Chapter 61: The truth

The private room was completely spotless. In the center, there was a round table.

Sienna and Mr. Wang were seated completely on the opposite sides of the round table, with an enormous distance between them.

There seemed to be nothing inappropriate going on and just one look at them was enough to determine that it was a professional meeting.

"Sienna, what’s going on?"

Before Sienna could speak, Mr. Wang beat her to it, "President Qing, I must say this is an honor for me that someone like Miss Qing even considered working with me. I am really impressed by her plans regarding Qing Horizons..."

"Mr. Wang, this is a family affair and I am talking to my daughter," Daniel Qing narrowed his eyes and turned to Sienna, "I am asking you something. What’s going on?"

"It was a meeting until now," Sienna rose from the chair, "All of you look troubled. Is everything alright?"

"Sienna, no matter how ambitious you are, there are certain things a woman should be mindful of when she steps out in the world," Beth sighed, "You can’t compromise your dignity just to land a deal..."

"I was in a business meeting, Mrs. Qing. I don’t know how that has anything to do with my dignity."

"Sienna, that’s not the way you talk to your mother!" Daniel Qing looked at her, "No matter how many chances I give, you keep making the same mistakes. I still gave you a chance to say the truth but instead of being honest, you are disrespecting your elders!"

"Dad, I already told you the truth," Sienna looked at the man, "But you won’t believe it."

"Sis, how can you talk to Dad like that? He is just worried about you!" Kira stood in front of Daniel Qing as if to shield her father from all the storms.

Seeing his daughter being so protective, Daniel’s eyes softened.

Sienna smiled and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

Daniel looked at his elder daughter’s attitude and his expressions immediately worsened, "Kira is your younger sister. Why can’t you be more like her?"

The man gently nudged his Kira to the side and stepped towards Sienna, "I am giving you one last chance to explain. Tell me, what’s going on here?"

"Dad, why bother asking me when you already believe what she told you?" Sienna’s eyes turned red as she looked at the man who was supposed to be her father.

Daniel Qing was stunned.

Sienna picked up her bag and walked out of the room.

"Sienna! Sienna!" In a fit of rage, Daniel raised his voice as he called out to her but Sienna’s footsteps did not slow down.

"Tsk tsk..." Mr. Wang clicked his tongue, "Don’t mind me speaking about your family affairs, President Qing but how can you doubt your daughter’s integrity in front of a stranger like me?"

Daniel Qing’s gaze snapped at the man, "How dare you..."

"You are a mighty presence in the business world and you know it all. I might be a leech but shouldn’t you know your daughter better?" Mr. Wang flashed an oily smile and weasled his way out of the room.

Once he was gone, Daniel turned to Kira, "What happened earlier?"

Kira pouted, "Daddy, I saw those scary bodyguards ushering sis in. I was afraid she was in trouble so I went to get you for help in a panic. It’s all my fault... If I hadn’t misunderstood things then sister won’t be upset with you..."

Daniel sighed softly and patted Kira’s head, "You were concerned about her well being. There is nothing wrong with that."

"Darling, don’t blame yourself," Beth latched onto Daniel’s arm, "You were trying to protect Sienna because you know that Wang is not a reliable person. She is being prideful right now but in the future, she has to understand that everything you do is for her sake."

Daniel pinched the spot between his brows, "I am tired. Let’s go home."

"Daddy, you guys go ahead. I need to go meet a friend..."

"Be home early," Beth nodded at Kira as she supported Daniel out.

The restaurant restroom was completely enveloped in darkness. Linda couldn’t even see her hands in the dark.

With great difficulty, she reached the door but no matter how she tried, the door didn’t budge. She collapsed on the floor as her shoulders began to shake.

Suddenly, a ray of light pierced through the darkness.

’Click’

As the restroom door opened from outside, Linda raised her head.

Sienna had barely taken a step inside the restroom when she heard a muffled sob. She lowered her eyes, and paused briefly before she extended a hand towards the woman, "Get up,"

Linda cried uncontrollably as Sienna helped her up and untied the handkerchief that gagged her mouth.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" Sienna led her out of the restroom and examined the woman from head to toe.

"They didn’t harm me. They just... locked me up," Linda’s usual professional composure had crumbled a bit and as she spoke, she did not look Sienna in the eyes, "Miss Qing, you... are you fine?"

"Quite alright," Sienna sighed, "Let’s go. I will take you to hospital."

"I... I am fine," Linda stepped back from Sienna, averting her gaze, "Miss Qing, you should quickly leave this place. I still have some matters to deal with."

Sienna glanced at the woman for a second. Seeing that Linda couldn’t be convinced, Sienna nodded slowly, "If something comes up, call me right away."

Once Sienna left, Linda pulled out her phone and dialled a number, "Miss Kira..."

"I was just coming for you," Kira’s voice came from behind.

Linda turned around.

"What happened today was merely a misunderstanding. If anybody asks you, you know nothing at all," Kira raised her hand.

"Are you asking me to lie? After... you almost let your sister be..."

"Linda, I told you. My sister was born with a golden spoon in her mouth. Even if something happens to her, she has at least about a hundred servants who would do her bidding. But... people with poor parents, who grew up in the streets, what about them?" Kira shook her head, "If they were doomed, who would give them a hand?"

"Are you threatening me?"

Kira clicked her tongue, "Keep your mouth shut in the future and we can still work together..."