Sienna Windsor met Timothy Zephyr again at the lowest point of her life—lying on his operating table. Eight years ago, she was the one who ruthlessly shattered his heart, leaving the "poor boy" from her past behind without a word. Now, Timothy is no longer the boy with nothing to his name; he is the city’s most prestigious surgeon, a man of lethal charm and terrifying power. Timothy has no idea that Sienna has been hiding a secret for eight years: a daughter who carries his blood. Their reunion shatters Sienna’s fragile peace. The more she tries to claw her way out of his life, the deeper she sinks into his bed. Timothy uses his wealth, his influence, and every ruthless tactic in his arsenal to drive away any man who dares to stand by her side. "Timothy, stop! I’m already married!" Sienna cried, struggling against his hold. But the man only gripped her waist tighter, his eyes burning with a dark, predatory hunger as he pinned her down. "Then let me be your secret," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. "I’ll give you my money, my soul, and my devotion. I’ll give you everything you’ve ever craved—as long as you’re mine." Sienna thought he had lost his mind. But as he bit into her lip, marking her as his, Timothy’s voice grew ragged: "Marry me, Sienna. My life, my fortune, and my very soul… they all belong to you."

Chapter 1Beep, beep, beep...The monitors in the operating room chimed in a rhythmic pulse."Stop sleeping and get your clothes off."The nurse's icy voice cut through Sienna Windsor's haze.She blinked groggily at her surroundings, the glaring surgical lights overhead making her feel disoriented."The doctor will be here to perform your surgery any minute!"The nurse's tone was laced with impatience.Hearing this, Sienna finally snapped fully awake.Exhaustion had pulled her into a brief slumber where she dreamt of her steamy two-year anniversary night with Timothy Zephyr, almost making her forget that they had broken up eight years ago.The pampered daughter of the Windsor family was a thing of the past; the woman lying here now was nothing more than a struggling survivor barely scraping by at the bottom of society.Her daughter, Nina, suffered from severe allergic asthma, requiring expensive monthly checkups and medications, and with Sienna completely blacklisted from the design industry, the medical bills were becoming an unbearable weight.After calling in every favor she had, she finally landed a high-paying job as a nanny.The employer was generous, offering a salary of five thousand dollars a month, but it came with incredibly strict, almost draconian requirements.The candidate had to have an impeccable background and be absolutely pure—meaning no history of childbirth.The lady of the house was deeply superstitious and terrified that anyone with lingering ties would bring bad luck into their home.To secure this job, she had no choice but to come here and have her C-section scar surgically removed.A moment later, a man wearing a white coat and a surgical mask walked into the room.He was tall and lean, with chiseled features that looked like they belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine.Sienna frowned slightly.Was this the surgeon?"Ms. Windsor, I presume?"She froze at his words. Why did that voice sound so familiar?The man stepped closer, his calculating gaze sweeping over her from head to toe.It was a predatory, unsettling stare that made her clench her fists.Blinded by the surgical lights, she could only make out fragments of his face.The mask covered most of it, leaving only his eyes visible behind gold-rimmed glasses—eyes that were sharp, piercing, and brimming with disdain.Timothy's gaze faltered for a fraction of a second as it landed on her face.It was that same delicate, stunning face, and those same mesmerizing eyes he knew he would never forget for as long as he lived.Sienna Windsor. It really was her.Eight years. They were finally face to face again.The mayor's wealthy daughter who had relentlessly pursued him, dated him for two years, and then ruthlessly dumped him out of nowhere—she had actually come back?And she was appearing in his hospital in such a pathetic state, all to get a C-section scar removed.A C-section...She had a child!His knuckles turned white as he stared at Sienna's tense expression.Did she really not recognize him?Beneath the mask, a self-deprecating smirk tugged at the corner of Timothy's mouth.Of course not. He was just a toy she played with when she was bored; why would she care? She had probably tossed him out of her memory years ago.He took another slow step forward, his scrutinizing gaze raking over her once more."So young and beautiful, yet you've already had a kid?" he spat through gritted teeth.Sienna's eyes hardened, and she shot a glare at the nurse. "I don't appreciate doctors who gossip. Get me someone else."Before the nurse could respond, Timothy let out a cold scoff."Sorry to disappoint, but I'm the only surgeon available."The nurse blinked in confusion. Weren't there several other doctors in the department right now?But Timothy was the hidden boss behind this clinic, so she quickly played along. "Ms. Windsor, we can't swap doctors for you. Do you still want the surgery or not?"Sienna clenched her jaw. Very few hospitals offered this specific cosmetic procedure, and she was entirely out of time to shop around. Finally, she forced the word out: "Yes."With that decided, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm as she quietly slipped out of her clothes.Her slender waist looked starkly luminous under the glaring surgical lights, her skin flushed with a faint, rosy tint—whether from nerves or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.The man's gaze locked onto the jagged scar.Perhaps it was just Sienna's imagination, but for a fleeting second, his eyes seemed to burn with a heavy, suffocating resentment.Fortunately, the surgery was over quickly. Sienna wiped away the tears that had welled up from the pain and pulled her clothes back on.Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the doctor, only to find nothing but sheer disgust in his gaze.Sienna sighed inwardly. Whatever. Getting this kind of procedure done was bound to invite misunderstandings.He was just a stranger anyway, and she was wearing a mask. They probably wouldn't even recognize each other if they ever crossed paths again. Why should she care what he thought?Watching her rush out the door, all traces of amusement vanished from Timothy's eyes, leaving behind a chilling darkness.The nurse lowered her voice. "Mr. Zephyr, there's another scar removal patient waiting. Should I send her in?"Timothy casually yanked off his surgical mask. "I don't have time," he replied flatly.Without another word, he turned and walked out.The nurse frowned.She honestly couldn't understand her boss. He hadn't touched this type of surgery in ages, yet after seeing Sienna's file, he absolutely insisted on operating. Now, suddenly, he was too busy...-Stepping out of the clinic, Sienna didn't dare wait for the bus. She hailed a cab and quickly left the area.The taxi wove through the city's main avenues before finally pulling into a run-down neighborhood, stopping only when the narrow alleyways became impossible to navigate.This was where Sienna had been living for the past six months.The cramped apartment buildings stood so close together they practically touched, existing in a completely different world from the city's glittering skyscrapers.She hurriedly paid the fare, hopped out, and rushed down the alley.A few people were stopping to ask for directions; in this labyrinth of crumbling streets, even the best GPS was completely useless.When she got home, her daughter, Nina, was already packing their bags.After wrapping up her interview at the Griffin Estate a few days ago, she had scouted out a sunny studio apartment near Lakeview Cove. It was just a ten-minute scooter ride away, and rent plus utilities came to roughly three hundred dollars a month.That was the one silver lining to living in Riverport City—no matter how luxurious the neighborhood, there was always an affordable, run-down district nearby.The local landlord had heard about her difficult situation and generously offered her half a month of rent-free living.She hadn't originally planned on moving, but Walter Wagner had somehow tracked down her address and started showing up to harass her.Just thinking about that man made her stomach churn with disgust.When she first returned to the country, Walter—her late father's former subordinate—claimed he felt sorry for her. Acting like a concerned mentor, he brought her into the design department at Wagner Industries as an assistant designer.She had been deeply touched, genuinely looking up to him as a trusted family friend. After all, the solid salary was enough to cover their living expenses and Nina's medical bills.She had worked tirelessly for him, eagerly volunteering for overtime. But she never expected this so-called mentor to corner her late one night, grabbing her and demanding she become his mistress!It was one thing to be treated like a corporate workhorse, but she drew the line at being his personal escort.She quit on the spot, intending to find a new job.But Walter had blacklisted her across the entire industry. No matter how talented she was, every employer was terrified of getting tangled up with his supposed mistress, leading to endless rejections.Shaking her head to clear the thought, she took a deep breath.It was fine. Once she moved, he wouldn't be able to harass her anymore.Pulling herself together, she began to pack.Having only been back in Riverport City for six months, they didn't have much—mostly just clothes for her and Nina, along with a few miscellaneous items.She opened the closet and pulled out a stack of garments.Smack!An old photo album accidentally slipped from the pile and hit the floor.The book fell open, and a yellowed photograph slid out across the worn floorboards.Sienna froze, her eyes dropping to the image.In the photo, a twenty-year-old version of herself was wearing a white dress, beaming radiantly as she leaned against a lean, handsome young man.Their fingers were intertwined, their faces glowing with innocent, youthful romance.It was taken eight years ago at Riverport University—a picture of her and Timothy celebrating their two-year anniversary.Staring at the photograph, Sienna completely lost herself in the past.Fate was a cruel joke. The very day after this photo was taken, Timothy's mother had broken down in front of her, begging Sienna to let him go.Her father had just been arrested for embezzlement, and if Timothy stayed tied to her, his bright future would be completely destroyed.It was the truth. How could she drag such a brilliant, untainted prodigy down into the mud with her?Just then, Nina trotted over."Mommy, I'll help you pack."Sienna snapped back to reality, hastily tucking the album away before gently stroking Nina's hair.Luckily, there wasn't much to pack. With the two of them working together, everything was boxed up in no time.As they were moving out, her neighbor eagerly insisted on carrying the remaining bags, following her down the stairs."So, have you thought about what I asked you?" he pushed."I'm sorry, but Nina and I are perfectly fine on our own. I'm not looking for a relationship," Sienna replied, her tone icy and distant.The man was a former coworker from Wagner Industries. He was also a single parent and had suggested they 'make do' and move in together. Sienna had politely rejected him, but he refused to take the hint.As a single mother, she couldn't risk provoking him into a nasty confrontation, so she simply tried to keep her distance.Now that she was moving, she planned to cut ties with him completely.Shaking off the awkwardness, she booked a moving van on her phone."My ride is almost here. You should head back inside. Thanks for the help," she said, keeping her voice as polite as possible.But the neighbor's face darkened into a scowl. "I didn't even mind that you were Mr. Wagner's mistress, and you have the nerve to play hard to get?"Sienna clenched her fists, glaring at him through gritted teeth.Acting as if he held the moral high ground, he tilted his chin up. "I'm giving you a chance to settle down and clean up your act, and you—"Before he could finish his sentence—smack!Sienna slapped him hard across the face. "Get the hell out of here!"Did he really think she was a pushover? She was leaving anyway; she had absolutely zero reason to tolerate his garbage anymore!Furious, he raised a hand to strike her, but the moving van pulled up at that exact moment. Sienna screamed for help, immediately drawing a crowd of onlookers. The cowardly neighbor gritted his teeth and stormed off, but not before hissing, "You'll regret this!"Safely in the passenger seat, Sienna stared out the window, her eyes dark and heavy as the city streets blurred past.Just then, a black Cayenne cruised by in the opposite direction.She caught a fleeting glimpse of an incredibly familiar profile in the backseat.But when she whipped her head around for a second look, the SUV was already disappearing into the traffic.Sienna closed her eyes, cursing herself for losing her mind. She was seeing Timothy in every stranger.Riverport City was massive. There was no way her luck was bad enough to actually run into him again.Meanwhile, inside the Cayenne, Walter the driver spoke in a hushed tone. "Second Master Griffin, Madam went to your property at Lakeview Cove. She said she needs to discuss something with you and insists you return immediately."In the back, Timothy rubbed his temples."I'm not her husband. Why is she always looking for me?"Walter remained silent."She wants to discuss your engagement to the Wagner family. She's reached out four or five times now. Perhaps you should just go see her, sir?"Timothy kept his eyes closed. "Tell her I'm dead."Walter didn't dare say another word.Timothy pulled out his phone and dialed his close friend, Lambert Lowery.The call connected instantly, and Lambert's obnoxiously cheerful voice rang out. "Well, well! If it isn't the busiest man in town. To what do I owe this honor?"Timothy's tone was deadpan. "Look into Sienna Windsor for me. Find out what she's been doing all these years."There was a loud crash on the other end of the line, sounding exactly like Lambert dropping his phone. After a long beat, his shocked voice echoed through the speaker. "You've gotta be kidding me, Timothy. Are you planning some twisted revenge plot?!"-Soon, the moving van pulled over by a main road, surrounded by clusters of self-built housing masquerading under fancy apartment names.The names were nice, but it was still just a working-class neighborhood—though at least these buildings weren't practically stacked on top of each other.Chapter 2Beep, beep, beep...The monitors in the operating room chimed in a rhythmic pulse."Stop sleeping and get your clothes off."The nurse's icy voice cut through Sienna Windsor's haze.She blinked groggily at her surroundings, the glaring surgical lights overhead making her feel disoriented."The doctor will be here to perform your surgery any minute!"The nurse's tone was laced with impatience.Hearing this, Sienna finally snapped fully awake.Exhaustion had pulled her into a brief slumber where she dreamt of her steamy two-year anniversary night with Timothy Zephyr, almost making her forget that they had broken up eight years ago.The pampered daughter of the Windsor family was a thing of the past; the woman lying here now was nothing more than a struggling survivor barely scraping by at the bottom of society.Her daughter, Nina, suffered from severe allergic asthma, requiring expensive monthly checkups and medications, and with Sienna completely blacklisted from the design industry, the medical bills were becoming an unbearable weight.After calling in every favor she had, she finally landed a high-paying job as a nanny.The employer was generous, offering a salary of five thousand dollars a month, but it came with incredibly strict, almost draconian requirements.The candidate had to have an impeccable background and be absolutely pure—meaning no history of childbirth.The lady of the house was deeply superstitious and terrified that anyone with lingering ties would bring bad luck into their home.To secure this job, she had no choice but to come here and have her C-section scar surgically removed.A moment later, a man wearing a white coat and a surgical mask walked into the room.He was tall and lean, with chiseled features that looked like they belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine.Sienna frowned slightly.Was this the surgeon?"Ms. Windsor, I presume?"She froze at his words. Why did that voice sound so familiar?The man stepped closer, his calculating gaze sweeping over her from head to toe.It was a predatory, unsettling stare that made her clench her fists.Blinded by the surgical lights, she could only make out fragments of his face.The mask covered most of it, leaving only his eyes visible behind gold-rimmed glasses—eyes that were sharp, piercing, and brimming with disdain.Timothy's gaze faltered for a fraction of a second as it landed on her face.It was that same delicate, stunning face, and those same mesmerizing eyes he knew he would never forget for as long as he lived.Sienna Windsor. It really was her.Eight years. They were finally face to face again.The mayor's wealthy daughter who had relentlessly pursued him, dated him for two years, and then ruthlessly dumped him out of nowhere—she had actually come back?And she was appearing in his hospital in such a pathetic state, all to get a C-section scar removed.A C-section...She had a child!His knuckles turned white as he stared at Sienna's tense expression.Did she really not recognize him?Beneath the mask, a self-deprecating smirk tugged at the corner of Timothy's mouth.Of course not. He was just a toy she played with when she was bored; why would she care? She had probably tossed him out of her memory years ago.He took another slow step forward, his scrutinizing gaze raking over her once more."So young and beautiful, yet you've already had a kid?" he spat through gritted teeth.Sienna's eyes hardened, and she shot a glare at the nurse. "I don't appreciate doctors who gossip. Get me someone else."Before the nurse could respond, Timothy let out a cold scoff."Sorry to disappoint, but I'm the only surgeon available."The nurse blinked in confusion. Weren't there several other doctors in the department right now?But Timothy was the hidden boss behind this clinic, so she quickly played along. "Ms. Windsor, we can't swap doctors for you. Do you still want the surgery or not?"Sienna clenched her jaw. Very few hospitals offered this specific cosmetic procedure, and she was entirely out of time to shop around. Finally, she forced the word out: "Yes."With that decided, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm as she quietly slipped out of her clothes.Her slender waist looked starkly luminous under the glaring surgical lights, her skin flushed with a faint, rosy tint—whether from nerves or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.The man's gaze locked onto the jagged scar.Perhaps it was just Sienna's imagination, but for a fleeting second, his eyes seemed to burn with a heavy, suffocating resentment.Fortunately, the surgery was over quickly. Sienna wiped away the tears that had welled up from the pain and pulled her clothes back on.Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the doctor, only to find nothing but sheer disgust in his gaze.Sienna sighed inwardly. Whatever. Getting this kind of procedure done was bound to invite misunderstandings.He was just a stranger anyway, and she was wearing a mask. They probably wouldn't even recognize each other if they ever crossed paths again. Why should she care what he thought?Watching her rush out the door, all traces of amusement vanished from Timothy's eyes, leaving behind a chilling darkness.The nurse lowered her voice. "Mr. Zephyr, there's another scar removal patient waiting. Should I send her in?"Timothy casually yanked off his surgical mask. "I don't have time," he replied flatly.Without another word, he turned and walked out.The nurse frowned.She honestly couldn't understand her boss. He hadn't touched this type of surgery in ages, yet after seeing Sienna's file, he absolutely insisted on operating. Now, suddenly, he was too busy...-Stepping out of the clinic, Sienna didn't dare wait for the bus. She hailed a cab and quickly left the area.The taxi wove through the city's main avenues before finally pulling into a run-down neighborhood, stopping only when the narrow alleyways became impossible to navigate.This was where Sienna had been living for the past six months.The cramped apartment buildings stood so close together they practically touched, existing in a completely different world from the city's glittering skyscrapers.She hurriedly paid the fare, hopped out, and rushed down the alley.A few people were stopping to ask for directions; in this labyrinth of crumbling streets, even the best GPS was completely useless.When she got home, her daughter, Nina, was already packing their bags.After wrapping up her interview at the Griffin Estate a few days ago, she had scouted out a sunny studio apartment near Lakeview Cove. It was just a ten-minute scooter ride away, and rent plus utilities came to roughly three hundred dollars a month.That was the one silver lining to living in Riverport City—no matter how luxurious the neighborhood, there was always an affordable, run-down district nearby.The local landlord had heard about her difficult situation and generously offered her half a month of rent-free living.She hadn't originally planned on moving, but Walter Wagner had somehow tracked down her address and started showing up to harass her.Just thinking about that man made her stomach churn with disgust.When she first returned to the country, Walter—her late father's former subordinate—claimed he felt sorry for her. Acting like a concerned mentor, he brought her into the design department at Wagner Industries as an assistant designer.She had been deeply touched, genuinely looking up to him as a trusted family friend. After all, the solid salary was enough to cover their living expenses and Nina's medical bills.She had worked tirelessly for him, eagerly volunteering for overtime. But she never expected this so-called mentor to corner her late one night, grabbing her and demanding she become his mistress!It was one thing to be treated like a corporate workhorse, but she drew the line at being his personal escort.She quit on the spot, intending to find a new job.But Walter had blacklisted her across the entire industry. No matter how talented she was, every employer was terrified of getting tangled up with his supposed mistress, leading to endless rejections.Shaking her head to clear the thought, she took a deep breath.It was fine. Once she moved, he wouldn't be able to harass her anymore.Pulling herself together, she began to pack.Having only been back in Riverport City for six months, they didn't have much—mostly just clothes for her and Nina, along with a few miscellaneous items.She opened the closet and pulled out a stack of garments.Smack!An old photo album accidentally slipped from the pile and hit the floor.The book fell open, and a yellowed photograph slid out across the worn floorboards.Sienna froze, her eyes dropping to the image.In the photo, a twenty-year-old version of herself was wearing a white dress, beaming radiantly as she leaned against a lean, handsome young man.Their fingers were intertwined, their faces glowing with innocent, youthful romance.It was taken eight years ago at Riverport University—a picture of her and Timothy celebrating their two-year anniversary.Staring at the photograph, Sienna completely lost herself in the past.Fate was a cruel joke. The very day after this photo was taken, Timothy's mother had broken down in front of her, begging Sienna to let him go.Her father had just been arrested for embezzlement, and if Timothy stayed tied to her, his bright future would be completely destroyed.It was the truth. How could she drag such a brilliant, untainted prodigy down into the mud with her?Just then, Nina trotted over."Mommy, I'll help you pack."Sienna snapped back to reality, hastily tucking the album away before gently stroking Nina's hair.Luckily, there wasn't much to pack. With the two of them working together, everything was boxed up in no time.As they were moving out, her neighbor eagerly insisted on carrying the remaining bags, following her down the stairs."So, have you thought about what I asked you?" he pushed."I'm sorry, but Nina and I are perfectly fine on our own. I'm not looking for a relationship," Sienna replied, her tone icy and distant.The man was a former coworker from Wagner Industries. He was also a single parent and had suggested they 'make do' and move in together. Sienna had politely rejected him, but he refused to take the hint.As a single mother, she couldn't risk provoking him into a nasty confrontation, so she simply tried to keep her distance.Now that she was moving, she planned to cut ties with him completely.Shaking off the awkwardness, she booked a moving van on her phone."My ride is almost here. You should head back inside. Thanks for the help," she said, keeping her voice as polite as possible.But the neighbor's face darkened into a scowl. "I didn't even mind that you were Mr. Wagner's mistress, and you have the nerve to play hard to get?"Sienna clenched her fists, glaring at him through gritted teeth.Acting as if he held the moral high ground, he tilted his chin up. "I'm giving you a chance to settle down and clean up your act, and you—"Before he could finish his sentence—smack!Sienna slapped him hard across the face. "Get the hell out of here!"Did he really think she was a pushover? She was leaving anyway; she had absolutely zero reason to tolerate his garbage anymore!Furious, he raised a hand to strike her, but the moving van pulled up at that exact moment. Sienna screamed for help, immediately drawing a crowd of onlookers. The cowardly neighbor gritted his teeth and stormed off, but not before hissing, "You'll regret this!"Safely in the passenger seat, Sienna stared out the window, her eyes dark and heavy as the city streets blurred past.Just then, a black Cayenne cruised by in the opposite direction.She caught a fleeting glimpse of an incredibly familiar profile in the backseat.But when she whipped her head around for a second look, the SUV was already disappearing into the traffic.Sienna closed her eyes, cursing herself for losing her mind. She was seeing Timothy in every stranger.Riverport City was massive. There was no way her luck was bad enough to actually run into him again.Meanwhile, inside the Cayenne, Walter the driver spoke in a hushed tone. "Second Master Griffin, Madam went to your property at Lakeview Cove. She said she needs to discuss something with you and insists you return immediately."In the back, Timothy rubbed his temples."I'm not her husband. Why is she always looking for me?"Walter remained silent."She wants to discuss your engagement to the Wagner family. She's reached out four or five times now. Perhaps you should just go see her, sir?"Timothy kept his eyes closed. "Tell her I'm dead."Walter didn't dare say another word.Timothy pulled out his phone and dialed his close friend, Lambert Lowery.The call connected instantly, and Lambert's obnoxiously cheerful voice rang out. "Well, well! If it isn't the busiest man in town. To what do I owe this honor?"Timothy's tone was deadpan. "Look into Sienna Windsor for me. Find out what she's been doing all these years."There was a loud crash on the other end of the line, sounding exactly like Lambert dropping his phone. After a long beat, his shocked voice echoed through the speaker. "You've gotta be kidding me, Timothy. Are you planning some twisted revenge plot?!"-Soon, the moving van pulled over by a main road, surrounded by clusters of self-built housing masquerading under fancy apartment names.The names were nice, but it was still just a working-class neighborhood—though at least these buildings weren't practically stacked on top of each other.Chapter 3Beep, beep, beep...The monitors in the operating room chimed in a rhythmic pulse."Stop sleeping and get your clothes off."The nurse's icy voice cut through Sienna Windsor's haze.She blinked groggily at her surroundings, the glaring surgical lights overhead making her feel disoriented."The doctor will be here to perform your surgery any minute!"The nurse's tone was laced with impatience.Hearing this, Sienna finally snapped fully awake.Exhaustion had pulled her into a brief slumber where she dreamt of her steamy two-year anniversary night with Timothy Zephyr, almost making her forget that they had broken up eight years ago.The pampered daughter of the Windsor family was a thing of the past; the woman lying here now was nothing more than a struggling survivor barely scraping by at the bottom of society.Her daughter, Nina, suffered from severe allergic asthma, requiring expensive monthly checkups and medications, and with Sienna completely blacklisted from the design industry, the medical bills were becoming an unbearable weight.After calling in every favor she had, she finally landed a high-paying job as a nanny.The employer was generous, offering a salary of five thousand dollars a month, but it came with incredibly strict, almost draconian requirements.The candidate had to have an impeccable background and be absolutely pure—meaning no history of childbirth.The lady of the house was deeply superstitious and terrified that anyone with lingering ties would bring bad luck into their home.To secure this job, she had no choice but to come here and have her C-section scar surgically removed.A moment later, a man wearing a white coat and a surgical mask walked into the room.He was tall and lean, with chiseled features that looked like they belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine.Sienna frowned slightly.Was this the surgeon?"Ms. Windsor, I presume?"She froze at his words. Why did that voice sound so familiar?The man stepped closer, his calculating gaze sweeping over her from head to toe.It was a predatory, unsettling stare that made her clench her fists.Blinded by the surgical lights, she could only make out fragments of his face.The mask covered most of it, leaving only his eyes visible behind gold-rimmed glasses—eyes that were sharp, piercing, and brimming with disdain.Timothy's gaze faltered for a fraction of a second as it landed on her face.It was that same delicate, stunning face, and those same mesmerizing eyes he knew he would never forget for as long as he lived.Sienna Windsor. It really was her.Eight years. They were finally face to face again.The mayor's wealthy daughter who had relentlessly pursued him, dated him for two years, and then ruthlessly dumped him out of nowhere—she had actually come back?And she was appearing in his hospital in such a pathetic state, all to get a C-section scar removed.A C-section...She had a child!His knuckles turned white as he stared at Sienna's tense expression.Did she really not recognize him?Beneath the mask, a self-deprecating smirk tugged at the corner of Timothy's mouth.Of course not. He was just a toy she played with when she was bored; why would she care? She had probably tossed him out of her memory years ago.He took another slow step forward, his scrutinizing gaze raking over her once more."So young and beautiful, yet you've already had a kid?" he spat through gritted teeth.Sienna's eyes hardened, and she shot a glare at the nurse. "I don't appreciate doctors who gossip. Get me someone else."Before the nurse could respond, Timothy let out a cold scoff."Sorry to disappoint, but I'm the only surgeon available."The nurse blinked in confusion. Weren't there several other doctors in the department right now?But Timothy was the hidden boss behind this clinic, so she quickly played along. "Ms. Windsor, we can't swap doctors for you. Do you still want the surgery or not?"Sienna clenched her jaw. Very few hospitals offered this specific cosmetic procedure, and she was entirely out of time to shop around. Finally, she forced the word out: "Yes."With that decided, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm as she quietly slipped out of her clothes.Her slender waist looked starkly luminous under the glaring surgical lights, her skin flushed with a faint, rosy tint—whether from nerves or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.The man's gaze locked onto the jagged scar.Perhaps it was just Sienna's imagination, but for a fleeting second, his eyes seemed to burn with a heavy, suffocating resentment.Fortunately, the surgery was over quickly. Sienna wiped away the tears that had welled up from the pain and pulled her clothes back on.Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the doctor, only to find nothing but sheer disgust in his gaze.Sienna sighed inwardly. Whatever. Getting this kind of procedure done was bound to invite misunderstandings.He was just a stranger anyway, and she was wearing a mask. They probably wouldn't even recognize each other if they ever crossed paths again. Why should she care what he thought?Watching her rush out the door, all traces of amusement vanished from Timothy's eyes, leaving behind a chilling darkness.The nurse lowered her voice. "Mr. Zephyr, there's another scar removal patient waiting. Should I send her in?"Timothy casually yanked off his surgical mask. "I don't have time," he replied flatly.Without another word, he turned and walked out.The nurse frowned.She honestly couldn't understand her boss. He hadn't touched this type of surgery in ages, yet after seeing Sienna's file, he absolutely insisted on operating. Now, suddenly, he was too busy...-Stepping out of the clinic, Sienna didn't dare wait for the bus. She hailed a cab and quickly left the area.The taxi wove through the city's main avenues before finally pulling into a run-down neighborhood, stopping only when the narrow alleyways became impossible to navigate.This was where Sienna had been living for the past six months.The cramped apartment buildings stood so close together they practically touched, existing in a completely different world from the city's glittering skyscrapers.She hurriedly paid the fare, hopped out, and rushed down the alley.A few people were stopping to ask for directions; in this labyrinth of crumbling streets, even the best GPS was completely useless.When she got home, her daughter, Nina, was already packing their bags.After wrapping up her interview at the Griffin Estate a few days ago, she had scouted out a sunny studio apartment near Lakeview Cove. It was just a ten-minute scooter ride away, and rent plus utilities came to roughly three hundred dollars a month.That was the one silver lining to living in Riverport City—no matter how luxurious the neighborhood, there was always an affordable, run-down district nearby.The local landlord had heard about her difficult situation and generously offered her half a month of rent-free living.She hadn't originally planned on moving, but Walter Wagner had somehow tracked down her address and started showing up to harass her.Just thinking about that man made her stomach churn with disgust.When she first returned to the country, Walter—her late father's former subordinate—claimed he felt sorry for her. Acting like a concerned mentor, he brought her into the design department at Wagner Industries as an assistant designer.She had been deeply touched, genuinely looking up to him as a trusted family friend. After all, the solid salary was enough to cover their living expenses and Nina's medical bills.She had worked tirelessly for him, eagerly volunteering for overtime. But she never expected this so-called mentor to corner her late one night, grabbing her and demanding she become his mistress!It was one thing to be treated like a corporate workhorse, but she drew the line at being his personal escort.She quit on the spot, intending to find a new job.But Walter had blacklisted her across the entire industry. No matter how talented she was, every employer was terrified of getting tangled up with his supposed mistress, leading to endless rejections.Shaking her head to clear the thought, she took a deep breath.It was fine. Once she moved, he wouldn't be able to harass her anymore.Pulling herself together, she began to pack.Having only been back in Riverport City for six months, they didn't have much—mostly just clothes for her and Nina, along with a few miscellaneous items.She opened the closet and pulled out a stack of garments.Smack!An old photo album accidentally slipped from the pile and hit the floor.The book fell open, and a yellowed photograph slid out across the worn floorboards.Sienna froze, her eyes dropping to the image.In the photo, a twenty-year-old version of herself was wearing a white dress, beaming radiantly as she leaned against a lean, handsome young man.Their fingers were intertwined, their faces glowing with innocent, youthful romance.It was taken eight years ago at Riverport University—a picture of her and Timothy celebrating their two-year anniversary.Staring at the photograph, Sienna completely lost herself in the past.Fate was a cruel joke. The very day after this photo was taken, Timothy's mother had broken down in front of her, begging Sienna to let him go.Her father had just been arrested for embezzlement, and if Timothy stayed tied to her, his bright future would be completely destroyed.It was the truth. How could she drag such a brilliant, untainted prodigy down into the mud with her?Just then, Nina trotted over."Mommy, I'll help you pack."Sienna snapped back to reality, hastily tucking the album away before gently stroking Nina's hair.Luckily, there wasn't much to pack. With the two of them working together, everything was boxed up in no time.As they were moving out, her neighbor eagerly insisted on carrying the remaining bags, following her down the stairs."So, have you thought about what I asked you?" he pushed."I'm sorry, but Nina and I are perfectly fine on our own. I'm not looking for a relationship," Sienna replied, her tone icy and distant.The man was a former coworker from Wagner Industries. He was also a single parent and had suggested they 'make do' and move in together. Sienna had politely rejected him, but he refused to take the hint.As a single mother, she couldn't risk provoking him into a nasty confrontation, so she simply tried to keep her distance.Now that she was moving, she planned to cut ties with him completely.Shaking off the awkwardness, she booked a moving van on her phone."My ride is almost here. You should head back inside. Thanks for the help," she said, keeping her voice as polite as possible.But the neighbor's face darkened into a scowl. "I didn't even mind that you were Mr. Wagner's mistress, and you have the nerve to play hard to get?"Sienna clenched her fists, glaring at him through gritted teeth.Acting as if he held the moral high ground, he tilted his chin up. "I'm giving you a chance to settle down and clean up your act, and you—"Before he could finish his sentence—smack!Sienna slapped him hard across the face. "Get the hell out of here!"Did he really think she was a pushover? She was leaving anyway; she had absolutely zero reason to tolerate his garbage anymore!Furious, he raised a hand to strike her, but the moving van pulled up at that exact moment. Sienna screamed for help, immediately drawing a crowd of onlookers. The cowardly neighbor gritted his teeth and stormed off, but not before hissing, "You'll regret this!"Safely in the passenger seat, Sienna stared out the window, her eyes dark and heavy as the city streets blurred past.Just then, a black Cayenne cruised by in the opposite direction.She caught a fleeting glimpse of an incredibly familiar profile in the backseat.But when she whipped her head around for a second look, the SUV was already disappearing into the traffic.Sienna closed her eyes, cursing herself for losing her mind. She was seeing Timothy in every stranger.Riverport City was massive. There was no way her luck was bad enough to actually run into him again.Meanwhile, inside the Cayenne, Walter the driver spoke in a hushed tone. "Second Master Griffin, Madam went to your property at Lakeview Cove. She said she needs to discuss something with you and insists you return immediately."In the back, Timothy rubbed his temples."I'm not her husband. Why is she always looking for me?"Walter remained silent."She wants to discuss your engagement to the Wagner family. She's reached out four or five times now. Perhaps you should just go see her, sir?"Timothy kept his eyes closed. "Tell her I'm dead."Walter didn't dare say another word.Timothy pulled out his phone and dialed his close friend, Lambert Lowery.The call connected instantly, and Lambert's obnoxiously cheerful voice rang out. "Well, well! If it isn't the busiest man in town. To what do I owe this honor?"Timothy's tone was deadpan. "Look into Sienna Windsor for me. Find out what she's been doing all these years."There was a loud crash on the other end of the line, sounding exactly like Lambert dropping his phone. After a long beat, his shocked voice echoed through the speaker. "You've gotta be kidding me, Timothy. Are you planning some twisted revenge plot?!"-Soon, the moving van pulled over by a main road, surrounded by clusters of self-built housing masquerading under fancy apartment names.The names were nice, but it was still just a working-class neighborhood—though at least these buildings weren't practically stacked on top of each other.