Chapter 697
Sienna’s nose twinged. She realized that Daniel had sensed for a while that she might end their relationship. She couldn’t bring herself to use Daniel’s money to settle Felix’s debt. The sadness in Daniel’s eyes pained her deeply.
“Daniel, Clement framed Felix by putting him in debt and using it to manipulate me. He even offered me money to help him. My family doesn’t have the funds to clear the debt, so I feel powerless.” Feeling sorrow, Daniel ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ve already told you. I have the money.”
“I can’t accept your money. Right now, I see only two options. One is to hire a lawyer and sue him for setting up the gambling scam, and the other is to betray him and act as your informant.”
With that, Sienna pulled out her phone from her pocket. “I recorded my conversation with him, but I’m not sure if it can serve as evidence.”
Daniel sank back into the couch helplessly. “You’re already considering ending things with me, which is why you refuse my money, right?”
Sienna was overcome by a wave of sadness. She lowered her head, uncertain of how to react.
She was resolved to convince Shelly to accept her relationship with Daniel, even though she wasn’t sure if she would succeed.
Yet, Sienna chose not to disclose Shelly’s disapproval to Daniel. She worried if they did get married eventually, Daniel would hold resentment toward her mother.
Just then, Sienna’s phone rang, displaying Shelly’s name on the caller ID. Stepping away from him, Sienna answered the call. “Hi, Mom.”
Felix’s voice crackled through the phone. He sounded anxious. “Sienna, hurry home. Mom’s talking about suicide.”
Sienna’s face paled instantly. Quickly gathering her belongings, she said, “Daniel, there’s an urgent situation at home. I have to leave right away.”
Daniel rose from his seat and grabbed her wrist. “Sisi, what’s happening?”
“I’ll explain later.” Sienna hurriedly pushed him away.
Daniel grabbed his car keys and caught up to her. “Let me drive you, Sisi.”
Tears welled in Sienna’s eyes as she forcefully shoved his hand away. “Please, don’t follow me. I’m begging you.”
Daniel froze in place, his heart sinking as Sienna walked away without so much as a glance back. The chilly wind brushed against him as he watched her vanish into the distance, and his heart ached. Even though Sienna had agreed to give their relationship a shot, she never fully opened up to him. Daniel constantly felt insecure and unsure about where he stood in her life.
When Sienna hurried home, Shelly was already standing outside the balcony railing, gripping it with both hands. Tears streamed down Shelly’s face, her emotions running high. “Mom…” Sienna’s legs trembled with fear. “Mom, please don’t do anything rash!”
Felix was in a panic. Spotting Sienna’s return, he quickly took hold of her arm, his voice shaking with tears. “Sienna, please ask Mom to come back… We’ve already lost Dad; we can’t lose Mom too.”
Turning to Sienna, Shelly’s face contorted with despair as she cried out, “It’s all your fault… Our family is in shambles because of you. We were managing fine and living peacefully. Why didn’t you listen to me? Why stick with that cop? Why?”
Her voice cracked with anguish as she continued, “Felix got dragged into this because of you. If it weren’t for your cop boyfriend meddling with those criminals, he wouldn’t have been framed and ended up owing over two million!”
Shelly sobbed, her whole body trembling with emotion. “Am I supposed to give up my life to pay off his debt? Why, God? Why make life worse for the unfortunate?”