Chapter 255
Seraphina set down her water glass, her expression hardening into something serious. “The night before the engagement party, we were doing our makeup trials because we had our official photoshoot the next morning. Halfway through, he said he was stepping out for a smoke, but he never came back. I went looking for him. The staff told me he was in the small drawing room on the second floor p>
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “I walked up to the door. It wasn’t shut properly, and I heard… sounds coming from inside p>
She didn’t specify what kind of sounds, but Sienna instantly deciphered the look in her eyes.
Seraphina went silent for a few seconds, her gaze drifting toward the window.
“I kicked the door open, but Maloney was the only one in there. He was leaning against the window. His suit jacket was off, his shirt collar was unbuttoned, and he looked terrible p>
Sienna listened, completely stunned.
Seraphina’s voice grew even colder. “He claimed he had just drank a little too much and felt sick. But I know what I heard. I’ve been in music for over a decade; my auditory perception is far sharper than the average person’s. I am absolutely certain I heard two people making those sounds p>
Sienna held her breath.
“No matter how hard I pressed him, he refused to admit there was a third person in that room,” Seraphina said.
“Regardless of who that person was, the fact that Maloney was tangled up with them the night before our engagement proved that our relationship was built on a lie. I’m not the type to cling to a sinking ship. I called off the engagement right then and there. The Sterlings hold a unique position in the Capital, and the Sokes are no small players either. There was no need to turn it into a public spectacle. In all these years, I’ve never breathed a word of this to anyone p>
So that was it.
Seraphina was stunning, came from a flawless background, and had a remarkably grounded personality. She was the ultimate catch.
What on earth was Maloney thinking?
Sienna spoke slowly, “Is it possible there really was a misunderstanding? In all these years, Maloney hasn’t been linked to any other woman, and I heard he’s been desperately trying to win you back p>
“He did treat me exceptionally well. He gave me the illusion of a picture-perfect romance, but I trust my instincts p>
Seraphina offered a resigned smile. “His love felt incredibly fabricated p>
Sienna fell silent.
After spending so many years with the Sterlings, she understood the unspoken rules of the elite all too well.
Maintaining a flawless facade trumped everything; the actual truth was entirely disposable.
Suddenly remembering the pocket square Mrs. Higgins mentioned, Sienna hesitated before asking, “Seraphina, do you recall if Matoney knew a man whose English name started with the letter S p>
Seraphina thought about it and shook her head. “Maloney runs in massive social circles. I could name several people starting with S just within the Capital, let alone beyond it. But I never saw anyone genuinely close to Maloney-man or woman. He’s the kind of guy who is perfectly pleasant to everyone but never lets anyone in p>
Her words completely validated Sienna’s suspicions.
Sienna had previously investigated Maloney’s business network and found absolutely nothing.
Maloney had buried his personal life so deep that even the people sleeping next to him couldn’t spot a single crack in his armor.
Sienna thanked her, headed upstairs to bid Agnes goodbye, and walked out of the Zeller estate.
Strolling alone down the street, Sienna’s mind replayed Mrs. Higgins and Seraphina’s words on an endless loop.
The clues were tangled up in knots. She couldn’t find a single thread to pull.
Just then, her phone rang.
It was Luna.
“Sienna, where are you p>
“I’m out. What’s wrong p>
Sienna was just about to hail a cab when Luna’s thrilled voice exploded through the speaker.
“Get your ass to our usual coffee shop right now. We got a match p>
Sienna froze, then immediately sprinted down the block.