Chapter 209: I Will Be Safe Here, Right?
Zachary leaned casually against the elevator wall before replying. "The moment they got the answers they wanted, they left without wasting another second."
Sienna smiled as she imagined the scene. "I only saw them once, but I could tell they were really close to you."
"They are. We’ve been friends since we were teenagers."
"No wonder." She stared at him for a moment, then continued. "You looked different around them."
He raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"
She smiled thoughtfully. "Well, beneath this calm, almost cold, respectful attitude, you had a bit of a bad-boy vibe."
He raised his brow slightly. "Mrs. Sterling, I’ve always been a respectable citizen."
She looked him up and down, dramatically. "Well, Mr. Sterling, I’m still evaluating that claim."
"I can provide character references."
"From Kevin and Ethan?" She asked.
"Actually... maybe not."
She laughed again. "They’d probably make things worse."
"They absolutely would."
"So I was right."
He sighed helplessly. "I’ve been betrayed by my own friends."
The elevator doors opened, and they walked toward the lobby together.
"I meant it in a good way," Sienna explained as they continued walking toward the main entrance. "You seemed relaxed around them. Friendly. Carefree. It’s a side of you I hadn’t seen before."
His expression softened. "I guess they bring out that version of me."
"Hmm. And I like it—" Sienna admitted.
He smiled quietly before squeezing her hand. "I’m glad."
A comfortable silence settled between them as they walked side by side.
After a moment, Sienna remembered something else.
"Oh right, Zach..."
"Hmm?"
"I’ll be having dinner with my friends at Virelle tonight... is that alright?"
He nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Virelle is perfectly safe."
"You sound very confident."
"I should be."
She looked at him curiously. "Why?"
"Because it’s mine."
She blinked. "...What? The Virelle Longue?"
He nodded. "Mhm. I own it."
"Part of Sterling Group."
"It doesn’t."
She stared at him for another second, trying to process what she had just heard. "Wait... you own it personally?"
"That’s right." He smiled casually, as though owning one of the city’s most popular restaurants and bars was the most ordinary thing in the world. "It’s part of my own company."
Sienna looked at him with growing curiosity.
She had always assumed everything Zachary owned was connected to Sterling Group. Still, apparently there was another side of his business life that she knew nothing about. The discovery made her realize that even after marrying him, there was still so much left for her to learn about the man who now walked beside her.
...
The Virelle Longue.
As soon as the car pulled up in front of the building’s main entrance, Logan, who was driving, turned toward the back seat where Sienna was sitting.
"Ma’am, would you like me to accompany you inside?" he asked politely.
Sienna shook her head. "Thank you, Logan, but there’s no need. I know this place belongs to my husband, so I believe I’ll be safe here, right?"
A faint smile appeared on Logan’s face. He nodded slowly and replied, "That’s right. This place is safe for you, Ma’am."
Feeling reassured, Sienna picked up her handbag, smoothed the wrinkles from her clothes, and stepped out of the car.
She had visited Virelle Longue several times before, but she had always come with Ava or Riley. Among their circle of friends, the two of them were the wealthiest, and they often chose this place because it was conveniently close to the Imperial Hotel.
This was the first time Sienna had come alone, yet instead of feeling awkward, she found herself surprisingly confident. Knowing that Zachary owned the place gave her an unexpected sense of comfort, as though she was visiting somewhere familiar rather than simply dining at an upscale restaurant.
The moment she reached the entrance, a man in a black suit quickly walked toward her. It took only a second for Sienna to recognize him. He was the restaurant’s manager.
During her previous visits, he had never personally greeted her or her friends. Tonight, however, he hurried toward her the instant she walked through the door. He looked as though he had rushed from another floor just to welcome her, almost as if someone had ordered him to be there immediately or risk losing his job if he arrived even a minute late.
"Mrs. Sienna Sterling," the manager greeted respectfully as he stopped a few steps in front of her.
Sienna noticed that he was slightly out of breath, confirming her suspicion that he had practically run to meet her.
"Welcome to Virelle Longue," he continued politely. "I am the manager here, and I will be at your service during your visit. Please, allow me to escort you inside."
"Hello. Thank you," Sienna replied with a friendly smile.
As she looked at him more closely, she couldn’t help noticing how nervous he seemed. His posture was stiff, and he spoke with unusual caution, making her wonder just how much pressure he was under.
"Sir," she said gently, lowering her voice, "there’s no need to make a scene. Otherwise, people might recognize me, and I’d rather keep my identity private."
The manager looked momentarily surprised by her request, then quickly nodded.
"Yes, Ma’am. I’m sorry. I’ll remember that."
"Thank you."
"This way, Ma’am."
He led her through the elegant corridor before stopping in front of a private room near the end.
"This is your VIP room."
Sienna stepped inside and immediately noticed that it was different from the room she usually used whenever she came to Virelle Longue with her friends. The furnishings were more luxurious, and the atmosphere felt noticeably more exclusive.
Even so, she chose not to comment on it. She could already guess that Zachary had arranged everything before she arrived.
Instead, she focused on placing their order. She selected several dishes and drinks that she knew everyone would enjoy before informing the manager that she was waiting for three guests to join her.
"I understand, Ma’am," the manager replied respectfully. "I’ll make sure they’re brought here as soon as they arrive."
"Thank you."
After receiving her instructions, the manager quietly excused himself, leaving Sienna alone in the room.