Chapter 404: Chapter 404: Seeking Owen Sinclair’s Help
Ariana Grant immediately remembered the incident with Noelle York.
But before she could start talking about it, Ashley Shaw interrupted her.
She wasn’t foolish and quickly realized that Ashley was deliberately changing the topic.
Just as she was about to mention how Noelle York repeatedly picked fights with them, she hesitated.
She now understood Ashley’s intention: to avoid trouble and not to affect Owen Sinclair’s judgment.
So Ariana Grant quickly laughed it off, planning to skip over the topic.
However, Owen Sinclair was clearly not just asking casually; he intended to get to the bottom of it.
In the end, fearing Ariana Grant might still not speak up, he said, "When I choose an actor, apart from looking at their appearance and acting, I also care deeply about their character. Appearance and acting can help a person stand out in this industry, but character is the key to a long-term career."
Over the years, how many top stars have fallen instantly from the heights due to character issues?
Therefore, he didn’t want to sign someone with questionable character.
Better not to sign in the first place than face problems later on.
Owen Sinclair clearly explained his viewpoint to Ariana Grant. Although she was simple, she wasn’t stupid, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to get into The Medical University—even if it was the nursing department.
After a moment of silence, Ariana Grant honestly recounted the whole story.
This included the incident at the hotel where they accused her and Ashley of stalking them.
The more Owen Sinclair listened, the grimmer his expression became.
He had initially sensed some tension between the two parties but thought it was just minor grudges among girls. He didn’t expect it to escalate to an incident at Chanel where Noelle York snatched clothes.
Although this matter seemed minor, it was enough to see the arrogance in Noelle York.
She’s not even a celebrity yet and already has such an attitude. One can only imagine how arrogant she’d become if she became popular.
In the entertainment industry, the easiest and most taboo thing to do is to elevate oneself too much and take oneself too seriously.
Moreover, Noelle York isn’t even a celebrity yet and is already bullying others this way.
After Ariana Grant finished speaking, she observed Owen Sinclair’s expression and said, "That’s all... "
She narrated from a fair and just perspective, mentioning Noelle York’s wrongdoings but not hiding her own arguments with Noelle.
Then she heard Owen Sinclair suddenly say, "I know Noelle York’s father."
Ariana Grant instantly felt a bit awkward.
"I... I didn’t say Miss York was that bad, I was just being honest... You can pretend you heard nothing."
Owen Sinclair waved his hand, saying, "I’m not defending her; I just wanted to say that from the beginning I wasn’t keen on signing her. Being a second-generation official is a double-edged sword for this industry—it has its pros and cons. But I also thought she was indeed talented, and not signing her due to her background might seem unfair."
Saying this, Owen Sinclair glanced at Ashley Shaw, who was still busy in the kitchen, and continued, "However, now I have no reservations—I’m not signing Noelle York."
Professionally, signing someone of such character will eventually lead to trouble.
Personally, promoting someone who bullied his precious daughter would make him unworthy of being a father.
Ariana Grant was surprised yet felt it was only natural.
She had always sensed Owen Sinclair’s integrity; he judged matters pragmatically and was a straightforward person.
Given what she said, it was understandable that Owen Sinclair chose not to sign her.
Nonetheless, it was still surprising how quickly he made that decision.
"Alright, forget what you said to me today, especially not a word to Ashley. She’s sensitive, and I’m afraid she’ll overthink it."
Ariana Grant nodded; even without Owen Sinclair telling her, she dared not tell Ashley.
Though she spoke the truth, there was always a sense of... speaking ill behind someone’s back.
Might as well keep it from Ashley.
"Okay, I’m off to cook; you continue having fun."
Owen Sinclair reached out to tousle Ariana Grant’s hair before turning to head toward the backyard.
Ariana Grant couldn’t help but rub her own head.
It always felt like Owen Sinclair saw her as a child...
But given this, she could understand why Ashley was so sure Owen Sinclair had no ulterior motives toward her.
Girls have their own sixth sense, and it’s often spot on.
When Owen Sinclair tousled her hair just now, she felt no discomfort or awkwardness, just the warmth of an elder’s fond gesture.
So, regarding whether a man has other thoughts about you, it all depends on if you feel offended or not.
And she absolutely felt no offense.
With this thought, Ariana Grant felt even more at ease playing in the living room.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ashley Shaw was still unaware of what had happened, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Warren Prescott.
It wasn’t until Owen Sinclair returned that she suddenly realized she’d absent-mindedly picked up a knife and chopped the beans she was preparing into small pieces.
At that moment, she felt quite embarrassed.
"Sorry, Uncle Owen, I was daydreaming just now..."
"It’s fine; chopped beans make for a more flavorful stir-fried dish!"
Owen Sinclair wasn’t blaming her at all and started stir-frying with the chopped beans.
About an hour later, eight dishes were served on the dining table.
Today, Ashley Shaw was purely helping out, and once the dishes started cooking, it was all handled by Owen Sinclair.
The eight dishes were a feast for the senses, making everyone’s mouth water.
"Don’t just sit there; dig in before it gets cold."
Ariana Grant picked up her chopsticks, "Let me taste your culinary skills!"
First, she picked up a shrimp ball, and with one bite, the rich sauce and tender shrimp entwined perfectly, a true top-notch taste bud experience.
She tasted all eight dishes, each one becoming her favorite.
Ashley Shaw also tasted them, finding them too delicious for words.
She thought her culinary skills weren’t bad, but after tasting Owen Sinclair’s cooking, she realized what it meant to have both talent and skill.
The three of them ate and chatted until past seven in the evening.
Owen Sinclair was just about to invite them to the upstairs home theater for a movie when his phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number from Westcroft.
This was his personal number, known to only a few people, and although it wasn’t saved, he decided to answer.
After saying "Excuse me" to Ashley Shaw and the others, he walked to the door to take the call.
"Hello?"
"Is this Mr. Sinclair?" came a middle-aged man’s voice from the other end.
Owen Sinclair found the voice somewhat familiar but couldn’t immediately place it, so he said, "Yes, I’m Owen Sinclair. Who’s speaking?"
"I’m Lars Prescott."
Owen Sinclair looked slightly surprised, fearing it might be a case of mistaken identity, so he confirmed, "Chairman Prescott?"
"Yes, it’s me... Sorry to bother you at this time, Mr. Sinclair. Have you had dinner yet?"
Owen Sinclair said he had, and Lars Prescott got straight to the point.
Warren Prescott had suddenly "run away from home," and they suspected he boarded an international cruise ship.
They intended to contact the CEO of the cruise company for help in finding him, but the CEO was indifferent.
However, they discovered the CEO is a devoted husband, and coincidentally, his wife is a huge fan of Owen Sinclair...