Ch. 701..710
Chapter 701
Chapter 701
Daniel peered into the box and spotted the gifts he had given Sienna. When he met her gaze, he noticed her eyes were red and streaked with tears. As Daniel moved closer to Sienna, she instinctively retreated. In the past, whenever she met Daniel, she would readily yield to his hugs and kisses. Sienna dreaded that if Daniel kissed her again, she wouldn't find the strength to end their relationship.
"What's wrong?" Daniel's expression darkened, his voice tinged with sadness. Seeing the things she brought and the way she avoided him, he felt a tightening sensation in his chest. Sienna slowly clenched her fists as she fought to hold back tears. She tried to maintain a composed facade as she faced him. "Daniel, I'm sorry. Let's-"
"Sisi, is there something weighing on you that you can't handle?" Daniel cut her off abruptly before she could utter the words "break up".
Sienna forced a tight smile and shook her head. "No."
"Is it because of Felix's debts?"
"No. I'm taking legal action against Clement, so that's under control."
"Then..." Daniel's voice was fraught with tension.
Before he could get another word out, Sienna blurted out, "Daniel, let's break up."
Her tone seemed casual, but hidden beneath was a wave of hurt. A sudden burst of pain pierced through her.
After the words left her lips, Sienna's eyes welled up with tears, and her throat felt constricted. Yet, she held back and tried to seem indifferent.
Daniel managed a bitter smile, his own eyes beginning to redden. His voice shook slightly. "Sisi, did I do something wrong? Please, tell me. I'll do whatever it takes to make things right." Sienna believed Daniel was truly amazing. It was she who didn't deserve him. She felt deeply apologetic to Daniel.
Tears blurred her vision, and she couldn't utter a word. She simply shook her head.
Anxiously, Daniel took a step closer and gripped her shoulders. He bent down to meet her gaze. "Is it something about my personality? Or my looks? Tell me what you want in a man, and I'll try to be that. I can-"
"Daniel." Sienna's heart shattered, tears flowing freely down her cheeks.
Unable to suppress her emotions any longer, she choked out, "You promised from the start that if I ever mentioned breaking up, you wouldn't cling to me,"
Daniel released Sienna's shoulders and took a step back. Tears welled in his bloodshot eyes as he gazed at the ceiling, struggling to contain his emotions.
After a moment, he spoke in a raspy, trembling voice, "Sisi, I can see that you're happy when you're with me. Why do you want to end things? Please, give me a reason."
Sienna fidgeted with the hem of her clothes, her fingers shaking. "There's no specific reason. I just don't see a future with you anymore."
Her heart felt heavy, each breath a painful reminder of her dilemma.
She was torn between her devotion
to her mother and the man she cherished. Unable to forsake her family, she faced the heartbreaking choice of letting Daniel go.
"Do you truly have no feelings for me?" Daniel's voice was tinged with sorrow.
Sienna discreetly wiped away her tears and shook her head. "I'm sorry. Let's not meet again."
With those words, Sienna walked past Daniel. But he swiftly caught up and enfolded her in a tight embrace to stop her from leaving.
Sienna froze, feeling the warmth of Daniel's chest against her. His arms were holding her firmly. Daniel's breath came in rapid bursts, his voice strained with emotion as he whispered in her ear, "Sisi, relationships can develop over time. Can you give us a chance to grow together?
"I'll work hard to become the man you want. Tell me, where do I fall short? I'm willing to change."
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Sienna cried out, "Daniel, please don't sell yourself short. You're amazing. It's me who isn't worthy of you."
Chapter 702
Chapter 702
"That's not a reason to break up with someone," Daniel said. He leaned his head on Sienna's shoulder and closed his eyes, tears rolling down his cheeks.
His voice was hoarse as he whispered, "Sisi, I love you deeply. When I was at my lowest, ready to give up on everything, it wasn't the desire to live that kept me going.
"It was my love for you. Your love motivated me to pull myself together, to undergo risky surgery, and to work in this city just to be near you."
His desperation was clear as he pleaded, "Please, just give me more time. Two months isn't enough for you to fall in love with me."
Sienna was crying uncontrollably. The more Daniel's words touched her, the more painful she felt. It felt like a thousand needles piercing her heart, the pain seeping into her bones. What had she done to deserve such deep love from a man?
She could be selfish and make Daniel quit his job as an anti-drug officer. It would give them a chance to be together. But she couldn't bring herself to do that.
Sienna knew that love was fleeting and often couldn't withstand the test of time. However, a noble career was something that could last a lifetime.
She forcefully pulled his hands away and stepped out of his embrace. She wiped her tears and turned to him.
"Daniel, a man like you, successful, wealthy, and good-looking, deserves someone better. We're just not meant for each other."
As she spoke, tears welled up in Daniel's eyes. Sorrow filled his expression, and a bitter smile crept onto his face.
Sienna took a deep breath and continued, "We come from different worlds. Your feelings for me might simply be a passing fancy or perhaps gratitude.
"Once those feelings fade, you'll see I'm not as wonderful as you think. I'm not worthy of your affection."
"Let's still be friends, okay?" Daniel pleaded, hoping to salvage something from their relationship, even if it meant lowering its status.
Sienna bit her lip and shook her head. Whether they were friends or a couple, it wouldn't change much.
Shelly disapproved of Sienna's relationship with an anti-drug officer, so any form of connection would be frowned upon.
Since they were breaking up, why prolong the pain by trying to stay friends and seeing each other often?
"Sienna," Daniel murmured sadly. "Just regular friends. Let's just be regular friends."
"I'm sorry. I can't," Sienna replied, tears welling as she left without looking back.
As Daniel watched Sienna leave, he
didn't try to stop her. Instead, he
slumped into the couch, utterly
spent Leaning back, he shut his
eyes, now red from tears, and
covered them with his hand.
A sharp pang of heartache coursed through him.
Sienna's sudden breakup had blindsided him, leaving his thoughts scattered. But upon reflection, he noticed something odd.
In the two months they'd been
dating,
She
shyly, but she never
never seemed unhappy.
ometimes avoided his
outright rejected
him.
The breakup, without any explanation, had caught him off guard. If she didn't have feelings for him, why would she cry? There had to be a reason behind her tears!
Daniel snapped back to reality. He dropped his hand from his face, staring up at the ceiling with growing determination.
Sienna must have been forced into this.
With his mind made up, Daniel sprang into action. He snatched his car keys before rushing out the door.
Chapter 703
Chapter 703
Sienna rode her electric scooter home, tears streaming down her face the entire way. She hadn't expected to cry so much, but Daniel was her first love.
It was the first time she had ever felt such intense emotions for someone, the first time she had truly invested herself in a relationship. It was like fireworks-beautiful, but over far too quickly.
Back at home, Sienna retreated to her room for days on end. Apart from coming out for meals, she refused to leave her room. Each time she did go out, her eyes bore the telltale signs of tears, puffy and red. Seeing Sienna in such a state, Shelly figured out that Sienna and Daniel must have ended their relationship. As a result, she chose not to mention blind dates or concern herself with Felix's debts. Instead, she focused on peacefully managing her corner store. In her view, life would become better and more stable from here on out.
On a sunny afternoon, Shelly was busy inspecting the expired items in the corner store when the bell at the entrance chimed. This bell was a sensor Sienna installed. It always rang whenever someone came in.
"Can I help you with something?" Shelly asked, emerging with the expired goods she had been sorting.
When she spotted the young man standing before her, she paused briefly.
The man had striking, attractive features, and a well-built, confident posture. He was neatly dressed and carried himself with an air of sophistication.
He didn't seem like a local. His appearance was more akin to someone from the city. He held several large bags in his hands, his smile gentle as he nodded at Shelly.
No matter a woman's age, encountering a handsome man usually had a certain effect, and Shelly was no different. She smiled and approached, asking softly, "Can I help you with something?"
Daniel returned her smile warmly. "Hello, Mrs. Lawson. My name is Daniel, and I'm Sienna's ex-boyfriend."
His words caused Shelly's smile to freeze instantly.
Daniel carefully set down the items he was carrying and spoke politely, "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to visit. I'm not here to cause any trouble for Sienna."
Feeling awkward and unsure of what to say, Shelly pointed at the gifts he brought. "What's all this for?"
Daniel calmly explained, "I've been wanting to meet you in person for a while now, but the right moment never seemed to come up. I realized that waiting might mean missing out entirely.
"It might seem forward of me, but I didn't want to regret not making this effort to meet Sienna's mother."
Shelly sank into the chair behind the cash register, her spirits dampened. "Have you two really broken up?"
"Yes, we've broken up," Daniel replied, pursing his lips with bitterness.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Morrison. You're a good man, and my daughter doesn't know what she's missing. You deserve better," Shelly said guiltily.
Judging solely by his appearance, Shelly couldn't help but feel that Daniel was genuinely a good person. Unfortunately, his profession happened to be as an anti-drug officer.
"Mrs. Lawson, please don't feel sorry. Relationships involve both parties. There's no clear right or wrong," Daniel replied politely.
He retrieved a business card from
his pocket and extended it to Shelly. "Here's my contact info. If your family ever needs help, feel free to
reach out. I'll do whatever I can to help."
Shelly slid the card back to him. "You and Sienna are no longer together. It wouldn't be appropriate for us to stay in contact. It just doesn't feel right."
"I promise I won't reach out to her again," Daniel assured sincerely. "All I want is to ensure her safety without causing any disruption."
Shelly was momentarily at a loss for words.
With utmost sincerity, Daniel placed
the business card in front of her.
"Mrs. Lawson, if she's living her life peacefully and doesn't need my involvement, I'll silently wish her the best.
"But if you ever face challenges you can't overcome and need help, I'll be there unconditionally."
Chapter 704
Chapter 704
"You..." Shelly felt her heart soften at his words. She was deeply moved and at a loss for words.
"I haven't shared these thoughts with Sienna. I'd appreciate it if you didn't either, to spare her any trouble," Daniel said.
He nodded politely before saying goodbye. "Mrs. Lawson, I'll be taking my leave now. I won't take up any more of your time." With that, Daniel turned and walked away.
Returning to her senses, Shelly hurriedly followed him while holding the gifts out. "Mr. Morrison, please take these with you." Daniel was already in his car. He politely replied, "Mrs. Lawson, those are all for you. They're not too valuable. Please keep them."
He waved before driving off.
Shelly stood by the door, utterly stunned. She glanced down at the hefty bags of gifts clutched in her hands.
Out of all the men Sienna had dated, Daniel stood out as the most handsome and courteous. It was unfortunate that he worked as an anti-drug officer.
Shelly returned to unwrap the gifts she'd received. She guessed they might be coffee beans, dairy products, or food.
However, when she tore into the packages, she was shocked to find they were all pricey items.
There was a big box filled with pricey supplements, another containing caviar, a package of high-end skincare products, and a stunning set of pearl jewelry that looked like it cost a fortune. Shelly was utterly shocked by the sheer value of these gifts.
Even though Sienna and Daniel had broken up, he still gave Shelly such extravagant presents. It made Shelly wonder if Sienna hadn't ended things with him, what other lavish gifts might he have given her. Shelly anxiously dialed Sienna's number.
After a few rings, Sienna finally answered, dragging herself out of bed to pick up the phone.
"Sienna, do you still talk to your ex?" Shelly's voice came from the other end.
Sienna, sounding irritated, responded, "Mom, what's this about now?"
"I'm just curious."
"No, I don't," Sienna responded impatiently. "What's going on?"
In a quiet tone, Shelly asked, "I was just wondering, what gifts did your ex give you? Did you give them back?"
"I returned every single one. Can we drop this now?"
Sienna had been feeling a bit better lately. However, when Shelly unexpectedly brought up Daniel, it stirred up those feelings of sadness again.
Annoyed, Sienna snapped, "What do you want from me?"
"Okay, forget it. I'm just glad you returned them."
Feeling downcast, Sienna ended the call abruptly. She tossed her phone aside and buried herself under the blanket.
Suddenly, her phone rang again.
Irritated, Sienna reluctantly emerged
from her cocoon and sighed at the ceiling. She sat up and glanced at the caller ID, assuming it was Shelly calling, only to find it was an
unfamiliar number.
Sienna paused, bringing the phone to her ear and answering, "Hello?"
On the other end, a woman's voice, gentle yet serious, spoke, "Is this Ms. Lawson?"
"Yes, speaking," Sienna responded.
"I'm calling from Eastville Hospital. Your brother, Felix Lawson, has been seriously injured and is currently undergoing emergency treatment.
"We need you to come over and pay for the medical expenses," the woman said.
Sienna's face paled in an instant.
Panicked, she flung off the blanket and hurriedly got out of bed.
Snatching her backpack and phone, she bolted out of the room.
Half an hour later, Sienna arrived at the entrance to the emergency room at Eastville Hospital, gasping for breath.
Spotting a nurse, she approached anxiously. "My brother's name is Felix Lawson. How is he? Where can I find him?"
The nurse handed her a medical bill. "He's still in the emergency room. Please follow me to the payment counter to make the deposit."
Sienna followed the nurse to the
payment counter without hesitation. She handed over several tens of thousands of dollars. It was all the money she had.
She sat alone on a bench outside the emergency room and waited anxiously. Memories flooded back to when her father had been gravely ill.
Restlessness gripped her, her fear making her limbs icy and her thoughts scattered.
Chapter 705
Chapter 705
The surgery had been ongoing for over four hours, with no end in sight. Sienna's fear grew stronger as time passed.
She was too scared to tell Shelly, fearing she couldn't handle it. Sienna could only hope Felix would make it.
Soon, a nurse hurried out, clutching a folder and looking worried. "The situation is worrying. Please notify all the family members of the patient to come over. And please sign these papers quickly." Sienna's hands shook uncontrollably. Her mind went blank, and she felt a deep sense of agony. After signing the papers, she dialed Shelly's number.
Upon hearing the news, Shelly broke into tears on the other end of the line. Half an hour later, she reached the hospital, collapsing in tears as she stood outside the operating room.
She cursed her bad luck, lamenting the struggles she had faced and the suffering her children had gone through because of her. She wept quietly, yet her sorrow ran deep.
Sienna couldn't hold back her tears, either. They streamed down her cheeks. She helped Shelly up and guided her to sit on a nearby bench. They sat together, enduring what seemed like an endless wait until the surgical lights finally dimmed. Moments later, the doctor emerged. Sienna supported Shelly as they hurried together to the doctor. Anxiously, Sienna asked, "Doctor, how's my brother?"
"The patient's life has been saved, but whether he can make it through this critical period depends on his willpower," the doctor explained.
Shelly couldn't hold back her tears, her face buried in her hands. "How did this happen? My son was perfectly fine. Why is he now in the hospital with such serious injuries?"
"We received a call at the emergency center reporting that he was found barely breathing at the foot of a mountain and brought here.
"Based on his injuries, it appears he was likely assaulted. I strongly advise you to contact the police," the doctor said firmly.
"Okay." Sienna immediately pulled out her phone to dial the emergency number.
After briefing Shelly on some details, the doctor left.
Meanwhile, Felix was admitted to the ICU for monitoring.
Later, the police arrived to assess the situation and interview eyewitnesses regarding the incident. Since Felix had yet to regain consciousness, they couldn't proceed with filing a case. It had to be postponed temporarily.
The surgical expenses were significant for Sienna, and the daily costs for Felix's ICU stay were taking a toll on her finances.
To uncover the cause of Felix's injury, Sienna arranged to visit the foot of the mountain where he was found injured, accompanied by her friend Jane.
The mountain was situated in the neighboring town. It was close to where filming had recently taken place.
Sienna asked around the area and
discovered a film company had contracted the mountain for their filming operations. They had established a sizable filming base in the mountains.
Even though the previous film had wrapped up its shooting schedule, there was still a steady stream of other crews arriving to shoot their projects continuously.
Sienna and Jane trekked up a
narrow path into the mountains. After a short while, they stumbled upon a fenced-off area. Inside, the trees were lush, casting an air of mystery over the area.
Scanning the deserted forest surroundings, Jane anxiously said, "Sienna, I'm getting a bit spooked. Maybe we should leave this to the police." Sienna touched the wire mesh. Suddenly, a jolt of electricity shot through her body. She jerked back in pain, exclaiming, "Damn... It's electrified?"
Shocked by Sienna's reaction, Jane swiftly seized her arm. "Sienna, maybe Felix ran into robbers on his way up the mountain, and they attacked him." "But he still has his phone," Sienna replied calmly as she looked around.
"Maybe it's his creditor," Jane said.
A deep sense of foreboding overcame her. Despite the sun shining, the thick foliage obstructed its light, and a cold breeze swept in.
Sienna continued to trace the wire mesh while vigilantly observing the scene within.
"Creditors prioritize money over everything else. If Felix had died, who would settle his debt?" Sienna questioned.
Jane found her argument to be sound.
Chapter 706
Chapter 706
Sienna and Jane were two ordinary women. They felt incredibly nervous about investigating a case in the remote mountains.
Jane gulped and suggested, "Sienna, why not ask your boyfriend for help? He's more experienced than you."
"We're not together anymore," Sienna replied casually.
Jane was surprised. "What? You broke up?"
"Yeah, it's been a week."
Jane sympathized with Sienna and tried to comfort her by patting her shoulder. "Don't be sad, Sienna. If he can't see how amazing you are, it's his loss.
"You're beautiful and charming, and you'll easily find someone better."
Sienna remained composed as she replied, "I was the one who ended things."
Jane was completely puzzled and pushed Sienna in frustration. "Are you serious? If you don't want him, why not give him to me?"
"He wasn't interested in you," Sienna said while regaining her balance. She focused on scanning the area within the iron mesh.
"You leave me speechless. You don't even appreciate what you have. Where will you find someone as good-"
Jane's words were cut short by the sudden barking of dogs. Three enormous pit bulls burst out from the bushes.
"Those dogs are vicious! Run!"
Sienna and Jane screamed in panic, their fear palpable. They dashed down the rugged mountain path as if propelled by rockets, desperate to escape.
The pit bulls couldn't break through the iron mesh, but simply seeing them was terrifying enough for Sienna and Jane.
They stumbled down the mountainside, finally resting by the roadside. They were panting heavily, their faces pale from the ordeal.
After pausing to regain their breath, they noticed scratches on their hands, feet, and bodies caused by the branches.
"Are you all right, Jane?" Sienna asked. Her concern was evident as she examined Jane's injuries.
Jane nodded. "I'm okay."
Sienna glanced back at the mountain, muttering, "There has to be something strange going on up there."
"It's just a filming spot. They fenced it off and have a few dogs. What's strange about it?" Jane shrugged.
But Sienna couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
They weren't a big film company. Picking a remote spot for filming was already secretive. Renting the whole mountain made things even more suspicious.
Even if reporters tried to snoop, they wouldn't even make it past the electric fence, not to mention the aggressive pit bulls.
Sienna was convinced that the place served a purpose beyond just filming.
Jane nudged Sienna, who seemed lost in thought. "What's on your mind?"
"Let's head back," Sienna said while tugging Jane's hand as they left.
They hopped onto their electric nearby
at
the entrance of the film arret
streets until they
Suddenly, a black MPV drove past Sienna, coming to a stop just a short distance ahead.
Sienna hit the brakes, and Jane did the same.
The door of the MPV swung open, and Molly emerged, holding it for the next passenger. Following her was Vivian, who stepped out slowly. Vivian adjusted her sunglasses before elegantly making her way toward Sienna.
Sienna recalled that the last time,
Daniel had taken Vivian and the others to the police station to assist with a case. It wasn't because they were in trouble.
"Ms. Lawson, do you have a moment? Let's talk," Vivian said, removing her sunglasses with a confident air.
Sienna considered it for a moment before nodding. "Sure."
Chapter 707
Chapter 707
In the tranquil garden café, a pot of coffee and a selection of pastries sat on the table. The faint aroma of flowers hung in the air.
Sienna quietly watched as Vivian poured the coffee, noting her graceful and elegant movements. It appeared that Vivian's elegance wasn't confined to television. It was apparent in real life too.
Sienna couldn't help but admire Vivian's poise. She questioned why Daniel, who had previously been involved with someone as refined as Vivian, would be attracted to her. It seemed like a sudden change in taste.
In contrast to Vivian's elegance, Sienna lacked the same grace. Sienna was naturally witty and laid-back, which led her to ponder why Daniel would be interested in her.
"Ms. Lawson, please, have some coffee," Vivian politely offered Sienna a cup.
Sienna immediately accepted it. "Thank you."
She gazed at the coffee swirling in her cup. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted over to her, briefly whisking her away to a peaceful moment.
However, the tranquility was short-lived. Sienna was burdened with worries and sadness.
Shelly had recently tried to take her own life, Sienna had just gone through a painful breakup with her first love, and Felix remained in critical condition in the ICU.
With all these heavy emotions weighing on her, Sienna struggled to find joy in life. She gulped down her coffee as if it were a shot of liquor, then set down her cup with pursed lips.
Vivian frowned disapprovingly at Sienna's behavior and sneered. She took a slow sip of her coffee and carefully set down her cup before pouring another for Sienna.
"Ms. Ludovic, what can I do for you?" Sienna asked casually.
Looking composed, Vivian toyed with her coffee cup. "You're aware, aren't you? About me and Daniel."
"I'm aware of some of it," Sienna replied.
"I'm the one who broke up with him."
Sienna already knew this, and she felt sympathetic toward Daniel. He was remarkable, yet he had been dumped twice in a row. It must have been difficult for him. Taking a sip of her coffee, Vivian raised her gaze confidently. "Daniel is deeply in love with me."
Sienna was taken aback.
With a heavy heart, Vivian explained, "I was Daniel's first love. When I first decided to break up with him, he was reluctant and tried to win me back. Yet, I left him without hesitation. "I believed he wouldn't be able to move on from me. That was why, when we met again years later, he risked everything to rescue me."
Intrigued, Sienna asked, "You mean when he was undercover?"
Vivian felt guilty and hung her head. "I owe Daniel more than just an apology, I didn't realize that Clement's boss was the drug ford Daniel had been investigating. And I had no clue Daniel was undercover.
"When I saw him on the cruise ship, he was desperate to get me off it at any cost. I was too focused on getting a script from the director, so I couldn't risk upsetting the investors behind that project."
Sienna finally understood and let out a snort. Daniel was determined to rescue Vivian, but she had inadvertently gotten involved with the wrong people and ended up betraying him.
Vivian added, "Clement's boss is a highly secretive tycoon. The cruise ship was originally set up to host him. However, things took a turn when I confronted Daniel in front of everyone.
"I pointed out that despite graduating from a defense university and having a promising career as a police officer, he opted to become someone else's henchman.
"I asserted that he had no authority over me. Soon after, he became a target. Eventually, he was abducted, brutally tortured, and subjected to various forms of abuse."
Vivian wiped her tears discreetly. She sniffed before speaking again, "But he's amazing. He somehow dealt with the guards watching him.
"Once the cruise ship docked, he grabbed me, and we fled to another country. If it weren't for me, Daniel would have surely gotten away."
Vivian's voice trembled with emotion
as she confessed, "I held him back. I couldn't handle the hardships of escaping selfishly left the underground tunnel, dashed to nearby shops for food, and even contacted the police.
"I never imagined the local authorities would be so corrupt. If I hadn't revealed Daniel's hiding spot to them, they would have tortured and possibly killed me."
Chapter 708
Chapter 708
Sienna didn't shed a tear. She couldn't bring herself to. Instead, she clenched her fists under the table, her eyes ablaze with anger as she glared at Vivian sitting across from her. Her fury toward Vivian was so intense that she wanted to tear her apart. The very sight of Vivian filled Sienna with disgust.
And yet, Vivian dared to cry? It only fueled Sienna's rage even more!
Vivian reached for a tissue to wipe her tears and continued, "Afterward, I made it home safely, but Daniel had been tortured so severely that survival seemed impossible. "Everyone believed he was gone, and his body was thrown into the sea."
Sienna's eyes welled up with tears. She spoke with frustration, "But he somehow pulled through. Where were you during his toughest times? You never visited him. Is it because he was disabled?" Vivian hurriedly shook her head, tears pooling as she locked eyes with Sienna. "No, it's not like that. I couldn't bring myself to see him because of Nathan."
"Nathan Morrison?" Sienna asked.
Vivian nodded, her voice tinged with anxiety as she explained, "Following Daniel's incident, a missile launched from our country hit an island belonging to a neighboring nation and wiped it out entirely. "Internationally, they called it a case of a missile veering off course and dismissed it as a rare occurrence. But I'm aware that the island was a major hub for illegal drugs that Daniel was investigating. "Everyone who lived there was part of the drug trade, either making or selling drugs. There wasn't a single innocent person among them."
Sienna smirked and emptied her cup. She controlled her feelings before asking, "Are you worried that General Morrison might come after you for this, so you're avoiding seeing Daniel?" Vivian nodded and hummed in response.
"But Daniel has never spoken ill of you. He's never even mentioned you. General Morrison found out about it on his own.
"Given his nature, he probably wants to end your life, but Daniel won't allow him to," Sienna said, her frustration barely contained.
Vivian wiped her tears away, her mood lifting. "I'm aware of that now, and I want to tell you that Daniel loves me deeply."
Sienna couldn't resist a sneer. She bit her lip and gazed out the window at the garden. After calming her troubled heart and regaining her composure, she turned back to Vivian. "Ms. Ludovic, do you really understand Daniel?"
"Absolutely," Vivian replied confidently.
"If you truly understand who he is, then curb your arrogance," Sienna asserted firmly, her words carrying weight.
"He rescued you because he
understood the danger you faced.
He saved you because you were once his first love. He doesn't want to see you go astray because you twe were once in love.
"If it were anyone else he cared for, he'd risk his life to save them, too. Wanda was once abducted and taken to that drug den.
"It was Daniel and General Morrison who came to her rescue. Yet, he didn't harbor romantic feelings for Wanda, either," Sienna explained.
"Who's Wanda?" Vivian asked with curiosity.
"She's General Morrison's wife," Sienna replied.
After listening to Vivian talk at length, Sienna finally understood what she meant. Vivian wanted Sienna to see the reality without clinging to any false hope about Daniel.
Vivian wanted Sienna to understand that Daniel had always loved her from the beginning.
"Ms. Ludovic, you've been
straightforward with me, and I get it
now. Since you've already broken us apart, there's no need to go
overboard by sharing so much,"
Sienna said.
"I didn't break you two apart. Your mother did," Vivian retorted.
Sienna clenched her fists, feeling a surge of anger tempting her to punch Vivian. "If it weren't for you, how would my mom have found out?"
"She would've found out eventually."
Sienna took several deep breaths, struggling to rein in her emotions.
Vivian was the kind of woman who hid her cunning manipulation beneath a mask of innocence.
After regaining her composure, Sienna asked with a firm tone, "What's your connection with Clement?"
Chapter 709
Chapter 709
"He's the investor from my last film," Vivian explained.
"Your film crew finished filming, so why is everyone still here?" Sienna asked.
"We're transitioning into the next production. You won't understand," Vivian replied.
"Do you still have contact with the boss behind Clement?"
Vivian smirked. "Did Daniel teach you that? You sound like you're grilling a suspect."
Looking displeased, Sienna retorted, "If you're feeling guilty about Daniel, help him by exposing who tried to kill him."
"I don't need your guidance. I'll take care of it."
"Then, what do you want from me?"
"I hope you completely cut ties with Daniel."
"What do you mean by 'completely"?"
Vivian retrieved a check and a business card from her pocket.
"This is a check for 300 thousand dollars. It can help pay for Felix's medical expenses. And the business card is from my friend, who owns a company in another city. You can work there. The salary and benefits are quite good."
It became clear that Vivian wanted Sienna to keep her distance from Daniel.
Sienna shoved the business card and check back to her. "Ms. Ludovic, I want to be clear that my politeness here is just a formality. Don't mistake it for my willingness to make deals with someone like you. "To me, you'll always be a cowardly, selfish, and foolish woman. You betrayed Daniel and put his life at risk. Whether now or in the future, you'll remain the person I despise the most, without exception. "If Daniel loves you and decides to be with you, I'll wish him the best. There's nothing left between him and me, so please don't disgust me by trying to win me over with money."
Sienna stood up, her tone chilly as she bid farewell. "Let's not meet again. There's nothing left to discuss with someone like you. I genuinely hope you'll refrain from interfering with my family. Thank you Content.
As Sienna walked away, Vivian shouted, "You couldn't even cover Felix's medical bills. And if you're not taking my money, I hope you won't turn to Daniel for help. It's time for both of you to move on."
Sienna stopped abruptly, a sharp pang piercing her chest. She took a deep breath and put on a fake smile as she turned around slowly. "Thanks for the reminder. It's such a brilliant way to stay connected with him."
Vivian visibly bristled at the remark.
Ignoring her, Sienna walked away. She hopped on her electric scooter and headed toward the hospital. Her heartache felt like needles piercing her chest.
Shelly and Sienna had spent all their money and borrowed some from relatives, but it wasn't enough for the expensive ICU fees. Shelly was probably distressed, scrambling to gather funds to save Felix. Sienna considered asking Daniel for help. However, since they had already broken up, she couldn't bring herself to look for him.
When she arrived at the hospital, she spotted Finley in the corridor. The anti-drug officer was there with another colleague.
"Officer Wood," Sienna greeted politely.
Finley recognized Sienna as Daniel's girlfriend but wasn't aware they had split up, so he greeted her politely, "Ms. Lawson, are you here to see Felix?"
"Yes," Sienna replied. Intrigued by the presence of the anti-drug officers, she asked, "What brings you here?"
"Felix is starting to wake up. When he came to, he kept talking about 'plants,' and then mentioned 'poppies.' That's why the doctors notified us to come over," Finley explained.
"Plants?"
"Yeah, the poppies. It seems he saw someone planting them."
Sienna's skin prickled with goosebumps as she gazed anxiously at Finley. She was momentarily left speechless.
Was it possible that the fenced-off hill wasn't just a place for filming but a disguise for growing and making drugs?
Chapter 710
Chapter 710
"Excuse us, we've got some things to take care of," Finley said politely as he bid farewell.
Sienna nodded, saying, "Goodbye, Officer Wood."
She watched Finley and the other officer walk away before collecting herself and heading toward the ICU ward. She saw Shelly and Daniel seated together on a bench outside the ICU. It was an unexpectedly peaceful scene. Yet, Sienna felt completely puzzled.
What was happening?
Sienna paused to consider. Shelly hadn't met Daniel before, so she probably didn't realize he was her ex-boyfriend. That must be it.
Sienna regained her composure and walked over. She politely greeted, "Captain Morrison, hello."
Daniel glanced up at Sienna. After a few days of being apart, she appeared weary and thinner. Shelly was startled, her gaze fixed on Sienna.
After exchanging brief hellos with Daniel, Sienna turned to Shelly. "Mom, is Felix awake?"
Shelly gestured toward the room beyond the glass. "He is, but his vital signs are unstable, so he can't be moved out of the ICU yet."
"Did Felix mention seeing poppies up in the mountains?" Sienna asked.
Shelly clenched her fist, showing her frustration. "Drugs are still a big problem here. Hills encircle us, and not far off lie the mountains that serve as the border with the neighboring country. "Drug lords like to target small, remote places like ours because they think they can operate without getting caught."
After speaking, Shelly looked at Daniel, anxiously stroking his arm. "Captain Morrison, please be careful. These drug lords are ruthless and will stop at nothing."
Daniel nodded gently. "Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Lawson. I'll be sure to stay vigilant."
Sienna was once again taken aback.
But then she reconsidered. Shelly didn't have anything against anti-drug officers. She just wished that Sienna wouldn't end up marrying a policeman someday.
With a gentle sigh, Shelly said to Sienna, "There's not much happening here. You can head back to manage the corner store. I'd like to stay by Felix's side and chat with Captain Morrison. You go on ahead."
Sienna hesitantly looked back at Daniel. A strong emotion seemed to flicker in both their eyes in that brief exchange of glances. Her heart raced with a mixture of sadness and pain.
After a few days of not seeing him, she came to the stark realization of just how much she had missed him.
Yet, in this moment of meeting him face to face, she couldn't summon any reason to utter another word or steal one more glance at him.
"I guess I should head back," Sienna said with a heavy heart before leaving.
Daniel felt a strong impulse to rise from his seat, his muscles tensing with the urge. But he fought against it. He clenched his fists to restrain himself.
He couldn't tear his eyes away from Sienna as she walked away. His stare was filled with longing and unspoken words.
With her experience in matters of
the heart Shelly naturally
empathized with the emotions of young people. She understood everything, yet couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness.
"Captain Morrison, you've seen what happened to Felix. These drug lords are ruthless. They're capable of anything, and their methods are inhumane," Shelly remarked.
Daniel knew firsthand the horrors of dealing with drug lords. To him, they weren't even human.
"Mrs. Lawson, I promise to ensure Felix's safety. I won't let anything happen to him again," Daniel reassured her.
Feeling resigned, Shelly asked, "If I don't approve of you and Sienna being together, will you resent me?"