CHAPTER 11

The apartment felt incredibly small now. Packing boxes, provided by Marcus from the trunk of the SUV, sat stacked near the minimalist sofa. Sienna moved through the bedroom, folding her remaining sweaters and placing them into a leather suitcase, while Marcus carefully wrapped her framed art prints in protective foam sheet. The heavy silence of the apartment was interrupted by a sharp, persistent knock on the front door. Sienna paused, a knit cardigan halfway into her bag. Marcus immediately set down the tape dispenser, his posture shifting into an alert stance. "I'll get that, ma'am," Marcus said quietly. "It's fine, Marcus. It's probably just my landlord," Sienna said, though her stomach tightened. She walked out of the bedroom and approached the door, pulling it open. It wasn't her landlord. Chloe stood in the hallway, wearing an oversized designer hoodie and large sunglasses that she quickly pushed up onto her head. Her eyes were red, and she looked frantic, a far cry from th

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CHAPTER 12

The restaurant Declan chose was situated on the top floor of a glass high-rise overlooking the financial district. Unlike the lively diners or crowded galleries, this place was quiet, characterized by low ceilings, dark wood panels, and tables spaced far enough apart to guarantee absolute privacy. When Sienna arrived, guided by a hostess who recognized the name Vance immediately, Declan was already seated by the window. Two men and a woman in sharp business attire sat with him, their laptops open amidst half-empty water glasses. Declan looked up as Sienna approached. He stood up immediately, a gesture that caused the other three people at the table to quickly follow suit. "Sienna," Declan said, his voice smooth as he pulled out the heavy leather chair next to him. "You’re right on time. This is Sarah, David, and Julian from our crisis management and public relations team." Sienna offered a polite nod, smoothing her trench coat as she sat down. "Nice to meet you." "We were just re

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CHAPTER 13

The rest of the lunch proceeded in a relaxed, steady rhythm. Once the business talk settled, they ate mostly in silence, listening to the low murmur of other diners and the distant clink of silverware. Declan finished his steak, wiped his mouth with a linen napkin, and checked his watch."We should head back to the estate," Declan said, setting the napkin down. "The press release has been live for twenty minutes. My office phone is likely ringing off the hook, but I prefer to handle the fallout from the study."Sienna set her fork down, her plate half-finished. "Will reporters try to come to the house?""No. The estate has a private security gate, and the guards have strict instructions," Declan said, signaling for the check. "You don't have to worry about paparazzi blocking your driveway.""Good. I don't think I have the energy for another confrontation today," she said, leaning back in her chair.The ride back across the city was smooth. The rain had completely stopped, leaving the

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CHAPTER 14

The sound of the front door closing heavy in the distance signaled Helen’s final departure. Sienna remained standing by the sofa, her hands still curled tightly over her document folder. Declan kept his hand on her shoulder for a brief second longer, offering a grounding weight before dropping it back to his side."Do you need a drink?" he asked, walking over to a sleek bar cart in the corner of the room.Sienna shook her head, finally letting out a long, controlled breath. She walked over to the sofa and sat down on the edge of the cushion, setting her folder on the low marble coffee table. "No. I'm fine. Just tired."Declan poured himself a glass of sparkling water, the ice clinking against the crystal. He walked back and sat on the single armchair opposite her, crossing his legs. "You looked steady. Your mother, however, was playing for the balcony seats.""She’s desperate," Sienna said, looking down at her hands. The platinum band looked striking against her skin, a constant remin

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CHAPTER 15

The west wing of the estate was exceptionally quiet. The hallway was lined with floor-to-ceiling glass that looked out over a courtyard of wet slate and manicured ferns. Sienna used the black electronic keycard to open the double doors of her suite, surprised by how spacious and warm the rooms felt despite the minimalist architecture.Marcus had arranged her moving boxes neatly in the center of the living area. Sienna set her document folder on a long oak desk and began unbuttoning her trench coat, tossing it over the back of a cream-colored armchair.A light knock on the open door frame made her turn around.Elena stood there, holding a small silver tray with a porcelain teapot and a single cup. "I thought you might want something warm after dealing with the gatehouse.""Thanks, Elena. That's very thoughtful," Sienna said, stepping forward to take the tray. She set it on the desk next to her papers. "Did my mother leave the property without any more trouble?""Marcus saw her into a p

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Semua Bab The Billionaire's Contract: Bab 11 - Bab 15

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15