As soon as the elevator doors slid open, I stepped out into the reception on trembling legs.
My cheeks were stained with tears, my eyes were swollen and bloodshot. I had intended to have a conversation with Sebastian and not a confrontation that shattered what was left of my mental health that I was grasping onto.
"Sienna!" Chelsea's worried voice rang as she rushed towards me, her face looming over me with concern. I could see Monty hurrying behind her too. "Oh my God! What happened? Did Sebastian do this to you?"
Unable to contain the emotions swirling inside of me, my legs buckled making me crumple against Chelsea as harsh sobs racked my slender frame. "He hates me, Chelsea. He's not doing this because he still likes me… he hates my guts… so much that I could feel it,".
"Oh, darling!" Chelsea sighed patting my back "I'm so sorry,".
Monty finally reached my side and together, both he and Chelsea supported me as they guided me to the plush sofa at the reception. I wanted to stop crying but the tears didn't want to stop. I didn't know how long I sobbed but when I finally calmed down, I raised my head from Monty's shoulders and saw him regarding me quietly, concern in his eyes.
"It's over," I shook my head slowly backing away from his embrace as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.
"Was that why you were crying? Did Mr Grey say he won't help you again?" Chelsea asked.
"No!" I shook my head turning to her "But this… this is already tearing his family apart. His brother Trevor won't talk to him and Joshua too… they're his brothers. Sebastian must have suffered so much from me jilting him. So, I don't want them to think I am some selfish gold digger who is determined to tear their family apart. The Blackway industries have not been doing good since the press conference either and it's all my fault. If anything should happen to it… I'll be blamed,".
"Don't be like that, Sienna," Monty sighed "The Grey Boys will come around sooner or later or maybe never but as far as you don't have any problem with Sebastian and you signed a contract,".
"No!" I shook my head exhaling "I never wanted any of this! My hands were tied and I reached out to him but I'll have to find a way to make it right for Sebastian and fix the damage I've caused," I sniffed back tears and took Chelsea's hands in my own. "You have to stop here, Chelsea… following me is a dead end and will only ruin you. Why don't you accept the job offer from Grey Corps? The pay is good and you'd get promoted in that position in no time. And Monty…".
I turned to him, my gaze softening "I should have listened to you. You knew right? That I am not cut out for this heiress or CEO role?"
"For Pete's sake, Sienna," Monty sighed "Don't talk down on yourself. Your father chose you because he knew you could do it. He saw something in you and I'm glad you decided to fight, back then, I just wanted to keep you safe,".
"It's okay, Monty," I gave him a sad smile "You don't have to lie to make me feel better and the only reason my father passed the company to me is because I am his only child and he had no option. Besides, didn't you see how Janice commanded that crowd? She came and turned everyone against me in seconds. It's her thing. Also, I'm … I'm not a Winchester…" I lowered my gaze, fighting the tears that gathered on my eyelids "Not truly anyway. I was adopted so, I don't deserve any claim to their wealth or legacy,".
"Don't you dare," Monty was already shaking his head vehemently even before I finished "If you don't want Sebastian's help, then you can do it yourself. After all, this was originally your idea and not someone else's. Besides, I found something in your dad's flash that might help turn the public to our side. We just need to get home so I can show you,".
"I agree with Monty. I didn't leave my job because of this… I was looking for an excuse to leave anyway but you're my friend, Sienna. Your family… your mom was the mother I never had. She took good care of me and this is the only opportunity I have to return that love and kindness. Don't worry about money, your mom was pumping me with lots of them. We've come too far to back down now,".
"Thank you for the pep talk guys but really, I'm giving up now. I'll just try to look for a way to end things with Sebastian in the public of course and then we'll find a way to leave New York. I think I have some 'rainy days' savings in an offshore account, that will be enough to sort me out until …".
"You're talking too much!" Monty hissed seizing me by my hands, let's go home. I have an idea," then he turned to Chelsea "Do you know any friend that is connected to the News industry… paparazzi maybe… could they help us blow our cover?"
Chelsea gave him a meaningful stare "I'm on it,".
A few seconds later, I was staring at pictures and videos of me growing up on Monty's laptop. "So, all we need is to put these together and try to sell it to the public?"
"Yes!" Monty nodded and turned to Chelsea who was on her phone "Any good news?"
"Yes!" she mouthed giving us a thumbs up. Immediately, Monty checked the phone and smiled showing me a news article. Rumours were beginning to circulate that I was going to hold an emergency press conference outside Sky Corporation headquarters and according to the insider… the person Monty was using to set up a place for me in front of the company, the reporters were already arriving.
"Great, everything is set now. it's up to you to convince the people that you're innocent and we have to do it before Uncle and Janice return to the office, come on let's go," he urged.
I picked up my jacket slipping it over the two-piece clothes I had borrowed from Chelsea, and checked my makeup and hair before I slipped out of the room to join them in the car. When I arrived, there was a swarm of reporters and cameramen poised at a makeshift pulpit, their eyes peeled to the revolving door. We drove past them to the underground parking space and met a man in his twenties waiting for us. He had a janitor's uniform on.
"I appreciate you doing this for us, Danny," Monty said as soon as we got to him.
"It's a pleasure. I've wanted to leave anyway… I don't think the new government will favour us. They're planning to let go a lot of contract workers like us anyways, so this is fine and…" he turned to me "Your father was a good man. He was so good that we wondered if he made any profits. Generous bonuses, more than the required days of leave, free healthcare in the best facilities, allowances and a lot more. I was earning more than a team leader in other companies… that's how good he was,".
"Oh!" I flashed him an awkward smile "Thank you so much,".
"You're welcome miss," he nodded "This way,".
As we walked with him, I couldn't help but replay Danny's words. I've met a lot of people and they've all confirmed that my father was a good man and was nice to them and stuff, so how is it possible that he offended the Greys'. Trevor mentioned the other day that we ruined them. Was there something I didn't know?
"So, I already sent the clip to the technical room and they'll air it exactly two minutes after Miss Winchester goes on stage. Also, I kind of hinted to a few of the staff about everything and they want to meet with Miss Winchester," Danny said.
"We don't have time for that, Danny," Monty sighed "I don't want Philip or the other woman to meet us here?"
"Don't worry, we've got that sorted out. Their driver will stall for time by coming up with excuses for the car. Besides, he says they're yet to finish up with the meeting at the hotel they're at right now. A few minutes won't change anything. We just need Miss Winchester to assure us that she'll get what rightfully belongs to her,".
"I'll do it!" I interrupted Monty before he had the chance to counter it again. "Let's go,".
Danny nodded and we walked briskly to another hall filled with people. They quietened when they all saw me climb the stage and at that point, I wanted to run back but, their eyes gleamed with hope. I could see it. Walking to the microphone, I cleared my throat and started speaking.
"Good day everyone. My name is Sienna Winchester and I am not here to argue if I am the rightful heiress or not but I promise, I will do everything in my power to get this back. My father could spend hours talking about his employees and it always amazed me that he knew all the names… and they could all reach out to him one-on-one… I know he wouldn't like it if his legacy had not persevered. He thinks of you all as his family and as his child, it's my responsibility to restore that,". I paused and let my eyes run through the hall.
"But this is my fight… I appreciate all your contributions so far and your help but you all need your jobs – for your family and loved ones. I need your silent support and prayers more than anything. So, bear with the new adjustment for a little while and soon everything will be fine. Thank you,".
The hall erupted into cheers but Monty was already guiding me out of it. For the first time since my wild goose chase, I felt seen and all of the words I said to them, I was going to take it personally.