Chapter 42: Chapter 42: The Sterling Family’s Scheme

Richard Sterling was indeed an old fox in the business world. At first, Julian thought Richard would only use him as a stepping stone to get Ethan Caldwell to cede this piece of land.

But now it looked like he did not even want to pay for the land. Julian stopped eating, put his bowl down, and looked at Richard: “How do you want to collaborate, Dad?”

“If no one asked you, then shut your mouth. What do you know about business to be asking Dad?” Edward Sterling suddenly spoke up. Julian looked toward Aaron Sterling, only to see that Aaron had also put his chopsticks down, looking obedient like a small child preparing to learn about business.

He gave a faint smile. In the eyes of this family, when it came to business, only he had no right to speak. When she was young, Catherine Sterling had also followed Richard to conquer the world and was once a successful businesswoman, so she completely understood business and trade. All in all, Julian was truly the “only good-for-nothing” in their eyes. A child who could not finish his studies, only knew theory without ever practicing, and even his theory was nothing to write home about.

“For better or worse, I am already married to Ethan, so half of his assets are mine.” Julian calmly looked at Edward: “There is no problem with me caring about my own assets, is there?”

“Jules, stop messing around. This land was bought under the name of Caldwell Empire, how can it be considered marital property of you two?” Catherine sat to the side and chimed in.

“That is right, Julian, do not say that outside, or people will laugh at you.” Aaron did not forget to stomp on him once.

“He is not wrong.” Ethan Caldwell looked around at the faces of the Sterling family members: “I bought this land under my personal name, and the title deed also bears Jules’s name.”

Marital assets, standing in the names of both husband and wife. Therefore, Julian had the complete right to decide how to handle this piece of land, what to invest in, or who to grant usage rights to. To put it bluntly, even if Ethan agreed, if Julian did not nod, the Sterling family’s schemes would fall through.

Of course, in the eyes of those Sterling family members, if Ethan agreed, then Julian was nothing. What Ethan said now was just standing up to provide backing for Julian.

Julian was also surprised, but he did not reveal anything and just smiled slightly at Edward: “I suppose I have the right to know how this land will be collaborated on for investment now, don’t I?”

Edward only frowned at him once but said nothing. However, Julian could see the annoyance in Edward’s eyes. But so what if he was annoyed? He could not do anything to Julian. Hmph!

“Ethan really spoils Julian.” Aaron, who was sitting to the side, also spoke up.

Julian just glanced at Aaron once but said nothing. However, he turned his face around, glanced slightly at Ethan, and pouted his lips.

Seeing Julian put on such an expression, Ethan’s face darkened considerably. Obviously, he still remembered reminding Aaron to address them correctly earlier, yet now Aaron treated his words like wind passing through the ears! However, since there were elders sitting there, Ethan did not say anything.

Richard saw this, coughed dryly twice, and continued: “Jules has little contact with our family company so he does not know, but Ethan surely knows Sterling Group’s real estate business capabilities, right? Selling a piece of land like that directly will not yield much money; it is better to exploit the surroundings, expand construction, and then sell properties or rent them out for more profit.”

“Dad is right, that land is not in a very good location. If we sell it directly, the profit will not be much. But if we build…” Caldwell Empire specialized in general business and did not have a strong workforce in the real estate market.

“That is why I said it would be better for us to collaborate. In terms of engineering and construction planning, Sterling Group is definitely in the top tier.”

Ethan paused for a moment, frowned slightly, appearing to be thinking.

“Dad is right, Ethan. We are family, after all, cooperating with each other only brings benefits.” Aaron sat opposite looking at Ethan, laughing softly: “Recently I have been in contact with the group so I also know our family’s business operations. It just so happens that the land is located in an easily accessible yet quiet area; we can develop a laboratory or a resort, which will certainly make a lot of profit.”

“How big is that land to build a resort? If we build a laboratory, who will rent it? In such a remote place, pulling electricity and water is also a whole issue.”

Hearing Julian speak up, Aaron looked at Julian once, and he seemed to be able to see a bit of disdain in Aaron’s eyes: “You worry too much, Julian. It is the suburbs, not the jungle; if we want to, we can do it. As for renting the laboratory…” Aaron turned to look at Ethan, his tone extremely sincere: “I do not know if Ethan has heard the news recently? I have a game project in collaboration with Helios Technologies, and it just so happens that we also need a laboratory, so you do not need to worry about the output.”

Hearing that, Julian raised his eyebrows.

At first, he thought Richard wanted to buy back the land in Ethan’s hands at the original price, or collaborate with him to open a project, then announce that the project had problems to buy the land back at a lower price. But now it seemed they really wanted to get something for nothing!

Ethan looked at Richard and asked: “Do you think so too, Dad?”

“Mhm, we are family after all, so I think this way is fine. Sterling Group will help with the planning, investment, and customer sources. You just need to contribute the land, and we will split the profit by percentage, how about that?”

Julian suddenly burst out laughing, causing everyone to turn and look at him.

Julian leisurely put his chopsticks down; the food in his bowl had not diminished much, especially the huge piece of sauced fish lying in one corner. He laughed heartily: “I thought you missed me, Dad, so you called me back for a family meal. Now it seems you really did miss something, but it was my family’s assets you missed.”

After speaking, he looked at Richard and then at Aaron: “That piece of land may not be too big, but if you help him swallow it all like that, aren’t you afraid of choking to death?”

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