Chapter 81: Sienna Adams?
Sienna looked at him and smiled gently. Though it wasn’t a bright smile, it was soothing.
"Please don’t trouble yourself doing anything more, Riley," she said. "You’ve already helped me a lot."
"Sienna, you know that woman has malicious intent toward you and might harm you, right?"
"I know. But I’ll deal with Angie myself..." Sienna answered confidently. She meant it. Or at least, she wanted to believe she was that brave.
But from the way Riley looked at her, she knew he didn’t fully buy it.
And from the way his fingers tightened slightly around his phone, she knew he wasn’t planning to stay out of it.
Sienna was about to remind him again, but the ’Ding’ sounds distracted her.
The elevator doors opened.
She stepped out first, "Let’s go," she said, already walking ahead.
Riley sighed quietly but followed her.
...
Meanwhile, on the fifteenth floor.
Inside the spacious meeting room, everything was precise, controlled, and meticulously arranged.
At the head of the table sat Zoey Sterling.
Her posture was straight, composed, and unwavering. Every trace of her earlier irritation had vanished, replaced by the calm, calculated demeanor of a CEO who was fully in control. There was no hint of playfulness left in her expression, only quiet authority.
Across from her sat the senior management team, including General Manager Benjamin Foster, the Director of Human Resources, and several other executives.
Zoey listened in silence as the report was presented.
"The internal investigation has been completed," Benjamin said, his voice steady and precise. "The incident involving Angie Feliz and several staff members has been thoroughly reviewed. Their actions were found to have significantly compromised operational protocol and nearly endangered guest safety."
Zoey did not interrupt.
Her fingers rested lightly against the surface of the table, her expression unreadable as she absorbed every detail.
"And in accordance with company policy," Benjamin continued, "all staff members involved have been dishonorably discharged. Their employment has been terminated effective immediately."
A brief pause followed.
Zoey lifted her gaze slightly, her eyes calm but firm.
"That is the appropriate decision," she said. Her voice was measured and controlled, leaving no room for dispute. "Guest safety remains our highest priority. Any action that threatens that standard, regardless of position or circumstance, will not be tolerated."
Her words settled over the room with quiet finality.
No one spoke.
Benjamin gave a small, respectful nod before proceeding to the next matter.
"There is also a proposal for a replacement," he said, sliding a neatly prepared document across the table toward her. "We have identified a candidate for the position. She is currently one of our top-performing employees."
At first, Zoey showed no particular interest.
Such proposals were routine. Promotions, evaluations, recommendations—these were matters she reviewed regularly. Without much thought, she reached for the file and opened it, her movements calm and unhurried.
But then, she paused.
Her eyes settled on the profile photograph attached to the document. Something familiar about the profile.
Zoey leaned in ever so slightly, her gaze sharpening as she studied the image more closely. A quiet unease stirred within her, growing stronger with each passing second.
Then a memory struck her. Her breath faltered, almost imperceptibly, but enough to disrupt the steady rhythm she had kept until then.
’This woman...’ Her eyes widened just a fraction, though she quickly masked it. ’It’s her, Sienna...’
The name echoed silently in her mind.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the document as she scanned the text beneath the image.
’So her name is Sienna Adams...’
The confirmation sent a sharp jolt through her.
Benjamin remained oblivious to Zoey’s change in composure. He spoke with his usual professional composure.
"Sienna Adams has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance," he said. "She possesses strong leadership capabilities, maintains excellent relations with both staff and guests, and has exceeded expectations in all assigned responsibilities. Based on our evaluation, she is the most suitable candidate for this position."
Zoey heard him. But her mind had already begun to move elsewhere.
’Zachary...So this is her?’
Her gaze remained fixed on the file, but her thoughts were no longer within the room.
’You’re dating my employee?’
A flicker of disbelief passed through her.
’You brought her to meet Skylar... You took her to your private villa...’
Her grip on the paper tightened slightly.
’How far has this gone? Are you seriously in love with this woman?’
"Mrs. Sterling." Benjamin’s voice cut through her thoughts, though gently, carefully.
"This is the approval document that requires your signature," he continued, carefully sliding a separate page toward her.
Zoey sat perfectly still, her fingers resting lightly on the document. She had not turned another page or spoken. Her attention seemed fixed yet distant, as if she were looking at something beyond the paper itself.
The silence stretched.
Longer than it should have.
Around the table, the other executives began to notice. Subtle glances were exchanged. The faint hum of the air conditioning seemed louder now, filling the space left by Zoey’s uncharacteristic quiet.
Benjamin shifted slightly in his seat, his posture still formal but his expression tightening ever so slightly.
This was not the Zoey Sterling he was accustomed to.
She was known for her decisiveness, for her ability to assess, conclude, and act with remarkable speed and clarity. Hesitation was not part of her nature.
Yet now, she appeared distracted.
A quiet concern formed in his mind. ’Does she disapprove of the candidate?’ he thought.
Benjamin briefly exchanged a glance with the HR Director. The exchange was subtle but meaningful.
Understanding the silent cue, the HR Director cleared his throat softly. "Mrs. Sterling," he began, "is there any aspect of the candidate’s profile you would like us to review further?"
Still, Zoey did not respond immediately.
For a few seconds, she remained motionless.
Then, slowly, she lifted her head. Her gaze moved across the table before settling on Benjamin.
"What did you say earlier?" she asked.
Her voice was smooth, controlled, but distant, as though part of her attention was still elsewhere.
Benjamin did not hesitate. He gently guided the document toward her once more.
"Ma’am," he said, his tone respectful and steady, "you only need to sign this letter of approval. Upon your authorization, we will proceed with announcing Miss. Sienna Adams’ promotion within the next few days."