Chapter 176
Sienna's pov
I couldn't agree right away, or else I'd seem too easy to control. I had to negotiate some terms.
"Mr. Vane, let's keep this between us, okay?"
Theo gave me a peculiar look.
I was the one who sought his help initially, and now I was the one asking him to back off.
"So, does that mean you agree to my proposal?"
Julian's gaze shifted to me, his eyes filled with an unsettling interest, as if he already considered me his possession.
"Did I say that? Mr. Vane, I think your hearing is just fine."
He deliberately twisted my words.
I was clear that we could discuss it.
"Six months apart, and it seems your thoughts have changed again."
Julian's interest deepened, and he gestured to Theo. "Mr. Moretti, you can go now. I'll discuss the rest with Lucy."
Theo looked at me with concern.
He was probably worried I couldn't handle it.
I nodded at him. "Theo, you should go. Once I sort this out, I'll come find you. It's been a while since we caught up."
Theo left, and it was just the two of us in the office.
Julian remained seated, staring at me with a faint smile.
"Lucy, tell me, how do you want to negotiate?"
I felt like I was walking into his trap again.
"My only condition is that my friends and family are not involved."
As for how Julian wanted to use me, I didn't really care.
Becoming his fiancée was fine by me, and it would also infuriate Harrison .
"Lucy, that's too simple. You should ask for more."
Julian finally stood up and approached me, leaning in close.
My body instinctively wanted to back away, but I held my ground.
"You still haven't learned to think for yourself. Don't you have anything you want? I can help you achieve it."
If he got any closer, I couldn't guarantee I wouldn't punch him.
"If Mr. Vane is willing to give me more, I can ask."
Even if I had something I wanted, I wouldn't let Julian help me.
He was always a dangerous person.
Julian just chuckled, stepped back a few paces, and turned to the floor-to-ceiling window.
"Aren't you curious about who your biological father is?"
If someone from the Moretti family had asked me that, I wouldn't have thought much of it.
But it was Julian.
Which meant he already knew I wasn't from the Price family.
"What does that have to do with you?" I said calmly. "That's none of your business, Mr. Vane."
Julian continued, "Years ago, there was a Best Actor in the country named Brett. He was in love with Josephine. After Josephine disappeared, Brett gradually withdrew from the film industry and vanished."
"Do you think the Moretti family finding you was a coincidence?"
Of course not.
Theo hadn't told me the real reason.
He didn't say, and I didn't ask. I knew he wouldn't harm me.
But hearing this from Julian was a different matter.
"What are you trying to say? What does my background have to do with you?"
Julian shook his head and gave me a meaningful look. "I just think that if you're related to Brett, it could be a great publicity stunt. It could skyrocket your fame."
"No need."
For me right now, publicity would only bring endless trouble.
"I can be your fiancée, as actress Lucy, but don't think you can use me to manipulate the Moretti family."
Julian finally turned around, looking at me with a hint of helplessness.
"Manipulate? Is that what you think?" He chuckled. "No, my intentions are simple. You just need to be my fiancée. We can even get the marriage certificate right away."
The more he acted like this, the stranger I felt. Julian had used me ruthlessly before. What was this now?
"Before I become famous, don't let Harrison know about my existence."
Julian agreed immediately.
"Don't worry, I'll keep you hidden."
The negotiation ended just like that. Julian seemed to have changed a bit. From his words, it seemed like as long as I was with him, he was willing to do anything.
That day, I was transferred from my original position and arranged for an audition. I was to play a role I had previously dubbed. This time, there was no Elena, no Harrison , and since Julian had introduced me, the crew had no reason to reject me.
Throughout, I never mentioned my relationship with Theo. The audition was confirmed on the same day.
After work, I went straight to Theo's place to explain things to him. I owed him an apology.
When I arrived at Theo's place, I found Elias there too.
"Long time no see. Looks like you're doing well."
This meeting was quite unexpected.
"Sienna , did you really agree to him?" Theo sighed and shook his head. "Julian is dangerous. I'm still worried..."
"Theo, don't you think you're being contradictory?" I interrupted. "You want me to stay away from Julian while also learning how to deal with him. But if I don't get close, how can I learn?"
I couldn't keep living under their protection.
"There's plenty of time to get close later. But now, if you follow him, won't you just be used by him?"
According to the original contract, I was supposed to work under Theo. But the person who signed was Sienna , not the current Lucy.
"I won't be as foolish as before."
I gave a self-deprecating smile. "If I were still that foolish, all the suffering would have been for nothing."
Theo still seemed dissatisfied, but I persuaded him. "Don't underestimate me. I went abroad to escape Harrison and to become stronger. Trust me, I can do it."
The conversation ended on a somewhat peaceful note.
The next day, I switched departments and got my own agent. Julian's resources were indeed impressive, thanks to Ewan's support.
Filming wasn't easy. Every day, I was too exhausted to take care of Willow. I started thinking about letting Lucy take care of the child.
During dinner, Wilder knocked on my door.
"Sienna , Eleanor, my parents are cooking tonight. Come over for dinner!"
Neighbors were like that. I held Willow and called Eleanor to join us. Over the past year, their relationship had improved a lot.
"You're finally back. Your child has grown so much."
Wilder played with Willow, her expression soft.
Wilder 's parents smiled and asked, "Judging by the child's features, she must look like her father. Where is he? Why isn't he with you?"