Chapter 6
Bella raised an eyebrow, letting go of the ruined dress as if it were on fire. A smug, triumphant smile spread across her face.
“Oops. My hand slipped,” she said, feigning innocence. “But I’m sure since you love it so much, Viviana, you’ll buy it anyway, right?”
Vivian’s hands clenched into fists, her body trembling with rage.
“Oh, don’t worry, Bella,” Marcy added, her voice dripping with mock concern. “She has a black card, remember? A little tear like that is nothing to her.”
“I’m not buying it,” Vivian gritted out.
The manager blanched. “What! You can’t do that! The dress was damaged while you were holding it. You have to pay for it.”
“But Sir,” the salesclerk stepped forward, pointing at Bella, “This lady is the one who snatched it.”
“What do you mean?” Bella snapped, pointing a finger at the clerk. “I just wanted to get a closer look. If she hadn’t been clinging to it like her life depended on it, it wouldn’t have torn. You think you can pin this on me? Dream on!”
Vivian was shaking with fury. It was so obvious they were targeting her, trying to humiliate her.
“Bella, you’re unbelievable,” Vivian said, her voice low and dangerous. “You’re just doing this because you’re obsessed with Mason. Why don’t you go after him yourself? Oh, that’s right. Because even when you throw yourself at him, he doesn’t want you.”
The jab hit its mark. Bella’s face contorted with rage. “How dare you talk to me like that!” she shrieked, lunging at Vivian with her hand raised to strike.
Vivian sidestepped neatly. Bella, propelled by her own momentum, went sprawling to the floor with a pathetic yelp.
“You tramp, you dodged!” she howled from the ground.
“That’s it!” Marcy shouted, stepping forward to back Bella up. She raised her hand sharply, fingers twitching like she was ready to slap Vivian. Her eyes narrowed, daring Vivian to make a move.
But as her hand flew through the air, an iron grip caught her wrist, stopping it cold.
“Who is it?” Marcy screamed.
But then, she spun around and found herself looking into the most beautiful and terrifying face she had ever seen. It was Sienna. Her eyes were like chips of ice, radiating a power so immense it felt like a physical force.
“Who are you?” Marcy startled, still trying to regain her confidence. “Do you know who I am…”
But before she could say more, Sienna twisted her arm. With a flick of her wrist, she sent Marcy tumbling to the ground beside Bella.
“Vivian, are you hurt?” Sienna rushed over.
Seeing Sienna, Vivian felt a wave of emotion wash over her. It was the first time in a decade anyone had asked her that. She shook her head, a small, clean smile breaking through the anger. “I’m okay. But they ruined my dress.”
Bella and Marcy dared not speak anymore. They all stared at Sienna, confused. Without a word, Sienna pulled out her phone and sent a quick text.
“Miss Enna,” within just a few minutes, Lana walked into the store.
“Call the police,” Sienna instructed Lana calmly. “File a report against these two for assault and destruction of property. And I want them to pay for the dress.”
Hearing the word “police,” the two bullies finally panicked.
“Who are you? Why should we pay?” they protested. “We didn’t do anything!”
Sienna ignored them. “Make sure you get a copy of the security footage,” she told Lana. “We’ll post it online.”
Bella and Marcy’s faces went pale with horror. “Who do you think you are?” Bella stammered. “What’s your relationship with Vivian? Do you know who we are?”
Before Sienna could reply, a group of men in suits suddenly appeared, striding briskly toward them. The store manager, who had just been curt and dismissive, immediately straightened up and began bowing.
But the two men at the front didn’t spare the manager so much as a glance. Instead, they walked straight to Sienna and bowed deeply, their posture radiating respect.
“Miss Enna,” they said in unison. “We are so terribly sorry for this unpleasant shopping experience. Everything in the store today is on the house, as our apology.”
Not just Bella and Marcy, but even Vivian froze, staring at the scene in shock. Sienna stood calm and composed as the men bowed to her, commanding a respect none of them could have imagined.
One of the two men turned out to be Marcy’s uncle. The moment he saw her, his expression darkened. He shot his niece a furious glare and hissed, “Apologize to Miss Enna. Now!”
Marcy mumbled, “But, Uncle—”
Sienna gave Lana a subtle nod. Taking the cue, Lana stepped forward and said coolly. “The police are on their way. You two can come with us. The court summons will be sent to you shortly.”
Realizing this was serious, Marcy’s bravado finally crumbled. She shot a desperate, pleading look at her uncle, but he only glared back, his eyes practically shouting: Apologize now if you value your life.
All her arrogance gone, Marcy bowed low. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Miss Enna. Please, forgive me.”
Bella felt a pang of betrayal, but she wasn’t stupid. Her family were new money, and of course, they couldn’t possibly stand against Marcy’s family. She quickly followed suit, bowing her head. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
Sienna showed no sign of forgiveness. “Officer,” she said as the police arrived, “these two assaulted my sister and destroyed her property. I was willing to handle this privately, but it seems they aren’t interested in being reasonable.”
Marcy’s uncle understood immediately. He strode over and slapped his niece hard across the face. “Apologize to this young lady properly!”
The slap knocked all the fight out of Marcy. But being forced to apologize to Vivian, to that nobody, was a bitter pill to swallow.
Bella gritted her teeth, her pride cracking under the pressure. She couldn’t afford to get arrested.
“I’m sorry, Vivian,” she muttered, barely meeting her eyes. “We shouldn’t have targeted you. I’ll pay for the dress.”
“Vivian,” Marcy added. “We were classmates. Please, just forgive us this once. We promise it will never happen again.”
Sienna looked at Vivian, waiting for her decision.
Vivian froze, stunned as she watched them grovel. She hadn’t expected Sienna to bring them to their knees with just a few words. Not wanting to create more enemies for Sienna, she relented. They paid for the dress, and the matter was settled.
Sienna, however, was not satisfied. She knew if she hadn’t arrived when she did, that slap would have landed on Vivian’s face.
A flash of cold fury passed through her eyes. “A private settlement involves more than just an apology,” she said coolly. “Paying for the dress is your responsibility. But my sister was frightened. I think compensation for emotional distress is also in order.”
Sienna didn’t need their money, but letting them off so easily wasn’t her style. However, since Vivian had decided, she wouldn’t push it.
In the end, with tears in their eyes, Bella and Marcy each paid one million dollars in compensation before being allowed to leave, desperate to avoid the public humiliation of a scandal. The manager was promptly fired.
With the chaos settled, Vivian finally enjoyed her shopping, trying on dress after dress while Sienna lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, scrolling through her phone.
“Wrap them all up,” Sienna finally said, showing the clerk an address. “And send them here.”
Vivian rushed over. “No, no, that’s not necessary! I can’t possibly wear all of these! And these bags, I—”
“I have money,” Sienna interrupted flatly.
“But…” Vivian’s heart was still pounding. She had just spent more in a few hours than she’d earned in a lifetime.
But just then, her phone rang. She picked it up—and was immediately met with her father Aiden Hart’s gruff, angry bark through the speaker.
“Where are you, Vivian? It’s Linda’s birthday tonight, and you’re still out messing around?” Aiden snapped. “Get back here right now, or I’ll burn everything in your room.”
Vivian’s hand tightened around her phone, a familiar wave of resentment and helplessness washing over her.
It’s fine, she told herself. Just give in. Keep your head down, and it will be over soon. She didn’t want to cause trouble for anyone else.
Sienna, standing beside her, had heard every word.
The father she remembered was a spineless man, completely overshadowed by their formidable mother. Ninety percent of the family’s wealth came from her.
To her, their father had married their mother entirely on the strength of his devastatingly handsome face.
Aiden was, for all intents and purposes, a kept man. Yet now, ten years later, he seemed to believe he was the true master of the Hart family.
“Tonight, we go home together,” Sienna said, her voice soft but firm as she laid a hand on Vivian’s shoulder. “Back to the Hart residence.”
Time to see how this dog has learned to bite, she thought to herself.
“But…” Vivian stammered. “Dad was with another woman now. After Linda came, everything changed. And…”
In her hesitant, broken words, Sienna heard a decade of profound pain, humiliation, and self–loathing. It broke her heart.
“It’s okay,” she said, her eyes full of a fierce, protective love. “I’m here now.”