Aiden looked at Julian, who was undeniably handsome, with a noble, gentlemanly air that even surpassed his own.

    Aiden cleared his throat and said sincerely, “Make sure you treat my daughter well from now on.”

    Julian nodded. “I will”

    “Dad, there’s something I need to btalk /bto you about. Sienna said.

    Aiden replied, “Go on.”

    Sienna lowered her gaze to the exquisite cup on the table–an antique Julian had procured, worth a staggering b500 /bgrand.

    “Thepany’s run into a bit of troubletely, she said.

    Aiden’s face shed with panic for a moment. Is thepany really going under? he thought.

    “No 1

    way. My daughter’s way too sharp for bthat/b, he tried to reassure himself.

    Is there really nothing you can do?” he asked.

    Sienna looked up at him. “I bcan /bfix it, but I’ll need your help. Dad.”

    Aiden had a bad feeling about this, but he couldn’t say no–after all, he was living off the Hart Corporation now.

    “Of course, I’ll help however I can. But like you said, I’m really not cut out for business, so I might not be much use,” he said bsincerely /b

    Sienna’s tone was steady. “Dadb, /bthis is something only you bcan /bhandle..

    “The partner’s asking price is just too high, band /bI can’t afford it right now.

    “Thepany needs to keep running, so bthe /bonly way I can get the deal at the lowest price…. bis /bif you agree to a marriage alliance with their boss”

    “What?” Aiden eximed, jumping to his feet and staring at her in utter disbelief.

    ing at he

    He repeated, his voice trembling. “bYou /bwant me to get together with their boss?”

    I’m her own father! How bcould /bSienna even think of something like this? he thought, his mind spinning.

    This is honestly the best option we’ve got right now. bA /bstylist will being over soon to get you ready. Tonight, you’ll meet with the boss, band /bif byou /bbtwo /bget along, then it’s settled. Sienna said matter–of–factly

    Aiden’s face turned livid and ba /bsurge of anger struck his chest as he clenched his fists.

    “Sienna! I’m your father! Aiden burst out, his voice full of disbelief and outrage.

    Sienna curled her lips into a smile, speaking with absolute confidence. “Because you’re my bfather/b, you have to help me out here.

    “If thepany goes under, what am I–your own daughter–supposed to do? Am I supposed bto /bbend /bup broke?

    “I know you wouldn’t bhave /bthe heart to let your daughter be a down–and–out, right, Dad?”

    “I… Aiden waspletely speechless.

    Hri

    just stood there, at a total loss for words.

    He tipped his head back, took a long, deep breath, band /blet it out slowly.

    Seriously? At my age. I’m actually being told to use my looks to seal a business deal? This is nuts! he fumed inwardly.

    After Aiden was taken away by the bodyguards, Julian gently helped Sienna onto the bed. He carefully lifted her shirt just enough, bpoured /bsome maternity oil into his palms, warmed it up, and began to softly massage her belly with gentle, soothing strokes.

    “Elisa already put some on for bme /bearlier today, Sienna murmured.

    11:25 AM

    Julian smiled band /bbsaid/b, “You’ve been standing for quite a while today. Let me give your legs a little massage too.”

    Sienna bnodded /bandy back, feeling at ease. “Julian, do you think I’m being too bcold/b–blooded, just pushing someone out there like that without a second thoughtb?/b” she asked softly.

    Julian bknew /babout her rtionship with Aiden. “Not at all. Demi Bale’s ba /bdependable woman–she treats all her lovers really well. You’re thinking about bwhat’s /bbest for your dad–he should be happy about it.”

    Sienna’s foot pressed lightly against Julian’s bare abs, her eyes smoldering with a seductive glint, her words hooking right binto /bhis heart.

    b“/bbDid /byou secretly wish it was Thorn Noir who had to marry for the alliance today?” she teased, her lips curling into a wicked little smile

    Julian swallowed hard, unable to stop himself from lowering his eyes as he kept massaging her.

    “No,” bhe /banswered, his voice a little tight.

    Sienna’s blips /bcurled into a devilish smile bas /bshe propped herself up, her fingernding lightly on the bridge of his nose.

    Julian, since when did you get bso /bgood bat /bbsaying /bone thing and meaning another?” she teased, her tone full of yful mischief.