Chapter 266: Valerie Pressed Her Lips Together

“I understand your work demands attention, but your marriage deserves equal priority. You must invest more energy into this.”

Valerie pressed her lips together. After a moment, she gave a reluctant nod. “Fine. I’ll try.” Susan turned to address the household staff. “Take note. Miss Duval will soon be the lady of this house. You will treat her with the utmost respect.”

“Yes, Madam.” The maids kept their heads bowed, scarcely daring to breathe.

Valerie’s gaze drifted toward the hallway where Lucas had vanished. A flicker of fierce resolve ignited in her eyes. Sienna rode her motorcycle back to Willowcrest Estate. The air inside felt colder, emptier than she remembered. She had grown too accustomed to the warmth of the Harrington Estate. She would need to readjust. Once she told Lucas the truth, he might never allow a woman like her near Noah again. In two months, when the contract ended, she would likely leave for good.

She rubbed her temples, pushing the thoughts aside. She focused on tidying the villa she hadn't visited in weeks. Her phone rang, shattering the silence. She checked the caller ID and answered.

“Boss Bennett, Lucas’s men conducted an extensive background check on you overnight. We’ve handled it. The higher-ups are aware. They urge you to complete your task with Lucas quickly.”

Sienna remained calm. “I’m aware. I have it under control.”

“The two senior mentors emphasized they have arranged marriage plans for you. This isn’t just about the mission. You need to distance yourself from Lucas immediately,” Miles cautioned.

Sienna let out a short, derisive laugh. “Did their R&D project fail again? Are they still trying to marry me off to that American?”

“You guessed it, Boss Bennett…” Miles gave an awkward chuckle before his tone turned serious. “It’s not like that. They only want what’s best for you. Frederick Ashford is an excellent match. Young, accomplished, kind, and considerate. Most importantly, he knows about your past and accepts it completely. He’s willing to dedicate his life to you.”

Sienna brewed a cup of coffee, her movements steady. “Tell them to stop. Arranged marriages are archaic. If their project is stalled, they can wait for me to fix it. They don’t need to auction me off. If that’s all, I’m hanging up.” She was ready to end the call, her patience thin.

“Wait, Boss Bennett! One more thing! Vanessa convinced Harrison to keep her secret. She visited Derek again last night. They were together.”

Sienna’s brow furrowed. She quickly pieced together Vanessa’s scheme. “Monitor her,” she ordered coolly. “But do not intervene without my direct order.”

“Understood. Oh, and Boss Bennett, I sent Frederick Ashford’s photos to your ChatLine. Please remember to look at them!” Miles spoke rapidly and hung up before she could react.

Sienna saw the notification but ignored it. She placed her phone aside without opening the app. She stood by the window, gazing thoughtfully at the forest beyond. She had met Frederick three years ago during a joint research project. He was the ideal gentleman, every woman's dream. Exceptionally gentle, attentive, and a brilliant collaborator. Since then, he had maintained close ties with her mentors, persistently seeking information about her.

Sienna knew of his feelings. She had asked her mentors to disclose the incident from five years ago, expecting him to retreat. Instead, he had waited for her all this time. She found it puzzling. Revealing her past to Frederick had been effortless. Yet, the thought of confessing to Lucas filled her with dread. If he discovered her secrets, would he accept her as Frederick had?