Chapter 5: A Proposal with Strings Attached
1111 Words
Damien leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes fixed on Sienna. His expression was calm, but his words were anything but casual.
"My grandmother believes it would be best if I married you," he stated matter-of-factly. "She insists that I take responsibility for you and your children for the rest of your lives. Would you consider such an arrangement?"
There was no warmth or emotion in his voice—it was as if he were discussing a business deal rather than a marriage.
Sienna folded her arms and let out a small laugh, tilting her head slightly. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulder as she smirked.
"Tell me something, Mr. Blackwell," she said playfully. "Do I look like a woman who struggles to find a husband?"
Her confidence was undeniable. It wasn’t just about her beauty—there was something about the way she carried herself that made her presence impossible to ignore.
For a moment, Damien’s jaw tightened, but his expression remained unreadable.
"Miss Tillman," he said evenly, "is your hesitation because you don’t want to marry me?"
A soft but bold chuckle escaped Sienna’s lips. She looked straight into his eyes and, without hesitation, replied, "You might be rich and, I’ll admit, easy on the eyes, but honestly? I just don’t care about you."
For the first time, Damien seemed genuinely caught off guard. Most people either feared him or admired him—but she? She didn’t seem the least bit impressed. Surprisingly, instead of being annoyed, he found her bluntness... refreshing.
"Fair enough," he finally said, his tone unreadable. "Regardless, my grandmother wants to meet you. Since she’s the one pushing for this, I think you should."
Sienna squinted at him, her mind working. "Let me guess—you’re just doing this to keep her happy, aren’t you?"
Damien didn’t confirm or deny it, but the slight tilt of his head told her she wasn’t wrong.
After a short silence, she shifted the conversation. "So, you’re officially the new owner of JC International now?"
"Yes," Damien answered. "From today onwards, I run the company. That means I’m your boss."
His words carried a sense of finality as if to make it clear that their relationship would remain strictly professional. "You don’t have to worry—I’ll make sure you’re taken care of at work."
Sienna raised an eyebrow, a sly smirk forming on her lips. "Well, congratulations, Mr. Blackwell. See you around."
She turned her back on him and returned to her work, effectively ending the conversation.
Damien stayed for a brief moment, studying her with his dark eyes. She was unlike any woman he had ever encountered. Finally, with a small nod, he walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hall.
The moment the door shut behind him, Sienna let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Their exchange had been both amusing and frustrating.
Not long after, Nicole, her assistant, walked in, looking eager. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned closer.
"So..." Nicole grinned. "What’s going on between you and Mr. Blackwell?"
"Nothing," Sienna answered flatly.
"Really?" Nicole teased. "Because everyone in the office is saying he couldn’t take his eyes off you during the meeting."
Sienna rolled her eyes. "People love office gossip."
"But isn’t it flattering?" Nicole teased further.
"Not at all," Sienna shot back. She had no interest in workplace distractions—especially not ones involving her new boss.
Ignoring Nicole’s amused expression, Sienna turned toward the large glass window. The city skyline stretched before her, vibrant yet distant, mirroring her own thoughts.
Then, she picked up her phone and dialed a familiar number.
After a few rings, a voice she hadn’t heard in years answered. "Hello?"
Sienna’s throat tightened. "Dad, it’s me," she whispered.
There was a pause on the other end before Franklin's voice softened with emotion.
"Sienna? Is that really you? Where have you been all these years?"
Her fingers gripped the phone tighter. "I’m sorry, Dad. I was living abroad, but... I’m back now."
Franklin let out a shaky sigh, filled with relief. "That’s all that matters. When can we see each other?"
"In a few days," she said quietly.
"Good," he replied, his voice warm. "It’s been too long, Sienna."
After hanging up, she stared at her phone for a moment. Coming home meant facing the past—something she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Michael, one of her coworkers, stepped in, holding a sleek gift box.
"Sienna, this just arrived for you," he said, placing it on her desk.
She eyed it warily. "What is it?"
Michael grinned. "Open it and find out."
Reluctantly, she lifted the lid. Inside was an access card and a set of keys.
"It’s for the Opal Heights Penthouse," Michael explained. "A fully furnished luxury apartment. Arranged personally by Mr. Blackwell."
Sienna’s expression hardened. "Send it back. I don’t need it."
Michael blinked in surprise. "You’re refusing it?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "I don’t want any special treatment."
Michael hesitated before giving her a small nod and exiting with the package.
Meanwhile, Damien sat in his office, idly tapping his fingers against his desk. When Michael delivered the news of Sienna’s rejection, he merely nodded as if he had expected it.
Across town, Franklin arrived home from work, looking lighter than he had in years.
Amanda, his wife, was lounging on the couch when he spoke. "You’ll never guess who called today."
She glanced up from the TV. "Who?"
Franklin’s face lit up. "Sienna. She’s back."
Amanda’s expression instantly darkened. "Why is she back? She’s only ever caused trouble."
"Let’s not dwell on the past," Franklin said, trying to keep the peace.
Amanda’s lips thinned. "She embarrassed you before. Don’t let her do it again."
With a sigh, Franklin shook his head and went upstairs, not wanting to argue.
The moment he was gone, Amanda picked up her phone and dialed a number.
"Mom?" came Vanessa’s voice on the other end.
"Sienna’s back," Amanda said coolly.
There was a brief silence before Vanessa asked, "What does she want?"
Amanda’s voice was laced with bitterness. "Probably a piece of our family's wealth."
Vanessa let out a slow, knowing smirk. "We got rid of her once. We can do it again."
Sienna thought she was returning home to rebuild and upgrade her career life, but what she didn’t know was that her own family was already planning to push her out again. And this time, they weren’t going to let her walk away so easily and she also has got prepared for anyone that comes her way this time.
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