AFTERNOON
Sienna pulled her van into the hotel parking lot they had agreed on.
She was just killing the engine when something in her rearview mirror caught her attention.
Her heart skipped.
Damn.
The man standing a few yards away was… hot. His black bespoke suit clung to him like a second skin, his broad shoulders and narrow waist easily filling it. He had on thin gold-framed glasses that made him look like a CEO from a romance novel.
Even from here, she could see his face. It was the kind that belonged on the front cover of an elite magazine — clean lines, symmetrical perfection, and a jaw so sharp it looked like it could cut. His presence itself radiated power and strength.
And just as she was thinking that, he lifted his head.
Their eyes locked.
Sienna flashed her brightest smile.
Even his eyes were dangerous — onyx, deep yet calm, sending her heart racing.
It wasn't every day you would see such an attractive man, and the world was going to hell soon enough so she might as well have some fun before the apocalypse arrived.
She slid out of the van, swaying her hips as she approached. "Hi."
The man's gaze flickered over her. "Hello." His voice was smooth and deep, stirring something in her chest.
She tucked her hair behind her ears, fully showing her face. "Do you have a bandage?"
He tilted his head, eyes scanning her. "No."
"Too bad," she sighed. "Cuz I scraped my knees falling for you."
His expression didn't change as he said evenly, "I had no idea you were that creative."
Sienna paused. Why did that sound like… he knew her?
Shaking it off, she extended her phone. "Well, mind giving me your number? Maybe we could hang out sometime."
But the man didn't take it. If anything, he kept observing her.
After a few seconds, he finally took the phone from her. She caught a glimpse of his wristwatch — understated yet expensive — as sleek as the man himself.
Vroom~
A sharp engine rev echoed.
A black sedan pulled into the space in front of them, and two people stepped out.
The leading person was a young man in his early twenties. He had a natural smile on his lips as he approached.
She thought he was here for the hot stuff until he called out. "Sienna."
Sienna turned her head, looking at the newcomer.
'System…?'
The system responded. [Yes, Host. That's the male lead, Ashton Song.]
Sienna's smile vanished.
Ashton's gaze swept over her. "Oh, you cut your hair? Long hair suits you better, though."
She rolled her eyes.
Ashton froze for a split second. She had never reacted this way before…
What's going on?
Suddenly, he remembered how she had spoken to him through the phone, cold but curt, and even hurled insults at him. And now, seeing her again, she was just as cold as she sounded.
He sighed then turned to the man beside her. "Mr. Lucan, how have you been?"
Sienna stiffened.
Lucan?!
Lucan Ferrel?!!
Lawyer Lucan?!!!
Her gaze snapped to him. Holy hell — she had just been hitting on her lawyer! But why the hell did he look barely twenty-five?
"You didn't recognize me just now?" he asked quietly.
She cleared her throat, feeling a bit embarrassed but pretended to be nonchalant. "No, of course not. I was just teasing you."
"Really?"
"Obviously." She gave a chuckle. "Why else would I ask for your number when I already have it?"
She wasn't really good at lying, so she immediately changed the subject. "Anyway, since everyone's here, let's go up."
They all agreed.
Inside the private room, Ashton had his gaze fixed on Sienna.
Why did he feel as if she had been swapped?
She didn't pay him much attention, when in the past, her cheeks would always flame red at the sight of him. You could almost feel the adoration when she spoke to him.
Moreover, she didn't even engage in unnecessary chat with him like she used to. One had to know, she was like a chatterbox when it came to him, always telling him about annoying random stuff.
And now…
Ashton's lawyer slid a file toward him.
"All that's left is your signature," the man said.
He glanced at the final clause and frowned. She was making him cover the tax. That wasn't part of the original verbal agreement.
He met Sienna's gaze across the table. She only smiled faintly.
That's when it hit him — she was openly scamming him. And yet… he needed those shares too badly to back out now.
Never mind, it was just a few million.
With a sigh, he signed.
The room was silent except for the shuffle of papers as Lucan finalized everything.
A ding sounded on Sienna's phone.
Payment Confirmed!
Sienna rose, sliding the chair back. "Nice doing business with you."
Lucan followed, and Ashton kept staring at their backs until the door closed.
In the end, he turned to the lawyer. "Find someone to investigate her for me."