Ch. 771..780
Chapter 771
Sienna hesitated for a moment, casting a glance back at Mila.
Mila pushed Sienna toward the door. "Quick. Go on."
"All right. I'll leave now," Sienna said, picking up her pace to catch up with Daniel.
They stepped outside and got into the car. Later, Sienna gave Daniel the address.
During the drive, Sienna kept her gaze fixed out of the window. The atmosphere in the car was heavy with tension.
Daniel sneakily looked at her several times, seeing how distant she seemed throughout the journey.
"Is there something urgent?" Daniel couldn't help but ask, his concern evident in his voice.
Sienna responded with a hum.
"Do you need any help?" he asked again.
"No, thank you."
Silence settled between them once more. Eventually, the car pulled up before a large building. Sienna unfastened her seatbelt and stepped out of the car.
Before closing the door, she turned to Daniel and expressed her gratitude. "Thank you. You don't have to wait for me. You can head back."
She closed the door and hurried toward the building.
Daniel stepped out of the car and closed the door behind him. A heavy weight settled in his heart as he watched Sienna's fading figure. Concern flooded him as he glanced up at the imposing building again. If Sienna hadn't been right before him, he could've ignored her affairs and refrained from asking about her. But now, with her so close, he couldn't bring himself to look away.
Inside the editor's office, Sienna and her editor sat on the couch, examining the two books in their hands.
Harvey Yelden's expression was particularly unpleasant. He angrily jabbed at the books in his hands.
"What's the meaning of this? This is blatant plagiarism. If you're going to plagiarize, couldn't you at least change the main characters' names?"
Sienna closed the books and took a deep breath to suppress her anger. "When was the author's book published?"
"A year ago," Harvey replied, leaning back on the couch. "Three months before yours."
Sienna tossed the books onto the couch. "It's indeed plagiarism, but the author is the one plagiarizing from me. The story is my original creation."
"The problem is, the author's book was published three months before yours. you accuse the author of plagiarism, do you think readers will believe you? Will a judge believe you?"
"You're my editor. You know I've been working on this story for a long time. I saved my drafts for six months before I started publishing."
Feeling helpless, Harvey softened his tone a bit. "Sienna, no one will believe you if you can't provide evidence."
"What should we do now?" Sienna asked.
She wasn't going to compromise. She despised plagiarists and refused to tolerate their actions.
Harvey sighed deeply. "They're demanding 300 thousand dollars in compensation. They also want our company to recall all your published books and for you to post a public apology on social media."
"Let's take this to court," Sienna said firmly.
Harvey looked confused. "They're just negotiating with us right now. They haven't sued you yet. Why do you want to go to court?"
"I want to sue the author for plagiarism."
Harvey reacted as if he had heard the biggest joke ever. He felt both exasperated and amused. "Sienna, you need to face reality. All the current evidence points to you plagiarizing their work.
"They're giving you a way out by not suing you. If this goes to court, you'll lose. You'll be branded as a plagiarist. Readers will abandon you, and your reputation will be ruined."
"Let me repeat," Sienna said, emphasizing her words. "This book is my original work. There's no plagiarism or borrowing."
"No one believes that."
"That doesn't mean I can tolerate such unethical behavior from plagiarists."
"You're being stubborn. Are you risking your career for this?"
"I would rather never write again than bow down to a plagiarist." Sienna's determination was unwavering.
Frustrated, Harvey said, "Let's put your book signing event next month on hold. Resolve this issue first, then we'll decide whether to proceed with the event."
Chapter 772
Chapter 772
Sienna stood up, her tone calm and resolute. "However you choose to cancel the event, it's none of my concern. I'll be there on the agreed date with the readers, even if just one shows up. I won't disappoint them."
With that, she nodded goodbye and turned to leave.
But Harvey hurried to catch up. "Sienna, wait. Let's talk it through and resolve this."
"Your solution is for me to admit fault, offer compensation, and take down my book."
Harvey walked beside her, saying, "The best approach is to handle this quietly before it becomes widely known."
Standing by the elevator, Sienna pressed the button and turned to him. "Harvey, I'll say it again. I won't admit to something I didn't do."
"Fine. Do you have any proof?" he asked.
"Does having the draft count?"
"Of course not."
Sienna's face grew darker. When the elevator doors opened, she stepped inside.
Harvey followed her, trying to reason. "Alright, I believe it's your draft, but they updated their work three months before you. The court won't believe you."
"I want to meet the author," Sienna replied. She was curious to see who had the nerve to steal the first half of her story draft. The second half of the story was entirely different.
"The author refuses to see you. The contracted company has sent a lawyer to represent her to discuss the matter."
As the elevator doors opened with a ding, Sienna quickly walked out. "Then there's nothing to discuss. We'll sue them for plagiarism."
Harvey kept pace with her. "Sienna, be rational."
"I am being rational."
"You're gambling with your future," Harvey warned as he walked. "You're inviting trouble."
Sienna remained unmoved.
In a moment of frustration, Harvey grabbed Sienna's arm, pulling her back to prevent her from moving forward.
Caught off guard, Sienna stumbled into his chest. As she steadied herself, she pushed against Harvey's hand.
Suddenly, a tall figure rushed in, forcefully holding Sienna's arm and pulling her away from Harvey. Startled, Sienna found herself falling into Daniel's strong, warm embrace.
"You..." she began, but before she could finish, Daniel had already enveloped her in his protective hold.
His expression was stern and authoritative, his gaze piercing as he stared at Harvey. "Who are you accusing of inviting trouble?"
The sheer intensity of Daniel's presence made Harvey tremble slightly. Flustered, he quickly explained, "That's not what I meant."
Sienna hadn't expected Daniel to still be there waiting for her. She pushed against his chest and stepped back, explaining, "He's my editor."
Daniel's eyes remained sharp, filled with caution as he glared at Harvey.
The intense scrutiny made Harvey uneasy. Trying to maintain his composure, he said coldly, "Don't misunderstand. Go back and talk some sense into your girlfriend. "She needs to apologize and compensate where necessary, resolving this matter without jeopardizing her career."
"He's not " Sienna began to clarify.
However, Daniel interrupted her, concerned. "Why should she apologize? And to whom does she owe compensation?"
"She's been accused of plagiarizing
someone else's book, and their
company is demanding
compensation," Harvey explained, exasperated. "They've approached us politely, but Sienna wants to sue them instead. She won't listen."
Daniel's expression darkened as he looked at Sienna. She avoided his gaze, stubbornly remaining silent.
On their way back to Morrison
Residence, Daniel tried to ask her
about the situation, but Siennacurtly replied, "It's my business. You don't
have to worry about it."
Daniel didn't press further. After dropping her off, he left without another word.
Chapter 773
Chapter 773
Daniel didn't get the full story from Sienna; instead, he went to her company to speak with Harvey. From him, Daniel learned all the details and took Sienna's book home.
For the first time, he discovered Sienna's pen name and the genre she wrote in. A man who had never read a romance novel before, Daniel hid in his room, secretly reading her words.
In Sienna's book, the male protagonist bore a striking resemblance to him. He spent an entire day and night without sleep, reading the book that had been plagiarized-over two hundred thousand words, neither too long nor too short.
The ending was tragically poignant, with the main characters going their separate ways, leaving a lifetime of regret. The story moved him to tears multiple times, his chest heavy with emotion.
It was the serene morning of Mila's wedding eve when Sienna woke up early to accompany Mila back to Hoffis Manor. As she opened the door, she was startled to see Daniel standing there motionless. Looking at him, she asked, "Is there something you need?"
Daniel raised his hand and handed her the book. Upon seeing her own book, Sienna's reaction was intense. She snatched it from his hand, exasperated. "Why did you read my book?"
"Isn't it meant to be read?" Daniel replied calmly.
Sienna was at a loss for words, feeling a mix of discomfort and embarrassment. It wasn't anger but something more awkward.
"I finished it," Daniel said softly.
Sienna's cheeks flushed. She lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze, feeling as if she had been caught doing something shameful. This book was fine, but if he had read her previous one, she would've been utterly mortified.
"You should sue the author," Daniel said firmly. "You can win."
Sienna looked at him, bewildered.
Harvey had assured her that she would lose the case. Despite her anger and determination to fight, she had no confidence in winning. Why was Daniel so certain?
"It's not as simple as you think," Sienna replied.
"I'll help you."
"I don't need your help. Don't abuse your power," Sienna rejected outright.
She knew that Daniel could
undoubtedly resolve this issue. He had power in the city and was well-connected with judges and officials. There was also Nathan's national status, not to mention the influence of the Morrison family. Even so, she didn't want to use those means.
"Abuse my power?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled.
"How else would you help me?" Sienna questioned.
"The internet leaves traces." Daniel had no idea how to explain to Sienna, so he resorted to simpler terms. "From the moment you typed the first word of your book on your laptop, it left a trail. The best
network engineers can trace it. Their
proof is legally valid."
Upon seeing her surprise, Daniel's expression softened, and he smiled gently. "Having an engineer in court to examine the other party's computer can reveal the source of the stolen material."
Sienna stared at him in shock.
"Is it really that simple?" Sienna asked, incredulous.
"Yes, but these network engineers
วน
are not easily accessible. They are top talents, usually working in crucial national Coles," Daniel patiently explained. "For example, adjusting missile data, preventing foreign hackers, and national cybersecurity research."
Sienna felt a heaviness in her heart as she looked at Daniel's slightly reddened eyes. Had he stayed up all night, or had he been crying? Why were his eyes red? Sienna saw a glimmer of hope and asked, "Why are you helping me?"
Chapter 774
Chapter 774
Chapter 774
"You're Wanda's friend. Helping you is the least I can do," Daniel said with a forced, bitter smile. "Besides, with her skills, she could help you too."
Sienna felt a pang of disappointment. Deep down, she still had lingering feelings for him and held onto hope. After their abrupt breakup a year ago, she should've known her place. She wondered why she still harbored fantasies about Daniel. She wanted to slap herself for her foolishness.
"Thank you," she replied faintly, then immediately shut the door. She locked it, leaned against the door, and stared ahead, her vision blurred by tears. She didn't want her troubles to dampen Mila's wedding joy.
On the wedding day, Sienna couldn't resist Mila's persistent pleas and ended up being her bridesmaid. Mila, in her stunning white wedding gown and exquisite makeup, looked like a beloved princess. She walked arm-in-arm with Nathan through the romantic garden—surrounded by flowers, green trees, and a lush natural lawn—with petals dancing in the air. The scene was incredibly romantic.
The guest list was small, consisting of only close family, friends, and professional partners. Every face was beaming with happiness. Mila and Nathan recited their vows, their eyes glistening with emotion. Nathan, brimming with excitement, declared, "Chubs, I finally get to marry you." At that moment, both were teary-eyed. In front of their loved ones, they exchanged rings and kissed. Their wedding was simple and refined, without any tacky emcees or silly games.
Nathan's best man was his new assistant, Dominic Youngblood. He was only 23, four years younger than Sienna. He was youthful and handsome.
After the ceremony, the reception began. Mila changed into a beautiful evening gown and joined everyone for food and drinks while getting well wishes from the guests. At the other end of the lawn, a music stage played soothing piano melodies. Sienna sat at a table, enjoying the buffet.
"You look beautiful today, Sienna," a man's voice said. Turning, she saw Dominic holding a cocktail, his smile warm and eyes friendly.
"Wanda said you're 23, so I'm four years older than you. Shouldn't you call me Ms. Lawson?" Sienna replied casually.
Taking a seat beside her, Dominic continued the conversation. "So, you and Mrs. Morrison talked about me?"
Sienna was surprised by the implication in his words. After a brief pause, she decided to brush it off and focused on her food.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Dominic asked.
"No," Sienna answered shortly.
"I don't have a girlfriend, either. Do you mind dating younger men?" Dominic whispered boldly in her ear.
Sienna felt her ears heat up and quickly pulled away. While a confession from someone she cared for might be delightful, this sudden advance from a stranger felt intrusive.
"I don't like younger men," she said, making an excuse to reject him.
Dominic leaned closer, his eyes intense, voice husky. "How would you know if you don't try?"
Over the years, Sienna had dealt with many suitors and had perfected her methods of rejection. Setting down her utensils and wiping her mouth with a napkin, Sienna put on a charming smile. Leaning toward Dominic, she reached out and grabbed his tie, pulling him closer with a hint of intimacy. Her clear, expressive eyes locked onto his.
Chapter 775
Sienna's voice was like a gentle enchantment.
"If you wish to be with me, you must agree to three conditions," she stated.
Dominic's excitement was palpable. "What are they?"
"First, we'll get married before we start dating."
Dominic hesitated for a few seconds but then nodded happily.
"Second, after marriage, you'll live with my family, and any children we have will carry my last name."
Dominic's face changed dramatically, and he remained silent.
"Third, you'll hand over your bank card and all your income to me. I'll manage it."
Dominic was rendered speechless. He forced a stiff smile and slowly held Sienna's hand, gently pushing it away from his tie.
"Ms. Lawson, I don't think we're a good match."
The shift to calling her "Ms. Lawson" signaled a newfound respect, suggesting his decision to step back.
Just as Sienna was about to release his tie, someone rudely grabbed her arm, yanking her away from Dominic. Dominic froze as he met Daniel's cold, piercing gaze. Daniel's presence was as chilling as ice, filled with intense anger that seemed ready to crush him. Trembling, Dominic nodded in respect quickly and turned to leave.
Sienna's arm throbbed painfully. Watching Daniel, she sensed a trace of loneliness in him. What was he doing at this moment?
After silently staring at Dominic until he left, Daniel turned and grabbed Sienna's arm without a word. He dragged her toward the inn. His grip was strong, hurting her arm. His strides were so fast that she, in high heels, had to half-run to keep up and avoid stumbling.
"Daniel, what are you doing?" Sienna shouted anxiously, her heart pounding with unease. Daniel didn't respond or slow down. As they neared the inn's entrance, Sienna pulled against him and struggled with all her might, her feet digging into the ground to stop him from dragging her further.
Feeling her resistance, Daniel stopped and turned to face her. He was dressed impeccably in a finely tailored suit for the wedding. The air of elegance and charm he exuded was different from how he was usually.
It was also the first time Sienna had seen him so angry. His expression was dark, his eyes sharp and cold, tinged with a hint of fury. Daniel released her and irritably loosened the knot of his tie. His voice was full of sarcasm. "First meeting and already so close? If there's a room available, should you two have already started?"
Sienna had weathered her share of humiliating remarks in life. Even so, Daniel's words cut deeper, twisting like a knife in her heart. She struggled to find a response, her eyes welling up with tears.
Biting her lip, she held back her tears. She clenched her fists, and her nails dug into her palms. She refused to appear weak and vulnerable in front of Daniel.
Without a word, Sienna turned to leave. She had barely taken two steps when Daniel strode forward, yanking her arm to stop her. "Sienna, stay right here."
Daniel's abrupt pull made her spin, and Sienna slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed, her palm stinging, but her heart ached more. Despite everything, she felt a pang of regret for causing him pain.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at him. His handsome features were now marked with the red imprint of her slap. For a moment, Daniel stood there in stunned silence, his tongue pressing against his cheek. Jealousy and hurt clouded his mind, erasing his rationality.
In a fit of madness, he pushed Sienna against the nearby wall and kissed her passionately. Caught off guard, Sienna was overwhelmed by his wild, desperate kiss, filled with years of pent-up desire and bitter anger. Sienna's resistance melted away, and she quickly got lost in the intensity.
Chapter 776
Chapter 776
The ambiguity in the air grew thicker.
Sienna's lips throbbed, swollen from Daniel's kisses. His hands tugged at the neckline of her dress, his lips trailing down, devouring her with fervent, unrelenting passion.
Though Sienna yearned to break free, her body, weakened and trembling from his touch, betrayed her. She lacked the strength to push him away.
Unable to push away Daniel's strong frame, the thought of his indifference and lack of love for her, yet still treating her this way, stung deeply and pierced Sienna's heart like needles. Her breath hitched, her voice breaking with a sob. "Please, let me go!"
Daniel paused and buried his face in her shoulder. He panted, his breath hot and ragged against her neck.
At that moment, a voice filled with sorrow broke through the air. "I'm sorry."
As he regained his senses, he realized how harshly and irrationally he behaved, which shocked him. Because of Sienna, he had lost control.
His simple apology broke Sienna's resolve, and tears streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry, Sienna," Daniel murmured again, his voice heavy with regret. He stepped back, giving her space.
Regaining her composure, Sienna pushed against his chest, forcing him to stumble back a few steps. Without waiting for an explanation, she ran toward the inn with tears blurring her vision. Frustrated, Daniel ran his hands through his hair. He walked toward the wall and leaned his forehead against it, his eyes shut in agony.
A year had passed, and he still couldn't let go. He felt like he was losing his mind.
...
After the wedding, Nathan took Mila and Jasper on a honeymoon trip.
Upon returning to work, Daniel immediately submitted his resignation. His superiors thought he was insane, persistently trying to talk him out of it and returning his resignation letter each time. His colleague, Ryan Campbell, was particularly shocked.
Ryan couldn't fathom why Daniel, of all people, would be resigning. He found Daniel and angrily demanded, "What's wrong with you? Why are you quitting? Do you have a terminal illness?"
"No," came Daniel's answer.
"Then why?"
"I don't want to do this anymore."
"Have you lost your mind?" Ryan couldn't believe him. "You've been chasing a major case for years. That drug lord who almost killed you is still out there. Could you really walk away like this?"
Daniel carefully organized his unfinished cases, categorizing and summarizing them for an easy handover. "From now on, it'll be your job to continue the pursuit
Ryan, who had been Daniel's friend and colleague for over a decade, knew his passion and sense of honor. He couldn't understand why Daniel would give it up. Handing the files to Ryan, Daniel met his friend's angry gaze.
Ryan threw the documents back onto the desk and said, "If you don't explain, you won't get to resign don't care what the higher-ups say; I don't approve."
Daniel glanced at his watch. It was already past working hours. He pulled out his phone and car keys, standing up.
Looking at Ryan, he hesitated for a moment before asking, "If your mother-in-law made you choose between your job and your wife, what would you do?"
Ryan scoffed, "My mother-in-law supports my job. She's proud of what I do. She'd never make me choose."
Daniel sighed, defeated. "A year ago, my girlfriend's mother made me choose. I chose my career. Now, I regret it."
Ryan was stunned. "You had a girlfriend? Since when? Who was she?"
Daniel ignored him and walked out. Ryan followed, peppering him with questions. "Why didn't you tell me? Aren't we friends?"
"We broke up."
"Because of her mother?"
"Yeah."
"Did you ever ask your ex-girlfriend? Maybe she supported your career and didn't mind at all?"
Chapter 777
Chapter 777
Daniel stopped in his tracks and looked at Ryan, asking, "So, should I have forced her to choose between her mother and me?"
Ryan was at a loss for words. Making his ex-girlfriend choose while he couldn't give up his job did seem selfish. He suddenly understood Daniel's decision. "Do you love her that much? Even more than your job?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Is there no other way?"
"No."
"It's been a year. Are you sure she still likes you?"
Hearing Ryan's question, Daniel's expression darkened, uncertainty clouding his eyes.
Reading Daniel's thoughts from his expression, Ryan exclaimed, "You never discussed this with her, did you? Do you think quitting your job will fix everything?" "Not yet. I want to get her mother's approval first."
Ryan scoffed and patted his shoulder. "Don't be naive. After a year apart, she might not feel the same. Women nowadays are practical, and they can't stand loneliness. She's probably dated a few people and moved on by now."
Daniel fell silent, his heart tightening painfully. He recalled seeing Sienna and Dominic laughing and flirting at the wedding. She no longer seemed like the shy, lively girl he remembered from a year ago. She didn't seem to love him much back then, let alone now.
Ryan saw Daniel's stunned expression and patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't rush into quitting. Think it through."
On the way home, Daniel's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, all centered on Sienna. He passed an old bakery and remembered how much she loved their handmade pastries. He stopped his car and bought two boxes.
Returning to Morrison Residence, he walked in with the bag, his eyes scanning the living room before glancing upstairs toward Sienna's room.
It was almost dinner time, and the family was chatting in the living room while waiting for everyone's return for the meal. After greeting them, Daniel continued looking around.
Florence remarked calmly, "Stop looking. Sienna left."
Daniel paused. "Left? Where did she go?"
Florence sighed. "She thanked us and said she didn't want to be a burden. She said some pleasantries but didn't tell us where she was going."
Daniel set down the pastries and dashed upstairs, bursting into Sienna's room. It was spotless, with no trace of her presence.
He clenched his fists, feeling a painful throb in his heart and a spasm in his stomach. It was hard to breathe.
Daniel pulled out his phone and tried
calling Sienna, but the call
go through. After their breakdo
had blocked all contact with him.
Dejected, he walked into her room and sat on her bed. He leaned forward with his hands covering his face, trying to calm his turmoil.
Florence entered and saw Daniel's despair. She felt his pain deeply.
"Daniel, Sienna is a wonderful woman. If you love her, be brave and tell her. It's okay even if she rejects you. Our family is well-off, and you have many good qualities. If you show her your sincerity, she'll be moved."
"Mom, just leave me alone." Daniel's voice was low and trembling.
Florence sighed softly and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Daniel let out a long breath and collapsed onto the bed, covering his eyes with his arm.
In the silent room, the feeling of loneliness grew ever stronger.
Chapter 778
Chapter 778
Dark clouds shrouded the rising sun, and mist spread across the landscape. Sienna stood halfway up the hill of Memorial Heights, clutching a bouquet. Her gaze was full of sorrow as she looked at Shelly's photo on the tombstone.
For the past year, she had been traveling and working. It had been too long since she visited Shelly's grave.
"Mom, I came back yesterday. I visited Felix. He's doing great in the prison, behaving well, and even had his sentence reduced."
Sienna moved closer, placing the flowers near the headstone. She sat next to it, leaning against Shelly's grave. Gazing at the distant mountains, she appreciated the serene, beautiful surroundings. "It's peaceful and lovely here," she murmured with a faint smile.
"Mom, living here isn't bad at all. At least it's away from the noise and worries. It's peaceful here, and we can enjoy mountains, scenery, and moonlight.
"I have another important reason for coming back this time. I want to find Jane." Sienna's tone grew heavy, her mood somber.
"But her parents said she's working in Phoenicia now, and I can't reach her. Do you think Jane could've been the one who stole my manuscript?" Naturally, Shelly couldn't respond.
After a moment of reflection, Sienna continued, "She's the only one who had access to my laptop. The plagiarized parts are exactly what I had saved before leaving the town. Everything I wrote afterward is different.
"But we grew up together like sisters. I can't believe she'd do such a thing. I can't find her now, Mom, and I feel so lost.
"There's one more thing. I saw him." Sienna lowered her head.
Thinking of Daniel made her mood sink into inexplicable sadness. "I don't know what he wants. He clearly despised my background and thought I wasn't good enough for him, yet he's acting like he still cares." "Mom, I miss you so much!" Sienna poured her heart out, even though there was no response. Just saying the words made her feel a bit better.
After all, there was no one else in the world with whom she felt safe enough to share her innermost thoughts.
By noon, Sienna left Memorial Heights. She visited her old apartment, only to take a glance before moving on.
Dragging her suitcase, she headed to Market Street to see Shelly's old corner store. But time had changed everything; the store was gone and replaced by a small restaurant.
She stood at the entrance for a
moment,
Memories flooding back. She recalled Shelly being busy restocking shelves while Felix lazily played games at the counter. They were scenes of ordinary, happy times that now felt like distant, blurred recollections.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Sienna moved on, dragging her suitcase through familiar streets and alleys.
She boarded a bus, leaning against the window to watch the passing scenery.
At that moment, she felt utterly lost with no goals, no direction, no endpoint, and nothing to strive for.
Sienna had no clue why she was
earning money anymore. She had no
desire to indulge in food, drink, or
entertainment. Dressing up or pleasing herself, or anyone else, felt pointless.
She had no desire to buy a car since she did not know how to drive, and the thought of traveling alone held little appeal for her. With no one else to live with her, she had no interest in buying a house.
Her phone rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the unfamiliar number and answered.
"Sienna, it's Jane. My parents said you were looking for me. What's up?" Jane's voice came through. Sienna felt a surge of emotion. "Jane, why didn't you tell me you changed your number?" "Sorry, I forgot."
Chapter 779
Chapter 779
"What about social media? Why did you block me?" Sienna inquired.
"Sorry, Sienna. Why exactly did you call me?" Jane's response left Sienna somewhat resigned, a sense of foreboding settling over her. Such was the way of supposed lifelong friends. Sienna had no interest in maintaining one-sided emotional investments in friendships. Cutting straight to the chase, she asked, "Jane, did you write 'Into the Light'?"
There was silence on the other end.
For Sienna, this silence was deafening. She couldn't believe it. Her heart clenched with a mix of sorrow and indignation. "So, 'Into the Light' is really your work?"
"Yes." Jane's voice, though slightly hollow, carried an air of entitlement. "I've already bought the book's copyright and secured a film contract."
Sienna let out a wry smile, her eyes moistening. "I never imagined that my best friend would steal my book. I-"
Before Sienna could finish, Jane cut her off, her tone assertive, "Sienna, my book was published three months before yours. Who copied whom? It's pretty clear, isn't it?"
Sienna sighed bitterly. "Jane, do you know the meaning of shame when you speak like this?"
Once again, Jane fell silent.
Sienna closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and clenched her phone tightly, suppressing her anger.
After a moment, she spoke again, her voice measured. "I wrote tens of thousands of words for this book and stored it on my laptop. I never thought that even with all precautions, my best friend could still betray me."
Jane remained resolute. "Sienna, let's be clear. I'm the original creator, and you plagiarized my novel. Considering our friendship, I didn't want to sue you. But my company insisted on holding you accountable.
"I've pleaded with them, and as long as you compensate me privately and issue an apology, we can consider this matter settled. There's no need to take it to court."
Sienna's laughter was cold. "Jane, I
never knew you treasured our
relationship so much and
considered our bond. But too bad, it seems I'm more ruthless than you. All I want now is to destroy you. Just wait; we'll see each other in court."
With that, Sienna hung up the phone.
She was seething. The mere thought that Jane could be behind the plagiarism issue made her heart throb.
Upon checking into the Ridge Grand Hotel in Phoenicia, Sienna wasted no time and began preparing the materials for the lawsuit. She also got her company to hire a lawyer. Despite days of tireless preparation, the lawyer shook his head in dismay after perusing her documents.
Seated in the hotel's ground-floor
restaurant, Sienna and the lawyer mulled over their options for the impending lawsuit. The lawyer
proposed seeking a setteet
given the slim chances of success in court.
UM
"This case is a long shot," the lawyer admitted, his frustration palpable.
Contemplating for a moment, Sienna proposed, "What if I could find some top-tier network engineers who could retrieve the timestamps of my book's creation? Perhaps we could trace the exact route she took to steal my work."
The lawyer's confidence reignited as he slammed his hand on the table. "That might work. It's a strong play. But where would you find such experts?"
"Government agencies." Sienna mused, thinking of Wanda.
However, she was away on her honeymoon. Sienna refused to let such trivialities sour her mood and vacation. If necessary, she'd turn to Daniel. After all, he had promised to help her.
The lawyer was taken aback. "But those people are vital assets to the nation. They don't entertain private ventures. It's hard for you to get their support."
Sienna couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride at his words. Indeed, for someone as ordinary and inconsequential as herself to have forged a bond with someone like Wanda was nothing short of miraculous.
Beyond Wanda, she was also friends with Daniel, Nathan, Cole, and Phoebe, who were from entirely different walks of life.
"Aren't you Daniel's ex-girlfriend?" A woman's voice suddenly cut through the air, laced with disdain. "What a surprise to see you here."
Both Sienna and the lawyer turned to look at the speaker.
Chapter 780
Chapter 780
It was Vivian.
Adorned in an exquisite custom-made gown, she exuded an air of elegance and grandeur. She looked like she was going to walk the red carpet or grace a prestigious event. At her side stood a charming and refined woman in a tailored suit.
Sienna had no desire to engage in small talk with Vivian. She regarded her with a sense of detachment.
"Is this your new boyfriend?" Vivian cast a fleeting glance at the lawyer.
The lawyer promptly rose to his feet and extended his business card. "I represent Ms. Lawson legally, not in the capacity you're suggesting."
Vivian acknowledged him with a nonchalant hum, declining his card. She directed a frosty stare at Sienna.
A faint mocking smile played on her lips as she said, "Perhaps Daniel was initially drawn to you because you bore some resemblance to me. But once the allure faded, he likely found you lacking.
"After all, a plain Jane will always remain just that. To rise higher, one must possess self-awareness."
Sienna clenched her fists slowly, suppressing her emotions, a twinge of pain stabbing at her heart.
"Let's go, we have no time to waste," the woman beside Vivian commanded authoritatively.
Vivian's demeanor immediately softened. "Sure."
They turned to leave, but Sienna called out to Vivian in a cold tone.
Vivian paused and turned to face her.
Sienna rose to her feet, assessing Vivian. "How much is your outfit worth?"
A smug grin curved Vivian's lips as she jeered, "It's a price beyond your means."
"Fifty thousand dollars?" Sienna ventured.
Vivian scoffed, "Fifty thousand? That's barely considered high-end couture. This dress was handcrafted by the most renowned designer overseas, valued at 150 thousand dollars, and-"
150 thousand dollars? Sienna had saved a considerable sum from her royalties that year. She could afford it.
Without hesitation, she grabbed the coffee from the table and splashed it on Vivian's dress.
The lawyer was utterly shocked.
Vivian recoiled in horror, bumping into the woman beside her.
Then, a piercing scream shattered the tranquility, laced with fury and panic.
All eyes in the coffee shop turned toward Vivian. Spotting the celebrity, they whipped out their phones to capture the moment.
Vivian's face flushed with rage as she fixed Sienna with a steely glare, her teeth tightly clenched. "You lunatic, do you even realize what you've done? This dress costs 150 thousand dollars. You can't afford it. "You've sabotaged my event. Just wait and see; I'll make sure you regret this."
Turning to the woman beside her,
Vivian cast a pitiful glance, her voice trembling with tears. "Alex, you have to help me. This crazy woman ruined my dress. How am I
supposed to explain this to
the
brand? How can I attend the event
now?"
Alex stared at Sienna in disbelief.
Setting the cup down, Siennal
feigned remorse. "I'm truly sorry. The drink accidentally slipped from my
hand and stained your dress. talk to my lawyer about
Vease
compensation. I'll reimburse you for the dress as soon as possible."
For Vivian, it wasn't merely a garment worth 150 thousand dollars. It symbolized an opportunity to garne media attention, grace the red carpet alongside A-list celebrities, and perhaps secure multimillion-dollar endorsement deals.
Sienna was cutting off her nose to spite her face.
She had been contemplating how to splurge the royalties she had diligently saved over the past year on herself. Now, she had spent 150 thousand dollars in one swift motion.
It was a reckless act, yet undeniably satisfying!
Alex offered a faint smile to Sienna and then guided Vivian away from the restaurant.
That night, in the hush of darkness, Sienna lay on her bed, pondering. Raised with her parents' thrifty ways, she was never one to chase designer labels or indulge in extravagant cuisine.
After scrimping and saving for half a lifetime, she had finally amassed a significant sum. Yet, now she had parted with 150 thousand in one fell swoop. Her heart twinged at the loss.
The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Sienna arrived at Morrison Residence. It had been more than ten days since she last stayed there for Wanda's wedding.