Chapter 77
Chapter 77
But Vivian overestimated herself , Wishful thinking had made her paint too rosy a picture of reality . Scars might fade , but the pain stayed with her . Even healed wounds couldn’t mase the past .
Vivian let out a cold laugh , her gaze brimming with biting sarcasm as it fixed on the female classmate . “ Don’t you have a phone ? Or have you been living under a rock ? How could you not know the Quinn family went bankrupt ? ”
The woman thought she could take the chance to humiliate Vivian , but to her shock , she ended up being the one humiliated instead
“ Alright . We’re all classmates here , so let’s not dwell on that . How about we catch up ! What has everyone been up to these past few years ? ” someone suggested
When it came to Vivian , Bella raised her voice and said , “Vivian ! I know all about her . She works at some no – name company , barely making four to a fex
hundred dollars a month
“ It’s so embarrassing . And those clothes ? Please , they’re obviously knockoffs just to keep up appearances . ”
Vivian didn’t bat an eye . She just shrugged and said with a faint smile , “ Yeah , that’s right . So honestly , there’s no need for you to be jealous of me
Bella snapped , “ Vivian , as if I’d ever be jealous of you . ”
“ Can’t she tell she’s being mocked ? Didn’t she catch that ? ‘ Bella wondered .
“ Seriously, Bella , why else would you dig so deep into my life and blurt it all out ? Isn’t it just because you’re green with envy seeing me doing well pulling in a few hundred dollars a month ? ” Vivian mocked .
Bella sputtered , stunned , and wondered , “ When did Vivian get so sharp – tongued ? ”
“ Vivian , is that you ? ” The bartender came over with drinks and , spotting Vivian , greeted her warmly .
Before Vivian could respond , the waitress continued , “ Wvian , I haven’t seen you at work lately . The manager said you quit . Did you really leave ? The hourly rate’s gone up now . Want to come back and work with us again ! ”
Hearing this , the whole group shot Vivian disdainful looks . So this’s the kind of place she used to work , they wondered .
Marcy smirked triumphantly . She’d already spotted Vivian working here last time , and just now , while in the restroom , she’d casually dropped a hint to the waitress . The girl picked up on it right away – guess that tip is avell spent , she wondered
Vivian ignored the way everyone was looking at her , though deep down , she still felt a twinge and the urge to escape reality .
During this time , working alongside Anya and with Sienna’s guidance , Vivian had grown in both mind and experience . She was no longer the timid , people – pleasing girl she once was .
Vivian smiled faintly , “ Really ? That’s great . But my day job keeps me pretty busy now , so I don’t have time for side gigs in the evenings anymore . Thanks for remembering me . Keep working hard I hope you can go hometown soon .
The waitress’s pupils dilated sharply as her guilt deepened . She and Vivian had been quite close when they worked together . Vivian was always kind to
everyone .
She was an out of towner who came here just to make money , hoping to one day settle down back in her hometown . Over the years , by pinching every penny and juggling multiple jobs , she had managed to save over 60 thousand dollars .
She dreamed of saving up 100 thousand dollars before returning to her hometown to live with her grandparents . She didn’t expect that Vivian still remembered it
But for a mere seventy dollar tip , she’d gone along with their little schema .
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Chapter 77
She couldn’t bear to stay any longer , yet she knew she couldn’t mention the lips . As just an ordinary worker , angle complaint from a customer could cost her this job ,
She respectfully set a glass of strawberry apple juice in front of Vivian , offering a pratefulumile . “ 17 do my best , just as you said . Thank you ”
Vivian’s eyes held only serene confidence , showing nothingelse . Her poise made those who had sneered earlier feel ashamed , thele gazes droppi
With quiet satisfaction , Siema observed the scene from upstairs .
“ Miss Enna , Miss Sinclair is right over there , ” Lana approached and reported
Sienna nodded , then tumed and headed that way , “ Have someone keep a close eye on Vivian , ” she instructed . “ Don’t let anything happen to her
At the bar , a woman in a sleek black dress was leaning over the counter .
Her elegantly coiled hair gave her the timeless grace of a classic beauty from another era , her features dignified and naturally graceful , arth an air of quiet strength in her expression
A few eager men nearby were about to approach , but Sienna , dressed in a black overcoat and exuding such an intimidating aura , made them all instinctively keep their distance
Recognizing Sienna’s intimidating presence , the men thought better of it . Swallowing their bravado , they exchanged a few awkward jokes and quickly
dispersed
“ Nora ? ” Sienna’s voice was gentle , tinged with nostalgia , as she reached out to softly brush a stray lock of hair from Nora’s face .
it was as if Nora heard a familiar voice . Still hall – drunk and dazed , she slowly opened her eyes and saw Sienna standing before her . No , this was Senna ,
all grown up
Thinking she must be dreaming , Nora let out a bitter chuckle and reached out to caress Enna’s face . “ Enna , all these years , you never once visited my dreams . Now that I’ve fallen so low , you finally decide to show up ? Is that it ? ”
Sienna opened her mouth , but words failed her
“ Enna , you know what ? I’ve missed you so much . If I could go back to when we were eighteen , I’d never have said those words to you ,” Nora said
“ It’s alright . ” Sienna said , unconcerned . Nora only said for Sienna’s good .
A single tear escaped from Nora’s eye , her lashes already rimmed with red from prolonged crying
“ Enna , do you forgive me ? ” Nora drained her glass in one gulp , then let out a bitter laugh . “ Enna , guess what ? Ethan cheated on me
Surprise flickered in Sienna’s eyes before she composed herself “ When’s the divorce ?”
Nora let out a bitter laugh , her eyes brimming with sorrow . “ Enna , you always cut straight to the heart of things , so decisive . Divorce ? Yes , that’s what i should do . But what if I just can’t let go ? ”
Sienna fell silent . Nora went on , her voice thick with emotion , “ Sienna , I’m twenty – nine now . I’ve loved him for fifteen years . We’ve been together for fifteen years . Childhood sweethearts , inseparable since we were kids , you know ?
“ We even have a lovely little boy . He’s five now . I just want to give him the best . Ethan says that girl reminds him of how I used to be , and now he calls me crazy : Can you believe that ? Sienna , I regret not Estening to you .
I gave too much , and look at me now . Am I pathetic ? Sienna , you’re so beautiful , stunning yet aloof , just as imagined . But you never smile. Your eyes hold frost , and no matter how hard I tried , I could never melt that coldness away . ”
Sienna reached out and gently cradled Nora’s head against her chest “ You’re the best , ” she said softly
Nora sobbed softly in Sienna’s arms , until her cries gradually subsided . Sienna gently brushed aside Nora’s hair , revealing the tear streaked checks of her
Chapter 77
Sienna took out a handkerchief , wiped away the trans , then gathered for in her arms and quietly led herd of the b
“ Miss Enna , shall we go to the Sinclair residence or the Preston residence ? Lana asked
Sienna replied , “ The Creston residence . ”
“ Understood . ” Lana turned the car around and drove to the Preston residence .
By the time they arrived , it was already nine o’clock , and the mansion was ablaze with lights , Lana pressed the doorbell. A voice came from the intercom ,
“ Who is it ? ”
The butler looked at Sienna , then noticed the person in her arms . “ Mrs. Preston ? ”
Sienna replied , “ Tm her friend . She’s had too much to drink . ”
The butler extended his hands respectfully . “ Please allow me to assist Mrs. Preston , ” he said .
Sienna’s face was stony , the darkness of night making her seem even more forbidding . “ Tell Ethan to come out ,” she
E