Chapter 2

Sienna's POV

Vivian's got a young girl by the wrist, practically shrieking. "Who are you here with? You're not supposed to be standing here! Security, throw her out!"

The girl tries to pull away. "I'm waiting for my brother. He told me to wait right here—"

"Your brother? Come on, you can do better than that." Vivian whips around to the security guards. "Check her bag! I bet she crashed the party. Probably stealing stuff too!"

Guests nearby start murmuring to each other.

I glance at the girl. Her outfit alone probably costs more than most people make in a month. Someone dressed like that crashing a party? Stealing?

Obviously Vivian's just looking for a fight.

I don't know what her problem is, but the girl looks miserable, so I walk over. "She could actually be someone's guest. Maybe ease up. This is your engagement party. You really want to start drama?"

Vivian's eyes flash. "Oh, so you're jealous I'm the center of attention tonight? That why you're getting in my way? Or maybe you know her? Did you bring her here to mess with me?"

She rounds on the guards again, voice getting louder. "I said check her bag! I don't care what anyone else thinks!"

The guards look uncomfortable but move forward. The girl's eyes are welling up.

I keep my mouth shut. She's not listening anyway. Let her dig her own grave.

Right as the guards reach for the girl's purse, the ballroom doors slam open.

A man walks in. Tall, stone-faced. People automatically step aside.

Someone nearby breathes, "Oh god, that's Vincent Castellano..."

The girl spots him and runs over, practically collapsing into his arms, words tumbling out between sobs. "They said I'm a thief! She wanted them to search me!"

Vincent rubs her back. "You're fine. I've got you."

Then he looks up, and his eyes land on Vivian.

It's like watching someone look at roadkill.

All the color drains from Vivian's face. She's shaking as she clutches Marco's arm.

Sweat's already beading on Marco's forehead. He steps forward, bowing slightly. "Mr. Castellano, this is a huge misunderstanding. We had no idea she was your sister. We're so sorry—"

Vincent doesn't even glance his direction. His voice is flat. "A misunderstanding. Right."

Vivian's completely panicking now, stammering, "I'm so sorry... I didn't know... I'm sorry..."

He waits a beat. Then he sighs and waves a hand.

One of his guys disappears backstage and comes back with a phone. Within seconds, security footage is playing on the big screen. Crystal clear. Marco's been working the room all night, glad-handing every important family there, leaving Vivian completely on her own. She tried to hold his arm. He brushed her off with a patronizing pat. She stood next to him like wallpaper.

So she found someone to take it out on. That quiet girl was just convenient.

Everything's out in the open now.

Vincent nods slowly, then turns to Marco's father. "We've got that deal going, don't we? The harbor project."

"I was going to announce tonight that we'd cut you in for thirty percent of the revenue." A pause. "Not anymore."

The old man looks like he's been punched in the gut.

Vincent's gaze shifts to me. "Your family's expanding, aren't they? The harbor rights. They're yours now."

You could hear a pin drop. Then everyone starts talking at once.

This isn't just about money. This is public humiliation. Marco's father actually sways on his feet. Marco looks ready to throw up.

Vincent starts walking out, then stops and looks back at Vivian one more time. "Can't handle her, don't parade her around."

Marco grabs Vivian by the arm and hauls her toward the back exit. One look from him and she shuts up immediately. They're gone in seconds.

And just like that, the guests of honor have left the building. This engagement party just imploded.

People start filtering out in groups, voices hushed but you know they're all talking about what just happened.

I head for the door too, keeping my face neutral even though I'm already running numbers in my head. Those harbor rights are worth a fortune.

"Hey, wait!"

I turn. The girl's jogging over, Vincent a few steps behind her.

She grabs my hand, grinning. "Thank you so much for trying to help me! You were literally the only person who said anything. Can I get your number?"

I look past her at Vincent. He's watching me, expression unreadable.

"What's your name?" he asks.

"Sienna Moretti."

He nods. Then to his sister, "She's got decent instincts. Go ahead."

The girl's already got her phone out. We swap numbers and she whispers, "He never says stuff like that about people! I'm Aria, by the way."

Vincent gives me a slight nod, then leaves with Aria in tow.

I stand there by the entrance, letting myself smile just a little.

By tomorrow morning, everyone's going to know what happened tonight. Vivian pissed off the Castellanos and cost the Rossis a massive deal. Marco's not going to forget this. He's going to make her pay for every second of it.

And me? I just walked away with harbor operating rights and a connection to the Castellano family.

Looks like things are finally going my way.