Lahat ng Kabanata ng Mr. CEO, Your Contract Wife Is Gone!: Kabanata 161 - Kabanata 170

Sienna sat on the porch of the temporary shelter, watching several children play jump rope in the yard, when her phone vibrated.She saw Julian's name on the screen and answered after a brief moment of hesitation."Hello, Julian?" Sienna spoke as soon as the phone touched her ear."Sienna." Julian's voice sounded relieved on the other end of the line. "How are you? And the children at the shelter, are they alright?""We are all doing fine," Sienna replied, her eyes still keeping watch over the children laughing joyfully. "The children have started to settle down, even though their home will indeed have to be rebuilt from scratch.""I'm sorry I couldn't come in person," Julian said, his tone sounding full of regret over the call. "I was afraid that if I showed up right now, the rumors that just began to settle would flare up again. I didn't want to make things worse for you.""I understand," Sienna answered softly, a small smile appearing on her lips. "Besides, everything is clear now.

The following day.Sienna stepped back into the mall exhibition booth, wearing the work uniform she had set aside for the past few days.The store manager approached her as soon as he saw her arrive, his expression awkward."Mrs. Sienna," greeted the manager, his tone hesitant. "Do you really want to return to work here? I've heard... everything. Are you sure you still want to work here?"Sienna offered a faint smile, placing her bag under the display table. "I still want to work as usual. Please treat me the same as any other employee, Sir. I don't want any special treatment."The manager nodded hesitantly, though he still looked uneasy. "Alright, if that's what you wish.""Please don't feel uncomfortable around me, because here, I am just an employee and you are my manager," Sienna added politely.The manager smiled awkwardly, nodding his agreement once more.After the manager left.Sienna began arranging the sample bottles, neatening up the brochures, and carrying out her routine a

Sienna stood in front of her father's bedroom door a few seconds longer than she realized, her hand hovering above the doorknob. She took a breath, then gently pushed it open.As she stepped inside, Sienna saw James lying in bed, his face pale, an IV line taped to the back of his hand. The quiet murmur of a small television in the corner was the only sound filling the room."Dad."James turned his head. His eyes lingered on Sienna for a brief second—from head to toe, taking in the work uniform she was still wearing—before shifting back to the television screen."You came," he said. It wasn't a question, nor a greeting. Just a flat statement, as if taking note of something insignificant.Sienna stepped closer, stopping by the bedside. She didn't know where to stand, nor whether she was welcome to sit down. In the end, she simply stood there stiffly, her hands clasped together in front of her."How are you feeling, Dad?" Sienna broke the silence, though conversing with him felt terribly

The door to James's room opened without a knock.Lupita stepped in with hurried strides, shutting it firmly behind her. The click of her heels ceased beside the bed.James did not turn his head. His eyes remained fixed on the television screen, which was broadcasting economic news at a barely audible volume."What did she say to you?" Lupita asked. She kept her tone artificially light, crossing both arms over her chest."Who?" James's voice was barely a whisper."Sienna, who else?" Lupita's tone sharpened. "She was in here for a while—what did she say?""Not long," James replied flatly. "She only asked about my health."An eyebrow arched upward on Lupita's face at his response. "That's all?""That's all." James's tone remained devoid of emotion.Lupita waited. When James offered nothing more, she pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down, leaning her body forward. "She didn't say anything about the company? About wanting to help, perhaps?"This time, James turned his head. His gaze

Elena threw herself heavily onto the living room sofa, her abrupt movement startling Beatrice, who had just walked in wanting to relax."Why the face?" Beatrice looked strangely at Elena."I ran into Sienna at the mall this afternoon," Elena answered. She folded her arms across her chest and crossed her legs with a rough snap, as if eager to show just how annoyed she was. "She's still standing behind a counter, wearing a store uniform. With a nametag hanging on her chest, Mom. Just imagine."Beatrice raised an eyebrow. "Did you speak to her?""Of course. I told her she was embarrassing Damian." Elena scoffed. "And do you know what she answered? That it was her choice, and Damian didn't forbid it. Just like that. With a calm face, as if she was the one in the right.""And then you left?" Beatrice grew more curious."What else could I do? She didn't take the bait at all." Elena's voice rose. "In the past, if she was given even a slight jab, she would look down. Now she dares to look me