Chapter 104: Vanessa Had Barely Been Gone for Five Minutes

Vanessa had barely been gone for five minutes when Derek showed up. The moment she spotted him, Tiffany rushed into his arms with theatrical distress.

“Derek… I failed you,” she sobbed into his chest.

“I lost to my sister. I’m so ashamed.”

He gently wiped her tears away.

“Don’t cry, my love. This isn’t about me—it’s about you. You’re the one who’s hurting.”

She continued to weep, leaning heavily against him.

“I’m useless. Sienna is the talented one. She beat me fairly.

But the worse part is… the more she succeeds, the more Lucas will want her. It breaks my heart for you.” She looked up, eyes glistening with manufactured concern.

“She used to adore you, but now… I doubt she even remembers your name.

Now that she’s won, Lucas will be all over her. What if she hands her diamond mines to him? You’ve known her since childhood, Derek… But you can’t compete with a man like Lucas Harrington.” Derek’s expression hardened. Sienna had not only survived the scandal—she’d turned it into a triumph. Everyone was stunned. Lucas would only want her more now. And Sienna… she no longer needed Derek. She’d outgrown him. He pulled Vanessa closer, voice low and reassuring.

“Don’t worry about any of that.

Take a few days off. Rest. Stay off the internet. I’ll handle Sienna. Remember… I still have that card to play. And I’m ready to use it when the time is right.”

“What card?” she asked, feigning confusion.

“Is it enough to… ruin her?”

“It’s a trap she set for herself these past few days while coming after you.

Don’t give her another thought,” he murmured, holding her tighter. Vanessa melted into his embrace, playing the fragile, broken bird. But behind the helpless act, her mind was sharp, calculating. Whatever Derek had… it had better destroy Sienna completely. She didn’t need to lift a finger—not when Derek was willing to do it for her. He felt her tremble in his arms and his heart clenched. How could he not love someone who always put him first? He would find a way to strip Sienna of everything she’d gained. Vanessa deserved to feel safe.

She deserved to win.

Outside, lightning split the sky.

Thunder boomed. Rain began to pour, hammering against the windows. The bright afternoon had vanished behind a wall of storm. At Violet Villa, the doorbell rang. Sienna looked through the peephole. Lucas stood there, umbrella in hand, little Noah clinging to his leg. Even with protection, both were damp from the downpour. She hadn’t planned on letting them back into her life. But she couldn’t leave them standing in the storm. She opened the door.

“What are you doing here?”

“We came to celebrate, Mommy!” Noah chirped, wobbling under the weight of a large gift bag.

Lucas stepped inside, closing the umbrella. He carried two bottles of expensive red wine.

“Celebrate what?” she asked, arching a brow.

“Your victory,” Lucas said smoothly.

“Turning the tables on Vanessa… that was impressive.

It calls for a celebration.” She hadn’t expected this.

“It’s really not that big of a deal.

I’ve beaten plenty of people before. I’ll beat plenty more.” Lucas almost smiled at her confidence.

“Then let’s just have a simple barbecue.

No occasion needed.” He moved toward the kitchen, unpacking the bag with practiced elegance. Prime cuts of wagyu beef. Fresh Argentine lobster. Herbs, truffles, delicate sauces. Everything was pre-prepped in polished containers, ready for the grill. Sienna stared. This was his idea of a simple barbecue? The spread before her was worth a fortune. Even for someone like her, it felt… excessive.