.

"Miss, we’ve arrived."

The car ride had been so smooth that she hadn’t felt any bumps. She had unexpectedly fallen asleep; she had been utterly exhausted lately.

Sienna Johnson pinched the bridge of her nose and got out of the car.

Kathryn was already waiting for her and hurried over when she saw her step out. "Miss, you’re finally back..."

"What’s the situation?"

Kathryn quickly and clearly explained the ins and outs of the matter so Sienna Johnson would be prepared and not lose her composure when facing them.

"Miss, relatives from several branches of the Johnson Family have come. They want the Johnson Family to return Eastminster Mountain... The Old Madam is currently dealing with them."

"Eastminster Mountain again?" Sienna Johnson scoffed. "All this fuss over a mountain. Anyone who didn’t know better would think it had buried treasure."

Kathryn glanced at Sienna Johnson, who was dressed in a dark, professional suit, looking capable and shrewd. In just a short time, Sienna Johnson’s commanding presence had grown even stronger. Kathryn had also heard about the significant moves Sienna Johnson had made since taking charge; in terms of astuteness and resolve, she was not inferior to any man!

As soon as Sienna Johnson entered, she saw that relatives from several branches of the Johnson family had indeed arrived. She calmly scanned the room: various uncles, aunts, and cousins from the extended family were all present. The Johnson family’s large living room was packed full.

"Hello, Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins," Sienna Johnson greeted them with a warm, enthusiastic smile. "What special occasion brings everyone together today? Aunt Ping, since all our relatives are here, please ask the kitchen to prepare a few extra dishes."

"That won’t be necessary. We’re here to discuss important matters and will leave once we’re done."

The speaker was Dave Johnson, one of Sienna’s elder cousins from a distant branch of the family. His hair was entirely white, and age spots dotted his skin. At his advanced age, instead of peacefully cultivating his well-being at home, he was still angling for a piece of the pie. Sienna Johnson found his audacity rather impressive.

"Uncle Dave, please speak. Sienna is listening." Sienna Johnson smiled inwardly. It seems the clan is truly nervous about the ownership of Eastminster Mountain.

A servant brought Sienna Johnson a cup of coffee. She had already drunk a lot of coffee at the company today; if she had any more, she wouldn’t get any sleep tonight.

"Please bring me a glass of lemonade instead."

"Yes, Miss!"

"We are here to discuss the ownership of Eastminster Mountain," Dave Johnson stated. "When your grandfather was alive, the agreement clearly stipulated that if the Johnson family had no male heirs, Eastminster Mountain would belong to the extended Johnson family. Your Old Madam is aware of this. Now, the Johnson family has no male heirs, yet you continue to occupy Eastminster Mountain instead of returning it. What is the meaning of this?"

The Johnson family was a renowned pharmaceutical family, and its other branches were also involved in medicine-related industries. Eastminster Mountain was a treasure trove; many medicinal herbs that couldn’t survive on other mountains could be successfully cultivated there. That was why they all coveted Eastminster Mountain. Even without doing anything, the medicinal ingredients produced on Eastminster Mountain represented a substantial source of income.

"Old Madam, this child doesn’t understand these things. You should speak," one of the relatives urged, clearly not taking Sienna Johnson seriously due to her age.

The Old Madam, however, merely lifted an eyelid and said nonchalantly, "I’m old and no longer manage these affairs. From now on, Sienna has the final say in all matters concerning the Johnson family."

"She’s just a young girl! How old is she? Letting her run the Johnson family? Isn’t that utterly chaotic? Besides, she’s just a girl. Once she marries, she’ll no longer be part of the Johnson family. Old Madam, you mustn’t be muddled!"

The Old Madam was far from muddled. She scanned the predatory faces in the room, each etched with unconcealed greed. Wealth truly stirs people’s hearts, she thought. Our Johnson family is in grave danger.

"On the day of Dexter’s funeral, Sienna declared in front of everyone that she would not marry out but would stay with the Johnson family and find a husband to marry in. Any children she bears will also carry the Johnson surname. How, then, is she not a member of the Johnson family?" the Old Madam retorted.

Sienna Johnson had to meet with people from the Health Bureau the next day and had no time to waste on these relatives. "I understand what you’re all saying. You just want Eastminster Mountain, don’t you? Fine, you can have Eastminster Mountain."

The crowd stared at Sienna Johnson in disbelief. Her cousin, Derek Johnson, asked, "Are you serious?"

"A lady’s word is her bond!" Sienna Johnson declared unequivocally.

Everyone was overjoyed, not expecting Sienna Johnson to concede so readily. "In that case, we’ll send people to take over Eastminster Mountain tomorrow."

"Hold on!" Sienna Johnson interjected.

"Are you going back on your word?" Derek Johnson demanded.

"You all know the current situation of the Johnson family. Several key herbs, essential for the flagship drugs produced by Eastminster Pharmaceutical Factory, can only be cultivated on Eastminster Mountain..."