From Exile To Queen Of Everything - Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Vivian had no intention of engaging with him. She remained silent and tried to slip past unnoticed, but Mason still caught sight of her.
"Vivian?" Mason called out joyfully.
Vivian paused, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. "What is it?" she asked coldly.
"I—" Mason moved to step forward, but catching sight of his mud-caked shoes, instinctively retreated two paces. He hesitated, then asked softly, "How have you been lately?"
"I'm pretty fine," Vivian said expressionlessly, brushing past him without a second glance.
'Life's been better without Mason,' she wondered.
Mason watched her retreating figure, hesitated for a moment, then finally called out, his voice trembling with regret, "Vivian, I'm so sorry."
Vivian stiffened, but she kept walking. Mason's words hung in the air between them. There was no way she could feel nothing. The love she once felt was real, but so was hatred.
But to her, Vivian had already let it go. As a tiny pebble dropped into a calm lake, it caused only the faintest ripples, leaving the vast waters largely undisturbed.
Just as Vivian was about to hail a cab home, she unexpectedly spotted Chloe clinging to a man who looked significantly older than her.
He looked at least two decades older than her. Though Vivian didn't like to judge by appearances, this old man was truly hard to describe.
'Chloe's parents passed away years ago. Could this man be a relative?' Vivian wondered. 'Even relatives wouldn't act so blatantly intimate.'
Chloe hadn't expected to run into Vivian. The moment she remembered that all her misfortunes were thanks to Vivian, her face contorted into a snarl, eyes burning with hatred as she glared daggers at Vivian.
Vivian indifferently averted her gaze and was about to get into the car when Chloe, clinging to the man's arm, strutted over with a smug look on her face.
Chloe shouted angrily at Vivian, "Vivian, stop right there. Who said you could leave?"
Vivian ignored her. As Chloe stepped forward and reached for her clothes, Vivian swung hard, and a sharp slap cracked across Chloe's face.
Ever since that incident, Vivian felt herself growing stronger. 'These people think they can hurt me? What a joke,' she thought coldly.
"Vivian, how dare you hit me?" Chloe fumed, her face burning with fury.
"Chloe, you'd better not mess with me." Vivian's eyes turned sinister and terrifying. In an instant, the pure and gentle girl was gone, replaced by a dark, obsessive lady.
Chloe refused to admit she'd been intimidated. Whining to the man, she stomped her foot petulantly and pouted, "Honey, she bullied me and slapped me so hard my face is swollen."
Chloe turned around and caught the man leering at Vivian. The unmistakable look in his eyes told her everything. He was interested in Vivian.
The man finally tore his eyes away from Vivian and, flashing Chloe a sly grin, asked, "Who's this one?"
"Honey, look what she did to me. She slapped me so hard my face was swollen. Aren't you going to do something about it?" Chloe pouted coquettishly.
"There, there, Darling. Tell me who she is, and I'll make her pay," the man said.
"She's Vivian," Chloe said with a sneer. "She's the girlfriend of a guy who used to chase after me. We've got some unfinished business. She works at a company called Dynastis Company," replied Chloe.
'Dynastis Company? Just a small fry. Piece of cake,' the man thought.
"Alright, I'll teach her a lesson for you in a few days," he promised.
"Well, you are so sweet," Chloe cooed, clinging to his arm.
Jocelyn had been locked up all night without food or water, on the verge of starvation. At dawn, the door finally creaked open, and a broom was thrown at her feet.
Elisa said coldly to Jocelyn, "Miss Sienna has given all the servants the day off. You'll clean all the bathrooms in the first-floor guest area. Here are your tools. Grab them and get moving."
Jocelyn's eyes turned cold as she sauntered over, her voice laced with disdain. "You want me to clean the bathrooms?"
'How outrageous. Do they not know who I am? And they actually dare to treat me like a servant,' Jocelyn fumed inwardly.
Elisa couldn't care less who she was. She snapped, "Miss Turner, this is Miss Sienna's direct order. Do as you're told and you'll get your meal today. If not, leave the Hart residence at once."
Jocelyn snapped, her voice rising in fury, "I'm a member of the Hart family too."
"Say whatever you want, Miss Turner, but here's my advice. The sooner you finish, the sooner you get your meal. Otherwise, we'll be more than happy to pack your bags and show you the door," Elisa warned.
Jocelyn spat, "You damned snobbish bastards."
'I can't let Sienna succeed. Her whole scheme is to kick me out of the Hart residence. I can't just walk away like this,' Jocelyn thought fiercely. 'I'll wait for my parents to come back.
'Once Dad returns, I'll make Sienna and her crew pay dearly for this.'
Jocelyn shot Elisa a venomous glare, snatched up the mop, and stormed out.
Elisa watched Jocelyn's retreating figure with a satisfied smile, then strode over to supervise and instruct her on the tasks. Sienna's orders were not a single chance for Jocelyn to slack off.
At the Hart Corporation, Lana stepped forward and reported softly, "Miss Enna, Charles Harold from Harold Group has requested a meeting with you. Should I let him in?"
Sienna knew about Harold Group. It had been a long-standing partner of Hart Corporation, but when Hart Corporation came under fire, Harold Group chose to sever all business ties.
Having learned from Reno that it was Charles' son who visited the company last time, Lana made a point of mentioning this to Sienna to demonstrate her attentiveness.
Sienna's hand paused mid-signature as she set down her pen. "Let him in," she said.
"Yes, Miss Enna." Lana nodded.
As Charles entered Sienna's office and caught sight of her face, strikingly beautiful yet distant, so reminiscent of her mother, he was momentarily stunned, almost believing she had returned.
'The aura Sienna carries is just like hers,' he thought. 'No wonder she's her mother's most prized successor.'
"Miss Enna, this is Charles Harold. Sorry to bother you," said Charles.
Sienna stood up and poured him a cup of coffee. Charles hastily waved his hands, saying, "Thanks, Miss Enna, I—"
Charles was overwhelmed with shame. The abrupt termination of cooperation last time was solely the doing of his disgraceful son, yet it was his failure in discipline that led him to reap what he had sown. In truth, he had no right to show his face here.
But his days were numbered. He only had this one son, a boy with a knack for offending everyone and utterly lacking in ability. Once Charles was gone, the boy wouldn't last long.
"Uncle Charles, you're my mother's friend. No need to be so formal. Have a cup of coffee first," said Sienna.
Charles couldn't bear to hear her address to him. "Miss Enna, please don't call me that. I'm not worthy. What happened last time was all my— Miss Enna, just agreeing to see me today is already more kindness than I deserve."
Sienna sighed softly and lifted her cup for a sip. The delicate fragrance enveloped her, leaving a lingering freshness on her palate.
Sienna said, "Uncle Charles, I know the last partnership issue wasn't entirely your fault, but your failure to discipline your son brought us to this point. Let's cut to the chase.
"If you're still interested in working with Harold Group, I'll keep a spot open for you, but the profit margins will be lower this time."
Charles hurriedly waved his hands. "No, that's not why I'm here today, Miss Enna. Honestly, your willingness to see me is more kindness than I deserve. I'm truly grateful, and I really don't know how to repay you.
"Miss Enna, I'm actually here to beg a favor. I want to hand over Harold Group to you. I know our small company may be beneath your notice, but I'm at my wit's end and have nowhere else to turn."
As Charles spoke, he suddenly bowed. Lana, ever the perceptive assistant, immediately stepped out and quietly closed the office door behind her.
"Uncle Charles, what are you doing? You're my elder. How could I possibly let an elder bow before me? Please, don't do this. If there's something you need, just tell me. As long as it's within my power, I'll certainly help," said Sienna.
Half an hour later, Charles left the office. As Lana passed him in the hallway, she noticed his visibly agitated expression, his brows knitted with profound gratitude.
Seeing the Harold Group transfer documents on Sienna's desk, Lana had worked with Sienna long enough to grasp the situation immediately.
"Miss Enna, are you really going to take on this sinking ship that is Harold Group? There are countless companies lining up to work with Hart Corporation these days. Compared to them, Harold Group just doesn't measure up at all," said Lana.
Lana knew all too well that for Sienna, profit was everything. Without profit, everything else was just empty talk to her.
"You're right, Lana. Harold Group is indeed a sinking ship, a small company on the verge of bankruptcy, not worth acquiring. But since Charles is using his son as collateral, I'll just wait and see," Sienna explained.
Charles's intention was clear. He wanted his only son, Chris, to stay under Sienna's wing and secure a livelihood. The condition was the Harold Group.
"Miss Enna, frankly speaking, Chris is a spoiled rich kid, arrogant and idle. If you want him to stay in the company, it might require considerable effort," Lana hesitated and said.
Sienna said, "Never mind. You'll handle his placement when he arrives."
Lana nodded. "Yes, Miss Enna. There's one more thing. Regarding Miss Amber, I've looked into her situation at school and uncovered some information you might want to know."
Sienna set aside the documents, and interlaced her fingers on the desk, her gaze turning cold and focused. "Go ahead."
Lana began, "Miss Enna, Miss Amber has no interest in studying whatsoever. She simply can't absorb knowledge. She has consistently ranked last in the entire school and last time she even handed in a blank test paper.
"The teacher called Jocelyn to the school, and from what I've learned, Jocelyn has always encouraged Amber not to study if she doesn't want to, even egging her on to talk back to the teachers."
She continued, "Because of this, Miss Amber has a terrible reputation at school, and the teachers are at their wits' end. Her only friend is Mia Carter, but according to my investigation, Mia has close ties with Jocelyn.
"This might be a calculated attempt to get close to Amber. Miss Enna, should I take any action?"
Sienna raised her hand slightly, a glint of ruthlessness flashing through her frosty eyes. "Not yet. She resents me right now. Too much interference would backfire. Some things she needs to learn through experience."
Lana seemed to understand Sienna's tough love. Sienna doted on her sisters, but never spoiled them or allowed them to become arrogant, domineering, or lacking in self-reflection.
"Schedule a meeting with her teacher at my earliest convenience," said Sienna.
"Understood, Miss Enna. I'll take care of it right away." Lana nodded.
After a full day of forced labor, Jocelyn finally got to eat. Starving and exhausted, she wolfed down her food with unladylike abandon, not caring about appearances at all.
Jocelyn's eyes burned with terrifying hatred. 'Sienna, I'll never forget this humiliation. Just wait. I'll make you pay in blood,' she vowed silently.
At the hospital, Linda hadn't expected Aiden to be so severely injured. He couldn't even get out of bed.
Linda devoted herself wholeheartedly to caring for him. Even when she felt weary or frustrated, just one look at his face made all her exhaustion worthwhile.
Aiden sighed, "I'm going to get some shut-eye. Keep it down."
Linda beamed brightly and said, "Alright, Honey. I promise I won't say a word. Sleep tight."
Jocelyn called. Linda glanced at the sleeping Aiden, quietly slipped out into the hallway, and answered, "What is it?"
"Mom, when are you and Dad coming back? If you don't come home soon, Sienna's going to kill me. I can't take it anymore," said Jocelyn.
Linda said, "It's not that we don't want to come back. Your father's injuries are just too severe. The doctors say he won't even be able to get out of bed for a month.
"Jocelyn, Sienna is more cunning than she looks. Don't go head-to-head with her, or you'll be the one to suffer. You need to learn to leverage those around you, especially Amber."
Jocelyn impatiently hung up the phone. 'As if I don't know such basic things,' she scoffed inwardly.
But Amber was already at school. Jocelyn fumed inwardly, 'How dare she just go off to school without even telling me first? Such bad manners. Just wait. I'll teach her a lesson she won't forget.'
"Hey, it's me. Tell Amber to—" Jocelyn called.
At this moment, Amber was at school. Amber was chauffeured to school first thing in the morning by Elbert. It was Sienna's orders. Sullen, she sat in class, tuning out every word the teacher said.
"Amber, let's hang out together after school, okay? I'll take you to this really fun place I know." It was Mia, Amber's only friend at school, who was speaking.
Amber's eyes lit up at the mention of going out to have fun. 'Why wait till after school? Let's just ditch class now,' she thought, barely able to sit still.
"Mia, really? I can't wait till after school. Let's just go now," Amber suggested.
Mia glanced at the naive Amber, a barely perceptible sardonic gleam flickering in her eyes, while a warm smile lingered on her lips.
"Amber, don't be so impatient. We have to wait until after school," Mia said with a coaxing smile. "I need to collect the homework first. Oh, by the way, could you do me a little favor?"
"Of course." Amber would never say no to Mia.
At school, Mia was the only one who would actually hang out with her.
Mia even encouraged Amber's lack of interest in studying, telling her, "If you can't focus, just don't bother. Your happiness comes first after all."
In this elite private school, Mia was the only one who truly wanted to be Amber's friend.
"Amber, could you take this letter to Adrian in Class 1 for me?" said Mia.
Class 1 had its legendary figure, Adrian, the ice-cold academic ace whose untouchable record of perennially topping the rankings earned him the nickname scholarship magnet.
It was said that Adrian didn't come from a wealthy family, but he was so good-looking that most girls at school worshiped him as their campus crush.
"Wait, is this a love letter?" Amber asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Mia feigned embarrassment. "Oh, don't ask. It's nothing special, just a letter. Could you help me deliver it, please, Amber?"
Amber grinned, instantly catching on, and eagerly took the letter from Mia. "Don't worry, and leave it to me. I'll make sure Adrian gets your love letter."
Mia grabbed Amber's arm and whispered pleadingly, "Amber, please, don't tell him it was me, okay? If my parents ever found out, they'd kill me. You're my best friend. Please."
"Don't worry. I'm on it," said Amber.
"Okay," Mia smiled.
Mia watched Amber's retreating figure, lips curling into a smirk. 'What an idiot,' she thought contemptuously.
Then she pulled out her phone and texted: [She's on her way to deliver the love letter. Get ready, everyone.]
Amber marched straight into Class 1, spotted Adrian at his desk, and walked right up to him. "Here you go," she said bluntly.
The classroom erupted in gasps and jeers, with many students egging on the spectacle.
"Guys, come quick. She's delivering the love letter."
"Whoa, is that a love letter she's giving him? So lame."
"Oh my god. Isn't that Amber, the girl who always ranks dead last in the whole school? How does she even have the nerve to give a love letter to our top scholarship student? The audacity."
"Rumor has it she scored zero on the last test. She probably can't even read the alphabet, let alone write a love letter. I bet she can't even get through the alphabet."