Chapter 139

Someday in the future, perhaps, she would tell Edmond, but not now.

Regarding the issue with the underfloor heating in the new Shenghui Real Estate development, L&S spoke up first. Chairman Brooks himself issued an apology, stating that the headquarters received complaints from homeowners about the substandard underfloor heating in the suburban new development. Upon learning about this, he immediately set up an investigation team.

The investigation confirmed that the complaints were valid—the person in charge of the new development had accepted kickbacks from the underfloor heating manufacturer. L&S was resolute in not covering up such behavior, and thus, they fired the person in charge and dealt with Shenghui Real Estate's deputy general manager, who happened to be related to the fool who assaulted Sun Yimiao.

Brooks also announced that the tiles already laid in the first phase would be entirely removed and reinstalled, and the same would happen for the second phase. The underfloor heating system would be replaced with compliant ones, with relevant departments overseeing the process. Homeowners could also appoint representatives to supervise the work at any time.

This news quickly made it to the trending topics. People weren't fools—they knew that a company wouldn't self-report without reason. It was evident that something had gone wrong and couldn't be resolved privately, hence this public self-reporting approach. But it didn't matter much—since the group's chairman himself apologized and demonstrated a positive attitude.

The necessary individuals were dealt with, compensations were made, and the underfloor heating was being redone—all to protect the homeowners' rights, leaving them satisfied and quelling any further uproar. L&S was warned and fined, causing a delay in the construction schedule and losing tens of millions, but the rectifications were done to standards, leaving no room for criticism.

The public relations team of L&S deftly managed the narrative. The online spectators were easily swayed, acknowledging the company's sincerity. Some savvy individuals also dug up the incident where a Shenghui manager assaulted a TV reporter, causing quite a stir online.

Later, Sun Yimiao came forward, admitting he had been assaulted, but clarified it was an individual act of the responsible manager. He also mentioned that L&S Group's headquarters only learned about the assault after it happened, and Chairman Brooks personally visited him in the hospital to apologize and promised to redo the underfloor heating.

Regardless of Brooks' initial intentions about the reconstruction, Sun Yimiao's statements were truthful. With his long-standing reputation for integrity, his support served as the best endorsement for L&S.

As a result, competitors attempting to smear L&S quieted down, and the PR team from Jingxiu also stepped in to help. This neutralized any negative online sentiment, leaving only a few inconsequential dissenters.

As long as Brooks kept his promises, accepted the losses, redid the work, and protected the homeowners' rights, the issue would gradually subside. The effective and timely handling of the situation even turned into a positive promotion for L&S.

This favorable outcome led to increased inquiries and purchases of properties under L&S's other real estate companies. People felt reassured that, under public scrutiny, the same-year properties would be reliable.

Temporarily resolving this tricky issue put Brooks in a good mood. On the day of the meeting between the Jian and Wang families, there was a grand atmosphere.

They chose the most expensive restaurant in Jiangyu, booked the largest private room, and served the best wine. Cigars were smoked, and the fragrance of tea was tinged with the scent of money.

Lily and Edmond arrived neither too early nor too late. They were the second last to arrive, but still before today's main character, Wang Niannian, who was delayed by traffic while returning from her grandmother's house.

Brooks and Director Wang were chatting when they saw Edmond walk in, immediately standing to greet him.

"Ah, President Zhou, you've finally arrived! We were waiting for you!"

The two family heads stood up, prompting the rest of the table to do the same. After exchanging greetings, Edmond invited Brooks and Director Wang to sit first.

In today's setting, Edmond's role was as Lily's husband and the Jian family's son-in-law. With guests present, he needed to show Lily respect, which meant he had to wait for his father-in-law to be seated first. As equals, he had to let Director Wang sit first as well.

However, after much polite back-and-forth, neither elder sat down immediately.

Edmond was quite speechless.

Lily, too, was nonplussed. As soon as she entered, Mrs. Wang approached her warmly. Layla, who disliked Wang Niannian and now resented Mrs. Wang even more, saw her chatting with her daughter and joined in.

After the obligatory chit-chat, Layla and Mrs. Wang also engaged in a round of polite seating deferral.

With the elders standing, everyone else remained standing too.

Lily pulled out a chair, "No one's sitting? Well, I have connections, so I'll sit."

Everyone was taken aback.

Lily feigned sitting down but didn't. Her interruption broke the ice, and Brooks, laughing heartily, playfully scolded, "You're such a brat, spoiled by me."

Recognizing the need to maintain future relations, Lily refrained from retorting. Only after Brooks and Director Wang sat, and Layla and Mrs. Wang took their seats, did she finally sit with Edmond.

Lily hadn't seen Zoya for some time. Today, Zoya was evidently dressed to impress, from her hair to her shoes. She wore a blue low-cut dress, exuding femininity.

Given the sisters' strained relationship, Layla sat between them. After sitting down, Layla leaned in to whisper to Lily, "Today's a big day for your brother. Don't make trouble."

Although she didn't like this marriage, Layla's husband had made it clear last night that he favored Wang Niannian as their daughter-in-law. If the marriage fell through, he wouldn't let it slide.

Layla, unable to prevent it, had to tolerate it for now. Once Wang Niannian was in the family, she could deal with her as she pleased, similar to the first daughter-in-law who eventually left. With Leopold's status, Layla believed they could always find someone better.

Layla had also been pondering Lily's tone when she called her aunt. As a mother, she felt uncomfortable seeing her daughter closer to someone else.

Attempting to win back Lily's affection, Layla softened her tone, "What I mean is, with the girl's family here, give your brother some face today."

Lily glanced at Zoya, then whispered to Layla, "You should worry more about Zoya today, not me."

Zoya's behavior was unusual. Normally, she would subtly compete with Lily, but today, she was oddly distracted, occasionally glancing at Leopold.

Lily shifted her gaze to Leopold, who seemed preoccupied and hadn't engaged with the conversation around him.

What's going on? Did Zoya and Leopold have a fight?

Before Layla could respond, the door opened, and Wang Niannian arrived.

Layla's expression instantly turned cold. She already disliked this daughter-in-law, and now seeing her arrive nearly ten minutes late, she found it highly improper.

Lily, on the other hand, brightened upon seeing Wang Niannian. She looked as fragile and delicate as ever, like a traditional lady from a wealthy family, easily intimidated.

But she also looked different—no longer a schoolgirl, but a young woman in a white dress, with a tiny waist and naturally flowing black hair. Her makeup, heavier to mask her pale complexion, looked beautiful and pleasant.

So this is the type Franklin likes—soft and adorable.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, there was traffic..." Wang Niannian apologized, clutching her slender purse strap, her forehead sweaty, clearly having rushed despite her frail health.

Layla's critical eyes swept over her, smiling thinly, "It's fine, just leave earlier next time."

Wang Niannian tried to explain, but Mrs. Wang pulled her into a chair, almost causing her to stumble. Ignoring this, Mrs. Wang echoed Layla's words with a few reprimands of her own.

Lily greeted Wang Niannian with a smile, "Niannian, remember me? I'm Lily, your schoolmate since elementary. I wasn't planning to come today, but when I heard you were my new sister-in-law, I hurried over."

Mrs. Wang, who had intended to scold further, changed her tone, warmly holding Wang Niannian's hand upon hearing Lily's words.

"Oh, I forgot, our Niannian and Lily were schoolmates."

Wang Niannian looked at Lily with tearful eyes, grateful as Lily winked at her.

When it came time to order, the table engaged in another round of polite deferrals. Brooks insisted Wang Niannian order, but she held the menu, unsure of what to choose.