Ch. 691..700

Chapter 691

Sienna and Jane rode together on the electric scooter, feeling the gentle breeze brushing against them.

Sitting behind Jane, Sienna wore a heavy expression. Her eyes still showed traces of tears as she gazed at the passing scenery. With a sigh of resignation, Jane asked, "Sienna, are you going to break up with Captain Morrison?"

Sienna leaned wearily against Jane's back. She closed her eyes and replied despondently, "I don't want to break up with him." "Your mom is being so stubborn. Are you going to prioritize your relationship over your family?" Jane asked further.

"No, I can't sacrifice my family for love. I'll figure out a way to make my mom accept him."

"Maybe you should talk to Captain Morrison about this. Dealing with it together could be better than facing it alone," Jane suggested.

"He's swamped with work. Besides, what good would burdening him with this do? It'll only add to his stress and affect his job." Sienna sighed.

She didn't want Daniel to feel as down as she did. She shook her head and added, "He shouldn't know about this."

Half an hour later, Jane's electric scooter pulled up at the town square within the park.

The square was bustling with activity as people gathered in groups at its center. Some people even stood on benches and climbed trees. The hillside was also lined with them. Jane tugged Sienna through the bustling crowd, ignoring the annoyed glances from onlookers until they reached the front.

Sienna couldn't shake the feeling of embarrassment as she was dragged along.

In the center of the square were numerous cameras and a cluster of cameramen. A rectangular table filled with food and flowers stood nearby.

Meanwhile, the actors and the film crew were busy taking photos. Among them were a couple of well-known stars that attracted a large crowd.

Sienna quickly spotted Vivian in the corner. From where she stood, Vivian seemed like someone playing a minor role, unnoticed and receiving little attention.

Jane voiced her envy. "Sienna, look at those actresses. They're all stunning and slim."

Sienna responded with a casual hum.

"I'm curious about what they're shooting. They've been in town filming for months now," Jane said.

"I have no idea," Sienna replied indifferently.

Jane pulled out her phone to snap some photos.

Sienna's attention was elsewhere. She was uninterested in celebrities.

Suddenly, a commotion arose from the side. Jane urgently shook Sienna's arm. "Sienna, it's your boyfriend. He's here."

Sienna instantly became alert and turned to look in the direction Jane pointed.

Daniel guided his team through the bustling crowd until they reached the actors on the set.

The plainclothes officers were so confident and charming that they were just as impressive as the male actors nearby. They even stole the spotlight slightly with their looks and demeanor.

Sienna couldn't catch their conversation but noticed the actors looking puzzled, while the director and crew appeared somewhat unsettled.

Daniel flashed his badge, and his team swiftly escorted several people away, including Vivian.

Spectators began to snap photos and discuss enthusiastically.

Jane excitedly recorded a video while exclaiming, "Wow, this is so thrilling! The police arrive to make arrests right after filming ends. This

show is bound to be a hit even

before it airs!"

Sienna watched Daniel from afar,

captivated by his commanding

presence as he handled his work. He

exuded a magnetic charm and

seemed authoritative.

"Sienna, did you know Captain Morrison was coming here to make arrests?" Jane asked.

"No, I didn't," Sienna replied.

"Don't you two discuss work stuff?"

"We don't really."

"So, what do you talk about then?"

"Anything but work." Sienna quickly headed toward the police car.

Jane hurriedly followed her.

As Daniel opened the passenger door, he spotted Sienna amid the crowd. She smiled and discreetly waved at him.

Her charming smile and curious gaze made Daniel smile in return. He took out his phone and shook it gently before getting into the car.

Chapter 692

Chapter 692

Daniel sat in the passenger seat and sent Sienna a message.

Her phone buzzed, and she pulled it out to read. "Sisi, are you here to see the celebrities with your friend?"

Sienna texted back, "Jane convinced me to come along. I didn't expect to run into you."

Daniel: "I'll be buried in work for the next few days. I won't have much free time to spend with you."

Sienna: "No worries. Work should always come first."

Daniel: "I'll make it up to you once things are over."

Sienna replied with a smiling emoji and wrote, "Are those people doing something illegal?"

Daniel: "Not sure yet. We're bringing them in for questioning."

Sienna: "Okay, focus on your work. Stay safe, and don't overwork yourself."

Daniel concluded with a kissing emoji. Sienna couldn't help but giggle softly.

Jane noticed Sienna's expression and teased, "It's just a few texts, and you're beaming."

Sienna quickly composed herself, pocketed her phone, and said, "We're done with the celebrities. Should we head back?"

Jane followed her as they left the crowd together.

Out of nowhere, a man dressed in a suit, Connor Boyd, blocked their way.

Sienna looked at him, puzzled.

"You're Ms. Lawson, right?" Connor asked politely.

"And you are?" Sienna asked.

"That's unimportant. Our boss needs to speak with you," Connor said.

Jane gripped Sienna's hand anxiously. "Do you know who his boss is?"

Sienna shook her head, turning back to Connor. "And who might your boss be?"

"You'll find out once you meet him."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in meeting him."

Connor took out his phone and opened a video before showing it to Sienna. "You don't have a choice."

The video displayed Felix seated at a gambling table, holding chips and making bets.

Sienna's concern deepened as she watched the video. She shifted her gaze back to Connor and asked, "Where's Felix?"

"Please, come with me alone," Connor said.

Worried about Sienna's safety, Jane spoke up hastily, "I'll go with you."

Connor glared at Jane and warned, "Stay out of this if you don't want trouble."

Jane, who was naturally timid, felt a rush of fear at his words.

Sienna gently removed Jane's hand and reassured her, "You should stay out of this. I'll go find Felix and bring him back." "Be careful," Jane said.

Sienna nodded and left with Connor.

Connor tried to convince her to get in the car, But she stood her ground, adamant about trailing them on her electric scooter.

Her determination was unwavering. She insisted on doing things her way or not at all.

Reluctantly, Connor gave in and

drove ahead while she trailed behind on her scooter. What was meant to be a quick ten-minute trip stretched out to over half an hour.

Eventually, they arrived at a renowned hot spring resort nestled halfway up a mountain in a different town.

Connor guided her through the resort, eventually leading her down to the basement level, where they stopped outside a secluded, spacious room.

As Connor swung the door open, an old-fashioned partition screen greeted them.

Sienna trailed behind, entering the room as Connor shut the door. She cast a nervous glance over her shoulder before pressing on.

She walked around the partition

screen and entered a spacious area filled with gambling tables. Strange men occupied the tables,

Λοι

exchanging bets and playing cards.

Felix sat on a couch nearby, his face drained of color as he anxiously stared downward.

Sienna roared, "Felix! What are you doing here?"

Felix looked up. Relief washed over him as he spotted her. He quickly rose to his feet. "Sienna."

Before he could rise completely, the man beside him forcefully shoved him back onto the couch, eliciting fear in Felix's eyes.

His voice trembled with guilt as he uttered, "I'm sorry, Sienna."

The man beside Felix asked, "You're Felix's sister?"

Sienna clenched her fists, masking her emotions with forced composure. "Yes, I am."

"Your brother owes us over two

million dollars," the man announced, brandishing a loan agreement before tucking it away with a smirk. "Why don't you help him settle his debt?"

Chapter 693

Chapter 693

Sienna was furious when she heard the staggering amount. She turned to Felix, her voice dripping with anger as she demanded, "What in the world happened?"

For regular folks like them, two million dollars was already an unimaginable sum. They couldn't even hope to earn it in their lifetime.

Tears streamed down Felix's face, his entire body shaking with guilt. In a remorseful tone, he admitted, "Sienna, I had no clue I'd end up owing this much money. I just tagged along with friends for some fun.

"I thought I'd start with a couple of grand, and I planned to stop once I hit a losing streak. But instead, I just kept winning and winning, raking in piles of cash..."

Sienna snorted and taunted, "So, in the end, you didn't expect to blow through all your winnings and then borrow another two million just to lose that too, huh?" Felix nodded, his body shaking with sobs.

Sienna clenched her fists, her body quivering with rage. She yearned to knock some sense into Felix. "You fool. It was obviously a trap. Are you really that dense?" "Sienna..." Felix cried out. He realized it was a trap all along. Yet, his greed had clouded his judgment, preventing him from being rational.

After collecting herself, Sienna addressed the man supervising Felix, "Where can I find your boss?"

The man gestured toward a nearby room, seeming eager for her to enter.

Sienna glared at Felix before heading toward the room. She pulled out her phone and stealthily turned on voice recording. Slipping her phone into her pocket, she pushed the door open.

The office was spacious and neat. There was a long desk with basic office supplies and a large computer screen showing surveillance camera feeds. The office chair was facing away from Sienna. "Hello," Sienna greeted.

The office chair swiveled to reveal Clement Russo, a middle-aged man with a polished appearance. He was in his 40s, slim, with gentle eyes and a friendly smile.

Clement assessed Sienna with a growing smile. "You must be Sienna Lawson, right?"

Sienna felt increasingly sure that Clement already had his eyes on her.

Cutting to the chase, Sienna asked, "Sir, why did you set Felix up?"

"He's the one who borrowed over two million from us after losing at gambling. How can you accuse us of setting him up?" Clement replied.

Sienna smiled faintly. "For families

like ours, coming up with 200 thousand is already a challenge, let alone two million. As a

businessman, you wouldn't ine

be

foolish enough to loan money to

someone who can't repay it.

"Clearly, your reasons aren't solely about money. So, why not be honest with me about your true intentions?"

Clement burst into laughter. "Daniel always chooses remarkable women. You're gorgeous and brave for coming alone to rescue your brother."

Sienna's heart raced as tension

suddenly gripped her. Anyone brave enough to confront Daniel couldn't just be an ordinary businessman. It became apparent that Clement's attention wasn't on Felix or Sienna. It was on Daniel.

Feeling a bit flustered, Sienna collected herself and softened her tone. "Excuse me, may I ask how I should address you?"

Clement leaned back in his chair, gazing at Sienna with admiration. "I'm Clement Russo. Just call me Clement."

Sienna forced a strained smile. "Clement, let's face it. We can't repay this debt in our lifetimes, and it seems you have other motives beyond the two million. So, why don't you be honest with me about it?" Clement raised an eyebrow and smirked as he touched his chin. His gaze lingered on Sienna's figure. "Your boyfriend is rich. Two million is pocket change for him."

Sienna fell silent as she suddenly realized that a series of unfortunate events were unfolding, one after another.

She couldn't shake the feeling that it might be more than bad luck-maybe there was a bigger plot behind it all.

First, Molly went to Shelly and

revealed that Daniel worked as an anti-drug officer, trying to sabotage his relationship with Sienna. Then the police interrogated Vivian and some of the film crew, and Felix got into trouble, too.

Chapter 694

Chapter 694

Sienna put on a bitter smile. "Sorry, Clement. I already ended things with him."

Clement didn't seem surprised. He replied casually, "Well, then you'll need to handle it on your own."

"Can you suggest another solution?" Sienna asked calmly.

Clement couldn't help but smile, his admiration for Sienna growing. "You're sharp. I'm starting to like you more. Here's the deal: help me with a few tasks, and I'll waive your brother's debt. Plus, I'll give you an extra five million and a villa worth ten million."

Sienna's unease deepened, but she tried to mirror Shelly's greedy expression whenever money was involved. Her eyes gleamed, and she parted her lips in exaggerated surprise.

Clement was pleased to see her reaction. He reached into a drawer, retrieved a box, and offered it to Sienna.

"You don't have to decide right away. Take your time to think about it, and let me know when you've reached a decision. Consider this a gift for our meeting."

Sienna accepted the box and lifted its lid. Her breath caught.

Nestled within lay an exquisite, opulent set of diamond jewelry. She suddenly realized Clement had intended to win her over with material extravagance from the very beginning. After a moment of reflection, Sienna pieced together the entire scenario.

These people believed she was only with Daniel because he was rich. So, they manipulated Shelly to ruin Sienna's chances of marrying Daniel, thus cutting off her potential financial support.

Then, they plotted against Felix to thrust Sienna into a tough spot. Finally, they tried to lure her in with flashy wealth. They were testing her.

Sienna managed a strained smile. She masked her true feelings with a facade of eagerness.

Closing the jewelry box, she rose from her seat and offered a polite nod. "Clement, thank you for your generous gift.

Clement's cynical beliefs resurfaced

as he observed Sienna's reaction. To him, all women of modest means were alike-shallow and covetous. They were easily swayed by financial allure and incapable of enduring substantial debts.

"Take your time to consider it. I'll be awaiting your decision." Clement walked up to Sienna and handed her a new smartphone.

As he did, his hand brushed against her skin. "Use this phone to reach me if you've made up your mind. I'll always treat you well."

Sienna's nerves kicked in as she accepted the phone. "Are those tasks illegal?"

Clement continued to touch Sienna's hand as he reassured her, "I run a clean business. No illegal stuff, I promise."

Sienna mustered a strained smile and nodded though a wave of nausea churned her stomach. Clement's touch on her hand left her feeling repulsed. Shortly after, Sienna and Felix were escorted away. On the journey back, Felix rode off the electric scooter with Sienna seated behind him.

The weight of the jewelry box and

phone in Sienna's hand felt like a heavy burden. It wasn't just a trivial matter. She understood she couldn't tackle it alone, especially given her uncertainty about Clement's intentions.

Sienna knew she needed to open up to Daniel and devise a plan together. He was much more capable of dealing with this kind of situation than she was.

Felix was on edge as he pleaded, "Sienna, please don't tell Mom. She'll be angry with me."

Sienna had had enough. Despite knowing how upset Shelly would be, Felix still went out to gamble.

"Stop here!" Sienna shouted.

As Felix stopped the scooter, Sienna dismounted and shoved him away in a burst of anger. "Go away. I have things to take care of."

She hopped back onto her electric scooter, revved the engine, and zoomed off.

Felix was left standing there, dumbfounded.

Chapter 695

Chapter 695

Sienna showed up at Daniel's place unannounced. Despite dating for over two months, this was her first time entering his home. Inside, she found an elegantly simple interior. The living room was big, bright, spotless, and neatly arranged, making it truly welcoming.

Sienna opened the shoe cabinet and discovered a brand-new pair of women's slippers waiting for her. It warmed her heart. With a smile, she slipped them on and made her way to the living room.

She placed the phone and jewelry box on the coffee table, then settled onto the couch, quietly awaiting Daniel's return from work. As she waited, she mulled over how she would broach the subject with him. After waiting for a while, Sienna decided to start preparing dinner, planning to share a meal with Daniel upon his return. As night descended, she nodded off while scrolling through her phone.

...

As Daniel's car pulled into the driveway, he was surprised to see the lights on inside the house. After exiting the car, he quietly approached the door and entered with soft steps.

He peeked into the living room and spotted Sienna curled up on the couch. Lowering his gaze, he noticed her shoes neatly placed on the shoe rack.

A smile crept onto his face as a wave of happiness flooded his senses. Carefully placing his car keys down, he made his way toward Sienna with quiet steps.

Daniel kneeled in front of the couch, his eyes fixed on Sienna, who was sound asleep.

Her cheeks looked so soft with a rosy hue, tempting him to pinch them. Her long, thick eyelashes were like those of a doll, and her full, pink lips were so inviting. Even in her sleep, she looked adorable and charming.

When Daniel brushed the stray strands of hair away from Sienna's forehead, she stirred unconsciously. He leaned in to kiss her.

Sienna jolted awake and was about to scream. Yet, she found her lips sealed shut. A familiar scent enveloped her, and she blinked her eyes open to see the handsome face she knew so well.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she fully came to her senses. She never expected Daniel to kiss her while she slept. The kiss was intense, making it impossible to resist.

Despite Sienna's attempts to push him away, Daniel's passion only seemed to intensify as if he was determined to completely engulf her.

Sienna's initial surprise melted into

happiness, and eventually, she

surrendered to the overwhelming sensation. Unable to resist, she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his passionate kiss with equal fervor.

Daniel settled onto the couch, encircling her waist with his arms and drawing her onto his lap. The way they were positioned left little to the imagination. He held her close, deepening their kiss with each passing moment.

Sienna's lips stung, her heart raced, and she struggled to catch her breath. She forcefully pushed against his chest to break free from his kiss.

Bathed in soft, warm light, the atmosphere grew incredibly romantic. Both of them were catching their breath, their eyes locked in a gaze filled with longing and desire.

Sienna shyly pursed her lips and said, "How could you do that? I was asleep, and you suddenly kissed me. It nearly gave me a heart attack."

Daniel held onto her waist and looked into her eyes. With a smile, he apologized, "I'm sorry for startling you."

"Don't do that again," Sienna murmured in protest.

"I couldn't help myself. You look so adorable when you're asleep," Daniel whispered hoarsely.

Sienna pretended to be angry and scoffed, "That sounds like a 'victim-blaming' excuse."

Daniel looked fondly at her blushing cheeks. "It's late at night when your boyfriend's desires are at their peak. So, why are you sneaking over here so quietly, 'Ms. Victim'?" he asked softly. Sienna's cheeks flushed instantly. She playfully hit his chest. "You just say whatever comes to mind, don't you? Aren't you embarrassed?"

Daniel caught her fist and rubbed it

gently. It didn't hurt at all. Instead, it tickled him a bit. "I don't see why there should be any embarrassment in expressing my feelings to someone I love."

Chapter 696

Chapter 696

Sienna thought she was usually open-minded, but Daniel had a way of making her feel overwhelmed.

She looked down bashfully and muttered, "I'd rather not talk about this anymore."

Daniel smiled affectionately at her and gently patted her head. "Have you had dinner?"

Sienna glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already after 9:00 pm. She had cooked dinner around 7:00 pm, waiting for him to come home. Unexpectedly, she ended up falling asleep for over two hours. She wasn't feeling hungry anymore.

"I've lost my appetite," Sienna said as she stood up from his lap and moved to the couch. With a serious expression, she picked up the black box and the phone from the table. "Daniel, we need to talk." Daniel sat up straight, leaning in toward her with a solemn expression.

Sienna passed the items to Daniel and explained, "A man named Clement Russo gave me this fancy set of diamond jewelry and a phone as a bribe."

Daniel accepted the jewelry box, opened it, and examined the diamonds closely. "If these diamonds are real, they're likely worth about a hundred thousand. The phone doesn't seem as valuable." Sienna added softly, "This was just his gift for our first meeting. But if I agree, he's willing to offer me millions more."

"Clement Russo?" Daniel's voice turned serious.

Sienna nodded. "Yes."

Daniel placed the jewelry aside and asked, "What exactly does he want from you?"

Sienna shook her head. "I'm not sure. I didn't agree right away, so he asked me to come back and consider his offer."

Daniel's expression hardened as he fixed his gaze on Sienna with a serious look. It made her feel uneasy.

He was familiar with Clement, who was among the people he was currently investigating. Knowing Clement's keen intellect, Daniel couldn't believe he would make such a simple mistake. As Daniel reclined on the couch, he remarked, "Clement trying to bribe you must've something to do with me."

"I suppose so."

A shadow crossed Daniel's

expression. "Clement is aware of my family background and financial resources. Compared to what I

could offer you at any moment

few million is insignificant.

unlikely he would be foolish enough to resort to this."

Sienna nervously lowered her head, her guilt mounting as she realized her explanation wasn't fooling him.

While she was debating whether to come clean, Daniel asked, "Is there something more you're not telling me?"

Sienna's breath quickened, and she lowered her head even more. She couldn't meet Daniel's eyes.

Daniel sighed. "Sisi, I hope you'll always be honest with me."

After a brief moment of hesitation, Sienna decided to disclose the truth. "Felix got caught up in a gambling scheme and now owes Clement over two million."

"I can easily cover that debt. It doesn't put you in any danger. So, why resort to bribery?" Daniel responded nonchalantly.

Sienna couldn't bring herself to tell him that their relationship might not go any further. Her heart felt like it was being pricked by needles, making it tough for her to speak. She kept her head down, unable to look him in the eye.

As Daniel noticed Sienna looking guilty and avoiding him, a feeling of dread began to settle in his mind.

After a long silence from her, Daniel nervously reached for her hand and gently stroked it. "Sisi, I'll take care of the two million. You don't have to pretend to agree with Clement Being an undercover agent istoo risky. I won't let you take such risks."

"I'm sorry, Daniel. I—"

Daniel's unease intensified. Drawing nearer to Sienna, he said anxiously, "Sisi, I'll take care of Felix's debt. Just steer clear of Clement and cut ties with him completely." "It's not what you think. Actually—"

Daniel's anger flared. "Sienna, the two million is a gift from me. You don't need to pay it back. Don't say that to me. I don't want to hear it."

Chapter 697

Chapter 697

Sienna's nose twinged. She realized that Daniel had sensed for a while that she might end their relationship. She couldn't bring herself to use Daniel's money to settle Felix's debt. The sadness in Daniel's eyes pained her deeply.

"Daniel, Clement framed Felix by putting him in debt and using it to manipulate me. He even offered me money to help him. My family doesn't have the funds to clear the debt, so I feel powerless." Feeling sorrow, Daniel ran his fingers through his hair. "I've already told you. I have the money."

"I can't accept your money. Right now, I see only two options. One is to hire a lawyer and sue him for setting up the gambling scam, and the other is to betray him and act as your informant."

With that, Sienna pulled out her phone from her pocket. "I recorded my conversation with him, but I'm not sure if it can serve as evidence."

Daniel sank back into the couch helplessly. "You're already considering ending things with me, which is why you refuse my money, right?"

Sienna was overcome by a wave of sadness. She lowered her head, uncertain of how to react.

She was resolved to convince Shelly to accept her relationship with Daniel, even though she wasn't sure if she would succeed.

Yet, Sienna chose not to disclose Shelly's disapproval to Daniel. She worried if they did get married eventually, Daniel would hold resentment toward her mother.

Just then, Sienna's phone rang, displaying Shelly's name on the caller ID. Stepping away from him, Sienna answered the call. "Hi, Mom."

Felix's voice crackled through the phone. He sounded anxious. "Sienna, hurry home. Mom's talking about suicide."

Sienna's face paled instantly. Quickly gathering her belongings, she said, "Daniel, there's an urgent situation at home. I have to leave right away."

Daniel rose from his seat and grabbed her wrist. "Sisi, what's happening?"

"I'll explain later." Sienna hurriedly pushed him away.

Daniel grabbed his car keys and caught up to her. "Let me drive you, Sisi."

Tears welled in Sienna's eyes as she forcefully shoved his hand away. "Please, don't follow me. I'm begging you."

Daniel froze in place, his heart sinking as Sienna walked away without so much as a glance back. The chilly wind brushed against him as he watched her vanish into the distance, and his heart ached. Even though Sienna had agreed to give their relationship a shot, she never fully opened up to him. Daniel constantly felt insecure and unsure about where he stood in her life.

When Sienna hurried home, Shelly was already standing outside the balcony railing, gripping it with both hands. Tears streamed down Shelly's face, her emotions running high. "Mom..." Sienna's legs trembled with fear. "Mom, please don't do anything rash!"

Felix was in a panic. Spotting Sienna's return, he quickly took hold of her arm, his voice shaking with tears. "Sienna, please ask Mom to come back... We've already lost Dad; we can't lose Mom too."

Turning to Sienna, Shelly's face contorted with despair as she cried out, "It's all your fault... Our family is in shambles because of you. We were managing fine and living peacefully. Why didn't you listen to me? Why stick with that cop? Why?"

Her voice cracked with anguish as she continued, "Felix got dragged into this because of you. If it weren't for your cop boyfriend meddling with those criminals, he wouldn't have been framed and ended up owing over two million!"

Shelly sobbed, her whole body trembling with emotion. "Am I supposed to give up my life to pay off his debt? Why, God? Why make life worse for the unfortunate?"

Chapter 698

Chapter 698

Sienna couldn't hold back her tears as she covered her mouth. She felt intense pain in her heart and was unable to speak a single word.

Felix kneeled on the ground and sobbed uncontrollably. "Sienna, I don't want to live either. I'm so sorry to you and Mom. It's my greed that brought us this tragedy."

Sienna knew that despite Felix's greed, it stemmed from his desire to give Shelly a more comfortable life.

"Why did you have to tell Mom about the gambling debt?" Sienna's voice quivered as she choked back sobs.

Felix buried his face in his hands, crying out, "Sienna, I promise I didn't do it. When I came back, Mom was already crying uncontrollably, and then she climbed out the balcony."

Sniffling and fighting back tears, Sienna made her way toward the balcony. "Mom, I know I messed up. Can you please come back inside? Let's talk this through. If you leave like this, what will happen to Felix and me? We'll be haunted by guilt forever. Please..."

Sienna's voice cracked, tears streaming down her face. "Mom, please. I admit I was wrong. I'll listen to you."

Shelly's emotions were overwhelming. She cried uncontrollably, feeling completely devastated as she exclaimed, "Sienna, I can't bear to go on. My life has been filled with hardship and exhaustion.

"I was born into poverty, struggling to even afford necessities like food and warm clothing. Growing up in a large family with many siblings, we often went hungry. Poverty was a constant fear.

"Then, I married your father, and we lived a very frugal life. When you and Felix came along, life became even more challenging. We took on debt to buy this old house, striving to give you a stable home, but the burden of a mortgage weighed heavily on us.

"I'm always trapped in debt. After raising you both, your father fell ill with cancer... We drained our finances completely, left with nothing but debt. At that point, I didn't even want to continue living... "Sienna, thankfully, you stepped in! You took on your father's medical debts and paid them off in just two years. When your father passed away, we received generous donations for his funeral expenses.

"I thought I finally had some money to save for retirement, but it all went to Felix for his car, leaving us burdened with even more debt..."

Shelly cried uncontrollably, her heart

feeling like it was shattering. With

one hand off the railing, she continued in despair, "The money make from my corner store isn't enough to cover our expenses, and now Felix brought back two million dollars in gambling debt

"Sienna, I've never even heard of such a huge amount. I'm terrified... I'm in my 50s, and my entire life has been a struggle to pay off debts, one after another after another..." Overwhelmed with tears, Sienna couldn't utter a word.

As Shelly appeared on the verge of letting go, Sienna acted swiftly. She lunged forward, her stomach colliding with the railing, but she ignored the pain.

She desperately seized Shelly's wrist and yelled, "Felix, help! Hurry!"

Felix immediately sprang into action. Without even wiping away his tears, he rushed over to catch Shelly, who was dangling in midair.

Beneath the balcony stretched a narrow alley, empty in the late hour. Meanwhile, people from nearby buildings gathered at their windows, worriedly observing the scene but unable to lend a hand.

Felix clenched his teeth, summoning

all his might with Sienna to pull Shelly back from the clutches of death. Once they rescued Shelly, they shut the balcony door and drew the curtains.

Sienna sank onto the couch, utterly exhausted. Her eyes brimmed with sorrow, and her complexion drained of color. She sat quietly, gazing at Shelly, who had lost all will to live on. Shelly lay on the couch with her eyes shut.

Sienna's heart twisted with pain. Losing her father had shattered her world. She couldn't bear the thought of enduring such agony again.

 

Chapter 699

Chapter 699

The living room was unsettlingly silent. The clock on the wall showed it was 12:30 am.

Sienna looked at Felix, who sat quietly with his head down, then turned to Shelly, who seemed to have calmed down.

Sienna's heart felt heavy, making it difficult to catch her breath. The tension in the house was overwhelming, almost pushing her to the edge of madness. "Mom, Felix was tricked into this. We need to involve the police," Sienna urged.

She took a deep breath before continuing, "My boyfriend works in anti-drug enforcement, but his job doesn't put us in danger. Please try to understand "

Shelly interrupted, her voice filled with anger, "Those criminals targeted Felix because of your boyfriend. They wouldn't have done this otherwise. Can't you see how serious this is?" Sienna hung her head, unable to reply. Her heart throbbed with pain.

Felix hesitantly asked, "Sienna, is what Mom said is true? When did you start seeing a cop? Did Clement trick me into that two-million-dollar debt because of your boyfriend?" Sienna grew frustrated with Felix. If it weren't for his foolishness and greed, they wouldn't be in this mess.

The living room grew quiet.

Sienna balled her fists, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Why won't you listen to Mom and find a local guy from a good family? Why are you so set on dating a cop?" Felix asked.

Shelly buried her face in her hands and sobbed again. "Felix is in serious debt, and we just can't afford it."

Sienna discreetly wiped her tears and met Shelly's gaze. "Mom, who told you about Felix's debt?"

"Ms. Lambert, the one who visited me last time."

Sienna was convinced it was Molly even before confirming. Molly seemed to have the same sketchy traits as Clement. They probably had committed numerous misdeeds together.

"Mom, if you agree to one condition, I'll end things with my boyfriend and handle Felix's two-million-dollar gambling debt," Sienna offered.

Shelly gazed at Sienna, her eyes brimming with tears. Felix, too, glanced over nervously.

Sienna clenched her fists, her heart

feeling as though it were torn apart by pain that made her tremble. She uttered, "Promise me you won't pressure me into marriage or meddle in my future relationships."

"You're willing to break up with that cop?" Shelly asked.

"Sienna, are you going to settle the debt for me?" Felix asked.

Tears trickled down Sienna's cheeks. Her Reartache was nearing its breaking point, yet her voice remained unwavering. "Yes, I'll break up with him and cut off all contact. And about the money Felix owes, I won't cover it, but I'll figure out a solution."

"How do you plan to handle it?" Felix asked.

"I'll report Clement to the police and gather evidence to prove it was a scheme he concocted."

"And what if you can't?"

Furious, Sienna sprang up from her seat and brushed away her tears "Then it's on you to figure out how to settle the debt. You messed up, so it's your responsibility to fix it," she exclaimed.

She stormed into her room and slammed the door shut. The room was completely dark, and she chose not to turn on the light.

Sienna collapsed onto her bed, burying herself under the covers as she wept silently. She regretted ever dating Daniel.

Back when she had a crush on him, she hadn't experienced real happiness, so she wasn't emotionally invested. But things had changed.

Once she had a taste of happiness with him, she began to expect more, and with those expectations came disappointment. Now, Sienna was realizing just how painful a breakup could be. She spent the entire night awake, crying until her eyes were puffy and red.

Chapter 700

Chapter 700

The next morning, Sienna sought out Clement to return his phone and jewelry. "I'm sorry, but I can't keep these. And I can't help you, either," she said calmly.

With a cigarette dangling from his lips, Clement sat with crossed legs. He frowned as he asked, "So you're refusing to settle Felix's debt or accept the money and the villa?"

Initially, Sienna accepted those gifts to keep Clement at bay while she strategized with Daniel on how to infiltrate Clement's inner circle. She wanted to gather crucial information for Daniel.

However, since Daniel disagreed with her approach, Sienna saw no reason to continue the facade.

"Clement, please consider letting Felix go. He's innocent. The gambling debt was a setup. Can we just let it go?" Sienna asked.

Clement erupted into laughter as if he'd heard the funniest joke ever.

Sienna knew her request was a long shot, but she kept her composure. "If you won't release Felix, I'll take legal action to protect our rights."

Clement flicked the ashes off his cigarette and sneered, "You got to pay up when you owe money. That's just how it goes. Gambling debts are no different. They have to be taken care of. Don't be so naive, miss."

"I recorded our conversation the first day we met. I'm reporting to the police and taking legal action against you. I'll deal with this gambling debt through proper legal channels," Sienna stated firmly before leaving.

Clement was stunned. He sat there, deep in thought, trying to remember what he might have said that could have been recorded.

Sienna rode her electric scooter down the wide road, the wind brushing against her. An intense feeling of emptiness washed over her as if her very soul had left her body.

Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Even though sunlight bathed her, she couldn't sense its warmth.

Gazing at her modest hometown, Sienna reflected on herself. She felt like her time with Daniel was nothing but a lovely dream.

In that dream, a charming, wealthy prince adored her deeply. He lavished her with tenderness, thoughtfulness, and romance.

But now, reality called her back from that illusion. She wasn't Cinderella. The Cinderella, who married the prince, existed only in fairy tales.

Sienna's eyes welled up with tears, blurring her vision. She stopped her electric scooter and rummaged through her bag for a tissue. Gently, she dabbed away the tears

streaming down her cheeks.

Even the simple act of breathing felt like a struggle, each breath sending a sharp pang through her chest.

She buried her face in her hands,

attempting to calm the storm of emotions raging inside her. Eventually, as her breathing steadied and her tears ceased, she gathered herself and resumed her journey.

Half an hour later, she pulled up at Daniel's house. She stepped inside with a box and set it down on the coffee table.

"Daniel, I'm at your place. There's something I need to tell you. Could you possibly leave work early today?" Sienna texted.

She sank into the couch, her eyes wandering over his home. She knew deep down that this visit would likely be her last, and it caused her heart to ache with sorrow.

Letting out a sigh, she slumped against the cushions, her gaze unfocused as she stared into the distance.

After half an hour, the sound of a car pulling up outside grabbed Sienna's attention. Anxious, she rose from her seat and glanced toward the entrance.

.nét

Before long, the door swung open, revealing Daniel. He walked in, looking dashing in his casual attire. His eyes conveyed tenderness, and his smile brimmed with affection.

Excitedly, he called out, "Sisi, you—"

His gaze landed on the box sitting on the coffee table, and his voice faltered abruptly.