First meeting - Part 2

Not just the two men, even Sienna was stunned when she realized what she had done. For the first time in her life, she had behaved differently than she usually did in public. However, she didn't allow the embarrassment to settle on her face. Instead, she continued staring at the stranger, making it seem as if she was genuinely complimenting him.

"Well, thank you," the man replied, his tone filled with mirth and mischief.

"I should be the one thanking you." Sienna shook her head lightly and smiled faintly, donning a tranquil expression as she faced him calmly. "If not for your help, I'm not sure what would have happened. Thank you."

"Don't be, Miss Lawrence. I was just doing my duty."

"Duty?" Sienna squinted her eyes as she looked at him suspiciously. "I don't think you're responsible for my safety."

"Let's just say I lead a private security corps. I deem it my duty to protect innocent people," the man answered.

"Impressive." Sienna nodded in admiration. "May I know your name?"

"Kyrell, Kyrell Winchester."

"Mr. Winchester, thank you once again for saving me. I'm eternally grateful for your help."

"My pleasure."

"So, Officer Jenkins, tell me. How can I help you today?"

Sienna's expression changed and she gave the police officer a look that made him feel ashamed. He wasn't ignorant. He knew the reason why he was being treated this way. 

Although Sienna didn't scorn him, he still felt rueful. His inability to track the truth led him to lower his head and he stood silently for a moment.

"From your action, I shall presume that you're still at a dead end." Sienna looked at him cryptically and her expression didn't waver when the police officer nodded in response.

Sienna sighed and glanced at her phone again. She recalled the message she had received and bit the inside of her cheek thoughtfully. The idea of showing the message to the police didn't come to her even once. What if he was working with her enemy?

"Miss Lawrence, may I ask if you suspect anyone?" Kyrell asked all of a sudden, gaining Sienna's attention to him.

"If I did, I'd have investigated long ago." Sienna's lips arched up on one side as she replied wryly.

"What about your guards?" Kyrell dropped another question instantly.

"What about them?" Sienna peered at him, the alarms in her mind now ringing loudly. 'What does this man know? Why is he probing into my matters?'

"Don't you doubt them?" 

Sienna remained silent as she waited for him to continue.

"It's impossible for your family to be murdered so brutally without their support, Miss Lawrence. Someone or in my opinion, a lot of them must have betrayed your family and allowed the perpetrators to get inside the venue. Otherwise, given how influential and powerful your family is, there is no way in hell armed people would be allowed inside the venue, let alone in such proximity to your family," Kyrell stated his thoughts and the police officer beside him got thinking.

"But they came disguised as the security in charge of the event." Officer Jenkins voiced out.

"Officer Jenkins, I'm certain those guards were stationed outside the venue, not inside. Please do clarify with the security agency or the event organizers. The Lawrence family guards must be in charge of the security inside the venue. It is how it usually is." Kyrell spoke out of his experience.

While Sienna continued to stare at him mysteriously, Officer Jenkins was convinced by Kyrell and started to analyze the matter in this direction.

"Let me make a call. Excuse me."

While he stepped out of the ward, Kyrell remained inside as he maintained his gaze on Sienna, matching her temperament at that moment. He didn't cower even though she scrutinized him blatantly.

"Miss Lawrence, why do I feel you have already suspected your guards?" He smiled as he pointed out the truth without holding back. He didn't mind that she suspected him. At least, she wasn't a gullible person. 

"And why do I feel that you're excessively involving yourself in this matter?" Sienna shot back.

"Possibly." Kyrell shrugged, not bothering to hide it from her.

"May I know why?"

"Will you believe me if I say I only have good intentions towards you?" Kyrell didn't answer her directly. Instead, he returned with a question of his own.

Silence fell over and the two continued to study each other. The intensity of their gazes was unbelievably palpable. Sparks erupted between them and the air turned tense in an instant.

It was Sienna who relented first. Yet, she didn't respond positively. "I don't have a reason to believe you. You saved me and I'm thankful for it. But what if it's all a ploy?"

"What ploy could there possibly be?" Kyrell wasn't offended by her words. Instead, he was only intrigued by her thought process.

"I don't know. You tell me." 

Now, the ball was back in Kyrell's court.

"I can only say there is no ploy here. You may not believe me right now, but you will. One day."

"Are you that confident?" Sienna quirked a brow, dropping her gaze of scrutiny for a moment.

"Yes. I'm an honest person. I have nothing to worry about."

"Very well. I hope you're being truthful. I don't want to hurt my savior."

Kyrell wasn't a fool. He understood the implication behind her words. Yet, he was unaffected by her subtle threat.

"Miss..." Frank stopped himself in time when he noticed Kyrell in the ward. "Please forgive me, Mr. Winchester. I didn't know you were here."

"Not a problem."

"Miss, he was the one who saved you."

"I know, Frank. Officer Jenkins has introduced him to me."

"I see." Frank nodded. "Miss, the discharge papers have been signed. We can leave anytime you want."

"Good." Sienna nodded.

"Are you getting discharged today, Miss Lawrence?" Kyrell was surprised. Wasn't it too soon? Even though she was fine, wasn't she hurrying?

"Yes." Sienna didn't explain and Kyrell didn't ask for more.

"Miss Lawrence," Officer Jenkins entered the ward and glanced at Frank who was standing beside the bed silently. "I need to interrogate your guards. I have reasons to believe that some of them helped the perpetrators enter the venue."

Sienna glanced at Frank, who didn't show any reaction. "It seems we have to leave early. Frank, let's go home. It's time to catch some fish."