CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 168: MOURNING FOR FATHER

"This is my granddaughter Sienna Johnson; you can just call her Sienna," the old lady introduced her enthusiastically. "Sienna, this is your Uncle Andrews, Uncle Louis, Uncle Meyers, and Uncle Meyers’ son, Frank Meyers."

Sienna greeted them one by one with a beaming smile and a nod.

"Flynn and the rest of you are here too..." Mother Johnson, very active in Sileria City’s social scene, also brought Sabrina over to greet several promising young men. "Sabrina, aren’t you going to greet them?"

"Brother Glenn, Brother Flynn, Brother Kingston," Sabrina said, looking at them with an innocent air, truly resembling a pure jasmine flower.

Sickened by her string of cloying "Brother" this and "Brother" that, Sienna surreptitiously rolled her eyes. Noah Phillips, hidden in the crowd, happened to see it and, having been on the verge of laughing already, finally couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

His laughter made Sienna extremely embarrassed. Surrounded by influential elders of Sileria City, she had to maintain an elegant and composed demeanor while repeatedly shooting annoyed glances at Noah.

"Sabrina, I’ll go greet the guests; you accompany Flynn and the others," Mother Johnson said, noticing many of her friends had arrived, and went to greet them.

Sienna’s beauty was outstanding. She exuded a captivating aura, not only utterly enthralling the men but also outshining Sabrina, who cultivated a "pure" image.

Although several men were gathered around Sabrina, their gazes frequently drifted towards Sienna. Without a doubt, Sienna was the absolute focus of the evening.

"Sabrina, is that your sister? She’s so beautiful," Ian Morris remarked, holding a wine glass, his eyes fixed on Sienna.

"Yes, I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman. No wonder the Johnson family kept her so hidden before," Bryan also praised.

Sabrina’s expression soured. She used to be the center of male attention. Glancing at Sienna, who was surrounded by several older gentlemen, she said cuttingly, "What’s the use of being beautiful? Her conduct is improper. She had a daughter out of wedlock, and we don’t even know which unknown man fathered the child."

The men exchanged glances, and their expressions shifted as they looked at Sienna again.

"She has a child?" one of them asked, surprised.

"She disappeared for two years; we all thought she’d died in some accident. But then she suddenly returned, bringing a daughter with her. When we asked where the child’s father was, she claimed she couldn’t remember anything," Sabrina chuckled derisively. "Who knows if she genuinely forgot, or if she had so many men that she doesn’t even know who the child’s father is?"

Sabrina’s words were incredibly malicious! Her voice carried, and even the old lady heard them. The old lady looked somewhat embarrassed, unsure what to say, and was about to try and gloss over the matter.

However, Sienna spoke up. "My sister’s husband was originally my fiancé. Then, he and my sister fell in love, so I stayed abroad for two years... I only recently returned." She paused briefly. "Just now, my sister’s husband—my former fiancé—spoke a little more with me than usual. My sister might have misunderstood something..."

With just a few words, Sienna had turned the tables. She had been accused of improper conduct? Well, how proper could the conduct of a woman who fell in love with her own sister’s fiancé possibly be?

The old lady grasped Sienna’s hand, taking the opportunity to discuss her marriage. "As you all know our family’s situation, I intend to keep this granddaughter at home. If any of you know a good young man, please feel free to introduce him to our Sienna. We aren’t concerned about his family’s status, as long as he has good character, ambition, and will truly care for our Sienna."

Sienna had no intention of marrying so soon. "Grandma," she said seriously, "Father has only recently passed, his body barely cold. I don’t wish to marry for now. My marriage will have to wait until I’ve completed the three-year mourning period for him."

"Sienna, you... Women are like flowers. If they get too old, it’s harder to find a match," the old lady fretted. This was meant to be a marriage where the husband joins our family. If she gets much older, how will we find someone suitable? Grandma worried deeply for Sienna.

They were surrounded by elders, but most of the younger generation present had studied abroad, idolizing foreign ways and largely forgetting traditional customs and etiquette. In such a society, for a marriageable young woman to be willing to mourn her father for three years was truly rare. Many of the guests nodded in approval.

"Old Madam, you are truly blessed to have such a beautiful and filial granddaughter," one guest commented.

Sienna’s face clouded with sorrow. "Father doted on me the most when he was alive. His passing has left me heartbroken. Father didn’t have a son, so I am his son. It’s only right for a child to mourn their father."

"In this day and age, to find young people still willing to observe such a long mourning period for a parent is rare, truly rare," another guest remarked with admiration.

"You’re too kind," the old lady demurred, bowing her head with a humble smile. Inwardly, however, her heart swelled with pride. Though Sienna was only twenty-two, her very presence drew the eyes of many promising young men. Even the young gentlemen from the Xiao family—a prominent clan in Sileria City and considered the cream of the crop—couldn’t tear their gazes away from her granddaughter.

Sabrina glared venomously at the triumphant Sienna. Previously, all the young talents would flock around her, but now, not a single man stood by her side. She was being completely ignored, like an invisible person. How could she, always so proud and arrogant, bear such a slight?

Just as she was about to erupt, Mrs. Harris of Southgate Department Store gripped her hand tightly.

"What do you think you’re doing?" Mrs. Harris hissed, lowering her voice to stop Sabrina.

"She’s spouting nonsense! I’m going to expose her true colors!" Sabrina cried, utterly incensed and having lost all reason.

"Sabrina, don’t be impulsive!"

They had all underestimated Sienna, this once quiet and unassuming girl. Two years apart, and who would have thought her schemes could run so deep? The Sienna before her seemed to have shed her old skin, transformed into someone completely unreadable. This was the first time Mrs. Harris truly worried for Sabrina.

"Why didn’t she just die out there?!" Sabrina seethed.

Mrs. Harris—Yvette—glanced around warily before pulling Sabrina out of the crowd and into a secluded corner. "Are you mad? How can you say such things?!" she scolded.

"Shut up! Don’t think just because you’re my..." Sabrina bit back the words, managing not to recklessly reveal Yvette’s identity. "This is none of your business!"

Yvette looked at the still-immature Sabrina. "So many people are here today," she advised. "If you throw a tantrum now, you’ll only make her look better and walk right into her trap. From now on, you must be cautious. Wait for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow."

"..." Sabrina was silent.

"You were too soft on Sienna last time! That’s why all this trouble has started!" Yvette hissed, her voice low, as she lectured Sabrina while keeping a wary eye on their surroundings.

"I hate Sienna!" Sabrina ground out.

"Don’t worry," Yvette said, her gaze turning chillingly cold as she looked towards Sienna, who was skillfully and gracefully navigating the crowd. "I won’t let her get her way!"

Sienna felt Yvette’s intense gaze and looked over. Yvette immediately composed herself, her expression smoothing over.