Chapter 69: The Performance of Affection
During a lull in their struggle, Sienna secretly grabbed her phone, angled it carefully, and snapped a photo. Damian was shirtless and asleep, and she was snuggling intimately against him, a flush of satisfaction on her face. She also recorded a short video—only their entwined bodies and Damian’s heavy breathing. She immediately sent everything to Evelyn with the caption: [Evelyn, your husband needed comfort badly. It seems I know how to soothe a man better than you do.]
The next morning, Damian woke up with a pounding headache. The ceiling was unfamiliar, and the air was thick with a cloying perfume. He shot up, his hangover scrambling his thoughts. Then he saw Sienna. Her bare shoulder peaked out from the sheets, her face still flushed.
Fragmented memories rushed back: the fight with Evelyn, the torn divorce agreement, the whiskey, and... the chaotic, humiliating release. There was no warmth, no gratification. Only endless irritation and a deep self-loathing for his loss of control.
How had he fallen so low? He got out of bed quickly, pulling on his scattered clothes with clear impatience.
Sienna woke up, rubbing her eyes. "Damian, you're up? Come back to bed for a minute, please…"
“Shut up.” Damian cut her off coldly, not even glancing back as he slammed the door shut.
The flirtatious look vanished instantly from Sienna's face. She didn't care about Damian's attitude. She'd achieved her goal. She picked up her phone, admired her "masterpiece," and then, satisfied, searched a social media app. She typed in "Sophie Davis."
As Sienna scrolled through Sophie's feed, a vicious glint entered her eyes. Taking down Evelyn couldn't rely just on Damian. She needed to clip all of Evelyn's wings, leaving her completely isolated.
Damian returned to the office, his mind clouded by business stress and turmoil. The Omni Group was about to go public. The scandal with Dennis and the news of Damian's "marital discord" were destabilizing the stock price. Board members called constantly, urging him to maintain the company's image. He desperately needed to project the image of a happily married CEO.
He called Evelyn. When she answered, he used a commanding tone. “Tomorrow, you’re coming with me to Luna Park.” There was no room for discussion.
Evelyn was packing her things at the mansion. “Sorry, I’m busy.”
“Evelyn, I wasn't asking.” Damian's voice was sharp. “Omni is going public. I need a family image. There will be reporters following us tomorrow. Just come with me, smile, and play the part of Mrs. Green. It benefits both of us.”
To secure the divorce and keep Damian off guard, she had to compromise. “Fine.” She hung up.
The next day, they were at Luna Park. Evelyn felt completely detached from the music and laughter. Damian played the devoted husband meticulously. He waited in line for cotton candy and won her a teddy bear. On the Ferris wheel, he held her hand.
Onlookers watched with envy. Paparazzi clicked away relentlessly. Damian looked satisfied. He draped an arm around her shoulder and whispered, "Smile, Evelyn. Don't make it look like a show."
Evelyn forced a smile, but felt nothing inside. She looked at his profile, the image of him and Sienna, along with the torn divorce agreement, flashing through her mind.
Just then, Evelyn's phone vibrated. It was Sophie. "I need to use the restroom," she told Damian.
She walked into the restroom, closed the door to shut out the noise, and answered the call.
“Hey, Evelyn, are you okay? Damian hasn't given you any trouble, has he?” Sophie asked.
Evelyn sensed something was wrong. "Sophie, what happened? You sound exhausted."
"Nothing, just didn't sleep well," Sophie replied. "How about you? Are you holding up at home?"
“Sophie, tell me the truth.” Evelyn's voice sharpened. Silence. After a few seconds, Sophie finally said, "The Omni Group legal team sent me a letter. They're suing me for 'leaking trade secrets,' 'design plagiarism,' and 'unauthorized absence.' They want me to pay everything I have."
Evelyn's mind went blank. She couldn't imagine anyone but Sienna doing this.
"Sophie, don't worry. This is because of me. I won't let anything happen to you," Evelyn said.
"I'm not scared! I'll fight them to the end!" Sophie insisted. "Don't worry about me. Take care of yourself first. Damian is crazy. You can't go against him."
Evelyn leaned against the sink, feeling sick. Just as she was about to offer comfort, she looked up and saw someone in the mirror. Sienna was standing right at the restroom entrance, arms crossed, wearing a triumphant smile.
Evelyn quickly turned around, hung up the phone so Sophie wouldn't worry, and turned to Sienna. "Sophie being sued? Was this you?"
Sienna shrugged, tapping her phone screen. "That's a company decision. What does it have to do with me?" She tilted her head. "It's her fault for being so close to you. The Omni Group doesn't tolerate traitors."
Evelyn countered, "Sophie hasn't leaked any secrets!"
"Whether she did or not is not up to you to decide." Sienna slowly walked closer. "The letter is out, and the court summons is on its way. Looks like your dear friend is facing bankruptcy." She leaned in close to Evelyn, her eyes full of provocation.