Chapter 389
Aiden looked at Julian, undeniably handsome with a noble, gentlemanly air that even surpassed his own. Aiden cleared his throat and said sincerely, "Make sure you treat my daughter well from now on."
Julian nodded. "I will."
"Dad, there's something I need to talk to you about," Sienna said.
Aiden replied, "Go on."
Sienna lowered her gaze to the exquisite antique cup on the table—a Julian acquisition worth a staggering five hundred thousand. "The company's run into a bit of trouble lately," she said.
Aiden's face flashed with panic. Is the company really going under? he thought. "No way. My daughter's way too sharp for that," he tried to reassure himself. "Is there really nothing you can do?" he asked.
Sienna looked up. "I can fix it, but I'll need your help, Dad."
Aiden had a bad feeling, but he couldn't say no—after all, he was living off the Hart Corporation. "Of course, I'll help however I can. But like you said, I'm really not cut out for business, so I might not be much use," he said sincerely.
Sienna's tone was steady. "Dad, this is something only you can handle. The partner's asking price is just too high, and I can't afford it right now. The company needs to keep running, so the only way I can get the deal at the lowest price… is if you agree to a marriage alliance with their boss."
"What?" Aiden exclaimed, jumping to his feet and staring at her in utter disbelief. He repeated, his voice trembling, "You want me to get together with their boss?" I'm her own father! How could Sienna even think of something like this? he thought, his mind spinning.
"This is honestly the best option we've got right now. A stylist will be coming over soon to get you ready. Tonight, you'll meet with the boss, and if you two get along, then it's settled," Sienna said matter-of-factly.
Aiden's face turned livid; a surge of anger struck his chest as he clenched his fists. "Sienna! I'm your father!" Aiden burst out, his voice full of disbelief and outrage.
Sienna curled her lips into a smile, speaking with absolute confidence. "Because you're my father, you have to help me out here. If the company goes under, what am I—your own daughter—supposed to do? Am I supposed to end up broke? I know you wouldn't have the heart to let your daughter become a down-and-out, right, Dad?"
"I…" Aiden was completely speechless. He just stood there, at a total loss for words. He tipped his head back, took a long, deep breath, and let it out slowly. Seriously? At my age. I'm actually being told to use my looks to seal a business deal? This is nuts! he fumed inwardly.
After Aiden was taken away by the bodyguards, Julian gently helped Sienna onto the bed. He carefully lifted her shirt just enough, poured some maternity oil into his palms, warmed it up, and began to softly massage her belly with gentle, soothing strokes.
"Elisa already put some on for me earlier today," Sienna murmured.
Chapter 389
Julian smiled and said, "You've been standing for quite a while today. Let me give your legs a little massage too."
Sienna nodded and lay back, feeling at ease. "Julian, do you think I'm being too cold-blooded, just pushing someone out there like that without a second thought?" she asked softly.
Julian knew about her relationship with Aiden. "Not at all. Demi Bale's a dependable woman—she treats all her lovers really well. You're thinking about what's best for your dad—he should be happy about it."
Sienna's foot pressed lightly against Julian's bare abs, her eyes smoldering with a seductive glint, her words hooking right into his heart. "Did you secretly wish it was Thorn Noir who had to marry for the alliance today?" she teased, her lips curling into a wicked little smile.
Julian swallowed hard, unable to stop himself from lowering his eyes as he kept massaging her. "No," he answered, his voice a little tight.
Sienna's lips curled into a devilish smile as she propped herself up, her finger landing lightly on the bridge of his nose. "Julian, since when did you get so good at saying one thing and meaning another?" she teased, her tone full of playful mischief.