Chapter 118: Chapter 118

The three of them were sitting in the restaurant, eating, while Sienna Quinn’s gaze occasionally drifted towards Landon Lawson.

The man ate gracefully and even took the initiative to serve Evan Quinn some food, "Stop staring! You used to look at me like that too."

"You shut..." Sienna gave Evan a glance, swallowing back the words that were at the tip of her tongue, thankful she managed not to say the last word; otherwise, she would have set a bad example for Evan.

Sienna cursed inwardly; each time she bumped into Landon, she just couldn’t control herself.

Landon raised an eyebrow—Sienna was truly different now. In the past, would she have dared to swear at him?

A melodious phone ringtone interrupted what was still a "harmonious" family dinner.

Landon took out his phone and, seeing the caller ID, sitting next to him, Sienna could also see the note—it was Vera Yates!

"Vera, what’s up?" Google seaʀᴄh novèlfire.net

"Stephen, I think I’ve had a bit too much to drink."

Vera’s voice sounded weak, as if she really had too much to drink. In Landon’s memory, Vera had always been a lightweight with alcohol; just a little bit would make her completely drunk. She barely drank, so why was she drinking today?

Landon’s expression darkened, his gaze turning colder.

After hanging up, Landon hesitated on how to speak to the two of them.

Evan, who had been awkwardly using his chopsticks, put them down and swallowed the food in his mouth. With bright eyes, he sweetly asked, "Daddy, where are you going? Aren’t you going to take me and Mommy home?"

Landon was suddenly at a loss for words, facing Evan’s innocent little face, unable to decline him. While serving Evan, he replied, "Of course, I’m going to find your stepmother!"

"Stepmother? Chloe doesn’t want a stepmother!"

Evan’s face, which was previously calm, immediately froze, and tears began to well up in his large eyes.

Landon frowned and looked toward Sienna, speaking coldly, "She and I..."

Sienna interrupted Landon, dragging out the tone deliberately.

"Haven’t you used that universal excuse on me multiple times?" Sienna’s previously serene eyes curved into a smile, which, despite being beautiful, was full of sarcasm.

The snarky comment made Landon furrow his brows again and snort coldly, "Vera is in trouble now. Are you still going to stand by and do nothing?"

"Do nothing? If it’s serious enough, shouldn’t the police or a doctor be called? Are you more capable than the police or doctors? You’re no saint." Sienna raised her eyebrows, speaking unreservedly.

Landon squinted his eyes—this girl really had a sharp tongue.

Evan’s eyes rolled around, and suddenly he grabbed Sienna’s hand and earnestly said, "If Daddy says she’s your sister, then she can’t be a stepmother. Daddy wouldn’t lie to me."

With that, he looked at Landon very seriously, clearly seeking a definite answer.

Landon nodded, and Evan cheered, his tearful eyes instantly turning into crescents as he looked expectantly at Sienna.

"I’m curious, though. How dangerous can it be that she has time to call you but not 911 or 120?"

Since Landon always treated her as a sister, Vera certainly didn’t see him as a brother. Calling Landon when drunk would have made Sienna truly believe Vera needed help previously.

But now Sienna would never believe Vera was genuinely drunk. Even if she was, there must be another reason.

Moreover, Vera absolutely didn’t want to see her!

After hanging up, Vera refreshed her makeup in the bathroom. Thinking about returning to that drinking party, her eyes were full of disdain and loathing; the greasy old man had constantly tried to take advantage of her. If it weren’t for the recent rumors, she wouldn’t have been dining with such people.

But on the bright side, this could be an opportunity to win Landon’s sympathy. If he softened, it would be a perfect chance to manipulate the situation. Then, Landon would still be her boyfriend in name, silencing those around her, easing her current predicament, and most importantly, indirectly telling Sienna that she was the one Landon truly loved.

Upon returning to the private room, she immediately saw the greasy-faced middle-aged man staring at her lecherously. "Vera, why did you take so long?"

"I felt a bit dizzy and refreshed my makeup in the restroom." Vera still smiled politely. Due to the alcohol, her face was slightly flushed, which only made him more excited.

He waved at Vera eagerly.

Scanning the room, Vera noticed that during her restroom break, someone took her seat. Now, only the seat next to that patron was empty.

"Vera, what are you standing for? Quickly come over and eat." The man kept urging her.

Vera looked at her manager with a sour expression, seeing her avoiding gaze. It was evident she had tacitly approved of Vera sitting next to the patron.

Left with no other choice, Vera had to sit over, a smile not reaching her eyes still hanging on her lips.

"Vera, let’s have a drink together." The patron placed his unsteady hand on Vera’s shoulder. His shifty eyes wandered as he picked up his glass and took a sip.

Vera’s cooperation shocked the patron for a moment, having been trying to evade the whole time only to drink on her own accord now. He instantly beamed.

"The Great Beauty Vance can really hold her liquor." The man laughed heartily, but the hand on Vera’s shoulder began to wander downwards to her seductive waist, almost growing more emboldened until Vera suddenly stopped him.

Subtly, she raised her glass and proposed a toast.

The man paused, and although he couldn’t take advantage, he was still pleased as being toasted by Vera was enough for now. As long as he could get her drunk, anything that transpired would be at his discretion.

How could Vera not see through the man’s devious intentions? Internally calling him a lecher, she still had to force a smile outwardly.

The manager watched Vera cautiously, initially worried about her temper flaring up and giving everyone the cold shoulder, but it seemed she was in control.

Finally relieved, the manager nodded.

Truth be told, this patron had tried to contact Vera for the first time more than once. Previously, given Vera’s status and influence, no one would have dared to make a move on her.

But lately, Vera’s situation had indeed worsened, leaving her with no roles to play.