Chapter 9

Early on the morning of the tenth, Sienna received confirmation from Grant’s attorney, along with photos of two signed and notarized copies of the divorce agreement.

‘Satisfied?’

Sienna nodded in satisfaction.

The bold, sweeping signature was unmistakably his.

Of course, even with an attorney confirming everything, Grant still had more than enough power to drag out the divorce if he changed his mind.

But Sienna didn’t believe he would waste that much time or effort on her.

Just as he’d said, he wasn’t desperate to keep her.

Now that Claire was back, Sienna, his wife in name only, would naturally be cast aside.

‘Barely acceptable.’

‘My driver will pick you up at noon tomorrow.’

‘K.’

On the other side of the screen, Grant stared at the single letter as a vein began throbbing in his temple.

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The Sullivan estate stood in the foothills of Mount Laurel on the southern edge of Oakhaven.

The ten-acre property was designed in the style of a classic English country estate, with a stately manor, manicured gardens, stone terraces, and sweeping views of the surrounding hills.

Before his stroke, Grant’s father had loved playing golf. A private course stretched across the hills behind the estate, though it was mostly used for walking the family’s dogs now.

Grant had originally planned to arrive with Sienna.

However, his uncle said he had something important to discuss, so Grant had gone ahead.

When Sienna’s car arrived, a member of the household staff hurried forward and opened the door.

Sienna stepped out in heels.

The moonlight-silver silk brocade gown skimmed her tall, slender figure. White magnolias curved across the fitted bodice and down to her waist, while an exquisitely embroidered songbird perched among the branches.

The lustrous fabric shimmered softly beneath the sunlight.

Her long hair was swept into an elegant chignon and secured with a delicate pearl comb. Simple pearl earrings completed the look.

Sienna had always been naturally beautiful. With only subtle makeup, her delicate features were more than enough to draw attention.

Tall, graceful, and effortlessly elegant, she looked like a young heiress who had stepped out of an old Hollywood film.

The household staff stared in amazement.

Was this really the same timid Mrs. Sullivan who used to trail after Grant and agree with everything he said?

Their reactions pleased Sienna.

This was exactly the effect she wanted.

The greater the contrast, the more attention she would attract.

Then all she had to do was hand out her business cards.

Most of the guests had gathered in the main hall. Some were playing bridge or chess, while others chatted over drinks on the terrace.

Sienna’s arrival immediately drew their attention.

Several wealthy women at the card tables leaned toward one another, whispering as they tried to figure out who she was.

When they realized she was the wife the Sullivans had always considered too ordinary to present proudly in public, their expressions turned to disbelief.

Sienna ignored them.

Her gaze moved through the crowd until she spotted Grant in an adjoining room.

She walked inside and called softly, “Honey.”

Grant turned.

The moment he saw her standing in the doorway with the light behind her, surprise and admiration flashed through his eyes.

She crossed the room and slipped her arm through his with practiced familiarity.

Grant still hadn’t recovered.

A subtle jasmine fragrance drifted toward him on the breeze from the terrace.

He’d never seen Sienna like this before.

She had always been beautiful, but she rarely made an effort to dress up. At home, she preferred soft, comfortable clothing and usually wore no makeup at all.

Sienna smiled up at him.

Her expression was sweet, but her fingers dug warningly into his arm.

“Am I so beautiful that I’ve left you speechless, honey?”

She placed heavy emphasis on the last word.

The sweet, deliberately intimate word stirred something deep inside him.

He’d never realized how good that name could sound coming from her.

Grant’s gaze remained fixed on her.

A smile curved his lips as he caught the hand pinching his arm and folded it into his own.

Then he leaned closer.

“Barely acceptable.”

Sienna gave a cold little huff and shot him a sideways look.

“Take me to say hello to your father.”

Under a stone gazebo in the back garden, Grant’s father, Richard Sullivan, was playing chess with a guest.

He wore a charcoal three-piece suit that gave him a quiet, dignified presence.

Richard had suffered a stroke several years ago. Although he’d largely recovered after extensive treatment, his legs had never fully regained their strength, so he often used a wheelchair.

He studied the board for a moment before calmly moving a piece.

Checkmate.

His opponent leaned forward to examine the board, then laughed helplessly and tipped over his king.

“After all these years, I still can’t beat you.”

The guests gathered around them immediately began praising Richard’s skill.

“Dad.”

Grant’s voice interrupted the laughter inside the gazebo.

Richard turned and spotted the couple at the foot of the steps.

After a moment of surprise, he beckoned them over.

“Dad,” Sienna greeted.

Grant led her forward and introduced her to the other guests.

“This is my wife, Sienna Reed.”

Sienna nodded gracefully before handing Richard the gift box she carried.

“Happy birthday, Dad.”

Richard opened the box.

Inside was a bespoke black velvet dinner jacket with sharp peak lapels. Gold braided buttons ran neatly down the front, while subtle laurel embroidery decorated the cuffs, adding an understated touch of luxury.

The design was dignified, refined, and commanding.

Richard lifted the jacket out and examined it carefully, satisfaction written across his face.

“Very nice. Did you make this?”

Sienna bent slightly toward him.

“I hope you like it.”

Richard nodded with a smile.

“You put a great deal of thought into it.”

Grant glanced at her.

In the past, he would’ve believed she’d made every stitch herself.

Given how hostile things had become between them, however, he doubted she’d gone to that much trouble. She had probably grabbed an unsold sample from her studio and passed it off as his father’s birthday gift.

Grant’s uncle, Albert Sullivan, who had remained silent until now, spoke with open mockery.

“Grant’s wife is certainly impressive. Anyone who didn’t know better might think she came from one of Oakhaven’s oldest and most prestigious families.”

Just as Sienna had expected, he was using the occasion to embarrass her in front of everyone.

By attacking her background, he was also mocking Richard for allowing his son to marry someone the family could never proudly present in public.

Albert still resented Sienna for marrying Grant and helping him secure the shares that had pushed his uncle out of the company.

But Sienna had heard insults like this far too many times.

They no longer had any power over her.

Her expression didn’t change.

She answered calmly and without the slightest trace of insecurity.

“You can’t choose the family you’re born into, Uncle Albert, but sincerity is a choice. What matters most to me is showing respect and care for my elders. The Sullivan family has never valued empty prestige.”

His uncle gave a cold snort.

“Empty prestige? A woman with real ability helps her husband succeed in business. Anyone can pour drinks and wait on him. That’s what staff are for.”

The insult was so blatant that Sienna finally understood why Richard, not his brother, controlled the Sullivan family.

The man wasn’t nearly as clever as he believed.

She lifted her eyes. Her voice remained gentle, but every word landed clearly.

“You’re right, Uncle Albert. Being able to help certainly takes ability.”

She turned toward Grant with a smile in her eyes.

“But Grant doesn’t need my help. He can carry Sullivan Corporation on his own. Dad has never been wrong about people.”

Richard leisurely turned the heavy signet ring on his finger.

“Sienna is right. The Sullivan family has never cared about hollow pedigrees. Grant’s abilities speak for themselves.”

Sienna met his brother’s gaze, her voice cooling slightly.

“And when it comes to being useful, I believe success in the boardroom matters far less than being there for your elders when they need you. Wouldn’t you agree, Uncle?”

Her words immediately reminded everyone that Albert hadn’t even returned for his own father’s funeral.

Sienna never would’ve dared speak to an elder this way before.

She’d always been terrified of offending someone and having them complain about her to Grant.

Now, she would happily let every Sullivan relative line up and urge him to divorce her.

Albert’s face darkened.

He distinctly remembered Sienna being a complete pushover.

How had she become this sharp after only a few years?

He turned to Grant in displeasure.

“Grant, are you really going to let your wife speak to her elders like that?”

His meaning was obvious.

Sienna has no manners.

But Grant had barely taken his eyes off Sienna since she began speaking.

The admiration in his gaze was impossible to hide.

Besides, Grant and his uncle had never gotten along. Even if Grant had disliked his wife, he still wouldn’t have sided with him.

Grant merely laughed.

“I think Sienna made a perfectly fair point. Perhaps you’re being a little sensitive, Uncle.”

“You!”

Albert’s face turned livid with rage.