Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 166: Chapter 166
You are reading Falling For My Ex's Uncle, Chapter 166: Chapter 166. Read more chapters of Falling For My Ex's Uncle.
"Laurel, hotel room rates are so expensive, but why is the occupancy rate still so high?" Sophina, sitting beside me, asked curiously.
"A hotel's profitability isn't determined by a single day's occupancy rate but by the monthly figures. It's important to consider the daily occupancy rates, the average room price, and the revenue per room sold," I explained.
"Since there are so many Seastar Hotels, wouldn't it be exhausting to manage?" Sophina shuddered at the thought and said.
"Room fees are not the main source of income for Seastar Hotel. The primary revenue comes from franchise and management fees. Seastar Hotels that self-operate is only a hundred locations or so, while more than three thousand locations are managed under contracts," I explained further.
Jamilah had never allowed Seastar Hotels to be franchised. While the Parks family wanted to work with the Adams family, securing the franchise rights for Seastar Hotels was the first step.
It seemed like a windfall for the Adams family. After all, if the Parks family became the property owners, they would hold ownership, while the Adams Group, as the brand operator, would only need to collect brand licensing fees.
However, Jamilah knew that building a brand was not a simple matter. Moreover, given the Parks family's strength, they could easily establish their own brand. Why would they spend unnecessary money to join the Seastar Hotel?
Before we realized it, it was already noon. "Mrs. Herrera, do you want me to get you something?" Sophina eagerly ran to my side.
"No need, I'll take you downstairs for a nice meal," I said.
"Oh, that's so nice of you!"
"Let me share a secret with you. The chefs at this Seastar Hotel are the best in Nifelheim City. Their dishes include Signature Braised Short Ribs with Red Wine, Poached Sea Bass with Lemon and Herbs, Wild Mushroom Free-Range Chicken Broth, and Slow-Roasted Pork Belly with Maple Glaze."
Sophina swallowed her saliva involuntarily and said, "Mrs. Herrera, maybe I should treat you instead. If not for you, I might have already gone home by now."
"If not for me, you wouldn't have lost your job either," I said.
"That's not necessarily true. Miss Herrera's temper is unpredictable. I could have been fired at any time," Sophina said as she held my arm and stepped into the elevator.
"Sophina, is your family also from Nifelheim City? Did they move away later?"I suddenly remembered Sophina and Maliyah were classmates, so I asked curiously.
Sophina shook her head and was silent a moment before answering, "My parents still live in Nifelheim City, but that house no longer has a place for me."
I looked at her in confusion. She smiled bitterly and said, "After I graduated, my parents told me that supporting my education hadn't been easy, so they asked me to hand over my salary to them because I have a younger sister and brother.
"They gave me 600 dollars a month for living expenses, but how could it be enough? I couldn't even afford to pay rent."
"So that's why you became Leah's assistant?" I asked.
Sophina nodded and said, "Yeah, I have food and lodging covered and at least could save some money."
"Then why didn't you go home when you came back here?"
"I don't give them money anymore." Sophina looked up, glanced at me, and said, "I went home once last year. My parents had sold our house and bought a new three-bedroom house. They could have taken one room, my brother one, my sister and I shared one.
"However, my parents said that since my sister and I would eventually get married, they wouldn't let her continue studying after high school. They wanted her to start working too so that we could contribute to buying our brother a house in the future. They said they were too old to afford his tuition fees and a house for him.
"Moreover, I only earn a modest salary after my graduation. Therefore, my sister should enter the workforce early to earn more money."
"If they didn't have the financial ability, why did they have so many kids?"
"My dad wanted a son badly," Sophina smiled bitterly and said. "But I don't blame them. Still, I won't let my sister drop out of school.
"I had a big argument with my parents, and now I only pay for my sister's tuition and expenses. I don't usually keep in touch with my family anymore."
I could not imagine such a cheerful and bright girl coming from such a troubled family. "Don't worry. I'll increase your salary," I said.
Sophina quickly waved her hands and said, "Mrs. Herrera, that won't do. I'm already satisfied that you let me stay by your side."
I finally understood why Leah could not influence Sophina despite Sophia working for her. This girl had been kind and responsible since childhood. It was her nature.
"Then let the meal today be on me. Save your money so you can buy your own house one day," I said.
Sophina was momentarily stunned and said, "My own house?"
"With a house of your own, you'll have a place that truly belongs to you."
Sophina thought for a moment and nodded firmly. "You're right, Mrs. Herrera," she said.
Just as we reached the restaurant, a voice suddenly called from behind, "Laurel, what are you doing here?" When I turned around, I saw Abigail standing behind me with a few wealthy socialites, her cold eyes fixed on me.
"Angela has gone overseas. Do you have money to eat at a place like this?" Abigail said.
"Whether I have money or not has nothing to do with you," I said.
I could not be bothered with Abigail, so I pulled Sophina along, wanting to enter the restaurant. However, several people blocked our way.
One influencer-looking girl sneered at me and said, "Abigail, is this the woman who bullied you last time?"
"Yes, it's her. She believes she's something just because of her looks and Angela's backing. A woman like her only knows how to seduce men in bed. She even fantasizes about stealing my cousin's man. It's ridiculous," Abigail said through gritted teeth, her fists clenched, glaring at me as if she wanted to devour me.
I sneered coldly, stared straight at Abigail, and said, "Miss Cole, your face sure healed quickly."
Abigail glared at me, narrowing her eyes, and said, "Laurel, I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. If you kneel and apologize to me today, I'll forgive you. Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next."
"What are you guys trying to do?" Sophina shielded me behind her.
"Who do you think you are? Do you have the right to speak here?" The influencer girl reached out and pushed Sophina.
I gently held onto Sophina's arm and said, "Sophina, stand behind me."
"Laurel, they've gone too far," Sophina said angrily.
"Laurel, I'd like to see who would save you today. Angela is gone, and Mr. Herrera must be tired of you by now. I heard the Herrera family has an announcement to make next week. It looks like you've been dumped. I'm giving you a chance here," Abigail said.
"Abigail, if you keep blocking me, don't blame me for what happens next," I said.
"Are you threatening me?" Abigail smirked and said. "Previously, I spared you for the sake of my cousin and Mr. Herrera. But today, you're out of luck. You shouldn't have shown up here."
The influencer sighed dramatically. "Abigail, you've given her a chance, but she's still ungrateful. Maybe we should try a different game?"
"A hotel's profitability isn't determined by a single day's occupancy rate but by the monthly figures. It's important to consider the daily occupancy rates, the average room price, and the revenue per room sold," I explained.
"Since there are so many Seastar Hotels, wouldn't it be exhausting to manage?" Sophina shuddered at the thought and said.
"Room fees are not the main source of income for Seastar Hotel. The primary revenue comes from franchise and management fees. Seastar Hotels that self-operate is only a hundred locations or so, while more than three thousand locations are managed under contracts," I explained further.
Jamilah had never allowed Seastar Hotels to be franchised. While the Parks family wanted to work with the Adams family, securing the franchise rights for Seastar Hotels was the first step.
It seemed like a windfall for the Adams family. After all, if the Parks family became the property owners, they would hold ownership, while the Adams Group, as the brand operator, would only need to collect brand licensing fees.
However, Jamilah knew that building a brand was not a simple matter. Moreover, given the Parks family's strength, they could easily establish their own brand. Why would they spend unnecessary money to join the Seastar Hotel?
Before we realized it, it was already noon. "Mrs. Herrera, do you want me to get you something?" Sophina eagerly ran to my side.
"No need, I'll take you downstairs for a nice meal," I said.
"Oh, that's so nice of you!"
"Let me share a secret with you. The chefs at this Seastar Hotel are the best in Nifelheim City. Their dishes include Signature Braised Short Ribs with Red Wine, Poached Sea Bass with Lemon and Herbs, Wild Mushroom Free-Range Chicken Broth, and Slow-Roasted Pork Belly with Maple Glaze."
Sophina swallowed her saliva involuntarily and said, "Mrs. Herrera, maybe I should treat you instead. If not for you, I might have already gone home by now."
"If not for me, you wouldn't have lost your job either," I said.
"That's not necessarily true. Miss Herrera's temper is unpredictable. I could have been fired at any time," Sophina said as she held my arm and stepped into the elevator.
"Sophina, is your family also from Nifelheim City? Did they move away later?"I suddenly remembered Sophina and Maliyah were classmates, so I asked curiously.
Sophina shook her head and was silent a moment before answering, "My parents still live in Nifelheim City, but that house no longer has a place for me."
I looked at her in confusion. She smiled bitterly and said, "After I graduated, my parents told me that supporting my education hadn't been easy, so they asked me to hand over my salary to them because I have a younger sister and brother.
"They gave me 600 dollars a month for living expenses, but how could it be enough? I couldn't even afford to pay rent."
"So that's why you became Leah's assistant?" I asked.
Sophina nodded and said, "Yeah, I have food and lodging covered and at least could save some money."
"Then why didn't you go home when you came back here?"
"I don't give them money anymore." Sophina looked up, glanced at me, and said, "I went home once last year. My parents had sold our house and bought a new three-bedroom house. They could have taken one room, my brother one, my sister and I shared one.
"However, my parents said that since my sister and I would eventually get married, they wouldn't let her continue studying after high school. They wanted her to start working too so that we could contribute to buying our brother a house in the future. They said they were too old to afford his tuition fees and a house for him.
"Moreover, I only earn a modest salary after my graduation. Therefore, my sister should enter the workforce early to earn more money."
"If they didn't have the financial ability, why did they have so many kids?"
"My dad wanted a son badly," Sophina smiled bitterly and said. "But I don't blame them. Still, I won't let my sister drop out of school.
"I had a big argument with my parents, and now I only pay for my sister's tuition and expenses. I don't usually keep in touch with my family anymore."
I could not imagine such a cheerful and bright girl coming from such a troubled family. "Don't worry. I'll increase your salary," I said.
Sophina quickly waved her hands and said, "Mrs. Herrera, that won't do. I'm already satisfied that you let me stay by your side."
I finally understood why Leah could not influence Sophina despite Sophia working for her. This girl had been kind and responsible since childhood. It was her nature.
"Then let the meal today be on me. Save your money so you can buy your own house one day," I said.
Sophina was momentarily stunned and said, "My own house?"
"With a house of your own, you'll have a place that truly belongs to you."
Sophina thought for a moment and nodded firmly. "You're right, Mrs. Herrera," she said.
Just as we reached the restaurant, a voice suddenly called from behind, "Laurel, what are you doing here?" When I turned around, I saw Abigail standing behind me with a few wealthy socialites, her cold eyes fixed on me.
"Angela has gone overseas. Do you have money to eat at a place like this?" Abigail said.
"Whether I have money or not has nothing to do with you," I said.
I could not be bothered with Abigail, so I pulled Sophina along, wanting to enter the restaurant. However, several people blocked our way.
One influencer-looking girl sneered at me and said, "Abigail, is this the woman who bullied you last time?"
"Yes, it's her. She believes she's something just because of her looks and Angela's backing. A woman like her only knows how to seduce men in bed. She even fantasizes about stealing my cousin's man. It's ridiculous," Abigail said through gritted teeth, her fists clenched, glaring at me as if she wanted to devour me.
I sneered coldly, stared straight at Abigail, and said, "Miss Cole, your face sure healed quickly."
Abigail glared at me, narrowing her eyes, and said, "Laurel, I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. If you kneel and apologize to me today, I'll forgive you. Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next."
"What are you guys trying to do?" Sophina shielded me behind her.
"Who do you think you are? Do you have the right to speak here?" The influencer girl reached out and pushed Sophina.
I gently held onto Sophina's arm and said, "Sophina, stand behind me."
"Laurel, they've gone too far," Sophina said angrily.
"Laurel, I'd like to see who would save you today. Angela is gone, and Mr. Herrera must be tired of you by now. I heard the Herrera family has an announcement to make next week. It looks like you've been dumped. I'm giving you a chance here," Abigail said.
"Abigail, if you keep blocking me, don't blame me for what happens next," I said.
"Are you threatening me?" Abigail smirked and said. "Previously, I spared you for the sake of my cousin and Mr. Herrera. But today, you're out of luck. You shouldn't have shown up here."
The influencer sighed dramatically. "Abigail, you've given her a chance, but she's still ungrateful. Maybe we should try a different game?"
End of Falling For My Ex's Uncle Chapter 166. Continue reading Chapter 167 or return to Falling For My Ex's Uncle book page.