Chapter 8 - The Meeting

As Sienna exited the airport terminal in Los Angeles, she glanced around, searching for her chauffeur. Her eyes landed on a familiar sight – her ex-in-laws, John and Margaret Hendrix, standing nearby. They appeared to be waiting for someone, and Sienna quickly deduced that they were there to pick up Lyra.

Her heart clenched as memories of her past life with David came flooding back. She felt a renewed sense of bitterness, fueling her determination to take revenge on those who had wronged her.

Sienna observed the happy reunion from a distance, her face expressionless as she watched Lyra embrace her ex-in-laws. She couldn't help but overhear their conversation.

"Oh, Lyra, dear, it's so good to see you again," Margaret gushed, hugging Lyra tightly.

"It's been too long, hasn't it?" Lyra replied, a sweet smile on her face. "I missed you, Margaret, and you too, John."

John smiled warmly, "We missed you as well, Lyra. It's always a pleasure having you around."

"I'm so glad you and David are getting married soon. He deserves someone like you," Margaret added, her voice filled with affection.

Lyra beamed, "Thank you, Margaret. I'm so excited to become a part of this family."

Hearing those words, Sienna gritted her teeth, feeling a surge of anger and betrayal. How could they so easily accept Lyra, the woman who had set her up and destroyed her life?

As Sienna's chauffeur approached, she tore her gaze away from the painful scene and followed him to the waiting car. As they drove away, Sienna vowed to herself that she would make all of them pay for the pain they had caused her.

This encounter only served to strengthen her resolve. With each passing moment, she became even more determined to succeed in her plan and take revenge on the traitors.

She arrived at the luxurious Los Angeles mansion that would serve as her temporary residence. She couldn't help but marvel at the opulence surrounding her as she stepped out of the car.

The chauffeur opened the door for her, and Sienna stepped into her new home, her heels clicking on the marble floor.

She was eager to settle in and get some rest, but she had one important task left to do – a video call with her beloved twins, Xander and Bella. She missed them dearly and couldn't wait to hear their voices.

Sienna settled down in the elegantly furnished living room and dialed her twins. The video call connected, and their bright faces appeared on the screen.

"Mommy!" Xander and Bella exclaimed in unison, their excitement evident.

Sienna's heart swelled with love as she saw them, "Hello, my darlings! How are you both doing?"

"We miss you, Mommy!" Bella said, her eyes shining with emotion.

"I miss you too, sweetheart. How was your day?" Sienna asked, trying to distract them from their sadness.

"We built a robot today!" Xander chimed in, beaming with pride.

"That's amazing! You two are so talented," Sienna praised, genuinely impressed by her twins' intellect and creativity.

"Mommy, when can we come to visit you?" Bella asked, her lower lip quivering.

"Once I'm fully settled here, I'll make arrangements for both of you to join me," Sienna reassured them.

"Promise?" Xander asked, his eyes searching hers.

Sienna smiled warmly, "I promise. Now, it's time for you both to go to bed. Remember, I love you both very much, and I'll see you soon."

"Love you too, Mommy!" Xander and Bella replied in unison before the call ended.

As Sienna stared at the blank screen, her resolve to take revenge and protect her family hardened even more. She would not let anyone hurt them, and she would make sure that her twins had a bright and secure future.

With renewed determination, Sienna prepared herself for the challenges that lay ahead.

The next day, Sienna was determined to make her presence felt at David's office. Dressed in an impeccably tailored business suit, she exuded an air of confidence and authority.

Her heart raced as she thought about seeing David for the first time in years, but she pushed her emotions aside, focusing on the task at hand.

As she entered the sleek, modern office building, she couldn't help but admire David's taste and success. The company he had built was impressive, and she knew it would be even more satisfying to take control of it as her own.

The receptionist greeted her warmly and informed the CEO of her arrival.

When David stepped out of his office to greet Sienna, he was struck by her appearance – she seemed familiar, yet entirely different from anyone he could place. Her eyes, which seemed to hold a secret, were staring deep into his soul, making his heart flutter.

As their eyes locked for the first time, David couldn't help but feel drawn to her, and Sienna's heart raced in her chest, as she looked at the handsome man she had once loved more than her own life. The intensity of their initial gaze would not be easily forgotten.

"Ms. Hamilton, welcome," David said, extending his hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Hendrix," Sienna replied, shaking his hand firmly. "I've been looking forward to our meeting."

"Please, come into my office," David offered, leading the way.

Sitting down to discuss business, Sienna noticed a photo on David's desk – it was a picture of him, his parents, and Lyra, all smiling. Sienna felt a pang in her chest, but she quickly composed herself.

During their discussion, Sienna brought up innovative ideas and clever strategies that left David impressed. He found himself growing more intrigued by her, but he couldn't quite pinpoint why.

In the midst of their conversation, David's phone rang. He hesitated for a moment before answering it, and Sienna could see the color drain from his face as he received some distressing news.

After hanging up, he turned to Sienna, looking shaken.

"I apologize, Ms. Hamilton," he said, trying to regain his composure. "I just received some upsetting news about one of our family's longtime servants, who is quite ill."

Sienna felt her heart skip a beat, as she knew the servant he was talking about. It was one of her adoptive parents, the kindhearted people who had raised her in David's home after she was orphaned.

She struggled to maintain her composure, and her hand trembled as she reached for her coffee cup, causing it to slip and spill onto the table.

David quickly grabbed some napkins to clean up the mess. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Hamilton," he said, flustered.

"No, it's my fault. I apologize," Sienna replied, trying to regain her own composure. "If you need to reschedule, I understand."

"No, no. It's alright. Let's continue," David insisted, although his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

As Sienna and David sat down to discuss the potential partnership, Sienna gracefully touched upon the subject of support in exchange for shares in his company.

"Mr. Hendrix, I understand that your company is going through a difficult time, and I want you to know that Hamilton Investments is here to help," Sienna said, her eyes locked on David's. "We're willing to provide the financial support your company needs to not only survive but thrive."

David listened intently, cautiously optimistic.

"In exchange for our support, we would be interested in obtaining a portion of your shares," Sienna continued. "I propose that I acquire 25% of your shares, leaving you with 26% and maintaining your majority ownership of the company. This way, we both have a vested interest in the company's success, and you can be assured that we're committed to helping you overcome this challenge."

David looked thoughtful, weighing his options carefully. He knew that Sienna's proposal could be the lifeline his company needed, but he also understood the risks involved in giving up a significant portion of his shares. The decision was not one to be taken lightly.

David took a deep breath, feeling a strange, magnetic pull towards Sienna. The attraction was unexpected, and it caught him off guard. He knew that her offer could be a game-changer for his company, but he also recognized the importance of making a well-informed decision and consulting with the board.

"Ms. Hamilton, I appreciate your offer, and I can see the potential benefits for both our companies," David said, his voice steady and composed, yet tinged with a hint of curiosity. "However, I need some time to think about it and discuss it with the board before making any commitments. I trust you understand the importance of such a decision and the need for a thorough evaluation."

As Sienna listened to David, she was flooded with emotions. She never thought that one day, she would be sitting across from him in a business meeting, negotiating a partnership. Once upon a time, she had been his stay-at-home wife, supporting him from the sidelines. Now, the tables had turned, and she was in a position of power.

Sienna nodded, respecting David's cautious approach and secretly admiring his diligence. "Of course, Mr. Hendrix. I completely understand. Please take the time you need to discuss the proposal with your board. We're here to support you, and we're confident that our collaboration can lead to great success for both parties involved."

Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, an unspoken connection seemed to pass between them. David thanked Sienna for her understanding, and they agreed to reconvene once he had the opportunity to consult with the board and reach a decision.

As they wrapped up their meeting, Sienna felt a mixture of satisfaction and sorrow. She was one step closer to achieving her revenge, but the news about her adoptive parent brought back memories of the love and kindness she had experienced growing up in David's home.

She knew she had to stay focused on her plan, but the emotional turmoil within her was growing more difficult to ignore.

Standing up to leave, she noticed David staring at her, as if trying to figure out a puzzle. Their eyes locked, and time seemed to stand still.

"Ms. Hamilton," David said hesitantly, "I know this might sound strange, but have we met before? You seem... familiar."