Chapter 5

Sienna Stone's POV

The next time I saw Julian was at a business gala three days later.

　　I hadn't originally wanted to attend.

　　But my father was getting old, and this business gathering was hard to decline, so I had no choice but to represent the Stone family.

　　Amid the clinking of glasses and social chatter, I mingled with the guests, a glass of wine in hand and a polite smile plastered on my face.

　　Until the doors of the banquet hall opened once again.

　　Julian walked in.

　　He wore a dark suit, his complexion having returned to normal after his recovery. In his arms, he held a five or six-year-old boy, with Vivian walking by his side.

　　The three of them stood together, looking exactly like a family of three.

　　My fingers tightened around my wine glass.

　　"Mr. Vance!"

　　Someone who didn't recognize me stepped forward, clearly mistaking Vivian for Mrs. Vance, and flattered them with a smile. "This must be Mrs. Vance! Mr. and Mrs. Vance really are a perfect match. Your relationship is truly enviable."

　　Vivian looked surprised and waved her hands in denial, but she didn't actually open her mouth to clarify.

　　Nor did Julian correct the misunderstanding.

　　Instead, he took the opportunity to introduce her. "This is Vivian Locke, a highly talented jewelry designer who has her own independent studio. Although her brand isn't widely known yet, her designs are quite popular among young people. If you ever have a need in the future, you can reach out to her."

　　Understanding the hint immediately, the guest smiled and began flattering Vivian.

　　Standing not far away, I took all of this in.

　　I saw through it instantly.

　　Julian had brought Vivian here to network.

　　He was paving the way for her career.

　　I remembered how, many years ago, when Julian's career was just starting, I had used the Stone family's name to network and build connections for him everywhere.

　　For my sake, my parents had also helped him immensely behind the scenes.

　　Yet in the end, once he succeeded, he turned around and imposed harsh terms on his business dealings with the Stone family, clearly giving my parents a hard time because of me.

　　And now, he was bringing another woman to build bridges for her career.

　　I withdrew my gaze and took a sip of my wine.

　　I suddenly felt that the love I had desperately clung to for so many years was nothing but a joke.

　　Refusing to look in their direction again, I turned and resumed my conversations with other guests.

　　Halfway through the gala, having finally finished my rounds of socializing, I wanted to find a quiet corner to sit down and rest my feet.

　　But the moment I turned around, I bumped unexpectedly into a firm chest.

　　Julian had approached behind me at some point.

　　I frowned, looking up at him. "Is there something you need?"

　　My cold tone made Julian's brow furrow.

　　He fell silent for two seconds before speaking. "Vivian's studio has just started. She needs resources and connections. Since I have the ability to give her a leg up, I brought her here. Don't target her over this."

　　Hearing this, I understood completely.

　　So he was afraid I would pick on Vivian again out of jealousy.

　　I gave a faint reply. "Who you choose to network with is your business. I don't care."

　　After all, we would be divorced soon anyway.

　　However, Julian's frown deepened.

　　"Though," I paused, then added, "since you've approached me, I happen to have something to ask you as well."

　　"What is it?"

　　"Regarding your cooperation with the Stone family, can you change the terms?" I asked solemnly and earnestly. "I won't target Vivian anymore, so can you stop giving my parents a hard time because of our personal grievances? Stone Corporation isn't what it used to be, and they are getting old. They don't have the energy to deal with unnecessary business troubles."

　　Julian fell silent for a moment.

　　The reason he had targeted the Stone family's company before was indeed because I had repeatedly gone after Vivian, prompting him to strike back.

　　Since I was promising not to cause trouble for Vivian anymore, he naturally wouldn't make things difficult for the Stone family.

　　Moreover, the Stone family had supported him in the past, and he was not an ungrateful man.

　　"I see," Julian said. "I'll have the terms of the agreement modified and sent over to Stone Corporation."

　　"Alright."

　　I gave a brief nod and turned to leave.

　　"Wait."

　　Julian suddenly called out to stop me.

　　I stopped and looked back at him.

　　"Why is there such a large bruise on your back?" He frowned. "When did you get hurt?"

　　I froze.

　　How rare.

　　Throughout all our years of marriage, when I once ran a high fever for days and was completely out of it, he had merely called a doctor for me and then ignored me, never offering a single word of concern.

　　Now that I had decided on a divorce, he was miraculously showing concern over a little bruise.

　　Was this some sort of pity care he was handing out?

　　Just as I was about to say something, Vivian suddenly ran over in a panic.

"Julian! This is bad, Ethan is gone!"