Chapter 99

Jason shook off Ethan’s hand. “Ethan, let me give you some real advice. When it’s time to cut things off, do it, but don’t go through with the divorce. If you do, your life is basically over.”

Then, as if something just occurred to him, Jason gave a faint smile. “But honestly, whether you two get divorced or not isn’t even up to you anymore. Enna’s back, Ethan. If she says the word, it won’t matter what you want. So here’s my advice. Before she steps in, you’d better figure out how to make Nora grit her teeth and stay with you for the kid’s sake.”

Ethan turned his face away, his fists clenching so hard his knuckles cracked. He gritted his teeth and snarled, “She has no say in what goes on between us.”

The Hart Corporation wasn’t what it used to be anymore. No matter how much Sienna built herself up, there was no way she was going to be able to threaten or strong-arm Ethan overnight.

Jason straightened his jacket and let out a mocking laugh. “Man, you’re so naive, seriously. You think she spent ten years overseas just chilling on vacation? Since we basically grew up wearing the same pair of pants, let me give you a friendly heads-up. That woman with her, Lana, is the assistant to the CEO of SIE Corporation.”

Ethan’s eyes suddenly went wide. That night, he hadn’t really paid much attention to that woman. She just seemed kind of familiar. ‘Blonde hair, blue eyes, just missing a pair of glasses—Wait? That was her,’ he realized.

Ethan shoved Jason aside and bolted out of the room. As he was rushing downstairs, he ran into Aria Dalton.

“Ethan, you’re here, too. Could you give me a ride home?” Aria asked.

Aria had come looking for Ethan on purpose. After finally tracking him down here, she was determined to get some alone time with him tonight.

Ethan looked at Aria’s bright, expectant smile, then lowered his eyes. “Sorry, I have to go home. My wife’s waiting for me.”

Before Aria could even react, Ethan brushed past her and kept walking.

Jason wandered out of the room, bored out of his mind. The moment he spotted Aria, he made a graceful pivot and slipped away in the opposite direction.

Just as he was about to leave, he caught a glimpse of that unmistakable red hair—no doubt about it. It was her.

Jason smoothed out his jacket, checked himself in the nearby mirror, and strode over with all the confidence in the world.

“Hey, do you remember me?” Jason asked, giving her a gentle smile.

Anya’s crimson lips brushed the rim of her glass as she took a sip. At first, she thought it was that clueless guy again, but when she glanced over, she realized it was Jason.

‘Oh, right. The doctor from last time,’ she thought, vaguely remembering him. ‘But what could he possibly have to say to me?’

“What do you want?” Anya said coolly, turning her gaze away without a hint of warmth.

Jason shamelessly plopped himself down beside her. “My name is Jason Everett, Enna’s friend. I’m guessing you know her too, right?”

Anya said coolly, “I’m Miss Enna’s subordinate. If you’re just here to make small talk, you can leave now.”

Jason’s expression froze for a second. “Mind telling me your name?”

“And what’s it to you?” Anya replied coolly.

She stood up, towering over him with a look of utter disdain. “Little boy, are you even legal yet? Out here trying to hit on me? Give it up, kid. I’m not into your type. Way too soft, way too pretty. Not my flavor at all.”

Jason’s eyes went wide, and he shot to his feet. “Who are you calling a little boy? And what do you mean, ‘too soft’? Don’t judge a book by its cover, alright?” Jason protested, clearly unwilling to back down.

Anya just smirked, the corners of her red lips quirking up as she took in his well-defined and pretty fingers, and that gentle face of his—soft, but with a rebellious streak that still screamed youth.

Without another word, Anya turned and walked away, giving him a once-over full of contempt as she left. Jason could practically feel the disdain rolling off her.

“I’m already-” Jason protested, but Anya didn’t give him a chance to finish.

“Don’t bother. I’m not interested. Just be a little doctor, and that’s enough,” Anya said coolly, not even sparing him a glance. She didn’t even look back.

“You—hey, wait,” Jason called after her, but Anya didn’t…

When Sienna got home, it was already pretty late. She rubbed her temples, feeling a bit worn out.

“Miss Sienna, you’re back. Do you want something to eat?” Elisa stepped forward to take her coat.

“No, thanks, Elisa. You should get some rest, too. Oh, by the way, nothing happened with Vivian and Amber, right?” Sienna asked.

Elisa filled her in on how Vivian and Amber had gotten into a fight earlier, but then made up and ended up sharing candy together like nothing ever happened. Sienna just smiled knowingly.

“Alright, I got it,” Sienna replied with a small nod.

Just as Sienna was about to head to her room, a voice called out from behind her. “Where are you going? Did you forget what you promised me today?”

Sienna hadn’t forgotten, of course. She just wanted to freshen up first.

“I didn’t forget. I’ll sleep with you tonight, just like I promised. I’m going to take a shower first. You go to bed,” Sienna said.

Amber stood in the doorway, hugging her pillow in her pink pajamas, lips adorably pouted as she stared at Sienna. “Then hurry up, okay? I’ll be waiting for you,” Amber said.

“Sure.” Sienna nodded.

After her shower, Sienna walked into Amber’s room and saw Amber sitting on the bed, hugging her pillow. As soon as she spotted Sienna, Amber nervously clenched her fists, then quickly pulled back the covers and slipped under them.

Sienna took off her shoes, noticing how sleepy Amber looked. With a helpless smile, she reached out and gently ruffled Amber’s hair. “Go to sleep,” Sienna said.

Sienna lay down beside her, and before she knew it, she was out like a light—she really was completely worn out.

Once she heard Sienna’s steady breathing, Amber quietly opened her eyes, inching her way over bit by bit until she nestled right into Sienna’s arms, wrapping herself around Sienna’s arm and curling up close, like the sweetest little angel.

Sienna’s scent was so soothing, warm, safe, and so familiar. It didn’t take long before Amber drifted off into dreamland.

Sienna cracked her eyes open, a knowing, gentle smile on her lips. She gave Amber a soft, affectionate pat, then closed her eyes and finally let herself fall asleep too.

The next day, Amber was still trying to sneak in a few more minutes of sleep when Elisa’s voice rang out, “Miss Amber, time to get up. You’re going to be late for school.”

Amber mumbled a sleepy reply, and only then did Elisa come in with a maid to help her wash up and get dressed.

After washing her face and brushing her teeth, Amber finally felt awake. Then she remembered she still had to prepare a gift for Claire.

‘A gift should always come from the heart,’ she thought. ‘But what should I give?’ The first thing that popped into her mind was that jar of candy.

Amber felt a little reluctant. After all, it was a gift from Sienna.

She hadn’t even wanted to eat them herself, but just thinking about Claire’s annoying face, Amber counted out ten pieces of candy and stuffed them into her backpack.

‘Hmph, she’s lucky I’m being this generous,’ Amber thought.

Vivian hadn’t planned on bothering Sienna last night, but to her surprise, Sienna had actually stayed with Amber instead.

“That dumb girl Amber—she must’ve pulled some trick again,’ Vivian grumbled to herself. ‘So annoying.’

As Vivian walked into the company, she had no idea that someone was watching her the whole time, wearing a smug smile before quickly turning and slipping away.

Amber barely made it to school before the bell. She was just about to sneak in a quick nap when she suddenly remembered the way Sienna looked at Claire.

‘Sienna said she likes people who get good grades,’ Amber grumbled to herself.

Amber bit her lip, pulled out her brand-new textbook, the one she hadn’t even bothered to write her name in, and started flipping through it at lightning speed.

The teacher saw her pretending to study and didn’t even bother to call her out, just kept droning on with the lesson.

‘What’s the point? I’ve nagged so much I’m practically traumatized myself,’ the teacher thought. ‘I seriously don’t get why Susan cares about me so much.

‘She even made me highlight all the key points and organize them. She’s a math teacher. Why is she making me figure out Avalorish stuff?’

When the bell finally rang, Amber shoved her book into her desk in frustration. There were still a few parts she just couldn’t figure out. ‘Ugh, studying is the worst,’ she wondered.

“Amber?” Just as Amber was about to lay her head down for a quick nap, Claire’s voice rang out.

Amber jumped in surprise. ‘Seriously? Is she trying to let the whole world know she’s here for me or what?’ she grumbled inwardly.

The whole class stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at the two of them.