Chapter 303

Someone reported, “Miss Clare, bad news. All your companies have been found guilty of illegal operations and have been completely shut down. Even your house is under your ex-husband’s name, and the authorities are going to seize it. You need to run. Your poisoning has been exposed, and the police are already on their way to arrest you.”

Nina’s pupils contracted sharply as she stared in disbelief at Julian’s retreating back. No, this can’t be true. None of this is real, she told herself.

She unlocked her phone, only to see her screen flooded with her own wanted notices.

“No way,” she thought, stunned. “Why is this happening to me? Could it really be Julian behind all this? How could he possibly have so much power, to take everything from me and have me facing death in just a matter of minutes!”

She tried to chase after him to demand answers, but two men blocked her way and, without a word, slapped her hard across the face several times.

“You’ve got a death wish, daring to mess with our boss,” one of them sneered.

Nina was furious.

Meanwhile, Levi noticed Sienna and Wayne sitting behind him. He raised his glass, a smirk tugging at his lips, and said to the people around him, “Honestly, I really don’t want to get involved in the Ford family’s business. This was supposed to be Julian’s job, but now he’s all caught up with matchmaking and marriage stuff, so he just dumped everything on me. It’s enough to give me a headache.”

“Mr. Ford, is Julian’s matchmaking and marriage business with Nina from the Clare family!” someone asked.

Levi nodded, “Yeah.”

“Seriously! It’s bad enough he can’t handle the Ford family’s business, but now he’s actually going to marry a woman like that? That’s just bringing disgrace to your whole family,” someone scoffed.

“What do you mean, a woman like that? Who even is Nina!” another person chimed in.

“You really don’t know Nina? She’s that woman from the Clare family–oral husband-killer. She’s been married three times already. The first two husbands are dead, and the third one’s barely clinging to life in the hospital. Plus, she’s got three sons. Julian could do so much better. Why would he go for someone like her?” the first person replied.

Levi’s expression turned serious as he corrected them. “Watch your words. Yeah, she’s been married three times and has kids, but that’s all because fate dealt her a rough hand. It’s not like she had a choice. She’s just a woman trying to survive in this world, and it’s not easy. Julian being with her? I support them a hundred percent.”

“That’s true. At least the Clare family is still a prestigious family,” someone said.

“Who could argue with that?” another person chimed in.

Sienna and Wayne overheard every word of their conversation, and Sienna’s hand froze around her glass.

Wayne noticed her distraction and downed his drink in one gulp.

Jenna’s delicate, cold features tensed up, her gaze icy and forbidding, clearly telling strangers to keep their distance as she stood up.

Deuna said, “Today is my grandparents’ birthday. I’m going to play something for them.”

Wayne swallowed hard, bitterness rising in his throat. “Alright.”

Sienna walked slowly onto the stage, where a violin had been set up. She sat down, her fingers lightly resting on the keys.

As she began to play, the sound of the violin filled the room, clear and crisp, like a cold spring trickling over smooth stones. The melody flowed gently past everyone’s ears, and then suddenly soared.

Sienna lowered her gaze, her long lashes trembling slightly. She looked focused, proud, and distant–like an angel sitting high on a divine mountain, untouchable and out of reach.

“Sienna really lives up to her reputation as the most talented woman in Vallaris. Her talent is honestly intimidating.”

“Yeah, Miss Enna truly is a legend in Vallaris. She’s so amazing, it’s impossible not to feel jealous.”

Even some of the women stopped gossiping and just watched her, thinking, How can someone be this beautiful and talented? She’s not only a business genius, but she can play music like that, too.

Shirley watched Sienna from the corner for a long time before finally leaving, looking despondent. Sitting alone in a quiet spot, she deleted all of Ethan’s messages and thoroughly wiped out every secretly taken photo.

‘Sienna, what kind of person are you, really?’ Shirley wondered to herself. ‘Is Thorn really her husband?’

At that moment, Thorn was glued to his phone, recording nonstop. “Who knew Hazel could play the violin too? No way, I have to save this and watch it every single day,” he thought, determined.

But all these people were seriously getting on his nerves. ‘Why are they all staring at Hazel?’ he wondered. ‘Don’t they have someone they like to look at?’

“Hey, move aside. You’re way too tall; you’re blocking my camera. Yeah, you. I’m talking to you,” Thorn called out.

When the guy in front didn’t react, Thorn reached out and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Yes, you. What’s the point of being so tall anyway? You’re totally messing up my shot, you know that?” Thorn grumbled, clearly annoyed.

Julian turned around and came face to face with Thorn.

Thorn’s mouth hung open in midair, completely stunned. What the hell is he doing here? he thought, shocked.

“Julian? What are you doing here!” Thorn asked, his tone full of righteous indignation.

Julian shot him a cool, dismissive glance. “What’s it to you?”

Thorn was left momentarily speechless, his mouth twitching before he retorted, “This is Sienna’s mom’s house, which makes it my home too. So of course, it’s my business.”

Sienna didn’t say anything to deny his claim, which meant she still saw him as her brother.

‘See? If I’m her brother, then hanging out at my sister’s place just makes us family, doesn’t it?’ Thorn thought, trying to reassure himself.