Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 129: Ivy Is Not to Be Trusted

"Ivy?" Sienna Monroe was taken aback and thought seriously for a moment, "Are you talking about the artist Ivy who unexpectedly became famous earlier this year with the painting ’Whale Fall Island’?"

Nora Joyce nodded, "Yes, that’s her. She’s quite mysterious, with no online interviews or exhibition records to date.

This summer, she released another nature-themed painting, ’Mountain Sleep,’ which major museums in Orlano and Elysia are eager to purchase, but she hasn’t sold it.

The day before yesterday afternoon, Serena Art Museum received a phone call from her personally, saying she wanted to collaborate with our museum for her first solo exhibition."

Sienna Monroe was a bit shocked.

Serena Art Museum does have some reputation in the art world.

Especially after Audrey’s solo exhibition successfully concluded, and the joint exhibition of Audrey and Faye Irving has also drawn significant attention.

But she was still quite surprised that an artist from Orlano would want to hold her first exhibition in Celestia.

"Are you sure it was really her?"

Nora Joyce nodded, "Initially, I also thought she was a fraud. I’d always assumed Ivy was from Orlano, but the day before yesterday on the phone, she spoke fluent Chinese,

saying she’s from Celestia, only having moved to Orlano a few years ago."

Sienna asked, "What exactly did she say?"

"She said she really likes Teacher Audrey’s exhibition style and wants to collaborate with our museum. She seems to be returning to the country today, and has arranged to discuss collaboration details at nine-thirty tomorrow morning at the museum."

Sienna pursed her lips and pondered for a moment.

She had to pretend that Caleb Sinclair bailed her out of the police station, so now she couldn’t go out.

This collaboration discussion, she obviously couldn’t attend.

After some thought, she solemnly said, "I can’t go to the museum, so you should have a meeting with Director Dawson and the exhibition planning team in the afternoon to discuss it properly.

Remember, this is a great opportunity for Serena Art Museum to enter the Orlano art scene, and we must not miss it!"

Nora Joyce nodded, "Don’t worry, Director."

Nora spent over an hour at The Left Bank Courtyard, and then left.

The afternoon sunshine was just right, pouring into the living room through the large floor-to-ceiling windows.

Sienna was still uncertain about Isaac Sinclair’s attitude towards June Ewing.

After much deliberation, she decided to call Rhonda Garrison, the first lady.

The ringtone buzzed for over ten seconds before being answered.

Rhonda seemed to be napping, her voice was a bit languid, "Hello."

"First lady, it’s me." Sienna spoke with a smile, "Sorry for disturbing your rest."

"Sienna? Aren’t you in the hospital? Is it convenient for you to make a call now?"

"I’ve been discharged today." She paused for two seconds, "You probably don’t know this yet, but the police formally summoned me and Caleb Sinclair this morning for investigation."

"So you’re now..."

"All the evidence about the underground operations of Radiance Beauty Spa, I handed them all over to the police this morning."

That’s why she was released.

Except for that ledger, Rhonda wasn’t really sure what other evidence Sienna might have.

She immediately asked, "Why was Caleb Sinclair detained?"

Sienna decided to be truthful, "He transferred the shares of Radiance Beauty Spa that I held to himself."

Rhonda was stunned, inwardly marveling at Sienna’s methods.

Suddenly, she felt a bit relieved that June Ewing didn’t get Sienna on board.

Otherwise, dealing with this mother and daughter-in-law duo would be really difficult.

"Is Caleb still not out?"

Sienna spoke steadily, without making it explicit, just probing, "No, but he’s likely to be out in four or five days,

after all, he truly didn’t partake in the underground operations. I consulted with a lawyer, given the severity of this case, once it’s handed over to the court for prosecution,

the prosecution’s sentencing standards would likely call for over ten years, with confiscation of personal assets."

Upon hearing this, Rhonda suddenly understood the purpose of her call.

This girl, appearing gentle and soft, like a pushover, turned out to be quite formidable.

She chuckled, "Rest assured, in making sure June Ewing doesn’t get a chance for a comeback, on this point, you and I are on the same side."

Feeling disgusted by June Ewing and her son for thirty years, she was quite amused and pleased to see them fall from grace now.

How could she let Isaac Sinclair intervene to save that vixen?

Sienna hesitantly asked, "And what about Chairman Sinclair’s stance?"

Chairman Sinclair.

That’s a good title.

It seems she genuinely wants to clear her ties with The Sterling Family.

Rhonda’s eyes deepened with laughter, and she softly said, "He’s getting old, inevitably a bit muddled in handling certain matters. These days, Kian has been back at the old mansion."

Sienna was slightly dazed.

As expected, her prior speculation was correct.

The first lady wants to leverage this incident to let Kian Sinclair seize power.

However...

Though Isaac Sinclair is nearly 60, he’s still in fairly good health. It might not be easy to make him relinquish power.

She also wasn’t interested in delving into these trivial matters.

Now it seems she must quickly transfer the two stores Isaac Sinclair gave her into her name.

To avoid complications over time, and getting easily dragged into their complicated internal strife.

Troublesome.

With the first lady’s explicit stance, her heart was somewhat at ease.

That night, without Caleb Sinclair by her side, nor having to act, Sienna slept more soundly.

The next day, nearing noon at twelve, she was preparing to make lunch in the kitchen when her phone on the table suddenly chimed.

It was her familiar SMS notification sound.

Sienna paused, took a wet tissue to wipe her hands, then picked up the phone to check.

[Be cautious of Ivy, keep your distance from her, she’s not someone you should get too close to.]

Cautious of Ivy?

Not someone you should get too close to?

Her pupils shrank, and her heart sank suddenly.

What does this mean?

She hadn’t even met Ivy, had no idea what she looked like.

Logically, Ivy shouldn’t pose any harm or threat to her.

Sienna looked bewildered.

Why exactly is that?

But she knew for sure, whenever the text reminded her, it was about something that might affect or harm her personal interests.

If that’s the case...

She pressed her lips together, thinking of Ivy soon collaborating with the art museum, found Nora’s WeChat but hadn’t typed anything before Nora’s call came through.

"Director."

Sienna tentatively asked, "Hmm, how did the talks with Ivy go?"

Nora replied over the phone, with a bit of joy and excitement in her voice, "Very smoothly, I’m calling to tell you about it. Miss Ivy is very satisfied with our exhibition area,

she just signed the art exhibition contract, and promised that once we propose the preliminary planning scheme and select the exhibition pieces, she’ll sign the art sales agency contract."

So fast!

In just one morning, the basic contract was already signed.

Sienna tightened her grip on the phone.

The collaboration with Ivy could indeed elevate Serena Art Museum to new heights, but she didn’t know much about Ivy as a person.

Nor did she know what influence Ivy might have on her, and she wasn’t willing to gamble with her mother’s hard work.

Her eyes darkened slightly, she probed, "What kind of person do you think Ivy is? Is she easy to get along with?"

"She’s quite easy to get along with, she’s very beautiful, elegant, and intellectual, speaks gently, without airs, very approachable. And I think she resembles you a bit, especially in terms of temperament."

Gentle...

Perhaps the shadow of June Ewing was too great, she couldn’t feel any fondness for this adjective.

Instead, it felt creepy.

Sienna furrowed her brows, "Do you have a photo of her?"

"This... really no." Nora sensed her oddity, hesitated, "Director, is there a problem?"

Sienna’s lips pressed into a straight line.

Her mood was complex.

Now that the contract was signed, breaking it would obviously not be a good idea, especially if the museum breaches first, it would affect the museum’s reputation.

That would be a loss.

She thought for a while, then reminded, "Check Ivy’s true purpose for choosing our museum, just treat her with the attitude you have for ordinary customers."

Although Nora didn’t understand what the director meant, she still quietly agreed, "Okay, I understand."

After hanging up, Sienna searched online for all the information about Ivy but gained nothing; not even her personal data was available.

No wonder she was referred to by the Orlano media as the most mysterious light and shadow style painter.

Since she couldn’t find anything, Sienna didn’t expend much more energy on the issue, planning to wait and probe in the future.