Chapter 216
This man radiated a distinct aura.
Impeccable taste, obsessive cleanliness, and an impenetrable distance.
And he was deliberately trying to make things difficult for her.
Just like that day on the balcony when he had aggressively confronted Maloney.
But why?
Sienna could sense it from the moment Silas walked into the room—a lingering, subtle hostility.
It wasn’t the typical posturing of a business negotiation; it felt personal.
She was certain this was their first time meeting, yet he looked at her as if she were a long-standing rival.
“I’ll take it,” Silas finally drawled, his tone lazy.
“Why wouldn’t I? An item Helena Sterling is desperate to buy but can’t? Having it in my shop will only bring me benefits p>
Sienna smiled, pulling the velvet box from her bag and sliding it across the table toward him.
“The necklace is right here. Care to inspect it, Mr. Draken p>
Silas glanced at the box but didn’t reach for it.
He shot a look at his secretary, who immediately stepped forward to verify the merchandise.
Sienna noticed Silas’s evaluating stare, and her smile deepened.
“Instead of studying me, you should be inspecting the necklace. I hear your commission rates are quite steep. If this deal falls through, it’s not a small sum you’ll be missing out on p>
Silas narrowed his eyes.
This woman’s words were perfectly guarded—neither submissive nor overly aggressive, every sentence landing exactly where it needed to.
He had intended to establish dominance, to remind her not to get too arrogant on his turf.
Instead, she had parried his attacks flawlessly and cornered him with a few simple sentences.
Fascinating.
“We can discuss the commission later,” Silas said, shifting his posture and resting his arm on the armrest, looking every bit like an aloof, aristocratic cat.
“I’m actually much more curious about something else. Your secret marriage and subsequent divorce from Jarred have taken the Capital by storm, and rumors are flying everywhere.
Some say Jarred had another woman, while others say the person actually living in your heart… is Jarred’s older brother p>
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping. “I wonder, which version is true p>
Silas’s tone was too deliberate, like he was trying to cover up something deeper.
Sienna’s mind raced, but her face remained totally impassive.
“Does running an exchange also require a side gig in gossip mongering? If so, I really need to reconsider selling this necklace here. Who’s to say you won’t sell my privacy next p>
Silas’s mouth twitched. “You p>
“As for what people are saying outside,” Sienna cut him off coldly. “People have mouths, and they can say what they want. I can’t control it, and I don’t care to.
If you don’t even understand the concept of not believing every rumor you hear, then I don’t think there’s any point in doing business together. I don’t enjoy working with men who let themselves be led by the nose p>
Silas stared at her for two solid seconds before finally letting out a scoff.
Sienna didn’t miss the slight easing of the hostility in his eyes.
Her intuition told her that Silas’s animosity toward her had something to do with Maloney.
The realization was slightly amusing, yet highly intriguing.
Maloney was notoriously distant from women. At over thirty, he had never even had a rumored girlfriend, let alone considered marriage.
It worried his grandmother so much that her hair was turning white.
But looking at the situation now, perhaps it wasn’t that he stayed away from women, but rather p>
Sienna swallowed the rest of the thought, choosing not to dwell on it.
Unable to hold back any longer, Luna chimed in. “Um, Mr. Draken? Can we get down to business? How do you plan to sell this necklace? What’s the reserve price? When does it go up for auction p>