My Amnesic Ex Married My Sister, So I Married His Uncle-Chapter 147: Don’t Be So Willful, Like a Child

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Don’t Be So Willful, Like a Child

Influential people in Jandor were keen to get acquainted with Sean Shaw and had reached out to the Shaw Family well in advance.

For the Shaw Family’s Everlake Resort to succeed long-term in Jandor, it would need the help of these local figures.

After all, an outsider can’t beat a local on their own ground.

As a businessman, Sean Shaw understood this.

So, a discreet luncheon was held at noon in Everlake Resort’s banquet hall for some of the prominent families who had reached out.

The Sterling Family was, of course, among the invited.

Since Kiana Sterling was scheduled to co-host the unveiling ceremony with Sean Shaw that afternoon, she naturally became the main topic of conversation among the high-society wives and their daughters at the luncheon.

By then, Gavin Sterling had arrived with Madeline Jennings and Chase Sterling.

Gavin Sterling took Chase to mingle, while Madeline Jennings joined her familiar circle of society wives.

Madeline Jennings used to be closest with Yolanda Thorne; wherever they went, they would be seen chatting and laughing warmly together.

But upon seeing each other at Everlake today, it was obvious the two were not as cordial as they used to be.

When Yolanda Thorne saw Madeline Jennings approaching from a distance, she pretended not to notice and continued chatting with the lady beside her.

Only when Madeline was close did she act as if she had just noticed her, greeting her with a smile but making no move to stand with her.

Everyone present was sharp enough to guess with a single glance that there was a rift between the two.

Yet, the marriage alliance between the Rhodes and Sterling families had been the talk of the town.

Everyone knew the two women were now family through marriage.

As long as the marriage alliance held, perhaps they were just having a minor squabble.

So no one pointed it out, instead playing dumb and acting diplomatically with both sides.

One of the ladies said admiringly, "Mrs. Sterling, I hear Kiana is co-hosting the unveiling with President Shaw this afternoon, right? Oh, but why didn’t your Kiana come with you?"

Madeline Jennings loved hearing people praise Kiana.

She had been a little upset by the cold shoulder from Yolanda Thorne, but now she no longer cared.

"Ethan went to pick her up. They should be here soon."

Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately broke into a flurry of compliments.

One moment they were praising Kiana Sterling for her beauty and talent, the next they were complimenting Ethan Rhodes on being a young and brilliant man, saying the two were a perfect match.

While praising Kiana, they didn’t forget to include Ethan.

The praise went on, and soon the ladies started flattering Madeline Jennings and Yolanda Thorne for raising such outstanding children.

Yolanda Thorne had been dealing with a lot of frustration lately, most of it from Serena Kane.

Being showered with such praise, Yolanda Thorne felt a satisfaction she hadn’t experienced in a long time, and the gloom in her heart instantly dissipated.

Only then did a genuine smile appear on Yolanda Thorne’s face, and she began to chat with the group.

But Yolanda Thorne’s good mood didn’t last long before someone new joined their circle.

As luck would have it, it was Serena Kane.

Serena Kane had been in an exceptionally good mood lately. She was positively radiant and could strike up a conversation with anyone she saw.

And the moment Serena Kane arrived, everyone’s attention immediately shifted to her.

First, she was Simon Rhodes’s wife.

Second, her son was also a young master of the Rhodes Family, currently working at Kyros Headquarters. He was young and accomplished, had recently been promoted, and, most importantly, was still single.

For Evan Rhodes to be working at Kyros Headquarters and already promoted at his age meant he had a boundless future.

The mothers with unmarried daughters and an opportunistic mindset were naturally more eager to associate with her.

As they chatted, one of the ladies asked why Evan Rhodes wasn’t there.

Serena Kane laughed. "Oh, Evan is busy. Our Evan is still young and inexperienced. Now that he’s been promoted, he naturally has to work harder. How else can he earn everyone’s respect?"

It was one thing for Serena Kane to show off, but she just had to needle Yolanda Thorne while she was at it.

"Oh, sister-in-law, why isn’t Ethan here yet? What has he been busy with lately?"

Anyone with eyes could see Yolanda Thorne’s expression darken.

For a moment, no one dared to say a word and risk her wrath.

Serena Kane, however, looked at her with an expression of pure sincerity, as if she had really just asked a casual question.

Yolanda Thorne shot Serena Kane a warning glare before changing the subject. "Ethan and Kiana went to see President Shaw."

’She had no idea if the two of them had actually met with Sean Shaw yet.’

’But because Kiana would be with Sean Shaw for the unveiling ceremony that afternoon, she had heard Kiana was supposed to meet him beforehand.’

’With an opportunity like this, Jonathan Rhodes would never let Ethan miss out.’

’He would insist that Ethan accompany Kiana.’

Serena Kane was clearly trying to cause trouble, so Yolanda Thorne had to say this to save face.

’They were bound to meet him sooner or later anyway.’

And so, the group’s conversation returned to Kiana Sterling and her paintings.

...

「Inside the reception room.」

Sean Shaw watched with a faint smile as the young man in front of him—with a head of blue hair and a row of ear studs—yawned.

"Still sleepy?"

Zion Shawcross nodded. "My new album is about to be released, so it’s been a bit busy these past few days."

Recalling the recent minor incident, Sean Shaw asked calmly, "Who did you get on the wrong side of?"

He was referring to the time Zion had been targeted and had his resources intercepted.

’Zion Shawcross was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected Sean Shaw to be concerned about him.’

"It’s nothing, just a small matter. Thank you for your concern, Uncle."

Seeing no change in his expression, Sean Shaw said, "If you run into any trouble, tell the family. Has that kid Ryan been in touch with you recently?"

’Should he say yes, or no?’

After wrestling with the question for a split second, he said, "No. I heard he’s on a mission and can’t use his phone."

Sean Shaw raised his teacup with an unreadable smile and took a sip before changing the subject. "What made you decide to collaborate with a painter this time?"

Zion Shawcross’s expression remained neutral. "It was a proposal from the studio. The company thought it was good, so they went with it."

After he spoke, Sean Shaw didn’t reply.

The reception room fell silent, making Zion Shawcross feel like he was on pins and needles.

Just then, Sean Shaw’s secretary came in to announce that Kiana Sterling had arrived.

Zion Shawcross breathed a sigh of relief. ’He could finally leave.’

’Even though Sean Shaw was his uncle, the number of times they had sat and talked alone could be counted on one hand.’

’Sean Shaw’s face was impassive, but sitting in front of him was incredibly stressful.’

’Mostly because he had a guilty conscience.’

’He had helped that kid Ryan hide quite a few things behind his father’s back.’

’He didn’t know if he’d actually gotten away with it, or if Sean Shaw was just turning a blind eye and pretending not to know.’

Zion Shawcross quickly spoke up, "Well, I won’t disturb you any longer, Uncle. Please, go ahead."

He was about to stand up when he heard Sean Shaw say, "Zion, you and Ryan have been close since you were kids. When you have time, try to talk some sense into him. He’s a grown man now; he can’t keep acting so willful, like a child."

Zion Shawcross agreed, then stood up and left.

’As for talking sense into him...’

’That father and son were both as stubborn as mules. What good would talking do?’

’The key issue was, he still didn’t know how to tell Ryan that Stella Sterling was already married.’

’That was why he’d deliberately ignored Ryan’s call in the middle of the night yesterday.’

’When that kid got back, he was inevitably going to be pestered for a good while...’

Zion Shawcross put on his hat and mask and walked out.

Kiana Sterling, arm in arm with Ethan Rhodes, followed the secretary to see Sean Shaw.

As they walked, Kiana Sterling suddenly stared at something. Ethan Rhodes asked her what was wrong, but she just shook her head. "Nothing."

’She must have been mistaken.’

’How could Zion Shawcross possibly be coming out of Sean Shaw’s reception room?’