The Bigshot Married Himself to the Heiress-Chapter 496 - 497: The Childbirth Index

"I think having two kids is enough."

Dad-to-be Adrian Desmond expressed his opinion. He really didn’t want that many children to distract Sienna Johnson’s love.

"No! Two is not enough!" The old lady shook her head and resolutely said, "You need to have at least six!"

Adrian Desmond’s expression darkened. It wasn’t *her* giving birth. *She* just had to say the words, but *his wife* would be the one to suffer.

Sienna was already so busy with work. Add six children to that—no, seven, including Curly—all vying for Sienna’s attention? Then he would surely be neglected.

No, definitely not.

If it really came to that, he’d get a vasectomy. Then, no matter what tricks Sienna tried, she definitely wouldn’t be able to get pregnant.

Sienna looked at the troubled Adrian Desmond, her eyes curved like crescents, bright and beautiful. If there weren’t any outsiders around, Adrian Desmond would have wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her soundly.

"What are you laughing at? Having so many children, the one to suffer in the end is still you."

"Having children for my Sixth Master wouldn’t be a hardship."

Adrian Desmond was speechless.

「...」

Once everything was settled, Sienna went to see the company’s public relations department the next day. Since this involved promoting the company’s image, she assigned the planning of Pauline Briggs’ birthday banquet to the company’s public relations department.

Sienna met with the director of the public relations department and informed them about the banquet. She left the specific arrangements to them, while she focused on the acquisition of Frederick Pharmaceutical Factory.

Frederick Pharmaceutical Factory had gone bankrupt, and the government decided to auction it off today. The proceeds from the auction would be used to repay its creditors.

In Sileria City, the Johnson Family’s pharmaceutical factory was the largest, but attendees from other cities were also present at today’s auction.

One of them was Hayden Conner, the boss of the Hayden Pharmaceutical Group. He was in his thirties, young and accomplished, and Sienna had met him at several business conferences before. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Banyan City was the largest hub for medicinal ingredients in the country, and Hayden Pharmaceutical Group held a leading position there.

"President Johnson, we meet again," Hayden greeted.

"Indeed. Mr. Conner, are you here for the auction too? Are you interested in acquiring Frederick Pharmaceutical Factory?" Sienna asked, probing for information.

"Sileria City is Eastminster Pharmaceutical Factory’s domain. I wouldn’t be able to compete with them here. I’m not here to bid on Frederick Pharmaceutical Factory; I came to discuss business with you, President Johnson."

"Oh?" Sienna looked at him curiously.

They were peers in the pharmaceutical industry, direct competitors. She couldn’t see any basis for collaboration between them.

"It’s not convenient to talk here. Can we make an appointment for another time?"

"Sure." Sienna had come with Vivian Abbey. Vivian handed Mr. Conner a business card with Sienna’s work number on it. "Mr. Conner, this is President Johnson’s business card. Whenever you’re available, give this number a call to make an appointment."

"Alright."

"Excuse me."

"Certainly!"

Sienna found a seat and sat down.

She was determined to acquire Frederick Pharmaceutical Factory at this auction.

She knew Frederick Pharmaceutical Factory’s production lines had only been installed last year. Eastminster Pharmaceutical Factory was expanding and needed more production lines to meet market demand.

Acquiring Frederick Pharmaceutical Factory was an economical choice. Not only would it save them a significant amount of money on purchasing new production lines, but it would also bypass months of negotiations with foreign companies for ordering them.

"’Sien... President Johnson...’" A familiar voice reached Sienna. She looked up, surprised to see Kenneth Brown. "Kenneth?"

Kenneth Brown wore a well-tailored suit. His hair was shorter, and his complexion was a bit darker. The look in his eyes as he gazed at Sienna was complex, but she pretended not to notice.

"Kenneth, what are you doing here?"

"I was in the area for business and heard you were here, so I came over to see you." He sat down beside her, and they chatted like old friends catching up.

"How have you been lately?"

"I’m doing pretty well. I started a small pharmaceutical factory. It doesn’t make a fortune, but it’s enough to get by..."

"You’re too modest. With your ability, you’ll be able to grow that factory sooner or later."

"’President Johnson... thank you for investing in my factory...’" Kenneth suddenly said.

She had learned from Reggie Dewey that Kenneth’s factory was short on funds, so she’d arranged for someone to invest, stipulating that her involvement be kept confidential. She didn’t know how he had found out.

"You were my manager for so many years, after all. Now that you’ve struck out on your own, it’s only right for me, as your former boss, to show some support." She didn’t feign denial that it hadn’t been her who made the investment.

Kenneth Brown was quite capable. His factory might very well prosper in the future. She hoped he would remember her help and that this would foster future goodwill between them.

"’Consider your investment as shares in the company. When we distribute profits at the end of the year, I’ll send you your dividend...’"

Sienna waved her hand and said, "No need. I genuinely want to help you. Just treat it as a loan from an old friend. If you’re well-off one day, you can pay me back then."

Kenneth had already made up his mind and didn’t intend to follow Sienna’s suggestion, but he didn’t argue the point further.

For a moment, neither knew what to say. Fortunately, the auction began, breaking the awkward silence.

So much for exes being able to stay friends. What nonsense...

The best thing after a breakup was to have no contact ever again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good day!

Today we are auctioning Frederick Pharmaceutical Factory... Frederick Pharmaceuticals is a well-established pharmaceutical company... It has a strong brand, the factory building is very new, and the machinery and equipment are all new... The starting bid is 1.5 million. Please raise your paddles to begin. After the initial bids, the auction will proceed normally..."

Sienna’s target price was 4.5 million, and she absolutely could not go over 6 million.

She scanned the other bidders, wondering what their limits were. She hoped to acquire Frederick Pharmaceutical Factory for the lowest possible price.

Kenneth leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "I’ve heard that many of the people here are plants. Don’t bid at the beginning. Let them drive up the price. When their resolve weakens, then you make your move."

Sienna leaned closer and asked quietly, "Are you sure?"

"In Sileria City’s pharmaceutical circles, my network is more extensive than yours..."

That was true. Although she was the Big Boss, she wasn’t directly involved in the daily operations of Eastminster Pharmaceutical Factory. That’s why they had run into difficulties after Kenneth left.

"1.65 million!" A tall, thin man in the front row was the first to bid.

"1.65 million! Any other bids?"

There was a moment of silence before the auctioneer called out, "1.65 million going once! 1.65 million going twice..."

"1.8 million!"

The bid came from a woman Sienna didn’t recognize. She wondered if this was one of the plants Kenneth had mentioned.