He hadn't stood a chance

Sienna hurried downstairs trying to put as much distance between Damon and herself as possible.

Just as she turned into the courtyard, she caught sight of an elegant young man and slowed down as she tried to figure out why he looked so familiar. The cut of his clothing and the way he carried himself indicated that he wasn't just rich, he was from one of the more influential families.

Standing near a pillar and using it to hide her, she peered at him, squinting as she searched her memory for any recollection of his light brown hair and gentle eyes.

When she lit upon the memory, she sucked in air so sharply a passing waiter got a fright and thought she was choking. Weakly, she waved him on.

This was the young master of the Lachance family and another victim of Vivianne's gold digging ways.

Her parents and Vivianne were somewhere at this party as well, being a wealthy family and technically, in-laws. But of course they hadn't even come looking for Sienna.

She shook her head, trying not to feel the stab of hurt that came every time she thought about her family. She had to focus. This was the very party they had tried to set Vivianne up with the young master Lachance.

Sienna pursed her lips as she weaved through servants carrying out more gourmet food. The poor boy had been yanked around by Vivianne, used for his wealth and status and left heartbroken when she flitted off with someone else.

Memories of the same young man, but gaunt and red eyed crying in their driveway flashed through her mind. Young master Lachance had fallen so hard for Vivianne that he had begged her to come back to him, weeping and looking as though he would pass out anytime.

At the time, Sienna had tried to talk to Vivianne about it, but she had been brushed off and made to believe her younger sister was simply young and carefree.

She halted, then darted behind some bushes as she spotted her family in another indoor area. She bit her lip as she surveyed the rooms around them and did her best to make a guess based on what she knew of Vivianne.

Within minutes, a servant approached the young master Lachance and whispered in his ear, "Miss Astor requested to see you."

Watching the polite smile the man gave and his mild-mannered behaviour, Sienna couldn't help but feel a fresh wave of pity. He hadn't stood a chance against Vivianne.

Carefully, she locked herself in a small closet along the servant's corridor and made a call. She wasn't about to stand by and do nothing this time.

When Vivianne got a call, she excused herself with a smile and headed to the larger parlour to take it. From where she was watching behind a bush, Sienna grinned. Her gamble had paid off, Vivianne always picked the biggest, fanciest room to be in as much as possible, even if it was just to answer a phone call.

Inside the parlour, Vivianne's expression went from sour to downright furious.

"What do you mean the shipment is delayed?" She snarled, "I need those clothes immediately!"

As she raged, Sienna held her breath, watching young master Lachance follow the servant to that very parlour and pause, just as she had hoped.

From the doorway, he watched horrified as Miss Vivianne Astor made threats and screeched obscenities. Her voice was grating when she was angry and her pretty face was pulled into a sneer.

Without going in, he watched for a while, then backed off and left swiftly.

Sienna silently congratulated herself and found a nice bench in the garden to sit quietly. She had done all she had set out to do and more at this party.

Now she closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall, soaking in the late afternoon sunshine. It was peaceful here, away from people and plotting.

Something nudged her hand and her eyes shot open, her entire body immediately tensing up.

It was Eric Ramsey, looking like a movie star as he leaned back and grinned at her. In his hand was a plate of little hor d'oeuvres that he was offering to her.

"Hiding out?" He teased and Sienna relaxed slightly. He was easy to get along with, but since he was going to be an investor, she still had to be professional.

"Just taking a breather," She smiled back and sat up straight, folding her hands in her lap, "Are you hiding?"

He shook his head, dark blue eyes twinkling, "No, I was looking for you."

"To talk about the company?" Sienna guessed, already pulling up statistics in her head.

Eric laughed and the sunlight shone like a spotlight on him. It was easy to see why he always had a girl on each arm and many more chasing after him.

"No, Miss Astor," He leaned in slightly, smirking so that a dimple appeared, "To talk about you."

Sienna blinked in confusion. Why would he want to talk about her? In her previous life, they hadn't even talked once, she couldn't imagine what else he wanted to discuss with her other than business.

"About me?" She echoed.

Eric paused for a moment. Could she really be so innocent? Most girls would be jumping at the chance to receive his attention, thrilled that he was interested in them. Of course, she was married, but his charm couldn't have completely disappeared, could it?

Sienna was gorgeous in the pastel dress that she had changed into, sitting in the garden like that, she looked like a flower herself. He knew it was dangerous to seek out the wife of Damon Wright, but he couldn't help it, he was so intrigued by her.

The way she was looking at him now was clear and direct, without any hint of flirtation or greed. All she wanted to talk about was business instead of herself.

How refreshing!

Despite his own common sense telling him not to play with fire, Eric slowly leaned in so close that he heard the breath catch in her throat as his lips brushed her ear.

Her light, sweet perfume was intoxicating.

"Yes, you," He breathed, "You see, I know your secret."