Chapter 328: A Man Like Lucas Should Only Be with Someone

To Archibald, a man like Lucas should only be with someone like his granddaughter Valerie. How could an adopted daughter straight from Africa steal him away? He looked at Valerie. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? You're my granddaughter! No one gets to bully you. Don't worry, I'll fix this."

"It's fine, Grandpa. We shouldn't act now. It would make me look desperate to marry him," Valerie commented, her eyes dark with hatred.

Archibald nodded. "Right. His parents would never accept a daughter-in-law like that woman. But you must watch them closely. Tell me if you need anything."

"Okay." Valerie raised her coffee cup and took a delicate sip.

To the outside world, she remained the refined and elegant Houston heiress. But no one knew the venomous thoughts swirling in her mind. If they couldn't get photos of Sienna with Lucas, then she would just have to... Ugh!

Meanwhile...

Just as Sienna stepped out of The Alder Club, she collided with the last two people she expected to see. Derek and Vanessa. As always, Derek was dressed in a sharp suit, radiating the aura of a successful CEO. Vanessa wore a soft, pale green maxi dress. Her hair fell over her shoulders, making her look fragile, like a gentle breeze could carry her away. Derek frowned. He instinctively dropped Vanessa's hand the moment he saw Sienna.

"Sienna, what are you doing here?"

Since Sienna had rejected his confession, Vanessa offered to help him win her back. That's why they met at the café. He never imagined they'd run into Sienna of all people... Vanessa noticed Derek's reaction. A flash of pure hatred flickered in her clear eyes. She quickly masked it, stepping closer to Sienna. "Sienna, I finally found you. You haven't returned to the Bennett Manor, and you're no longer at Rosewood. I've been wanting to apologize. I just never got the chance."

"It was all my fault. I never meant to ruin your wedding. Derek and I are truly over. What happened that day... it was just closure..."

Vanessa lowered her head, feigning pain. A faint blush even colored her cheeks. Underneath her meek words, her real message was clear: So what if Derek wanted Sienna? He still couldn't resist her body. Sienna scoffed, adjusting her black sunglasses. "Well, look who it is. Dressed like a common streetwalker. The fake Ms. Bennett, I presume?" Her tone was slow and dripping with mockery. Vanessa's face flushed. Did she just call her a prostitute? She even said 'fake'!

Vanessa hadn't slept properly since Sienna's return. She lived in constant fear that the Bennett family would discover her true identity and throw her out. And now Sienna just said it out loud! Vanessa wanted to rip her mouth shut. To end her once and for all, so the fear would finally stop. But she couldn't. Not with Derek watching. She had to swallow her rage.

Vanessa's eyes glistened with fake tears. She reached for Sienna's hand, sobbing. "Sienna, I know you're angry. It was all my fault...! I'm so sorry for ruining your wedding with Derek... If you want to yell at me, or hit me, you can—" Sienna's hand shot out. She slapped Vanessa hard across the face.