Chapter 20: Seth and Sienna?

Seth frowned, a hint of confusion flickered in his eyes.

"Jace, I got this."

Jace looked at Sienna, "I will be heading to check the preparation for the fashion show. Just call me if you need something."

Sienna nodded.

After Jace left, Seth took the seat opposite to Sienna in a daze, "Jace... Is he the friend you wanted to introduce to me when we were together?"

Sienna took a sip of her coffee, "That’s him."

Seth fell silent as he remembered those days when she would carefully plan everything and approach him, asking him to meet her friends.

Some days, he had blatantly rejected her. And some days, he had cancelled at the last minute.

Suddenly, Seth realized something, "Jace... Is he the mysterious designer behind J’s? The person who customized that dress for you last night?"

"Yes."

"And his figure looked similar to one of the men in those pictures then... Did I misunderstand.."

"Mr. Hawke, I am sure you are not here to clear the air and know me better," Sienna cut him off, "Get to the point."

"What you did yesterday is an attack on all our reputation. I have suppressed the news but the word of it was still leaked," Seth’s face turned solemn.

"Your father will be arranging a press conference this afternoon. And all you need to do is show up there and tell them that you lost your composure and blew things out of proportion yesterday."

Sienna’s movements halted, "About?"

"About our relationship. Tell them that we had long broken up before Kira and I started dating."

Sienna fell silent, "I am not trying to get revenge after being cheated by my boyfriend and stepsister. Aren’t you satisfied with that?"

"I stepped away from my family’s shadow and started my own company back then. You have seen me working day and night for it. If my name is dragged in scandals, what reputation would my company be left with?"

Seth’s voice turned gentle as he continued, "How could you be so ruthless to your father? And what of the Qing Empire that still stands because of your mother’s efforts? Do you want to destroy everything because of your impulse?"

Sienna leaned back on the chair as she closed her eyes.

"It’s just one statement and things would look better for all of us. Then, we can sit and resolve our misunderstandings."

After a long minute, Sienna looked at him, "Fine. What do you want me to do?"

Seth breathed in relief as he nodded, "You made the right decision. I will tell you about it on the way."

Outside Melory’s, Sienna and Seth stepped into a car together. The moment the car drove off, a black Maybach stopped behind them.

"I thought these two parted on bad terms... What are they doing together?" Leon looked over at the disappearing car before he glanced at Callahan through the rearview mirror.

Callahan had been in an exceptionally good mood since morning and Leon had yet to figure out what caused the iceberg to melt. But now, there was an air of chill around him.

Leon tried to ease the atmosphere, "Forget about my side identities for a moment. As your friend, let me be honest with you... Those two haven’t broken up for long. No matter what the situation between them is, there is bound to be lingering feelings, at least from one side."

Callahan did not say anything.

Leon looked at the man who was sitting there, unfazed. Suddenly, he realized something, "Fuck! I almost forgot that it’s a fake marriage. You must have already thought of these things before you married her."

"Drive."

"Huh? Where to?" Leon checked the time on his watch, ’The foreign investors should be here soon."

"Reschedule the meeting," Callahan looked out of the windows, "Head to Qing Grand."

"I heard that Daniel Qing is holding a press conference in Qing Grand. After everything that happened, he is probably trying to save his reputation... Wait!" Leon turned to Callahan, ’’Is Sienna headed to the venue?"

"Yes."

"How did you even know that? I doubt she sat to explain it..." Leon was tongue-tied when he saw a hint of smirk appearing on Callahan’s face.

"She doesn’t have to,’’ And Callahan was interested in seeing how she planned to deal with things.

The Qing Empire had their hotels situated in all central cities of Country Z. Qing Grand happened to be the 7 star hotel branch located in the central part of Amethyst City.

By the time Seth and Sienna reached the venue, the place was already packed with reporters.

Seth led Sienna to the makeup room backstage, "Sit here and get ready."

Sienna scanned the room. There was a team of makeup artists along with a wardrobe of designer clothes, "It’s just a press conference. I think my current outfit is fine. I also don’t need so many people for makeup and hair..."

A hint of impatience flashed in Seth’s eyes, "It’s a large scale press conference. The venue is full of cameras. It’s better to be presentable so that you are not caught in a bad angle!:"

"But..." Sienna frowned, looking a little lost, "The family has hit a rough patch. If I overdo it with my external appearance, won’t it seem like I am completely unbothered by the well-being of my own family?"

"You are thinking too much," Seth’s gaze deepened, "They will help you get ready. I am waiting outside."

Outside, the reporters had already started bombarding questions at Daniel Qing’s assistant, who was already on the stage.

"Where is President Qing? Where is Miss Kira Qing, his chosen heiress?!"

"You arrange for this press conference and then you don’t show up. What does he have to say about the accusations made by his eldest daughter?"

"As the rightful and legitimate heiress of the Qings, Sienna Qing wasn’t even declared as a part of the inheritance. Is it because there was some bad blood between her father and late mother?!"

"Not only that, there was a deliberate attempt to defame her in the annual event? Who was responsible for it?"

The questions started getting more and more vicious, not showing any mercy.

The assistant dabbed the handkerchief on his face as he looked backstage. The curtains parted, revealing half of Seth’s face.