Ch. 781: -790

Chapter 781

Florence warmly greeted Sienna, expressing genuine concern and asking how she had been lately. When she found out Sienna was looking for Daniel, Florence happily sent him a message. "Sienna's here to see you. Finish up and head home soon."

Upon getting Florence's message, Daniel quickly put aside his work and sped home. The hurried slam of the door and his quick footsteps made quite a stir.

Sienna and Florence turned to see who had just come in.

Daniel was slightly out of breath. He looked at Sienna with a blend of nerves and concern in his eyes.

Florence smiled and said, "Daniel's back. You two catch up. I'll go tend to my flowers in the greenhouse."

She tactfully excused herself, leaving them alone in the living room.

Sienna stood up, offering a polite nod of greeting.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Daniel walked over, setting his car keys on the coffee table before settling into the armchair beside Sienna.

Sienna settled into her seat as well. Memories of Daniel forcefully kissing her at the wedding flashed through her mind. Her cheeks flushed, and she felt anxious. "Yes, I need to talk to you about something." "Is it about the lawsuit?" Daniel asked, his concern evident.

Sienna nodded. "Yeah, Wanda's still on her honeymoon, and I don't want to bother her. Could you help me find a network engineer? I'll cover the cost. They won't be working for free."

Daniel paused, his brow furrowing slightly.

"As long as the price is fair," Sienna added.

"When something becomes paid, it can easily slide into bribery. Matters that should be fair can turn sour," Daniel explained gently.

Sienna suddenly came to realize, and she nodded after a brief pause. "Oh."

"Sienna, there's something I want to tell you," Daniel said, leaning in nervously while fidgeting with his hands.

"What is it?"

"I want to meet your mother. Can we arrange a meeting? I want to tell you something in front of her." Daniel's tone was gentle yet pleading.

Sienna sighed quietly and lowered her head in silence. She felt uncomfortable and had no idea what he wanted to say.

Daniel continued, "There are certain things that need to be said with your mother present, only-"

"My mom is no longer with us," Sienna interrupted, her voice laced with sorrow. "She struggled with depression, feeling trapped, and took her own life a year ago."

Daniel fell silent. His body tensed up, and he couldn't speak. In that instant, his mind went blank, yet his heart ached in resonance with Sienna's grief.

Sienna's eyes filled with tears, yet she mustered a smile and the courage to face the reality.

She remarked casually, "Maybe it's due to Felix being jailed that my mom's depression worsened. It really affected her mood."

Daniel felt another sharp blow to his heart. He couldn't imagine the depth of pain Sienna had endured in the past year.

She had been through a sudden

breakup, Felix's imprisonment, and the loss of Shelly. One by one, the people she loved had left her.

Anyone less resilient might have ne

crumbled under such

circumstances.

Daniel felt a sharp ache in his heart. All he wanted was to hold Sienna close and soothe her pain gently. But he knew he couldn't.

Shelly was no longer alive, and

without proof, he couldn't truthfully explain the reason for their breakup Any attempt to explain would likely come across as an excuse or, worse, as an attack on Shelly in Sienna's eyes.

Daniel was torn, unsure of how to navigate this delicate situation. The timing felt off. He realized that his explanations might be perceived as solely blaming Shelly and absolving himself of responsibility.

Changing his approach, Daniel asked, "Sienna, are you seeing someone?"

Sienna forced a bitter smile, feigning composure. "Why the sudden interest in my personal life?"

Daniel's tone carried genuine concern. "You're not getting any younger. 27 is a good age to settle down."

Chapter 782

Chapter 782

Sienna nodded and hummed in response.

"I'm not getting any younger, too, and I still haven't found the right woman to marry. Why don't we just settle and get married?" Daniel's hands sweated nervously as he spoke.

Sienna's expression shifted suddenly.

Not getting any younger? Settle?

Without a word, she grabbed her bag, stood up, and started walking away.

Daniel quickly caught up with Sienna and grabbed her arm, pulling her back. Urgency laced his words as he spoke, "Sienna, we're both adults now.

"We've moved beyond the awkward and shy stages of young love. Isn't blind dating and marriage all about assessing a person's compatibility?"

Sienna managed a bitter smile, sadness evident in her eyes. Each word she uttered was laden with emphasis, "Mr. Morrison, I wasn't up to your standards before, and now I'm even less deserving of you." "I didn't mean any of those things I said when we broke up. They were all insincere," Daniel explained anxiously, gripping Sienna's arm with his other hand.

He added, "I believe no amount of explanation will be enough. Why don't we be practical and let time show us the truth?"

Tears welled up in Sienna's eyes, her heart heavy with pain. "What are you trying to do?"

Daniel's demeanor showed sincerity, his eyes reflecting genuine earnestness. "If you're not interested in anyone, and now that you're at an age suitable for marriage, why not consider marrying me? "We've known each other for so long, inside and out. I can offer you a home, a comfortable life, someone to lean on, sparing you from further hardships and toiling again. What's not to like?" Sienna couldn't contain her tears any longer. They flowed freely down her cheeks.

She might have been deeply touched and eager to accept his proposal if this happened a year ago. But now, she simply felt pathetic.

Tears streaked down Sienna's face as she spoke, her tone dripping with sarcasm and bitterness.

"Daniel, how is it possible that a man like you hasn't found a wife yet? Isn't Vivian still waiting for you? All those heiresses and socialites, they're all vying for your attention." Witnessing Sienna's tears, Daniel's heart clenched, his eyes reddening with emotion. "Sienna, do you hate me?"

Sienna didn't hate him. In fact, she never harbored any resentment toward him.

She simply felt inadequate because

of her modest background and family circumstances, believing it was only natural for him to leave her But faced with his question, she played along. "I hate you."

"Since you hate me, why not just marry me? You can drain my finances and treat me horribly after we're wed. You can neglect my parents and refuse to have children or get along with my family.

"Then, when I've fallen for you deeply, leave me without a second thought. Just take revenge on me like this, okay?" Daniel's words were filled with earnestness and emotion.

Sienna couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the cruel scheme he proposed. After pushing his hands away, she wiped her tears. "Daniel, don't joke about such things with me I'm not up for it right now."

"This is my sincere confession." Daniel's expression was tense as he continued, "I've already handed in my resignation letter. As my wife, you won't face the same risks as before.

"Trust me, Sienna, I'll risk my life to protect you and ensure you live without worries."

Resignation? Was he quitting his job? What did he mean by saying she wouldn't face the same risks as before?

Suddenly, Sienna recalled that Daniel had broken up with her right after she had been abducted.

When Sienna was in the hospital, Daniel was deeply concerned about her and completely focused on her condition. But after going out with Shelly once, he suddenly became distant. Since then, Daniel had been neglecting Sienna and pulling away from her. Eventually, he broke up with her.

Was it because of Shelly?

Sienna gazed into his gentle and sincere eyes, her heart in turmoil as she said, "Let me think about it."

Chapter 783

Chapter 783

In the days that followed, Sienna felt completely disoriented. If she didn't love Daniel, there would be nothing to agonize over. She would have moved on decisively. But the problem was, she still loved him. Even after more than a year since their breakup, his pleas to get back together still stirred her heart. She scheduled a meeting with her lawyer to discuss court dates and other important matters.

At the law firm, the lawyer was busy attending to other clients. She could hear an angry woman's voice coming from inside through the slightly ajar door.

"When he had nothing, I stood by him through hard times. We lived in a basement and ate expired bread. Our love endured many hardships.

"I defied my parents to be with him, supporting him every step of the way. He said I was the only one he would ever love, his everything. But he turned out to be a worthless scumbag.

"Now that he's successful, he's forgotten what we went through together. He transferred all his assets to his mistress under the guise of investments. He wants to leave me with nothing. You have to help me." Sienna felt deeply troubled by what she overheard. She felt sorry for the woman inside.

Suddenly, Sienna had an epiphany. Wasn't Shelly just like that woman, enduring hardship all her life?

The difference was that Shelly's husband was incompetent, unable to provide her with romantic love or a comfortable life, and he passed away early.

She suffered her whole life, ultimately succumbing to depression and ending it all.

Sienna thought love was the most unreliable thing in the world. One moment, someone might claim to love you to death, and the next, they might despise you enough to wish you dead.

She believed almost all men were like this.

Now that Daniel wanted to marry her, why not be pragmatic and choose the man with the best conditions, even if he was a scumbag? At least if they divorced, she might have some financial security. Sienna sent a message to her lawyer. "Let's reschedule. Something came up."

She left the law firm and took a cab to the police station where Daniel worked. Standing in the shade by the entrance, she quietly waited for Daniel to appear.

A colleague entered and told Daniel, "A stunning woman's waiting for you outside. She asked for you specifically."

Confused, Daniel asked, "Who?"

"I have no idea. But she's attractive and has a great body."

The phrase "great body" didn't imply a skinny body type. Any man would naturally understand this.

Daniel hurried outside. At the

entrance, he spotted Sienna, whom he hadn't seen in days. His heart raced as he approached her,

excitement bubbling beneath

the

surface. "Sienna, are you looking for me?"

BUMS

Sienna's fingers tightened on the hem of her skirt involuntarily. She gazed at Daniel's ruggedly handsome face, finally mustering her courage after a long while. "Daniel, I agree."

Daniel was taken aback, his gaze meeting Sienna's with astonishment and joy His heart began to race, his breath quickening, and he clenched his fists involuntarily. "Sienna, are you saying you'll marry me?"

"I have two conditions."

"Two conditions? I'd even agree to 200." Daniel smiled. He couldn't contain his joy.

Sienna's expression was serious. "I don't want a wedding ceremony."

Daniel's heart constricted, and a pang of disappointment washed over him.

Noticing his subdued response, Sienna continued, "I won't live with your family."

Daniel shared her sentiment and nodded. "That's fine. You can live wherever you'd like."

With the same composed demeanor

she showed during blind dates, Sienna added, "Let me be clear t have no parents, just a brother currently in prison. I'm financially strained, with minimal savings.

"My income from writing books is quite unstable. So, I won't have any wedding gifts to offer, and you needn't provide any either. We'll simply register our marriage without a ceremony."

 

Chapter 784

Chapter 784

Daniel looked into Sienna's eyes, her determination causing a pang of emotion to prick his nose. Heartache flooded him in waves. He couldn't resist moving closer and reaching out to hug her.

But Sienna recoiled and avoided his touch.

Daniel was stunned briefly before withdrawing his hand. He sensed the lingering resentment in Sienna's heart. She seemed repelled by him.

Perhaps his words during their breakup a year ago had deeply wounded her pride.

"Let's go register our marriage," Daniel suggested.

Sienna paused before asking, "Shouldn't you discuss this with your family first?"

"It's not too late to inform them after we register." Daniel feared Sienna might change her mind, so he wanted to register their marriage promptly.

Sienna hesitated. "I don't have my identification documents with me. Let's postpone it. You should speak to your parents first. Get their approval, and then come to me.

"I'd prefer to avoid family conflicts right from the start. Once you've had the chance to speak with your family, we can then plan a time for the registration."

Daniel respected Sienna's decision. "Okay. How can I reach you?"

Sienna retrieved her phone and entered Daniel's number with her new one. His number was etched in her memory.

After the call connected, Daniel pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen.

"I'll leave now," Sienna said politely.

Daniel stepped forward. "I'll walk with you."

"It's okay. You're at work," Sienna replied.

"No worries. Plus..."

Daniel paused, realizing he was about to mention that his work handovers were almost complete. He was just waiting for approval from his manager before he could resign. Sienna waited for him to finish, but as he remained silent, she nodded and said, "I'll leave then."

With that, she turned and left.

Daniel watched her slender figure walking away, feeling a mix of emotions.

The next morning, Sienna woke up, refreshed herself, and had toast and coffee. Then, she settled in front of her laptop to start her work.

She dedicated only three to four hours each day to her writing. Her phone buzzed, and she saw a message from Daniel. "Pack your things. I'll pick you up."

Sienna felt a bit puzzled but didn't dwell on it. She closed her laptop and packed her belongings. Then, she changed into nice clothes and carefully applied makeup on her face.

MS

Half an hour later, there was a knock on her hotel door. Sienna took a deep breath before walking over to open it.

Daniel stood there, his gaze intense and his tone gentle. "Are you all packed?"

Sienna hummed in response.

Daniel entered the room, and Sienna moved out of the way. After scanning the room, he noticed a suitcase and handbag beside the bed. He picked them up and headed for the door. "Let's head downstairs and check out," Daniel said quietly as he walked past Sienna.

Sienna took the handbag from him. "I can carry this."

They left the room together, walking side by side. After checking out of the hotel, they got into Daniel's car.

Sienna felt somewhat uneasy and anxious. She wasn't sure where he was taking her. She thought maybe to the city hall.

"Have you told your family?" Sienna asked, feeling nervous.

"Yes, I have. Everyone likes you and is completely supportive," Daniel responded calmly.

While some of Daniel's siblings and

sisters-in-law had concerns about Sienna's background, they merely encouraged Daniel to consider things carefully and didn't express any opposition.

"Where are we headed?" Sienna asked.

"Back to our home," Daniel replied, glancing at Sienna.

Though still beautiful and endearing, she appeared to have lost some of her usual lively spirit. Daniel hoped to reignite Sienna's enthusiasm and bring joy back into her life. The car turned into Morrison

Residence and followed the pathway to the garden. After driving along the scenie path lined with maple trees, they arrived at a house showing distinctive Norvanian architecture.

This was where Daniel made his recovery and where he and Sienna had first crossed paths and started living together.

Sienna knew this place well and had a strong emotional connection to it.

Chapter 785

Chapter 785

Sienna stepped out of the car, her eyes sweeping over the red and yellow leaves scattered across the ground. She looked up at the long-missed sight of the house. Daniel unloaded the luggage and came to stand beside her. "Let's go inside. The code and fingerprint haven't changed."

Sienna walked up to the door and pressed her fingerprint against the reader. With a soft click, the door unlocked. She pushed the door open.

The spacious living room was bright and airy, unchanged from how she had arranged it. It was still warm and welcoming.

However, there were a few new touches-several bouquets of fresh flowers and a large, newly-acquired green plant added vibrancy to the room. The living room felt alive.

"I'll take the luggage to the room. You can sit for a bit," Daniel said, lifting the suitcase toward the master bedroom.

Sienna turned and grabbed the handle of her suitcase. "I can handle it myself."

Daniel paused, then let go and handed it over to her.

Dragging her suitcase and carrying her handbag, Sienna headed toward the guest bedroom-the room she had once slept in.

Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. He hesitated, then closed his mouth without uttering a word.

Since they weren't married, it made sense for her to sleep in the guest bedroom. It was just one more day. He wasn't in a hurry.

Sienna unpacked her suitcase, hung her clothes in the closet, and arranged her belongings. She scanned the room, feeling a surge of inexplicable happiness.

The sensation of being home washed over her. Her heart no longer felt like a piece of duckweed drifting aimlessly on a lake.

Sienna stepped out of the room to find Daniel sitting on the living room couch, engrossed in some documents.

Hearing her footsteps, he looked up and gave her a tender smile. "Come here for a moment. I have something to discuss with you."

Sienna walked over and sat on the armchair next to him.

Daniel's gaze deepened slightly as he patted the space beside him. "Sit next to me."

Feeling slightly anxious, Sienna hesitated briefly before sitting beside him.

Daniel handed her the documents he was holding and leaned in closer. "I need your help choosing a few maids for the house."

Sienna glanced down at the documents Daniel had handed her. They contained personnel details.

One cook to hire. Two housekeepers to hire. One gardener to hire. One driver to hire. Two security assistants to hire.

She noticed that there were over a dozen candidates listed for each position.

Sienna looked at him, puzzled and a bit uneasy. "It's just the two of us in this house. Do we really need to hire so many people?"

Daniel nodded.

She gestured toward the security assistants. "What are they for?"

"They're your bodyguards and assistants," Daniel explained.

Sienna gave a helpless smile. "That's unnecessary. I'm just an ordinary person. Why would I need bodyguards and assistants?"

"I don't want you to worry about housework, so housekeepers and a cook are essential. You can't drive, and Ddon't feel comfortable with you going out alone.

"Having a driver and bodyguards will make me feel more at ease when you go out," Daniel responded.

Sienna glanced down at the

documents in her hand once more.

She had once considered marrying

into Daniel's wealthy family just for the money and the luxurious lifestyle.

However, old habits die hard, and she couldn't adapt to such extravagance all at once. Her true nature was beginning to show.

After closing the documents, she said, "Let's just keep a cook and one housekeeper. We don't need the others."

Daniel gave her a gentle smile. Though it pained him to see her reaction, he respected her decisions. Her happiness was all that mattered.

"Okay," Daniel said, retrieving another document from under the coffee table and handing it to Sienna.

Sienna glanced at the documents in his hand and paused slightly. "What are these?"

"My financial statements."

"But we're not married yet."

Daniel's tone was light. "I've booked an appointment for tomorrow morning."

Sienna hesitated for a few seconds before taking the documents and starting to read.

Ignorance had been bliss. Before

seeing the documents, the gap in

their final status hadn't seemed

so vast. But as she read, her mood turned somber.

She had already felt inferior, but now she felt it even more.

Chapter 786

Chapter 786

Stocks, investments, real estate, salary, benefits, bonuses, and savings-all together amounted to hundreds of millions. Sienna couldn't bring herself to calculate the exact staggering amount. She couldn't imagine how she would ever measure up to Daniel. Feeling inadequate, she suggested, "You should consider a prenup."

Was Sienna really planning to take revenge on him and then leave him?

Daniel had no intention of letting Sienna leave after convincing her to marry him. He was determined to never give her any reason to consider divorce.

With a wry smile, he gently patted her head and said affectionately, "If I sign a prenup, how will you spend all my money? How will you get your revenge?"

Sienna had assumed his wealth was substantial, perhaps in tens of millions. Now, it appeared nearly limitless.

His considerable income would keep flowing as long as his investments remained solid and his family's business stayed afloat.

Sienna shied away from his touch, her smile tinged with bitterness. Lately, she had been consistently avoiding Daniel.

His heart sank. He handed her the documents. "From now on, you'll manage these."

Sienna reacted as if the documents were scalding. She quickly pushed them back toward him.

"I don't know a thing about managing finances, and I have no idea how to manage such a vast fortune. Please, don't burden me with this."

With those words, Sienna stood up abruptly and walked away into her room.

The door clicked shut, and Sienna leaned against it, inhaling deeply to steady her nerves. She felt completely useless.

After a lifetime marked by poverty, she was now on the verge of marrying into wealth. And yet, here she stood, paralyzed by the fear of accepting the fortune readily offered to her.

Was she truly afraid? She began to question why she had agreed to marry Daniel in the first place.

Wasn't it because she believed he was fickle? That he had returned to her out of convenience after failing to find someone better? At his core, he was just a jerk.

Hadn't she agreed to marry Daniel primarily for his wealth?

Sienna patted her cheeks and whispered to herself, "Stay focused. Stay focused. Pursue his wealth, not his affection. Otherwise, you'll end up hurt. Stay focused, Sienna. Don't fall for his affection." After repeating these words to herself, Sienna opened her laptop and started to work.

Around noon, there was a knock on the door. Sienna assumed it was Daniel and went to answer it.

A kind-looking middle-aged woman stood at the door, smiling warmly and nodding politely.

"Good day, ma'am. My name is Camille Odell. I'm the new maid. The cook has prepared lunch. Please come and have your meal."

"Hello, Camille." Sienna nodded politely and stepped out, looking around. "Where's Daniel?"

"Mr. Morrison received a call and had to step out."

Sienna pressed her lips together and nodded, then went to sit at the dining table.

The cook, Gloria Moxley, emerged from the kitchen carrying the food. After introducing herself politel

followed Camille back into the kitchen for their meal.

she

Sienna looked at the spread of four dishes and a soup, suddenly overwhelmed by the opulence. How could one person possibly eat all this?

Determined not to waste any food,

she ate everything and finished the soup down to the last drop. She ended up stuffing herself completely.

Holding her bloated stomach, Sienna went to the kitchen and softly said, "Gloria, I won't be having dinner tonight. Also, a simple dish is sufficient whenever it's just me eating. It doesn't need to be large, and please make it light."

"Yes, ma'am," Gloria replied.

"Thank you." Sienna smiled and turned to leave, unable to suppress a burp.

In the evening, Daniel returned home, hoping to share dinner with Sienna.

However, Gloria informed him, "Madam Sienna ate too much at lunch, so she doesn't want any dinner. She's resting now."

Daniel looked at the guest room door, puzzled.

Ate too much?

Chapter 787

Chapter 787

The night was silent, and the maple forest outside was cloaked in darkness, with only a few scattered streetlights casting a faint glow on a corner of the garden. Sienna had gone to bed early in the evening but woke up at midnight, her stomach growling with hunger because she had skipped dinner.

Stepping out of her room, Sienna found the living room brightly lit.

Daniel was lounging on the couch in casual home attire, one arm resting on the back and the other holding his phone. Hearing her, he looked up.

Their eyes met, and Sienna froze, her heart inexplicably tightening. Flustered, she asked, "You... haven't slept yet?"

Daniel smiled warmly. "No, I haven't."

He couldn't stop thinking about her. Though they were only separated by a wall and had seen each other just that morning, by nightfall, he found himself yearning to see her again.

He waited quietly in the living room, not wanting to disturb her by knocking on her door.

Sienna nodded and walked toward the kitchen.

Daniel's gaze followed her intently. He stood up and followed her into the kitchen.

Sienna opened the refrigerator and took out a sausage and celery. Then, she found a box of instant mac and cheese in the pantry.

She placed everything on the countertop and began looking around for the seasonings.

Suddenly, she felt the warmth of Daniel's broad chest against her back as he moved close to her.

Sienna stiffened slightly, her body tensing and her heart racing with nervousness. She was unsure of how to react.

"Are you hungry?" Daniel whispered in her ear. His voice sounded deep and alluring.

Sienna pulled back a little, distancing herself from his intimate gesture. It had been too long since their breakup, and she couldn't immediately adjust to Daniel's sudden closeness. She responded with a hum.

"Let me cook," Daniel said, reaching past her from behind to take the celery from the counter.

Sienna felt as if he were hugging her, and a wave of shyness washed over her. Her heart pounded, and her face flushed from her ears to her cheeks.

"Okay," Sienna replied, moving to the side to put some distance between them.

Just being near him made her feel breathless. She let out a quiet sigh.

As Daniel skillfully washed the celery, he asked softly, "Do you want your egg fried or baked?"

"Fried," Sienna replied, sneaking a glance at him.

Seeing his handsome profile, she couldn't help but blush as her heart raced. She asked, "Do you want some, too?"

"I don't eat late-night snacks," Daniel said.

Sienna pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Daniel lit the stove to cook the mac and cheese while Sienna watched from the side.

Suddenly, memories from the past flooded her mind. She recalled how it was always Shelly who busied herself in the kitchen.

Despite having plenty of free time,

Sienna's father never helped. He preferred lying on the couch.

watching TV rather than stepping into the kitchen. As Felix grew up, he adopted the same habits.

Although everyone in the family had jobs, when they returned home, the responsibility of cooking seemed destined to fall on Sienna and Shelly. Felix would just lie on the living room couch playing games.

Looking at Daniel again, Sienna reflected on how he was born into a wealthy family and always attended by maids. Despite working all day and having little time to rest, he was now in the kitchen cooking for her.

She wondered if she seemed too lazy. Feeling guilty, she said, "You should rest. Let me do it."

Daniel put down the spatula, took her hand, and led her to the nearby dining table. He gently pressed her shoulders to make her sit down.

"You just sit here and wait," he said softly. "It'll be ready soon."

Sienna felt uneasy. She grew increasingly restless while waiting for Daniel to prepare her late-night snack.

Maybe it was their upbringing that caused the difference in perspectives between her and Daniel.

Chapter 788

Chapter 788

When Sienna was dating Daniel, she never dared to imagine she could one day marry into a wealthy family.

Now, with his sudden proposal, she impulsively agreed in the heat of the moment.

The abrupt change left her feeling unprepared.

Reflecting on it calmly, she realized she had acted too hastily.

At that moment, Daniel walked over with a plate of mac and cheese topped with sausage and celery and a bowl of salad. He placed it in front of Sienna before sitting beside her. "Try it and see if it's to your taste," he said.

Sienna felt a warmth in her heart as she looked down at the dish. It looked delicious.

Using the fork, she lightly ate some mac and cheese. It tasted just like home.

Sienna smiled at him and said, "It's very good, thank you."

Gazing at her tenderly, Daniel smiled back at her as he was very content.

She began to eat quietly because she was really hungry.

After a few bites, she held the bowl and ate the salad. She caught a glimpse of Daniel's gaze. It was tender, almost like the way one would look at a child. Her heart skipped a beat. She slowly put down the bowl and pressed her lips together, suddenly aware of her behavior.

"Would you like to have some?" Sienna asked.

Daniel leaned closer and replied, "Just one bite."

"I'll get you the fork," Sienna said as she started to get up.

Daniel took her hand. He said, "We're getting married tomorrow, can't we share a fork?"

Staring at him, Sienna hesitated. It wasn't that she couldn't; she just felt a bit embarrassed.

Just moments ago, they were like familiar strangers. Now, they had skipped the dating phase entirely and were about to become husband and wife.

The leap was too great; it lacked the natural progression of intimacy.

Daniel was disappointed when he saw Sienna's reaction.

"Never mind, I won't be having any," he said before letting go of her hand. "When you're done, just leave the dishes here. Someone will clean up tomorrow."

Sienna nodded.

Daniel stood up. He asked, "We're leaving at 9:00 am tomorrow. Do you have all the necessary documents ready?"

Sienna nodded again.

Daniel looked at her quietly for a moment. He looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Sienna didn't understand why he seemed a bit down, but he soon left the kitchen.

After Sienna quietly finished the food, she washed the dishes. She tidied up the kitchen before going to bed.

She couldn't sleep at all that night.

Maybe it was because she had slept

too

earlier, or perhaps it

the nation of getting the was

marriage certificate the next c day.

She didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning.

As a result, she overslept the next day.

Daniel's knock on the door startled her awake. She hurried to open it with her hair in disarray.

Outside, Daniel was impeccably dressed in a suit. He looked more refined and handsome than he did at Nathan's wedding.

The contrast between his polished appearance and her current state was stark.

Feeling a bit nervous, Daniel asked as he was disappointed, "Did you change your mind?"

Sienna felt guilty when she stared at him. She murmured softly, "I'm sorry, I overslept and didn't hear the alarm."

Daniel was very handsome as he smiled

longe responded, "It's okay, as

long as you haven't changed. your mind. Go get ready, I'll wait for you."

+

Sienna nodded. Then, she closed the door and went to freshen up.

When she opened her closet, she realized she didn't have anything suitable to match Daniel's attire for the day.

She had only a few dresses to wear, and most were casual dresses.

She took out a floral dress becaus

that was

the only pretty dress she

had. After applying lighted

she grabbed her bag and

out.

Daniel was waiting by her door, leaning against the wall. As soon as he heard the door open, he turned to face her.

Gazing at her gently, Daniel smiled as if he was looking at an angel.

Chapter 789

Chapter 789

Daniel's reaction made Sienna feel a bit embarrassed. She shyly explained, "I'm sorry, I don't have many clothes. This dress is the most formal one I have. I hope you don't mind." Daniel smiled gently. He complimented her, "You're very gorgeous today."

It was the first time Sienna had worn makeup in front of him. Back then, she also rarely wore dresses for him.

She truly looked stunning.

Daniel extended his hand to her.

Sienna looked at his hand. After hesitating for a few seconds, she reached for it.

The moment he held her hand, he felt very excited. Holding the hand of his love, he walked with her toward a future filled with happiness.

Because they had missed their appointment, they had to rejoin the queue.

Like other couples, they filled out the paperwork and waited in the hall to be called.

Daniel looked at the numbers ahead of them and then glanced down at the number in his hand. His palms were sweaty from nerves, but he rubbed them in his thighs.

A young man sitting next to him had been observing him for a while. He couldn't help but ask, "Hey, man, is this your first time getting married?"

Daniel nodded. He replied, "Yeah, it is."

The man chuckled. He reassured him, "Don't worry. It's just signing forms, reciting vows, confirming the details, then you will get the certificate. It's pretty easy." Daniel was puzzled, so he asked, "You've done this before?"

The man replied proudly, "This is my third marriage."

Daniel was stunned.

Sienna overheard the conversation. She curiously glanced at the man next to them.

Noticing their expressions of surprise, the man quickly explained, "I got divorced twice before, both times with my current wife. We just can't stay apart, so we decided to remarry." Daniel smiled awkwardly. Was marriage just a game for some people?

The man glanced at Sienna and said, "Your wife is really beautiful."

Feeling proud, Daniel said, "Thanks."

"How long have you two known each other?"

"We've known each other for a long time."

"Which one of you pursued the other?"

Daniel slightly frowned as he looked at the man. He didn't say a word.

"Is it a secret?" the man asked.

"I pursued her," Daniel replied.

"What kind of wedding gift did you prepare?"

Daniel didn't answer his question.

"You didn't prepare any wedding gifts?" the man asked as he looked at Daniel with disdain.

He criticized him, "That's not right, man. Marrying such a beautiful wife without preparing a wedding gift for her, isn't that inappropriate? Would her parents even be okay with it?"

Daniel remained silent.

"My wife has married me three times, so she took a wedding gift each time gave her 10 thousand as a wedding gift back then. For the second time, she took 20 thousand. This time, she has gone too far. She requested 50 thous-"

Daniel quickly interrupted him, "You better stop talking. If you keep this up, you might not get married at all."

When the man turned, his wife had already left. Without another word, he immediately chased after her.

Daniel resignedly shook his head. Now he understood why this guy had divorced the same woman twice. With such a loud mouth, they would likely get divorced again even after this marriage.

Daniel turned to look at Sienna. He held her palm tightly and rubbed it.

Sienna looked up at him when she felt the sweat in his palm. She was a bit confused, so she asked, "What's wrong?"

"Don't be nervous. It's almost our turn," he reassured her.

Sienna couldn't help but laugh. She was quite calm. So, who was the one actually nervous here?

"Okay," she replied softly.

Daniel gulped. After taking a deep breath, he looked up at the screen again. In the past hour, he had probably checked that screen over a hundred times.

They had waited in line for half an hour, but the actual marriage registration only took a few minutes.

After receiving their marriage certificate and leaving the registry office, Daniel felt as if he had fought a battle inside.

He felt relief when he looked at the marriage certificate in his hand; even his breathing became easier.

Sienna put the documents into her bag. Then she asked casually, "Do you still need to go to work?"

Daniel frowned and looked at Sienna.

Seeing his expression, Sienna asked curiously, "Are you off today?"

Chapter 790

Chapter 790

Daniel hummed in response.

"I need to go to the office. Harvey has something urgent for me," Sienna said.

"Today..." Daniel started to speak but then paused.

It was such an important day. He had dressed up and planned everything perfectly to celebrate with her.

He had booked a table at a high-end restaurant for lunch, followed by a private yacht trip where they could enjoy the beautiful seascape.

In the evening, they would have dinner on the yacht while enjoying the night scenery. After that, he had arranged a stay at a five-star hotel's penthouse suite.

"Is it really urgent?" Daniel asked as he was in a real dilemma.

Sienna was unaware of his plans, so she nodded. She said, "Yes, it's quite urgent. I've received a lot of messages about it. It's probably related to the plagiarism lawsuit." "Doesn't he know you're getting married today?"

"I didn't tell him."

Daniel was disappointed again. He exhaled softly, then took out his car keys. He said, "I'll drive you."

Sienna nodded in agreement.

Half an hour later, they arrived at her office building.

"You can go back. You don't need to wait for me," Sienna said, worried that he might get bored waiting.

Daniel walked Sienna to the building while holding her hand. He said, "Let's go in together."

They walked into the company lobby side by side.

Everyone's eyes were on Sienna, but their gazes were mostly on the person beside her.

Sienna couldn't help but glance at Daniel. He indeed drew a lot of attention.

He had a rugged, masculine handsomeness with deep and striking features. His entire presence exuded powerful energy, a blend of wildness and stern righteousness.

If he were dressed in military uniform and armed, he would have the kind of presence that could make countless young ladies and married women alike scream with excitement. They arrived at Harvey's office.

Seeing Sienna accompanied by the same man from last time, Harvey quickly stood up to greet them.

"Sienna, come in and have a seat," Harvey said with a welcoming smile. "Your friend came along too?"

Daniel unbuttoned his suit jacket with one hand before sitting on the sofa. He corrected Harvey in a serious tone, "Not a friend, but her husband." Harvey was momentarily stunned.

Sienna felt a bit embarrassed, and her cheeks slightly flushed. She said, "Yes, we just got our marriage certificate today."

Harvey was stunned for a few

seconds, then quickly extended his hand to Daniel. He congratulated him, "Congratulations on your marriage! I hope you two wil stay happy together."

Daniel's expression softened slightly as he shook Harvey's hand. He said politely, "Thank you."

Sienna asked, "Harvey, what was so urgent that you needed to see me?"

Harvey's expression suddenly turned serious. He sighed heavily as he stared at Sienna. He asked, "Do we really have a chance of winning this lawsuit?" "Whether we win or lose, we have to fight," Sienna responded firmly.

Harvey was resigned, shaking his head. He asked, "Haven't you been online these past two days?"

"No, why?" she asked.

"The book that was plagiarized has

already been signed for a film

adaptation. Recently, they've been

promoting the lead actors and

generating buzz. They used your plagiarism case for publicity.

"Although the lawsuit hasn't even started yet, you're already being attacked all over the internet."

Sienna quickly pulled out her phone and logged online.

It was true that her account was flooded with hateful comments, skyrocketing from dozens to tens of thousands.

The private messages were even more vile and filled with abusive language.

The topic of her alleged plagiarism had shot up to second place on the trending list. The lead actress cast for the film adaptation turned out to be Vivian. Everything seemed to be calculated.

Sienna's face turned pale. She

slowly clenched her fists as

indescribable anger welled up inside her. Suddenly, Daniel held her hand to softly loosen her clenched fist. She looked up at him.

His gaze was intense yet tender. He reassured her, "Don't worry. I'm here with you."