Chapter 214
The process went quickly.
The clerk verified their documents, confirmed their mutual consent, entered the information into the system, and stamped the official seal.
The entire ordeal took less than twenty minutes.
Stepping out of the Civil Registry Office, Sienna stood on the steps, gazing up at the blazing sun and taking a deep breath.
The October air in the Capital was crisp and dry, but she felt like she was breathing easier than she had in years.
It felt like breaking the surface after being held underwater for too long; the whole world suddenly seemed immaculate.
Jarred walked out behind her, catching sight of her with her face tilted upward and an unconscious smile on her lips.
The sunlight bathed her features, casting a soft, radiant glow over her.
He had never seen her smile with such relaxed contentment.
Not during their marriage, and not even during their brief time dating.
That suffocating pain welled up in his chest again.
Forcing it down, he slipped back into his usual careless drawl. “So happy? Is it because you finally divorced me, or because you can immediately run off to that man you’ve been pining for p>
Sienna threw him a faint, sidelong glance, too exhausted to argue. “It’s none of your business. Don’t forget to come back next month on time to pick up the final certificate p>
With that, she walked down the steps without looking back.
Jarred frowned and called out to her, “The assets promised in the agreement—I’ll have Declan Ward organize everything and contact you for the transfer p>
Sienna paused and looked over her shoulder, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. “I’ll believe it when I actually see it p>
Jarred’s gaze darkened.
He understood the accusation behind her words and wanted to say something else.
But Sienna had already flagged down a cab and slid into the back seat.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was Luna.
“Sienna!” Luna’s voice practically vibrated with excitement. “I found a buyer for the necklace p>
Sienna blinked in surprise. “That fast p>
Luna chuckled over the line, sounding quite pleased with herself. “You know you can count on me. The buyer saw the photos and is very interested, but he has one condition. He wants to meet you in person p>
Sienna hadn’t expected to need a face-to-face meeting just to sell a piece of jewelry.
But she didn’t overthink it. “Set up a time. I’m free all afternoon p>
“Great, let’s do two o’clock. I’ll come pick you up p>
That afternoon, Sienna carried the velvet box containing the necklace and headed to the commercial building with Luna as planned.
Upon arriving, she realized this underground auction house wasn’t the shadowy, hidden storefront she had imagined.
It was a lavishly decorated, highly secure private club taking up the entire top floor.
The receptionist led them to a lounge area.
The two women sat on the sofa, their eyes unconsciously drifting toward a room down the hall labeled “CEO’s Office p>
Sienna and Luna exchanged a look, both sensing the other’s confusion.
While the necklace was certainly valuable, was it really important enough for the CEO to handle the transaction personally?
As they pondered this, the elevator doors chimed open, and a distinct, dangerously alluring voice floated over from behind them.
“Who exactly has the nerve to go against the Sterling family’s lady p>
A chill ran down Sienna’s spine, her blood freezing in her veins.
She recognized that voice!
She turned slowly, locking eyes with a man sporting a breathtaking pair of hazel eyes.
The man had one hand tucked in his pocket, the other idly flicking a lighter. The sunlight caught his sharply defined profile, highlighting a flawlessly wicked contour.
Sienna froze for a moment.
She had seen her fair share of handsome men; Jarred himself was top-tier.
But the man standing before her made the word “handsome” feel entirely inadequate.
The man wore an impeccably tailored black dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms to reveal wrists so pale they were nearly translucent.