Chapter 412: Chapter 412: Daughter Comes First
The saying goes, ’Time reveals a person’s heart,’ and it’s indeed true.
When Ashley Shaw used to live with the Prescott Family, they’d meet often, but their actual conversations and interactions were fewer than in the past few days combined.
He found that the more he "dealt" with Ashley Shaw, the less he could dislike her.
It all boils down to the word "status."
But sometimes, and he means occasionally, he would wonder if status is really that important?
Lars Prescott suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart, pressed the intercom, and asked Mr. Rowan to notify the company executives for a meeting.
Mr. Rowan responded and soon knocked on the door to enter.
"Chairman, everyone else is here, only those two said they have something to do and can’t make it."
"Those two" naturally referred to Elder Prescott’s elder brother’s daughter and son, who were Lars Prescott’s cousins, and Warren Prescott’s uncle and aunt.
The two have long been dissatisfied that the Prescott Group was "occupied" by Elder Prescott’s branch of the family and have been causing trouble for years.
However, both Elder Prescott and Lars Prescott did not take their antics seriously.
Although the Prescott Group bears the name Prescott, it truly became a "commercial evergreen" under Elder Prescott, who started its fortune.
In other words, if it weren’t for Elder Prescott, there wouldn’t be the Prescott Group today.
Elder Prescott’s talent for business far surpassed that of his older brother.
Naturally, this is also true regarding his character.
This is why Elder Prescott’s father handed the Prescott Group to the younger son instead of the eldest.
Before, Lars could tolerate them because they didn’t infringe on his actual interests, but today he couldn’t stand it anymore.
The company must immediately relocate north, and by immediately, he meant action must begin this very second.
Usually, those two could put on airs, but there was no room for negotiation this time.
"Tell them if they don’t come today, they needn’t bother coming in the future."
His words were heavy, even Mr. Rowan was clearly surprised for a moment before responding, "Yes!"
...
On the other side.
At the entrance of the SQ Entertainment company building, although there was a month left before its official "opening," there were already many floral arrangements sent by people in the industry.
There were so many flower baskets that the lobby was almost overflowing, anyone unaware might think it was a flower market, which shows how well-liked Owen Sinclair is both inside and outside the industry.
Owen was so busy that his feet practically didn’t touch the ground, but when he heard Ashley Shaw was coming over, he immediately cleared all his evening plans.
He could postpone social engagements, but some company matters couldn’t be postponed.
So he planned to finish handling the pressing tasks before Ashley Shaw arrived, to the point he didn’t even have time for a sip of water.
The assistant saw Owen being so busy and couldn’t help but remark to his manager, Gage York, "Gus, why is Owen putting himself through this? He could have finished his work first and then met with Miss Shaw."
Gage glared at the young assistant.
"Are you mad? If Owen hears you say that, you’d better watch your head."
The assistant instinctively touched his neck but still couldn’t help but mutter, "I’m just stating the facts, after all, work is important..."
Gage let out a "hiss."
"Since you can’t wrap your mind around it, let me help clarify. I ask you, you know Miss Shaw’s identity, right?"
"I do..."
"Then how come you still can’t wrap your mind around it?"
"I don’t find it difficult to understand, relationships are important, but isn’t work also important? Especially when the company is just starting out."
"Ha! You’ve hit the nail on the head. To Owen, Miss Shaw is more important than work right now. In Owen’s eyes, SQ Corporation is not as important as even a strand of Miss Shaw’s hair."
"..."
"Don’t think my words are vulgar. They’re blunt but true. Otherwise, why do you think our company suddenly changed its name from SY Entertainment & Culture to SQ Entertainment & Culture?"
The young assistant’s mind finally started to process.
SY was simply an abbreviation for Owen Sinclair’s name.
But SQ... represents ’Sinclair’ and ’Shaw.’
Could it be that Owen Sinclair set up this company for Ashley Shaw?!
He widened his eyes and asked this question.
Gage wore an expression of "you finally understand."
Although Owen Sinclair is incredibly wealthy, having made money from acting and investments over the years that would last three lifetimes, he wanted to leave something genuinely substantial for Ashley Shaw.
The entertainment industry has been growing rapidly over the past two years, even surpassing real estate.
By starting a company for Ashley Shaw, she truly wouldn’t need to worry about anything.
"So, do you still think the company is more important than Miss Shaw?" Gage asked.
The assistant shook his head and then sighed.
"Being born into the right family really is a skill, some are born in Rome, while I’ll be working like an ox for a lifetime. I truly envy Miss Shaw..."
Gage said sternly, "Envy her? You’re only seeing what she got, not what she lost. She grew up thinking she didn’t have a father, living with her mother and facing struggles, and last year she lost her mother and became an orphan... Do you think she’s lived a happy life?"
The young assistant was stunned and instinctively shook his head.
Although he came from an ordinary family, his parents were loving, and he had a happy upbringing.
Gage continued, "That’s why you still have a lot to learn. Go back to work! Notify those who have signed the contracts, and send an email to those who haven’t."
"Got it!" The young assistant regained his spirit and threw himself into work.
...
In the office, Owen had just finished urgent tasks and was waiting for Ashley Shaw to arrive at the company when his phone rang.
It was the phone for work.
The call was from a director he had collaborated with before, Zeke Jennings.
Most people in the industry knew he was about to start his own entertainment company, and many directors were trying to get in his good graces.
Zeke Jennings was somewhat talented, but unfortunately, his personal life was too chaotic.
In Owen’s signing criteria, this was a significant red flag.
But out of past cooperative camaraderie, Owen still picked up the call.
However, the call wasn’t about Jennings himself.
He wanted to introduce a female artist to Owen.
After explaining his intentions, Zeke Jennings said, "This student has great potential for stardom in appearance and solid acting skills, a formal academy graduate, but currently on a year-long break due to family reasons... This year, she has plenty of free time. If you’d kindly do me a favor, could you meet her?"
Zeke Jennings touted her extensively, but Owen’s expression and tone remained indifferent.
"I do need to sign two more artists, but whether she can make it depends on her actual talent. If she’s not selected, I hope you won’t mind, Director Jennings."
Zeke Jennings was delighted.
"Of course, I wouldn’t mind! When would you be available, Owen? We’re just near the company right now. We can be there in two minutes."
With such words, Owen couldn’t outright refuse, so he said, "Then you can come over now, I only have... about fifteen minutes. After fifteen minutes, I have other important matters to attend to."
In fifteen minutes, Ashley Shaw would arrive.