Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 152: Chapter 152
You are reading Falling For My Ex's Uncle, Chapter 152: Chapter 152. Read more chapters of Falling For My Ex's Uncle.
When Jamilah mentioned the Parks family, my chest tightened instinctively. She wouldn't bring them up unless there was a reason.
I looked at her, confused. "The Parks family? What's going on?"
"Have you had any issues with Miss Parks?" Jamilah's tone was laced with concern. "You really need to be careful with the Parks family. They have a lot of influence in Wadiff City. And now, they're looking to expand into Nifelheim City.
"A lot of people here are hoping to get on their good side because once you're in their circle, you're set for life."
I knew how powerful the Parks family was in Wadiff City, but I hadn't realized how many businesses in Nifelheim were so eager to align with them. It struck me as strange that local enterprises would be so naive.
The Parks family wasn't interested in small businesses. The only companies they'd even consider working with were the Harvey family and the Adams family.
Suddenly, I felt a jolt in my chest. I looked at Jamilah. "Is the Parks family looking to partner with the Adams Group?"
Jamilah nodded but then paused as if weighing her words. After a moment, she spoke carefully. "But I wouldn't choose to work with the Parks family."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "But Jamilah, didn't you say that as long as we're connected with the Parks family, we'd be set?"
Jamilah sighed softly, "Being tied to the Parks family guarantees you won't have to worry about your company's sales. But you'll always be at their mercy. You can't put all your eggs in one basket, but you also can't spread them too thin."
I understood what she meant. If the Adams family worked with the Parks family, the latter would become their biggest client. At least half of the Adams family's orders would come from the Parks family.
On the surface, it seemed like a good thing, but it was a dangerous kind of security. The Parks family would hold all the cards. If something went wrong, they could easily crush the Adams family. Stocks would plummet, and they'd be left with no leverage.
The part about spreading the eggs too thin referred to the fact that those scattered clients could not be managed in a unified manner, requiring more effort and attention to handle. The profits they generate may not be proportional to the effort put in.
More importantly, these scattered clients carry uncertainties and instability. They were more vulnerable to being taken over by those with ill intentions, thereby creating unnecessary risks.
For now, the Adams family needed to focus on stabilizing their existing, reliable customers. Even if they did want to expand, Jamilah wouldn't turn to the Parks family.
It was like choosing an opponent in a game. If one's opponent was too strong, they would overpower one; if they were too weak, one would waste one's time.
A lot of people only saw the potential profit, but they didn't realize the hidden risks behind it.
Business people were smart. They probably did their own risk assessments, but they still went ahead with it because they believed in their abilities. It was a gambler's mentality they thought the hand they were holding was enough to win.
The problem, though, was that the opponent was the Parks family.
"Mrs. Adams, if you choose not to work with the Parks family, will you anger them?" I asked.
Jamilah gave a bitter, almost resigned smile. "No."
I thought about it for a moment and then it clicked. "Jamilah, is this why you've been so eager to divorce Michael?"
She nodded, studying me with interest. "Laurel, you're more business-savvy than Angela ever was."
She continued, "Not long ago, the Parks family sent over one of their department managers, saying they were interested in a partnership. Michael was thrilled. Of course, working with the Parks family is a dream come true for any business.
"Whether it's in hospitality or food service, a partnership with them can account for at least 30% of a company's annual revenue. Do you know what kind of impact that can have?"
"If there's 30% out there, the Parks family could easily acquire other companies. The Adams Group could have 60% of its annual revenue coming directly from them.
"If they can create that much value, why would they let the Adams Group monopolize all the profit?" I responded.
"Exactly. There's no such thing as a free lunch," Jamilah said. "Why would the Parks family, with so many other businesses to choose from, pick the Adams Group? It means the Adams Group has become a fat target in the Parks family's eyes."
Jamilah raised a hand to rub her brow. "The moment I got the news, I warned Michael. If the Parks family wants to collaborate with the Adams Group, we need to be careful.
"But he thought that as long as they offered enough projects and orders, he could just swallow whatever came his way. He really is naive."
"Finding fault with others is always easy. Even if the Parks family has no bad intentions, we still need to be cautious," I said.
Jamilah nodded enthusiastically. "Right now, since Michael and I are divorced, I get to take a majority of his assets. So, whether or not we collaborate with the Parks Group, my approval is needed."
As the largest shareholder of the Adams Group, Jamilah had veto power. But if she outright rejected the Parks family, it was likely they wouldn't let her off easily.
"Laurel, there's something I need your help with," Jamilah said, looking at me with intense eyes.
"Mrs. Adams, as long as it's something I can do, I will help," I replied.
I had promised Angela that I would take good care of her mother while she was away.
Honestly, when Angela went abroad, I hadn't kept up with my part of the promise. I had barely visited Jamilah, and she had taken care of me far more.
Every time Jamilah visited Newton City, she would take me shopping, buying me beautiful clothes and bags.
She once told me that if she had known Austin was treating me badly, she would have stood up for me.
Angela always thought my relationship with Jamilah resembled that of a real mother and daughter. I teased her, "If my mom has already shared half of you with me, what more do you want?"
"Laurel, would you be willing to manage the Seastar Hotel for me?" Jamilah asked, her eyes full of expectation.
I froze for a moment, then took some time to respond, "But I've never worked in this area before. I'm afraid I might not be good at it."
"Don't worry. I'll have people help you." She reassured me. "I can't manage it right now. I have too many projects on my plate, and I simply don't have the energy.
"Besides, Angela has always been the one overseeing the Seastar Hotel, and I know you've been helping her in secret."
"Alright, I'll do my best to manage it," I said.
Hearing my answer, Jamilah let out a long sigh of relief.
After leaving the Adams residence, I had Lawrence take me back to the hotel.
Sophina wore a pout when she saw me. "Mrs. Herrera, why are you only back now? Mr. Herrera has called you several times. Your phone—"
"My phone died. Is there something urgent?" I asked tiredly.
Sophina pursed her lips and replied slowly, "Mr. Herrera said to tell you not to get involved in the Adams family mess."
I let out a light laugh. The Parks family really did plan to take down the Adams family, after all.
I looked at her, confused. "The Parks family? What's going on?"
"Have you had any issues with Miss Parks?" Jamilah's tone was laced with concern. "You really need to be careful with the Parks family. They have a lot of influence in Wadiff City. And now, they're looking to expand into Nifelheim City.
"A lot of people here are hoping to get on their good side because once you're in their circle, you're set for life."
I knew how powerful the Parks family was in Wadiff City, but I hadn't realized how many businesses in Nifelheim were so eager to align with them. It struck me as strange that local enterprises would be so naive.
The Parks family wasn't interested in small businesses. The only companies they'd even consider working with were the Harvey family and the Adams family.
Suddenly, I felt a jolt in my chest. I looked at Jamilah. "Is the Parks family looking to partner with the Adams Group?"
Jamilah nodded but then paused as if weighing her words. After a moment, she spoke carefully. "But I wouldn't choose to work with the Parks family."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "But Jamilah, didn't you say that as long as we're connected with the Parks family, we'd be set?"
Jamilah sighed softly, "Being tied to the Parks family guarantees you won't have to worry about your company's sales. But you'll always be at their mercy. You can't put all your eggs in one basket, but you also can't spread them too thin."
I understood what she meant. If the Adams family worked with the Parks family, the latter would become their biggest client. At least half of the Adams family's orders would come from the Parks family.
On the surface, it seemed like a good thing, but it was a dangerous kind of security. The Parks family would hold all the cards. If something went wrong, they could easily crush the Adams family. Stocks would plummet, and they'd be left with no leverage.
The part about spreading the eggs too thin referred to the fact that those scattered clients could not be managed in a unified manner, requiring more effort and attention to handle. The profits they generate may not be proportional to the effort put in.
More importantly, these scattered clients carry uncertainties and instability. They were more vulnerable to being taken over by those with ill intentions, thereby creating unnecessary risks.
For now, the Adams family needed to focus on stabilizing their existing, reliable customers. Even if they did want to expand, Jamilah wouldn't turn to the Parks family.
It was like choosing an opponent in a game. If one's opponent was too strong, they would overpower one; if they were too weak, one would waste one's time.
A lot of people only saw the potential profit, but they didn't realize the hidden risks behind it.
Business people were smart. They probably did their own risk assessments, but they still went ahead with it because they believed in their abilities. It was a gambler's mentality they thought the hand they were holding was enough to win.
The problem, though, was that the opponent was the Parks family.
"Mrs. Adams, if you choose not to work with the Parks family, will you anger them?" I asked.
Jamilah gave a bitter, almost resigned smile. "No."
I thought about it for a moment and then it clicked. "Jamilah, is this why you've been so eager to divorce Michael?"
She nodded, studying me with interest. "Laurel, you're more business-savvy than Angela ever was."
She continued, "Not long ago, the Parks family sent over one of their department managers, saying they were interested in a partnership. Michael was thrilled. Of course, working with the Parks family is a dream come true for any business.
"Whether it's in hospitality or food service, a partnership with them can account for at least 30% of a company's annual revenue. Do you know what kind of impact that can have?"
"If there's 30% out there, the Parks family could easily acquire other companies. The Adams Group could have 60% of its annual revenue coming directly from them.
"If they can create that much value, why would they let the Adams Group monopolize all the profit?" I responded.
"Exactly. There's no such thing as a free lunch," Jamilah said. "Why would the Parks family, with so many other businesses to choose from, pick the Adams Group? It means the Adams Group has become a fat target in the Parks family's eyes."
Jamilah raised a hand to rub her brow. "The moment I got the news, I warned Michael. If the Parks family wants to collaborate with the Adams Group, we need to be careful.
"But he thought that as long as they offered enough projects and orders, he could just swallow whatever came his way. He really is naive."
"Finding fault with others is always easy. Even if the Parks family has no bad intentions, we still need to be cautious," I said.
Jamilah nodded enthusiastically. "Right now, since Michael and I are divorced, I get to take a majority of his assets. So, whether or not we collaborate with the Parks Group, my approval is needed."
As the largest shareholder of the Adams Group, Jamilah had veto power. But if she outright rejected the Parks family, it was likely they wouldn't let her off easily.
"Laurel, there's something I need your help with," Jamilah said, looking at me with intense eyes.
"Mrs. Adams, as long as it's something I can do, I will help," I replied.
I had promised Angela that I would take good care of her mother while she was away.
Honestly, when Angela went abroad, I hadn't kept up with my part of the promise. I had barely visited Jamilah, and she had taken care of me far more.
Every time Jamilah visited Newton City, she would take me shopping, buying me beautiful clothes and bags.
She once told me that if she had known Austin was treating me badly, she would have stood up for me.
Angela always thought my relationship with Jamilah resembled that of a real mother and daughter. I teased her, "If my mom has already shared half of you with me, what more do you want?"
"Laurel, would you be willing to manage the Seastar Hotel for me?" Jamilah asked, her eyes full of expectation.
I froze for a moment, then took some time to respond, "But I've never worked in this area before. I'm afraid I might not be good at it."
"Don't worry. I'll have people help you." She reassured me. "I can't manage it right now. I have too many projects on my plate, and I simply don't have the energy.
"Besides, Angela has always been the one overseeing the Seastar Hotel, and I know you've been helping her in secret."
"Alright, I'll do my best to manage it," I said.
Hearing my answer, Jamilah let out a long sigh of relief.
After leaving the Adams residence, I had Lawrence take me back to the hotel.
Sophina wore a pout when she saw me. "Mrs. Herrera, why are you only back now? Mr. Herrera has called you several times. Your phone—"
"My phone died. Is there something urgent?" I asked tiredly.
Sophina pursed her lips and replied slowly, "Mr. Herrera said to tell you not to get involved in the Adams family mess."
I let out a light laugh. The Parks family really did plan to take down the Adams family, after all.
End of Falling For My Ex's Uncle Chapter 152. Continue reading Chapter 153 or return to Falling For My Ex's Uncle book page.