In her first life, Sienna had bought Grandmother Wright a large jade ornament as her birthday gift as she had thought that was what an older person would like. In the end, she realised that Grandmother Wright didn't like that sort of thing at all and it had taken a long time to break through her cold exterior.
Squaring her shoulders, she summoned her courage and smiled sweetly as if she hadn't heard the insult, "Grandmother Wright, the shape of these earrings symbolise eternal health and wealth, and the gems are rare but ethically sourced."
There was a silence as everyone watched the matriarch of the family scrutinise the jewellery.
They all held their breaths as she called a servant over. Would she ask them to take it out of her sight?
"Keep this for me," She said and to everyone's surprise, she removed the earrings she was wearing on the spot and handed them over to the servant! She then proceeded to wear the earrings she had just been given.
Around the room, jaws dropped, but Sienna only smiled demurely.
"I heard you started your own company?" Grandmother Wright asked approvingly. By wearing her gift immediately, she had shown that Sienna had passed the test as the newest addition to the Wright family.
Surprised flared in Sienna's eyes. So Damon's eagle-eyed grandmother had been keeping tabs on her since she even knew about the company that had only just been started up.
"Yes, but it's just a small business I started with a friend," She said hurriedly, she didn't want it to seem like she was snubbing Wright Enterprises.
However, Grandmother Wright didn't seem offended at all. Most of the people, men and women, who married into the Wright family only seemed interested in the family money and sponging off the person they married.
The fact that the first thing Sienna did after getting married was to start a company was a breath of fresh air and very reassuring for the old lady.
"Tch, small start ups usually fail in the first three months if they don't get enough investors and take off," The wife of that chastised uncle scoffed. She wasn't happy that Sienna had managed to discredit both her son and husband in front of Grandmother Wright.
Damon looked at Sienna, worried that she would be upset or frightened. Instead, he found her completely cool and with her smile still on her lips.
"That's true," She agreed good-naturedly, "But thankfully, Ramsey Holdings, Smith Industries and Drapers Co. have all found value in our concept."
Apart from Damon and Grandmother Wright, stunned expressions were on every face. A small start up could get support from such big players? Who was this woman?
"Very good," Grandmother Wright said into the shocked silence, "Don't spend all your time with an old woman like me. Go on and enjoy the party."
It was a dismissal if Sienna had ever heard one and so she wished the lady a happy birthday once more before getting out as soon as she could.
Damon turned to praise his wife for her excellent performance, but found her leaning against the nearest wall with her slim hand pressed to her chest and taking deep breaths.
Before he could move or say a word, she opened her eyes and straightened her spine, looking very much like a soldier going into war. All his life, he had been led to believe that Sienna Astor was a meek, bland woman.
Boy, was he wrong.
She excused herself and went to get a drink, losing him in the crowd as she went.
Sienna had just finished her champagne when the musicians began to play Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Her grip on the stem of her glass tightened slightly.
It was showtime.
Somewhere during this song, one of Vivianne's mean friends would manage to spill wine on her.
Sienna handed her glass off to a passing waiter and slowly made her way to the fountain at the centre of the gardens. People brushed past her and chattered around her as she pretended to admire the fountain.
That was how Damon spotted her, with the spray of the fountain looking as though it were misting down on her. Her small face was upturned to watch the arc of the water and sunlight spilled across her delicate features.
Somehow, in the sea of decked out women shimmering in their jewellery and shallow men who were always trying to curry favour with him, she stood out like a lighthouse.
Meanwhile, Sienna had caught sight of Vivianne's friend, a gorgeous brunette with jet black curls and a tall, slim figure. What Sienna couldn't forget though, was that striking red dress that hugged her curves. It was almost as if she wore it to match the red wine she had practically tossed onto Sienna.
The girl walked close to Sienna and just as Sienna remembered, she tripped over nothing and stumbled, her arms outstretched in Sienna's direction. This time, Sienna smoothly dodged the girl and stepped away, revealing the fountain behind her.
Perfectly lined eyes widened as she really lost her balance and went straight into the fountain with a shriek.
But not before she released the wine glass in her hand. With an internal sigh, Sienna watched as the wine glass fell towards her in slow motion, the liquid already casting an arc in the air.
It was good enough that I gave her a taste of her own medicine, she thought to herself wryly, I don't feel so bad this time.
Just as the first droplets of wine hit her dress, a strong hand wrapped around her arm and pulled.
Sienna heard the shatter of glass on the ground, but the cold splash of wine never came.
Shocked, she stared at the hand around her arm and followed it to its owner, Damon Wright. His other arm was wrapped around her, with his body protectively shielding hers.
She blinked at him, frozen. Heat was radiating off him even though the day was cool, and his piercing blue eyes were worried as he studied her.
"Are you alright?" He asked urgently.