bChapter /bb72 /b

b“/bSusan, b1 /bvalue talent. I’d blike /bbto /bsponsor your two daughters,” Sienna offered.

Susan looked up at Siennab, /bstartled. She knew Sienna was anything but ordinary. Every word Sienna uttered was worth its weight in gold.

Susan asked in disbeliefb, /bb“/bMiss Hartb, /bdo you really mean it?”

As a teacher at this elite private school, Susan was all too aware of the power that wealth and influence bring. Even the underachievers in ss 10 would bhave /bfutures a hundred times brighter than her children.

Getting into any university was just ba /bsimple phone call away for them.

Their performance was remarkably good. Despite being the lowest–ranked bss/bb, /beveryone was above the bpassing /bgradeb, /bwith the sole exception of Amberb. /b

At this prestigious school, even the most yful students bnever /bended up at the bottom. Their bparents /bsimply wouldn’t allow it.

These kids were all sharp–mindedb, /band Amber bwas /bno exception. She bwas /bincredibly smart, especially in mathematics. Even without paying attention in ssb, /bwhen called to the board, she could work out any problem right away.

Susan couldn’t bear to let such talent bgo /bto bwaste/b.

“I never make empty promisesb, /bSienna said firmly. “In return, I want you to help Amber improve her grades this bsemester /band earn admission to the university of her choice on bher /bown meritsb.” /b

Susan’s face clouded with concern. She thought to herself, ‘bI /bwant to help, but Amber just isn’t willing. How could I possibly force her? What’s more, Amber is pretty rebellious. She just won’t listen to anyone.

Susan looked apologetic as she replied, “Miss Hart, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I can do what byou’re /basking. You might not fully understand Amber byet/b. She has no interest in studying whatsoever.

“I believe this stems from bher /bfamily circumstances and the influence of those around herb./bb” /b

Susan made it quite clearb. /bShe bwas /breferring to none other than Jocelyn.

“Don’t worry,” Sienna said firmly. b“/bI’ll make sure Amber attends school properly and changes her attitude toward studying.”

Susan looked puzzled and asked, “Miss Hart, with your resources, you could easily hire someone more qualified than me to tutor Amber and help her get into her dream university. Why choose me?b” /b

Sienna gently spun the cup on the table. “Susan, I’m not really concerned about Amber’s grades. What I truly want bis /bfor her to enjoy learning, I believe you understand what bI /bmean.”

As bfor /bwhich university Amber would attend, that was the least of Sienna’s worries. Even if Amber got expelled right now, Sienna could chart the best path for her, making sure she’d blossom and live an extraordinary life.

Susan finally understood. What Sienna cared about wasn’t Amber’s actual grades, but her attitude toward learning, Sienna wanted Susan to help Amber build a positive learning mindset.

Susan thought to herself, ‘Of course, they would never let her child go astray.

“Miss Hart, I can’t guarantee anything. I can only give it a shot. Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about Amber bas /bwell, but you reached out to me first. I’m really d byou /bdid, but to be honest, I also have an ulterior motive,” said Susan.

It bwas /brted to her two kids. Susan just wanted to pave an easier path for them. With today’s cutthroatpetition, she could already see where things bwere /bheaded.

Even if they got into the best schools, they would probably just end up stuck in mediocre corporate jobs, climbing thedder one exhausting rung at a time. They wouldn’t even be able tond jobs at decentpanies.

Sienna said calmly, “Okay. I’ll only provide the funding. If your children have what it takes to bexcel /bwithin the scope of my sponsorship, their future will be quite promising.”

Upon hearing this, Susan couldn’t suppress ba /bsmile. Receiving the sponsorship was already a tremendous blessing. She knew exactly what it meant. Her children could attend Fellington University.

This offer alone bwas /bmore than Susan could ever hope forb. /bMeanwhile, Susan was determined to do everything in her power to help Amber transform.

Susan hesitated, then looked bat /bSienna and asked, “Miss Hart, may bI /bask onest question?”

“Go ahead,” Sienna replied calmly. Her eyes remained as calm and detached bas /bever, giving off no btrace /bof warmth.

b“/bMiss Hart, why did byou /bchoose meb?/bb” /bSusan asked. After all, she was not exactly the star teacher here

Sienna’s reasoning bwas /bstraightforward. She simply didn’t want Amber to know she was pulling strings behind the scenes,

“Miss Hartb, /bbyou’re /btruly an exceptional guardian, Susan said sincerely.

A trace of bguilt /bflickered in Sienna’s beyes /bas she said, “Is that so? I hope so.“

bShe /bbwas /bmaking amends in bher /bway, helping them grow stronger, until they could weather any storm without fearb, /beven when she was no longer there to shield them.

‘And Winifred too, Sienna thought to herself. A btrace /bof heartache flickered in her eyes bas /bbshe /bgot into the car.

Lana bnced /bat her and asked softly. “Miss Enna, where should we bgo/bb?/bb” /b

bJust /bas Sienna bwas /babout to bspeak/b, her phone rang.

It bwas /bJason calling. Apparently, Vivian hade in for a check–up today. Jason was amazed at how quickly she bhad /brecovered, both physically and mentallyb, /band he couldn’t wait to bshare /bthe good bnews /bwith Sienna.

“Enna, shouldn’t we bget /btogetherb? /bAre you really nning to keep your return a bsecret /bfrom all our old friends?b” /bJason suggested.

Sienna gazed out the window, her gaze profound. “Soon. bI’ll /bshow myself when bI’ve /bbtaken /bcare of ba /bbfew /bthingsb./bb” /b

bJason /bsaid, “Enna, bfirst /bthings firstb, /byou have to bgo /bbsee /bNora. She’s been thinking about you all bthese /bbyears/bb. /bShe even goes to pay respects to you bevery /bbyear/bb. /bWell, I mean, she just misses you.”

Sienna replied quietly, b“/bGot it.”

Seeing Jason fall silent, Sienna asked, “Anything else?”

Jason hesitated, fumbling for words, too embarrassed to ask what was really on his mind. Worried that Sienna might lose patience, he finally muttered, “It’s nothing,” and hung up.

After hanging up, Jason slumped into his chair with relief, breathing heavily. The image of that stunning red–haired woman shed through his mind, so sophisticated and alluring that she made his pulse race.

Jason thought to himself, ‘She must be someone Enna sent to help Vivian grow!

“Dr. Everett? Dr. Everett?” The nurse had already called his name several times, but Jason remained unresponsive.

Finally, she rapped on the desk and raised her voice, “Dr. Everettb?/bb” /b

Jason was startled, snapping out of his thoughts with a frown. “What is it? I can hear you just fine.”

The nurse muttered under her breath, “I’ve called you several times already.”

Jason snapped, “What is it? Spit it out.”

“There’s a patient waiting to bsee /byou,” she bsaid/b.

“Got it.” Jason nodded.

Lana felt a pang of heartache when she saw the dark circles under Sienna’s eyes.

Sienna hadn’t even been back a month, yet she’d already lost weight, every day juggling endless problems, managing both domestic and overseaspanies, all while worrying about each of her younger sisters.

Late iat /inight, Lana would always wait until Vivian had fallen asleep before catching up on work and meetings. Even in the past, Lana had never seen Sienna look so weary and burdened.

Lana

na final‘

‘ of worl

г

bChapter /bb72 /b

b“/bSusan, b1 /bvalue talent. I’d blike /bbto /bsponsor your two daughters,” Sienna offered.

Susan looked up at Siennab, /bstartled. She knew Sienna was anything but ordinary. Every word Sienna uttered was worth its weight in gold.

Susan asked in disbeliefb, /bb“/bMiss Hartb, /bdo you really mean it?”

As a teacher at this elite private school, Susan was all too aware of the power that wealth and influence bring. Even the underachievers in ss 10 would bhave /bfutures a hundred times brighter than her children.

Getting into any university was just ba /bsimple phone call away for them.

Their performance was remarkably good. Despite being the lowest–ranked bss/bb, /beveryone was above the bpassing /bgradeb, /bwith the sole exception of Amberb. /b

At this prestigious school, even the most yful students bnever /bended up at the bottom. Their bparents /bsimply wouldn’t allow it.

These kids were all sharp–mindedb, /band Amber bwas /bno exception. She bwas /bincredibly smart, especially in mathematics. Even without paying attention in ssb, /bwhen called to the board, she could work out any problem right away.

Susan couldn’t bear to let such talent bgo /bto bwaste/b.

“I never make empty promisesb, /bSienna said firmly. “In return, I want you to help Amber improve her grades this bsemester /band earn admission to the university of her choice on bher /bown meritsb.” /b

Susan’s face clouded with concern. She thought to herself, ‘bI /bwant to help, but Amber just isn’t willing. How could I possibly force her? What’s more, Amber is pretty rebellious. She just won’t listen to anyone.

Susan looked apologetic as she replied, “Miss Hart, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I can do what byou’re /basking. You might not fully understand Amber byet/b. She has no interest in studying whatsoever.

“I believe this stems from bher /bfamily circumstances and the influence of those around herb./bb” /b

Susan made it quite clearb. /bShe bwas /breferring to none other than Jocelyn.

“Don’t worry,” Sienna said firmly. b“/bI’ll make sure Amber attends school properly and changes her attitude toward studying.”

Susan looked puzzled and asked, “Miss Hart, with your resources, you could easily hire someone more qualified than me to tutor Amber and help her get into her dream university. Why choose me?b” /b

Sienna gently spun the cup on the table. “Susan, I’m not really concerned about Amber’s grades. What I truly want bis /bfor her to enjoy learning, I believe you understand what bI /bmean.”

As bfor /bwhich university Amber would attend, that was the least of Sienna’s worries. Even if Amber got expelled right now, Sienna could chart the best path for her, making sure she’d blossom and live an extraordinary life.

Susan finally understood. What Sienna cared about wasn’t Amber’s actual grades, but her attitude toward learning, Sienna wanted Susan to help Amber build a positive learning mindset.

Susan thought to herself, ‘Of course, they would never let her child go astray.

“Miss Hart, I can’t guarantee anything. I can only give it a shot. Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about Amber bas /bwell, but you reached out to me first. I’m really d byou /bdid, but to be honest, I also have an ulterior motive,” said Susan.

It bwas /brted to her two kids. Susan just wanted to pave an easier path for them. With today’s cutthroatpetition, she could already see where things bwere /bheaded.

Even if they got into the best schools, they would probably just end up stuck in mediocre corporate jobs, climbing thedder one exhausting rung at a time. They wouldn’t even be able tond jobs at decentpanies.

Sienna said calmly, “Okay. I’ll only provide the funding. If your children have what it takes to bexcel /bwithin the scope of my sponsorship, their future will be quite promising.”

Upon hearing this, Susan couldn’t suppress ba /bsmile. Receiving the sponsorship was already a tremendous blessing. She knew exactly what it meant. Her children could attend Fellington University.

This offer alone bwas /bmore than Susan could ever hope forb. /bMeanwhile, Susan was determined to do everything in her power to help Amber transform.

Susan hesitated, then looked bat /bSienna and asked, “Miss Hart, may bI /bask onest question?”

“Go ahead,” Sienna replied calmly. Her eyes remained as calm and detached bas /bever, giving off no btrace /bof warmth.

b“/bMiss Hart, why did byou /bchoose meb?/bb” /bSusan asked. After all, she was not exactly the star teacher here

Sienna’s reasoning bwas /bstraightforward. She simply didn’t want Amber to know she was pulling strings behind the scenes,

“Miss Hartb, /bbyou’re /btruly an exceptional guardian, Susan said sincerely.

A trace of bguilt /bflickered in Sienna’s beyes /bas she said, “Is that so? I hope so.“

bShe /bbwas /bmaking amends in bher /bway, helping them grow stronger, until they could weather any storm without fearb, /beven when she was no longer there to shield them.

‘And Winifred too, Sienna thought to herself. A btrace /bof heartache flickered in her eyes bas /bbshe /bgot into the car.

Lana bnced /bat her and asked softly. “Miss Enna, where should we bgo/bb?/bb” /b

bJust /bas Sienna bwas /babout to bspeak/b, her phone rang.

It bwas /bJason calling. Apparently, Vivian hade in for a check–up today. Jason was amazed at how quickly she bhad /brecovered, both physically and mentallyb, /band he couldn’t wait to bshare /bthe good bnews /bwith Sienna.

“Enna, shouldn’t we bget /btogetherb? /bAre you really nning to keep your return a bsecret /bfrom all our old friends?b” /bJason suggested.

Sienna gazed out the window, her gaze profound. “Soon. bI’ll /bshow myself when bI’ve /bbtaken /bcare of ba /bbfew /bthingsb./bb” /b

bJason /bsaid, “Enna, bfirst /bthings firstb, /byou have to bgo /bbsee /bNora. She’s been thinking about you all bthese /bbyears/bb. /bShe even goes to pay respects to you bevery /bbyear/bb. /bWell, I mean, she just misses you.”

Sienna replied quietly, b“/bGot it.”

Seeing Jason fall silent, Sienna asked, “Anything else?”

Jason hesitated, fumbling for words, too embarrassed to ask what was really on his mind. Worried that Sienna might lose patience, he finally muttered, “It’s nothing,” and hung up.

After hanging up, Jason slumped into his chair with relief, breathing heavily. The image of that stunning red–haired woman shed through his mind, so sophisticated and alluring that she made his pulse race.

Jason thought to himself, ‘She must be someone Enna sent to help Vivian grow!

“Dr. Everett? Dr. Everett?” The nurse had already called his name several times, but Jason remained unresponsive.

Finally, she rapped on the desk and raised her voice, “Dr. Everettb?/bb” /b

Jason was startled, snapping out of his thoughts with a frown. “What is it? I can hear you just fine.”

The nurse muttered under her breath, “I’ve called you several times already.”

Jason snapped, “What is it? Spit it out.”

“There’s a patient waiting to bsee /byou,” she bsaid/b.

“Got it.” Jason nodded.

Lana felt a pang of heartache when she saw the dark circles under Sienna’s eyes.

Sienna hadn’t even been back a month, yet she’d already lost weight, every day juggling endless problems, managing both domestic and overseaspanies, all while worrying about each of her younger sisters.

Late iat /inight, Lana would always wait until Vivian had fallen asleep before catching up on work and meetings. Even in the past, Lana had never seen Sienna look so weary and burdened.

Lana

na final‘

‘ of worl

г