Chapter 15: A warning

In the eyes of others, a huge scandal of the Qing family had taken place accidentally.

A good birthday wish turned shocking, a concerned stepmother accidentally made a revelation and a popular socialite’s image was ruined impressively.

But Sienna was watching it go down, each plot at a time.

She could see the exact moment Kira acted on her scheme or the moment her stepmother ’accidentally’ decided to degrade her and label her as a trouble child in the name of reprimanding her as an elder.

Yet, she did not move to stop the fiasco at all. Perhaps, having endured this for two decades, there was something inside her that refused to step up and explain herself.

For once, Sienna wanted someone to trust her, without demanding an explanation.

"Sienna, is this all true?" Daniel Qing turned to his elder daughter, his eyes filled with shock and disappointment.

A hint of bitterness spread in Sienna’s heart as she opened her mouth to whisper, "It’s not."

"You still dare to lie to my face?" Daniel frowned, "When things ended between you and Seth, I never questioned you. I never had a lot of expectations from you but to think that you will resort to such depravity..."

The man’s voice turned icy as he continued, "Even though I declared Kira as the future of the business, I always thought you could work with your sister and lend her the guiding hand she needs.

All this time, I was planning to promote your position in the company so you can gain more experience, and correct your ways. But now, I have changed my mind. From tomorrow, you don’t need to come to work. Ground yourself and reflect on your actions..."

"Haha..." Sienna’s shoulder trembled as she laughed, "That company still stands today because of my mother and I have to lend a helping hand to your bastard child who would stop at nothing to destroy me?! For once, I thought you would believe in me and not in mindless slander."

There was a pin-drop silence in the hall the moment Sienna spoke. Everybody was waiting for her to have a breakdown, or to cry for forgiveness, but she did none of that.

She straightened her shoulders as she looked at her father, "Since you want answers, I will give you answers."

She had just taken a step forward when Seth grabbed her hand, "Don’t act impulsively, Sienna! Heartless as you are, think of your family’s reputation..."

Sienna swung the man’s hand away and without sparing him a single glance, she walked to the stage, snatching the mic away from Kira’s hand.

Kira’s face fell slightly, "Sis, we can talk later. There’s no need for you to..."

"I fell in love with a man three years ago when I was still in university and I thought he was the love of my life until one day, I realized that he was sleeping with my sister all along. And the only reason he approached me in the first place was so that he could be close to her!"

The moment those words were uttered, the media people went crazy. The flashes blinded the guests and the people.

Seth was astonished and Kira’s face turned pale.

Seth turned to Kira, his face solemn, "Did you...?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"No! Why would I tell her?!" Kira grabbed his arm, "You have to believe me! It’s her. She cheated on you, she was the one who whored around but now that everybody has seen her true face, she is trying to turn this around in her favor!"

"The man in the first picture is my friend who consoled me the day I discovered my boyfriend was sharing a bed with my sister. The person in the second picture is someone who showed up for me in the toughest times. And the person in the third picture—"

Sienna paused for a second before making a declaration that left everyone speechless.

"...is my husband."

The ballroom went dead silent.

Kira’s fake tears instantly froze on her face, "Y-You’re lying! You cheated on Seth with all these men and now you are trying to cover it up..."

"All my life, I saw my mother being subjected to public scrutiny until she died. So, I didn’t speak up after being cheated on, to escape her fate and to live with a shred of dignity," Sienna continued, her posture unyielding as she locked eyes with Daniel, "But tonight, on my twenty-fourth birthday, let me make one thing crystal clear to everyone in Amethyst City."

Sienna reached over to the silver champagne display beside her, her fingers wrapping around a razor-sharp fruit knife.

Gasps erupted as she raised the blade. Without breaking eye contact with her father, she pressed the edge deep into her left palm and dragged it across the skin. Blood welled instantly, pooling onto the pristine white marble floor where she stood.

"I, Sienna Qing, officially sever all ties with the Qing family. I renounce your name and your blood. From this second onward, I am no longer your daughter."

"You ungrateful child!" Daniel snapped. Humiliated in front of the entire country’s elite, his rage completely obliterated his calm facade.

He lunged off the stage, his face contorted in murderous fury. He raised his heavy right hand, putting his entire weight into a brutal swing aimed directly at Sienna’s face.

But before the slap could land, a firm hand caught Daniel’s wrist mid-air.

When Sienna raised her head, a broad back greeted her view. Dressed in a black suit, the man had a silver mask covering his face. But he stood between her and her father like an unmovable wall.

"Who are you?" Daniel Qing snarled, "Guards!"

Right at the moment, the entire hall descended into darkness and the place erupted in chaos.

"Master Qing, yesterday was the first time and today is the second. But I am certain there will not be a third time in the future."

Within a minute, the lights came back and the hall was brightly lit again.

Seth caught a glimpse of blue and glanced towards the grand doors, only to catch sight of Sienna leaving with a man. And a frown formed between his brows.