’Jessica Simmons...’
She recognized the name immediately.
Years ago, Sienna had worked at Simmons Hotel, Jessica’s family’s hotel. At the time, Jessica was one of the country’s fastest-rising actresses. However, she unexpectedly left the country’s entertainment industry and moved overseas to pursue her acting career.
"She finally came back," Sienna murmured, looking at Jessica’s newest promotional photo. "And... she still looks as beautiful as ever."
Curious, she opened the article and continued reading. And soon enough her smile gradually faded.
One sentence caught her attention almost immediately.
"Jessica Simmons was capital-investment magnate Zachary Sterling’s former girlfriend..."
Sienna stared silently at the screen.
’So... she was really Zach’s first love?’
An uncomfortable feeling settled inside her chest before she even realized it.
’And now she’s back in the country and starting her acting career again?’
More questions naturally followed.
’Does Zach know she’s returned?’
’Have they stayed in touch?’
’Will they meet again?’
Sienna lowered the iPad onto her lap, took a deep breath, then slowly and quietly exhaled.
Something was popping up in her mind, and she didn’t like where it was going.
This was Zachary’s past, long before she became part of his life. There was no reason to feel threatened by it.
Even so, knowing about Jessica Simmons somehow stirred an insecurity she hadn’t expected.
’Enough, Sienna,’ she silently reminded herself. ’That’s his past. He’s already your husband. He’s the father of your son, and he chose you.’
She repeated those words several times, trying to settle her restless thoughts.
Fortunately, before her imagination could wander any further, the ringtone of her cell phone broke the silence.
She smiled automatically, assuming Zachary was calling. However, the smile slowly disappeared when she looked at the screen.
It was an unfamiliar number.
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
’Could it be Dad...?’ Sienna guessed. She knew her father always used new numbers whenever he called her.
Standing up quietly so she wouldn’t disturb Skylar, she walked toward the corner window before answering the call.
"Hello—"
Before she could say anything else, a familiar voice came from the other end.
"Sienna... I’m so glad you answered."
"Aunty Maya?" Sienna sounded surprised. "You’re calling from a new number?"
"Yes," Maya replied quickly. "It’s safer this way."
Sienna frowned slightly. "What happened?"
Maya let out a long, uneasy sigh before speaking again. "Sienna... something huge has happened here."
A knowing smile appeared on Sienna’s face.
"It’s about Boss Juan, isn’t it?" She asked. "I already know. I read everything in the news."
"No," Maya answered immediately, her voice trembling with panic. "It’s not about him."
The smile on Sienna’s face disappeared.
Before Sienna could say anything, Maya continued, "...But it’s about your father."
Sienna instinctively straightened. Her expression turned annoyed. "What other trouble did he cause there?"
"He disappeared," Maya said anxiously. "He hasn’t come home since yesterday, and his phone has been turned off. No one can reach him."
Sienna fell completely silent.
Although she had tried to distance herself from her father and no longer wanted to be involved in his life, hearing that he had suddenly vanished still made worry rise inside her.
A troubling thought crossed her mind before she could stop it.
’Did Zach punish my dad, too, just as he punished Juan Hayes?’
Before she could find an answer, Maya’s voice could be heard again from the other end:
"Your uncle and aunt are starting to worry that your father might be among the people arrested by the police," her voice filled with concern.
Sienna tightened her grip on her cell phone, but no words came out. It wasn’t because she didn’t want to answer. Her mind had already begun piecing together the possibilities, trying to guess what might have happened to her father.
"We’re trying to find out where he is," Maya continued. "Hopefully, we’ll hear something soon."
Sienna remained silent, and after several seconds, Maya sounded confused.
"Hello, Sienna? Are you still there?" she asked worriedly.
"I’m still here, Aunty," Sienna replied quietly.
Her chest remained tense, though not because she was overly worried about her father’s safety. What troubled her more was the possibility that, if Jacob Adams had really been arrested and people discovered he was her father, the scandal might somehow affect Zachary’s reputation.
She knew how quickly rumors spread, especially when they involved someone as influential as Zachary Sterling.
"Sienna, you don’t have to worry about what’s happening here," Maya said reassuringly, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right... Sienna, did anyone from the Black Scorpion Gang ever come to your hotel?"
Sienna was taken aback.
Although she trusted Maya, she couldn’t stop herself from asking, "How did they know where I work? Did you tell them?"
"What? No, of course not," Maya answered immediately. "I didn’t even know which hotel you worked at."
Sienna frowned slightly. "Then how did they find out?"
"It was your cousin Debby," Maya explained. "She saw your picture on Instagram. You were standing in the lobby of the Imperial Hotel."
Sienna was completely stunned.
She had never posted anything on Instagram herself, nor did she enjoy posing for photos. Ever since leaving Evercrest, she had intentionally kept a low profile, not wanting her father or any relatives to know where she lived or worked.
"Someone uploaded my picture?" she asked in disbelief. "Who?"
"It was one of Debby’s friends. Their family posted it online. When Debby saw the picture, she recognized you immediately."
Sienna tried to remember why her photo had suddenly appeared on social media.
’Was it taken during the Sterling Capital event?’
That was the only occasion she could think of where many people had been taking photographs.
Pushing the thought aside, she answered calmly, "No. No one came."
She deliberately hid the truth that members of the Black Scorpion Gang had once tried to ambush her. There was no reason to make Maya worry even more than she already did.
"Thank goodness," Maya said with obvious relief. "Alright, Sienna, I’ll talk to you again later. I have to go now. Don’t worry about anything here. We’ll keep looking for your father."
"Okay. Bye, Aunty—"