Chapter 3

Seeing me pick up the wine glass, Sienna's eyes lit up.

Probably thinking I was about to fall for her trap, she started with the sweet talk again.

"Tristan, I was too anxious earlier. You're right---feelings can't be forced. If we're not compatible, that's okay. Let's part on good terms. We can still be friends."

My hand trembled, and the entire glass of red wine spilled onto the table.

Sienna's face immediately went pale, staring at the pool of red wine, unable to speak.

I set down the empty glass and followed her lead. "You're right, let's part on good terms."

Right in front of her, I pulled out my phone and directly called the matchmaker, Raymond.

"Tristan, are you calling to set a date? I told you Sienna was reliable! Your dad found the right person through me!"

"Raymond, this match isn't going to work. Sienna and I aren't compatible."

Raymond immediately turned hostile.

"Not compatible? Tristan Parker, you're thirty years old. What are you being so picky about? You'll never find a wife this way!"

I hung up before he could finish.

Sienna watched me execute this series of moves smoothly, completely stunned.

She wanted to blow up but it was too late---after all, she'd just said they should part on good terms.

She glared at me hatefully, stood up, and slammed the door on her way out.

From the looks of it, she wouldn't let this go easily.

Sure enough, a few days later while I was at work, my colleague Mike rushed over with news.

"Tristan, you better go downstairs and check it out. Someone's making a scene at the company entrance, cursing you out by name!"

I went downstairs to find Sienna, her father, and Raymond all blocking the company's main entrance.

A crowd had gathered around them.

Sienna's father was squatting on the ground, slapping his thighs and wailing.

" God is blind! Everyone come judge this situation!"

"Tristan Parker dated my daughter for half a month, scamming her for food, drinks, and affection, conning my daughter out of tens of thousands of dollars, then just walked away!"

"Her mother died young. I raised her as a single father. How are we supposed to live now!"

My colleagues were whispering to each other.

"I really couldn't tell. Tristan seems like such an honest guy normally. Is he really a freeloader?"

"Tens of thousands of dollars? That's way too much, isn't it? He ate and then refused to pay?"

"So shameless. Don't let him ruin our company's reputation!"

Raymond pulled me out from the crowd, playing the mediator.

"Tristan, I have to be fair here. Even if you don't want to continue the relationship, you should return the money Sienna spent on you, right?"

"Sienna's family isn't well-off. She spent so much money on you and kept track of every expense, clear as day!"

He solemnly pulled out that same itemized list from last time and stuffed it into my arms.

"Just take pity on Mr. Sullivan. Return the money. He raised Sienna all by himself---how hard that must have been. Can you really bear to watch him squat here like this?"

Sienna walked over with red-rimmed eyes.

"Tristan, don't blame my dad. He's just worried about me. I genuinely liked you. Can you give me another chance? I promise I'll never bring up these things again."

The looks my colleagues gave me became even more strange, all shaking their heads.

The commotion was too big. Our manager, Mr. Wilson, walked over with a dark expression.

"Tristan Parker, I don't want to get involved in your personal affairs, but causing a scene at the company has too negative an impact. They've brought out the account book. Hurry up and return the money, or the company can't keep you."

After the manager spoke, I didn't panic at all. Instead, I smiled.