Chapter 11: Meeting Again

Damian froze where he stood.

His gaze slowly traveled over Sienna from head to toe.

Her long hair was neatly tied back.

Her face was adorned with light makeup that highlighted her natural beauty, and she stood confidently with perfect posture.

"Mr. Damian?"

His secretary called out awkwardly after noticing that his boss had suddenly stopped walking.

Damian ignored him.

Without caring about the puzzled looks from the dozen executives following behind him, he turned around and strode directly toward the booth where Sienna was standing.

Sienna remained where she was.

When Damian stopped in front of the counter, she quietly clasped her hands in front of her skirt before raising her head and offering him her most professional smile.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Blackwell. Is there anything I can help you with today? Perhaps skincare products for yourself or a gift for a colleague?" Sienna greeted him politely, using the same professional tone she would use with any customer.

Damian's chest tightened.

His jaw clenched as unfamiliar emotions surged within him—a mixture of shock, anger, and overwhelming disbelief at what he was seeing.

"What is this, Sienna?" Damian asked in a low, demanding voice.

Sienna maintained her pleasant smile, showing no trace of fear.

"I'm working, sir. This is our newest skincare product—"

"Come with me. Now."

Damian interrupted abruptly.

He reached out, intending to grab Sienna's wrist and pull her away from the crowded mall.

Sienna instinctively stepped back.

She quickly hid her hand to avoid his touch.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Blackwell," Sienna said calmly, her voice steady but unmistakably firm. "I'm currently on duty. If you don't intend to purchase our products, please don't disturb my workplace."

Damian stood speechless.

His hand remained suspended in the air before he slowly withdrew it and clenched it tightly at his side.

He stared at Sienna in disbelief.

"You're working as a sales associate in a shopping mall?" Damian asked sarcastically, trying to conceal the uneasiness in his eyes. "Serving random shoppers? You're the wife of Blackwell Group's CEO, Sienna! Do you have any idea what my business associates will think if they see you standing here like this?"

Sienna looked directly into Damian's dark eyes, still clouded by pride.

She wasn't angry.

If anything, she felt sorry for the man standing before her—a man who still measured everything through the lens of reputation.

"Your reputation no longer has anything to do with me, Mr. Blackwell," Sienna replied without hesitation. "Our marriage is over. I'm earning an honest living through my own hard work, and I'm proud of what I'm doing today."

She offered another polite smile.

"I am your ex-wife, sir. Not your wife anymore."

"Sienna!"

Damian hissed as he stepped even closer, closing the distance between them.

"Stop acting like a child. If you need money for your foundation, just tell me! I can transfer whatever amount you need right now instead of watching you embarrass yourself in public like this!"

Sienna let out a slow breath and met his gaze with calm determination.

"I no longer repay kindness by selling my self-respect, Damian," she said, dropping the formal address for the first time to draw a clear line between them. "Your money no longer has any power over my life. So please continue your project inspection and allow me to continue doing my job."

Damian fell silent.

Her words struck his pride with brutal precision.

A bitter sensation spread through his throat, leaving the man who dominated the business world completely speechless.

Several shoppers and Blackwell Group executives had begun whispering as they watched the tense exchange between the renowned CEO and a beauty sales associate.

Sienna picked up a brochure from the counter and politely offered it to Damian.

"You may take this brochure if you ever need gift recommendations. Have a pleasant day, Mr. Blackwell."

She bowed politely after speaking.

Damian looked at the brochure in her hand before lifting his gaze to Sienna's face.

For the first time, he realized something that wounded his pride more deeply than anything else.

The woman standing before him no longer needed a luxurious life or the protection of the Blackwell name.

Damian stepped even closer until his lips were beside Sienna's ear.

Sienna stiffened.

She swallowed nervously but did not dare move away under the watchful eyes of everyone around them.

"Remember this, Sienna," Damian whispered quietly. "Our divorce isn't legally finalized yet. I haven't signed those papers."

After speaking, he slowly pulled back and studied the shock on Sienna's face.

Then he turned around and walked away, leaving the booth behind.

Sienna stared after him.

Her mouth fell open in disbelief, and her fingers curled tightly into fists at her sides as his words echoed in her mind.

What did he mean?

Their contract had ended, and divorce had always been part of their agreement.

So why hadn't Damian signed the divorce papers?