CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: HAS SIENNA MONROE CHANGED?

Sienna Monroe initially thought the conversation outside would last no more than half an hour, but unexpectedly, an hour and a half passed, and Mrs. Hayes was still talking non-stop.

There were no chairs or sofas in the resting room, and it wasn’t appropriate for her to sit on the bed, so her legs were starting to feel weak.

After another ten minutes, the hidden door finally opened. Sienna’s movement to massage her legs paused as she stared in a daze at the man outside the door. A few seconds later, she quickly straightened up, awkwardly smiling and asking, "Has Mrs. Hayes left?"

Sebastian Prescott glanced at the smooth, unmarked corner of the bed and moved his lips, "Just left, come out."

"Oh, okay."

Sienna had just moved her leg when she stumbled slightly, and Sebastian instinctively reached out to steady her arm.

She awkwardly withdrew her arm, "My legs are a bit numb, thank you."

"Sit on the sofa for a while to recover." Sebastian indicated with his eyes, maintaining a business-like attitude, "Do you need me to look into the Radiance Beauty Spa matter for you?"

"I do."

Sienna returned to her original seat and answered without hesitation.

As if expected, Sebastian blandly emitted a nasal sound, "However, this case and the divorce case you previously entrusted to me are already in two different domains."

Implying that for the Radiance Beauty Spa case, she would need to pay the agency fee again.

Of course, Sienna understood that assigning these two cases to other lawyers would also require paying two agency fees.

"I understand."

Just as she finished speaking, Sebastian’s assistant came in with a brand-new entrustment agreement.

Last time it was an electronic agreement; this time it’s a paper agreement.

It works.

There’s no denying that Sebastian’s agency fee is truly high.

After the assistant explained the complexity of this case entrustment, the fee was 20% higher than last time, with 50% paid upfront, and the balance settled after the case concludes.

Sienna had no objections, signing, fingerprinting, and completing the transfer seamlessly.

It was close to noon, and as she prepared to get up, she casually suggested, "It’s almost mealtime; if Leo Prescott doesn’t mind, let’s have lunch together?"

Sebastian paused his hand organizing the documents on the table, slowly raising his eyes to look at her, "Alright."

Sienna was slightly surprised; she didn’t expect him to agree so readily.

She thought he would refuse.

Sebastian withdrew his gaze and continued organizing the documents in his hands. "Where shall we eat?"

"Anywhere is fine; I’m not familiar with this area."

The assistant was quite perceptive and quickly stepped in to help, also introducing the surrounding restaurants, "Within a three-kilometer radius, there are six quite good restaurants: one Japanese, one hotpot, two Western, and two Chinese."

"Let’s go to a Chinese restaurant."

"Let’s go to The Peach & Plum Eatery." Sebastian got up, picked up his coat and car keys, "Their fish soup tastes pretty good."

"Okay."

The two of them exited the law firm one after the other, got into their cars, and arrived at The Peach & Plum Eatery, as he mentioned, within ten minutes.

Sebastian’s car arrived first, and only after she arrived did they walk in side by side.

However, before they went in, a pair of eyes locked onto the figures of both of them.

June Ewing had arranged a lunch today with several Radiance Beauty Spa clients’ wives at the Western restaurant opposite. Just moments ago, she happened to catch a glimpse of Sienna’s profile.

Beside her was a tall young man, who from a distance, looked quite handsome.

Who is he?

They seem to have a good relationship.

It wasn’t until their figures disappeared from view that she withdrew her gaze and turned to enter the Western restaurant.

Inside the Chinese restaurant, both Sienna and Sebastian preferred quiet, and they specifically chose a private room.

Sienna ordered the dishes; Sebastian had no dietary restrictions, so she ordered several of the restaurant’s specialties.

Once the waiter left, it seemed as if they had no topics to discuss, bringing only a burst of silence.

Sienna found that he only talked more when discussing legal matters; otherwise, he was usually not very talkative.

Just like now, when neither of them spoke, he didn’t feel awkward.

But Sienna felt slightly unnatural and recalled the stack of documents on his desk earlier, all concerning the Harrison Hayes case. So she actively opened the topic by asking, "How’s the investigation into Harrison Hayes’s case going? Has the person who pawned the pen been captured?"

"Caught." Sebastian paused momentarily, "He was caught red-handed when stealing by Esther Sherwood, who had just finished showering. Due to Esther Sherwood’s resistance, he accidentally killed her."

"Why did Harrison Hayes go to Esther Sherwood’s house that night?"

Sebastian lifted his eyelids, giving her a deep glance, "It’s related to the internal details of the case, not suitable to disclose much."

Sienna became aware, tactically sipping her water, "Oh... I spoke too much."

Actually, it could be spoken about; that night Harrison Hayes had agreed on WeChat with Esther Sherwood to go to her house for a bath. When he arrived, Esther Sherwood was already lying in a pool of blood, lifeless.

Harrison Hayes, a wealthy young master, had never seen such a scene before, and he was scared out of his wits at the time, unconsciously lifting Esther Sherwood and calling her name.

Seeing that she truly did not respond, he then fled, developed a high fever that night, was sent into the hospital by family, and was unconscious for several days.

At the time Harrison Hayes arrived, the murderer actually hadn’t had time to leave and hid behind the curtain. If Harrison Hayes had left one minute later, he might have also perished there.

This meal was bland and unremarkable; they didn’t have much exchange, with Sienna only asking a few questions about her two cases midway.

After the meal, Sebastian paid the bill.

Sienna’s attempt to pay was ultimately a step slow, honestly saying, "I should have paid for this meal; I can’t let Leo Prescott spend money, I’ll transfer the money to you..."

"No need." Sebastian interrupted her, glanced at his wristwatch, "I have other things to do in the afternoon, I’m leaving first."

"Alright."

Sienna pressed her lips, didn’t linger, and drove back to the art gallery.

As soon as she walked into the revolving door, someone called her, "Sienna."

Sienna turned around and saw Vivian Nash and several colleagues from the planning team walking over with smiles, waving at her.

Approaching, the others nodded in greeting, "Director."

"Sienna, why are you coming in just now?"

Vivian Nash has always called her by name in the art gallery, never like others calling her Director, so everyone in the gallery knew they were college friends.

"I had something to do this morning." Sienna smiled lightly, "You’ve just finished lunch and returned?"

For some reason, Vivian Nash always felt Sienna had changed.

Became distant.

Even though her tone remained as gentle as ever, with a smile in her brows and eyes, treating people kindly, there seemed to be a barrier between them.

Probably starting from when she took annual leave, including when they went shopping last time, she vaguely felt this way too.

Vivian Nash suppressed that subtle feeling and intimately looped her arm through Sienna’s as usual, "Yes, a new noodle restaurant opened nearby with a decent taste; we should try it together next time."

Sienna did not withdraw her arm and nodded in agreement, "Sure. Are those earrings also a gift from your boyfriend?"

Vivian Nash subconsciously raised her hand to touch the earrings, a trace of guilt appeared in her eyes but quickly disappeared, with a face full of charm, "Yes. Do they look good?"

"They look great, matching well with the cat’s-eye sapphire necklace you wore last time."

Sienna’s hand subtly tightened.

Caleb Sinclair has really given her a lot of things.

"Boyfriend? Team Leader Nash, when did you start dating? Congratulations."

The few colleagues beside heard this, exclaimed, and then laughed congratulating her.

Vivian Nash shyly smiled, "Thank you. I’ll have him treat you all to afternoon tea this afternoon."

The colleagues declined politely, "That’s too kind, really."

Vivian Nash said generously, "It’s nothing, just afternoon tea."

In college, Sienna Monroe had noticed that Vivian Nash was actually very good at winning people over; there were always small groups of people around her.

This innocent little bunny act was really good at deceiving others.

Upon reflection, June Ewing seemed to be that type of person.

Turns out, Vivian Nash was the perfect daughter-in-law candidate.

"Sienna, what would you like for afternoon tea?"

As she was about to return to the office, Vivian Nash called her again.

Sienna Monroe turned back and thought for a moment, "Macarons and a cappuccino, with milk and sugar."

Vivian Nash gave her an OK gesture.

It was still lunch break, and Sienna watched as they huddled together, discussing what to order for afternoon tea. She didn’t join them, instead heading straight into the office.

She dialed the 123666 tax whistleblower hotline and detailed the name, company, and address of the party being reported. She specified that she was reporting anonymously as the legal representative of Radiance Beauty Spa, emphasizing that she was not involved in the business and was unaware of the tax evasion activities.

The call lasted about ten minutes, and as soon as she hung up, that unknown message beeped again: [June Ewing herself attended the socialite training classes. Radiance Beauty Spa’s underground business has been issuing fake invoices, maintaining two sets of accounts, with gray expenses and June Ewing’s hidden personal income since March this year.]

Sienna’s pupils contracted, filled with shock and disbelief.

Her heart raced uncontrollably.

So June Ewing attended socialite training classes?

No wonder she benefited from the socialite training classes, which led her to establish this venture.

She handled it with such ease.

Perhaps opening the beauty spa was just a façade with the real intention being the underground business.

She just started this year, and her income was already looking so promising. Who knows, she might expand further in the future.

And she, the daughter-in-law always treasured by her?

Was merely a decoy placed out in the open.

She swayed slightly, nearly failing to stand, supporting herself with one hand on the desk.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a call from the tax bureau, inquiring about the report she made ten minutes ago. The caller asked detailed questions which matched the content from the text message she received.

She thought making one report call was enough.

Fortunately, there was the message for guidance.

The tax bureau said it would take three to seven business days to investigate. Sienna steadied herself, hoping that the commotion would help uncover evidence of the underground operations and allow her to pass the hot potato of legal ownership back to June Ewing.

She worked overtime that evening and returned home at nine-thirty.

Caleb Sinclair was busy in the study, and she hesitated in the hallway before opening the door a crack and popping her head in.

Caleb Sinclair looked up and upon seeing her, his eyes lit up with warmth, "Honey, you’re back, why so late today?"

"There were a lot of things piling up the past few days, so I took care of them today."

Sienna Monroe didn’t enter, standing at the study’s entrance, "Are you still busy?"

"Almost done, just a few more emails to finish up."

"Alright, you go ahead. I’ll take a bath."

Returning to her room, she grabbed some loungewear and took a shower. After tending to her skin, she noticed an Instagram notification on her tablet. Tapping on it led her to Vivian Nash’s profile.

She had updated her status.

That evening’s update: [What should I buy with the pocket money my husband gave me this month?]

Followed by a thinking and heart emoji.

Below was a screenshot of a transaction and chat records.

131420.

The sender of the transaction and the account number were pixelated, but there was a timestamp from 7:54 that evening, including the WeChat avatar and memo, which weren’t covered.

Vivian Nash: I really miss you.

Caleb Sinclair: I miss you too, baby.

Vivian Nash: You miss me, but you don’t come to see me. Hmph! (Angry emoji)

Caleb Sinclair replied with a voice message, the content unseen, and Vivian Nash responded: You better not lie to me. I bought afternoon tea for colleagues under your name this afternoon, so you’ll need to pay for it.

Caleb Sinclair: Okay, I’ll transfer it to you.

Just staring at these chat exchanges made Sienna feel like her lungs were filled with water, making her breath rapid and painful.

The complex emotional waves engulfed her rapidly, making her feel darkness and loss in an instant.

Just then, the door suddenly opened.

Caleb Sinclair had finished his work and returned.

She couldn’t hide the wearied emotions on her face quickly enough, so she lowered her eyes and swiftly swiped away from Vivian Nash’s Instagram page.

Caleb Sinclair noticed her slightly reddened eyes and frowned, "Honey, what’s wrong? Did something happen?"

"No... I just watched a touching video. It seems my eye cream was applied in vain."

She smiled, her eyes regaining their usual warmth and calm.

Setting the tablet aside, she got up and went to the dressing table, reapplying some eye cream, and said casually, "You should hurry and take a shower."

Caleb Sinclair glanced at her tablet, but didn’t say anything, "Alright, if you’re tired, go to sleep; don’t wait for me."

With that, he put his phone on the bedside table, took off his jacket, and headed to the bathroom.

As she listened to the sound of running water in the bathroom, she subtly inhaled, recalling the hint of suspicion that had flashed across his eyes. Swiftly, she reopened the tablet and took a screenshot of the Instagram post Vivian Nash had shared, then logged out of her alternate account to log into her main one.

She then grabbed Caleb Sinclair’s phone, easily unlocked it, and checked a few of his frequently used banking apps. Sure enough, there were several large transactions recorded.

The most recent was the 130,000 transferred to Vivian Nash at 7:54 that evening.

There was another expenditure a few days ago.

890,000.

The recipient was a business bank account associated with international luxury jewelry.

It was the necklace Vivian Nash had worn that day.

He couldn’t remember the necklace he gave her for Valentine’s Day when he bought this one?

Sienna found it amusing.

There was another transaction from last month.

1,370,000.

The recipient was still a business bank account.

BMW.

It was the BMW he bought for Vivian Nash.

An indescribable bitterness rolled in her heart, surging up to her throat, seemingly ready to overflow at any moment.

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, and she no longer had time to look further back.

She could only quickly take pictures with her phone and then exit all the apps and place the phone back where it was.

Ping!

Just as she lay down, her phone buzzed with a message: [You can buy UG Eastern Intelligence Tech’s stocks.]