Chapter 376 Dave’s Sulking
As Sienna’s reputation took a hit due to her comments, the Korean dignitary and his granddaughter, who had previously seen her as an ally, took a noticeable step back. Their clear withdrawal indicated their reluctance to be associated with her any longer.
As foreigners in this country, establishing the right connections was crucial for their success. Associating with someone with a tarnished reputation could pull them down and undermine their efforts. They knew that aligning with disreputable individuals could jeopardize their hard work and progress, making it essential to avoid such associations to ensure their success.
Sienna’s words had backfired spectacularly, leaving her isolated as no one showed even the slightest inclination to assist her. Instead, people seemed to view her as a target to impress Zhane and Dave. It was clear that everyone was making a concerted effort to subtly draw the attention of the two prominent gentlemen, seeking to position themselves favorably in their eyes.
Zhane and Dave remained silent in response to the barrage of accusations aimed at Sienna. For one, she had brought it upon herself, and they were content to keep their hands clean by not engaging directly. Furthermore, this situation served as an opportunity for them to demonstrate their influence and power, not only to impress Hera but also to channel their frustration indirectly through the unfolding drama.
Hera remained largely unaffected by Sienna’s venomous remarks. In fact, she found Alice’s approach far more challenging, as it required her to maintain a performance of vulnerability and sympathy that was both emotionally and physically draining. Sienna’s behavior, on the other hand, only served to attract disdain from others, making Hera’s task easier. With Sienna’s actions backfiring and drawing negative attention toward herself, Hera didn’t need to exert any effort to address the situation.
Moreover, with Zhane and Dave clearly shielding her, others would inevitably swarm around them, trying to impress the two and subtly vie for their favor without overtly stating their intentions. This dynamic would push Hera further into the background, keeping her at a distance from the spotlight. While this might increase Sienna’s animosity toward her, Sienna would be powerless to act against Hera, as the situation was already working against her own interests.
Hera had anticipated this level of protectiveness from the male leads the moment she realized she had captured their interest. With their unwavering support, she knew she could simply sit back and relax, confident that her position was safe and far from danger.
Sienna was exactly as Hera remembered from the novel—a minor villainess meant to serve as cannon fodder in Zhane’s arc. Her role was to stir up a bit of discord between Alice and Zhane, creating a sense of urgency that would eventually push Alice to openly admit her feelings for Zhane, just as she did for the other male leads.
Sienna, having grown up in a sheltered and pampered environment, has always been surrounded by people who fawned over her due to her family’s wealth. This behavior only intensified when news of her engagement to the Everetts spread, making her accustomed to constant respect and admiration from those around her.
Now that she has become the target of ridicule, the humiliation and anger she feels are tenfold. However, she has no outlet for her frustration, as she can’t even get close to Hera, let alone say anything to shift attention away. It seems as though everyone is determined to tear her down, leaving her feeling utterly trapped.