Chapter 1123: Disparagement

Chapter 1123: Disparagement

The dinner proceeded smoothly, but Sienna remained unusually quiet,

a detail Madison noticed.

After the meal, everyone gathered in the living room for tea. Madison

took Sienna to the kitchen, saying, "Let's prepare some fruit for your

brother and Rex to enjoy with their tea!"

Sienna nodded, joining Madison in arranging the fruit. Madison, a

gentle and dignified woman, was generally lively and expressive. She

took a glance at Sienna and gently inquired, "Sienna, are you upset? Is

it inappropriate that Rex's dad and I invited your brother over without

informing you beforehand?"

"If that's the case, Mom, I apologize. It was unexpected to run into your

brother, and considering you two met last night, Rex's dad and I

thought it was only right to invite him for dinner. After all, he's your

brother."

Madison's tone was sincere, as she could sense Sienna's less-than-

happy mood. Knowing Sienna as an upbeat person, Madison felt

uneasy witnessing her silent demeanor, an unusual and uneasy feeling.

Feeling increasingly guilty, Madison spoke, "Sienna, what did you mean

just now?"

Sienna quickly responded, “Mom, what are you saying? Why would I

be angry? I'm delighted that you and Dad invited him over. Your actions

are for my sake, and I understand that.”

Sienna gazed at Madison and spoke softly, “I don't feel any discomfort

or unhappiness. I just...”

"Just what?" Madison locked eyes with Sienna, concerned about the

somewhat unfavorable expression on her face.

Sienna pursed her lips, hesitated for a few seconds, and then said,

“Mom, I'll be honest with you. You know about my relationship with the

King family. Although I grew up there, for some reasons, I no longer

have any connection with them. I'm grateful for their upbringing, and if

they ever need my help, I won't hesitate. However, the relationship

between Mario and me is not as close and friendly as real siblings. We

don't interfere with each other, and I prefer to keep it that way. This is

also what Dad means by “thanks.

Sienna hesitated before sharing this information. However, she

believed that transparency was better than concealing the truth. By

being honest, Mr. Ward and Madison would understand that her

relationship with Mario wasn't very positive. This way, the Ward family

wouldn't have any reservations, and they wouldn't feel obligated to give

face to Mario repeatedly.

Sienna gazed at Madison, observing the changes in her expression.

Madison didn't show much surprise or astonishment; after all, she had

witnessed many things between affluent families.

Looking at Sienna with affection in her eyes, Madison said, "Sienna, I

understand what you mean. You don't need to feel any pressure or

unease. Rex's dad and I will handle everything. You don't have to worry

about us. Just be yourself, okay?"

Sienna pursed her lips and replied in a low, husky voice, "Okay, thank

you, Mom."

"No need to be formal with me," Madison said with a slight smile.

Although Sienna and Rex hadn't had their wedding yet, Sienna had

already started addressing Madison as her mother-in-law. Madison

couldn't wait and decided to give Sienna a significant gift in advance to

prompt the change.

This matter had a touch of humor to it, with the assistance of Camille

and Talia. So, Madison was eager and didn't want to wait, aiming to

make Sienna change her address sooner.

While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were in the kitchen,

chatting about various topics while preparing fruit, in the living room,

the three men were engaged in pleasant conversation.

Afterward, everyone enjoyed the fruit, chatting intermittently. By around

ten o'clock, Mario glanced at the time and suggested, "Mr. Ward, Mrs.

Ward, it's getting late. I appreciate the hospitality tonight. Let's call it a

night, and we can gather again next time. I'll take my leave now."

Naturally, Mr. Ward and Madison politely insisted on keeping Mario a bit

longer, but Mario declined with courtesy, expressing that there would be

plenty of opportunities to meet in the future.

The group escorted Mario to the door, but he didn't allow anyone to

accompany him to his car. Instead, he turned to Sienna and said, "I

have a few words to say to Sienna."

The implication was clear: everyone should give them some privacy.

Rex, standing next to Sienna, instinctively glanced at Mario. His eyes

narrowed slightly, revealing a subtle coldness. Sienna, on the other

hand, took Rex's hand, offering silent comfort.

Since Mario had made this request, Madison and Mr. Ward had no right

to refuse.

Sienna said, "Dad, Mom, you and Rex go in first. I need to talk to my

brother for a moment."

Mr. Ward and Madison nodded, agreeing. They bid Mario farewell once

again, reminded the driver to prioritize safety, and then went inside.

As for Rex, he made no move to enter the house. Without the presence

of Mr. Ward and Madison, Mario's lips curved into a faint smile. He

remarked, "Mr. Ward, do you plan to keep staring at her like this?"

Rex chuckled and calmly responded, “I do have that intention.”

"Don't you think it's a bit excessive? If someone belongs to you, they

won't leave even if you don't keep an eye on them. If they don't belong

to you, even if you keep constant watch, they'll still leave," Mario said

meaningfully, looking at Rex. His gaze toward Sienna conveyed a clear

message. He then turned to Sienna and said, "Sienna, I believe there

are some things we should discuss privately. What do you think?"

Sienna didn't answer him, maintaining a silent and cold demeanor. After

a few seconds, she spoke softly to Rex, "Go inside and accompany

Mom and Dad. I'll be there shortly.”

Rex nodded gently, his gaze tenderly fixed on Camille. He said, "I'll be

inside. If you need anything, just call me, alright?"

"Alright, I know," Sienna responded, and then Rex entered the house.

Now, only Sienna and Mario remained outside. Mario's gaze stayed on

Sienna, but she showed no expression, maintaining a cold demeanor.

She said, "Speak. What do you want to talk to me about?"

Mario's emotions were understandably not in a good state. His tone

with Sienna wasn't pleasant either. He said, "You're already calling his

parents Mom and Dad? Sienna, is this how the King family and I raised

you? You're blindly with him, but does he and his family respect you?

They can't even give you a decent wedding, which is a blatant denial of

you. Are you not undermining yourself?"

"Undermining myself? Am I? Is that what you think? Everything now is

what I want. So, I don't think I'm undermining myself. On the contrary, I

believe my previous self was undermining me."

"What do you mean?"

"Can't you understand? Everything now is my choice, and I want it all.

So, I don't think I'm undermining myself. In fact, I believe this is good

for me."

Sienna's words completely darkened Mario's expression. He squinted,

his gaze filled with icy anger, and questioned in a low voice, "Now, for

the sake of this man, are you willing to give up even the King family? If I

hadn't come to Hance City, were you planning to never see me again in

your life?"