Chapter 67
At that, Claire’s eyes widened. “Amber, you’re so rough. What part of you even resembles a proper girl? Throw down? I’m no violent girl like you. You have to apologize to me, ten times, and not a single one less.”
Amber scoffed, “Claire, either throw hands or get lost. An apology? In your dreams. If you hadn’t gotten in my way. I wouldn’t have hit you. Serves you right.”
“Amber, you-” Claire stammered, her voice shaking with rage.
No wonder Amber is the worst in school–lousy grades and an even worse attitude,‘ she wondered.
“Let’s go.” Amber sneered, shoving Claire aside as she strode up to Sienna, confidently looping her arm through Sienna’s before marching out with her head held high.
Claire stared dumbfounded at Amber and Sienna’s retreating figures as she wondered, ‘How dare Amber loop arms with my idol? What gives her the right? Is she even worthy?
‘How could she be so shameless? Wait a minute. When Sienna said she had a younger sister who’s also a student. Could she mean Amber? No, I’ve met Amber’s sister before, and she looks nothing like Sienna.
So what exactly is their relationship? Amber Hart and Sienna Hart?‘
Claire could deny the truth all she wanted, but there was no escaping the connection between Sienna and Amber. On the verge of tears, she got into the car and headed home.
Claire fumed inwardly, ‘Why is Amber so lucky? Life’s so unfair.
Sienna reached out and gently ruffled Amber’s hair, her voice full of concern as she asked, “So, what did the doctor say?”
Amber went rigid, her pupils dilating in shock. ‘Did Sienna just ruffle my hair?‘ she thought as her heart pounded.
Amber desperately tried to suppress the smile tugging at her lips, forcing her face into what she hoped was a fierce, unapproachable expression.
She crossed her arms over her chest, a single stubborn cowlick sticking up from her short hair, making her look irresistibly cute, even as she maintained a deliberately cold, aloof posture.
Amber scoffed, “Like that could bother me.”
Sienna smiled faintly, her good mood evident. “Let’s visit Dad first, then head home.”
Amber frowned in confusion. “Dad? Wait? He’s here?”
“Yeah, he’s injured,” said Sienna.
Amber shrugged. “Oh,” she replied flatly.
Amber barely showed any emotion upon hearing that Aiden had been hospitalized, clear proof of how little care and affection he’d shown her over the years if not outright mistreatment.
‘Reno went too easy on him, Sienna thought coldly.
Sienna knocked on the door. “Come in,” Linda called out.
As Sienna and Amber walked in, Aiden let out an exaggerated groan. “Sienna, you’re finally here. You have no idea. Someone actually tried to kill me. I was just minding my own business, walking along, when suddenly a gang jumped.
“They threw a sack over my head and dragged me into an alley at once. They beat the hell out of me. Every blow was brutal and precise.
“I have no idea what weapons they used, but they left me with
foot in the grave, barely clinging to life, almost kicked the bucket. If it hadn’t been for a kind passerby who got me to the hospital, I wouldn’t even be breathing right now.”
Sienna fixed him with an icy gaze, her voice devoid of warmth. “Is that so? Then, Dad, have you made any enemies recently?”
It was the first time Amber had heard her father pour his heart out like this. She guessed Sienna must really mean something special to him.
Amber thought to herself, ‘Dad would never listen to our explanations. Even the smallest things, Linda would blow them out of proportion, and then he’d just lecture us.
‘In my memory, all I ever felt at home was punishment and grievance!
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Chapter 67
Every time Jocelyn showed Amber concern and Linda put on her fake motherly act, she couldn’t help but crave it. Amber used to think that if she just catered to their whims, she might finally have a warm, loving home.
Amber glanced at Sienna and noticed an uncharacteristic coldness in her demeanor. Her words lacked their usual warmth. It was completely different from how she treated Amber and Vivian.
Aiden pondered deeply, then shook his head and said earnestly, “Sienna, I honestly can’t recall offending anyone. You must help me uncover the culprit. Don’t let them get away with it.”
Linda snapped, her eyes glinting with provocation and disdain, “Sienna, it’s been days. Why haven’t you found any leads? Are you even trying? He’s your father.
“After he suffered such injustice, you act like you don’t care at all. Are you even fit to be called his daughter?”
Sienna’s expression remained unreadable as she mused inwardly, ‘Since you’re all so eager to know, I might as well give you the truth.
“Dad, truth be told, I’ve actually uncovered some leads, but I hesitate to say more. After all, the person involved is-” Sienna hesitated.
Aiden grew frantic at the words. He jerked upright, neck straining as if trying to stretch his whole body, and pressed urgently, “Who? Who the hell was it?”
Who the hell dares to lay hands on me in broad daylight?‘ Aiden wondered, and a blaze of fury erupted within him. ‘What reckless fool dares to ouch me? Does he have any idea who he is messing with?
‘Doesn’t he know Hart Corporation’s standing these days?‘
Standing nearby, Linda glanced at Sienna, meeting those piercing eyes. A wave of unease crept into her heart.
Sienna’s lips curved in a faint, knowing smile, her frosty gaze glinting with a hint of amusement. “Are you absolutely certain you want to know, Dad?”
Aiden nodded fiercely, his voice tight with rage. “Who the hell was it?”
Sienna’s gaze settled on Linda as she said coolly, “Ms. Lambert, won’t you step forward and explain about your dear relatives and friends?”
Upon hearing this, Linda’s face drained of color. As if jolted by electricity, she sprang to her feet in shock. “Sienna, what nonsense are you spouting now? Don’t you dare sling mud at me?”
“This has nothing to do with me. I want to find out who’s behind this attack on my husband, too. If I ever get my hands on them, I won’t let them off the hook.” Linda vehemently argued, desperate to clear her name.
Aiden ground his teeth. He’d never doubted Sienna’s methods. “Who the hell was it?”
Sienna said, “Dad, do you recall Leo, the former finance manager, apparently a relative of Ms. Lambert? The moment associates couldn’t wait to resign.
1
took office, he and his
“Later, they came begging to be rehired, but what’s done cannot be undone. I told them we’d handle things by the book. They left, threatening to demand justice from you.
“I expected a civil conversation, but I never imagined their resentment would drive them to target
The truth hit Aiden like a thunderbolt. Now he understood exactly what had happened.
Aiden turned on Linda in a fury, bellowing, “Linda, so it was your people all along. I told you from the start.
you.”
4
back then.
Those shifty–eyed guys
looked like trouble
they’re trying
to fucking kill
me.”
“What was that bullshit you promised me about them being honest and hardworking? Now
Linda’s eyes widened in horror as she frantically shook her head. ‘How could this be?‘ she wondered. ‘Leo behind this? Impossible. Even if Leo had the guts, he couldn’t pull this off. She’s framing me. It’s Sienna.
“Honey, listen to me. It absolutely can’t be him. Sienna is spouting complete nonsense; her investigation is all wrong,” said Linda.
Aiden clenched his fists, seething with rage. ‘And to think I actually put my trust in them, even had high hopes for them. This is how they repay
me?‘
“Those ungrateful sons of bitches,” Aiden spat through gritted teeth, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned pale.
Aiden believed Sienna without question. Thinking it over, only those ungrateful wretches, he wondered.
people harbored enough r
resentment to actually attack him. ‘What a bunch of
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