CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: JEALOUSY AND TESTING (REVISED)

As evening approached, the last sliver of sunset disappeared on the horizon.

After the last visitor left, the art museum closed, and Sienna Monroe held a small wrap-up meeting in the office area.

Although the opening day had passed, there are still six days left, and we must not be complacent. Safety checks need to be conducted at least twice a day, without becoming negligent due to monotony.

The meeting didn’t last long since they had to work overtime in the evening, Sienna also didn’t want to take up their time.

Just as she turned to go into her office, on the other side, Caleb Sinclair had already driven to the art museum. When Curator Dawson, who was about to head to the exhibition area, saw him, he was not surprised at all and immediately approached him.

"Mr. Sinclair, you’re here."

Caleb Sinclair nodded gently in response, "Where is your director?"

"The director is in the office upstairs."

"Was everything smooth with today’s exhibition?"

Curator Dawson paused and nodded, "Yes, it went quite smoothly, and the online response is also quite positive."

"That’s good. Sienna has been worried about this exhibition. Now she can relax, today was a good start, and it will only get better from here."

Curator Dawson laughed, "Of course. Serena Art Museum has a good reputation, and under the director’s leadership, it will definitely reach new heights."

Caleb Sinclair said, "You all worked hard today. I’ve ordered a lot of hot drinks to help you all relax. They’ll be delivered shortly, please help distribute them."

"Ah, Mr. Sinclair, you shouldn’t have."

"It’s no trouble. You all help Sienna with her worries, it’s the least I can do."

After the pleasantries, Caleb Sinclair carried the milk tea in his hand and went up to the third floor.

As he stepped out of the elevator, he happened to encounter Vivian Nash carrying a stack of documents, her face looking somewhat troubled.

Their eyes met in the air, and a spark of light suddenly appeared in Vivian Nash’s previously dim eyes.

Excitedly, she walked over, instinctively wanting to throw herself into his arms, and said playfully, "Why are you here? Did you come especially to see me?"

Before the last syllable fully fell, Caleb Sinclair sidestepped to avoid her hand, his eyebrows furrowed, a trace of displeasure in his eyes, "There’s surveillance!"

Vivian Nash was stunned.

The moment she saw him, it seemed like she found an outlet for all the grievances and neglect she received from Sienna Monroe throughout the day. She wanted his embrace and kisses.

For a moment she almost forgot they were in the art museum, where the corridor was under surveillance.

She pouted in grievance, her innocent eyes tinged with a hint of resentment, "I thought you knew I was wronged today and came to comfort me. Didn’t you even bring me milk tea?"

It was obvious, without even guessing, that the milk tea Caleb Sinclair brought was for Sienna Monroe.

He couldn’t bear Vivian Nash looking at him like that, and his tightly furrowed brows relaxed, a trace of gentle compassion appeared in his eyes.

"I bought it, it will be delivered later. Yours is different from theirs, I made a note."

In the morning, Vivian Nash had already poured her heart out about what happened at the art museum to him.

Her words were filled with the grievance and sadness of someone who had been hurt.

Despite feeling a bit unwilling, she didn’t dare to make a scene now. Feeling sulky, she replied, "Oh," forcing back the tears welling in her eyes.

Graciously, she said, "Then you can go find her. She’s in the office, I’ll get back to work first."

Seeing this, Caleb Sinclair’s lips moved with empathy, but he made no promises at the moment.

Vivian Nash retreated to advance, not looking at him as she entered the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, she took a deep breath, her face no longer showed any sadness or grievance, a trace of dark malice flickered in her eyes, and she silently clenched her fists.

Caleb Sinclair reorganized his thoughts, walked to Sienna Monroe’s office door, and knocked with his finger,

Sienna Monroe was sitting in the office chair looking at the materials on the computer, and casually said, "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Caleb Sinclair poked his head in, teasingly with a smile in his voice, "Director Monroe, when are you getting off work? I’m waiting at the door."

Sienna Monroe looked up upon hearing the voice, and when she saw Caleb Sinclair, she was momentarily stunned, then showed a faint smile, "Why are you here? And you didn’t even message me."

"I was worried you might be busy and not have time, so I just came over with some drinks," Caleb Sinclair walked over, "Are you very tired today?"

"Not really." Sienna Monroe looked at the items in his hand, "What is this? Sakura Bliss? Did you go and buy it especially?"

"Yes, haven’t you had it in a while?"

"Yes, thank you, hubby." The brilliance of delight shone in her eyes as she promptly poked in the straw and took a sip, "You just said you bought some hot drinks?"

"Yes, they should be here already, to reward the staff of the museum, everyone’s worked hard during this period."

Sienna Monroe nodded, "They do deserve a good reward, you’re always so thoughtful. Earlier today, Audrey also told me that once the exhibition stabilizes, she’ll treat everyone to dinner."

"That’s fine too. Where is she? I haven’t seen her."

"Audrey went home after four o’clock, she was tired from the whole day."

Caleb Sinclair nodded, somewhat helplessly said, "She’s been back for several days, and I said I’d treat her to a meal, but haven’t found the chance."

"It’s okay, Audrey won’t return to Elysia until after the new year, there will be plenty of opportunities to have dinner together."

"True, there’s no need to rush."

"Since you want to treat someone to a meal so much, how about treating me first?" Sienna Monroe raised her eyebrows proudly and asked.

Caleb Sinclair chuckled, "Well, it’s truly an honor for me to have a meal with Director Monroe. Let’s go, whatever you feel like eating, just pick."

Sienna Monroe, "Hmm... let me think, I want steak and Boston lobster."

Caleb Sinclair nodded happily, "Alright, then let’s go to Gourmet Fusion. Didn’t you say last time that you enjoyed their steaks? We never got to go a second time, should we go today?"

"Sure."

"When can we leave?"

"I need to finish up some work first, probably in half an hour."

"No rush. You go ahead, I’ll wait for you, and I’ll reserve the table meanwhile."

Sienna Monroe had a lot to do today, finishing up in about forty minutes. Caleb Sinclair watched her stretch her neck and cap her pen, then got up, taking the initiative to pick up her coat and bag.

"Let’s go."

Sienna paused briefly; he was thoughtful, understanding some of her habits.

The two of them walked out of the office hand in hand, their chatting and laughing an image of tenderness to a third party.

In Vivian Nash’s eyes, it seemed as if pink bubbles surrounded them.

Especially their intertwined hands, which made Vivian feel a stabbing pain in her eyes, while every breath seemed to accompany a deep ache in her heart.

The intense pain twisted her face slightly.

She envied Sienna Monroe for being able to stand openly by Caleb Sinclair’s side, jealous of her being able to hold Caleb’s hand without sneaking around, and longed for the deep affection Caleb showed when he looked at her.

This starkly contrasted with the scene at the elevator earlier where he avoided suspicion with her.

How could she be content, and how could she not be jealous?

Only when she thought about how she had Sienna Monroe wrapped around her finger, and her beloved husband had become smitten with her, did she feel slightly better.

What’s the use of her being so happy now?

What would happen when her affair with Caleb Sinclair was exposed? She looked forward to the shock and pain on Sienna Monroe’s face.

She was genuinely anticipating it.

Once the hostility in her eyes faded, she curled her lips in mockery, stepped forward, and reverted to her usual innocent, lively demeanor.

"Sienna, off work? Where are you going for your date?"

She affectionately linked arms with Sienna Monroe, projecting the image of someone who hadn’t taken their earlier conflict to heart.

Sienna frowned, her eyes revealing mild, unemotional feelings as she withdrew her arm, speaking in a cool tone, "For dinner."

Vivian felt a flutter of nerves at Sienna’s attitude.

Did she really know that she had meddled?

But if she knew, why hadn’t she exposed her?

Vivian was unsure and insecure, tentatively asking, "Sienna, what’s wrong? Did I upset you somehow? Aren’t we best friends? Just tell me, we can talk it out, okay?"

Her fearful, innocent, yet anxious expression was spot-on, and the last two sentences even carried a hint of choke.

Anyone watching would think she seemed to be suffering from some profound grievance.

Sienna’s expression remained indifferent, though her voice was peaceful, "Nothing, you’re overthinking it."

With that, she latched onto Caleb Sinclair’s arm, softly saying, "Honey, I’m hungry, let’s go eat first."

"Okay."

Caleb affectionately squeezed her hand, and shot a glance at the teary-eyed Vivian Nash, feeling a corner of his heart sink.

Upon reaching the underground parking, he opened the car door for Sienna Monroe, considerately fastening her seatbelt.

Once the car started, he finally spoke, "Honey, are you having a conflict with Vivian Nash?"

"Sort of." Sienna casually fabricated an excuse, "I feel like she’s lying to me. She didn’t see me as a friend, and it makes me uncomfortable."

Caleb was taken aback, "Lying to you? Lying about what?"

"Didn’t she say she had a new boyfriend? I suspect she’s the other woman now, and... I might know the guy, might even be familiar, it feels like someone around me, but the thing is, there aren’t many men around me..."

Caleb’s heart sank with a thud, surprise evident on his face, "Why would you think that? Did you... see something?"

"No, it’s just a feeling." Sienna watched his expression, "Just a very strong feeling. Anyway, I can’t explain it, but my intuition has never been wrong."

"This... without evidence, it’s not good to assume..."

"Yeah, I know, so I haven’t mentioned it to anyone."

Caleb pursed his lips, "You’ve known her for so many years, you know what she’s like, she shouldn’t do something like this. We can’t just jump to conclusions."

Sienna paused for a few seconds, then smiled, "Many men probably find Vivian’s looks and personality appealing, right?"

"Hmm? I wouldn’t know, having you is enough, I hardly notice anyone else." Caleb said.

"Oh, I’m not joking." Sienna glared at him, "As her friend, of course, I don’t want her to go down the wrong path. You stay out of this."

"Okay. I won’t interfere, but I just worry you’ll get upset."

Caleb smiled, the gentleness in his eyes revealing a glint of sharpness under his glasses.