Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 136: Was He... Watching Her All Along?
Sebastian Prescott noticed her in a daze and quickly walked over, "How is it? Did you see June Ewing?"
Sienna Monroe looked at his handsome face, which was very close, and suddenly came to her senses, "Yes. I saw her. You... what are you doing here?"
"I’m here to supplement some materials and to check on the progress." Sebastian remained composed, "Captain Chaney is already drafting the closing report. Once it’s approved, it will be handed over to the prosecutor’s office."
Sienna nodded and asked, "Then how long does it usually take for a first-instance trial to open?"
"For most cases, it happens within a month, but since the New Year is around the corner, the prosecution likely wants to avoid a backlog and might opt to convene the trial before year’s end."
"If, after the verdict, June Ewing is not satisfied with the result, can she appeal?"
Sebastian scrutinized her face, "She can. But given the current evidence, the nature and circumstances of the case are sufficiently clear, and the sentencing guidelines provided by the prosecutor’s office comply with legal provisions.
If June Ewing does appeal, there’s a possibility it could be dismissed right away. Even if the case is taken to the second trial, the result is likely to uphold the original sentence."
Hearing his words, Sienna felt slightly relieved.
Now, all that was left was for this prostitution case to be completely resolved.
"Where to next?" Sebastian asked.
Sienna hesitated, and before she could respond, her phone rang. It was Nora Joyce calling.
She nodded apologetically to Sebastian and stepped aside to answer the call.
"Director, Ivy has arrived at the gallery with her art catalog. We’re discussing the selection for the exhibition, and once that’s decided, we can sign the art sales agency contract."
Nora’s voice came through the phone, "Selecting the pieces is no small matter, and neither the Director, myself, nor the other department managers can make a decision lightly.
If we are to sign that art sales agency contract, it requires not just the gallery’s official seal but also your signature and private seal."
Apart from the exhibition plan and display strategy, the most critical aspect is the selection of the pieces.
This concerns the quality of the exhibition and the sales value of the artworks.
The excuse Sienna used earlier with Caleb Sinclair was to go to the gallery.
With three days until the joint exhibition’s opening ceremony, she had planned to visit anyway.
"Understood, I’m on my way now."
After agreeing, Sienna ended the call and, turning her head, was caught off-guard by the deep, inscrutable gaze of Sebastian’s eyes.
The emotions within them remained hard to decipher.
Yet, there seemed to be an unexpected focus.
Was he... staring at her the whole time?
A faintly odd feeling swirled within her, and she awkwardly touched her nose, "Um... could you give me a ride to the gallery?"
Upon hearing this, Sebastian nodded gently, "Let’s go."
His car was parked by the roadside, the familiar black Bentley she recognized.
During the drive, he didn’t ask her about her conversation with June Ewing, limiting their talk to a few trivial matters.
Over ten minutes later, the car arrived at the gallery. Sienna unclasped her seatbelt and sincerely said, "Lawyer Prescott, thank you for everything these days. Once this is all over, I’ll treat you to a meal..."
Compared to everything that had happened, treating him to a meal seemed insignificant.
She almost couldn’t find the words to say it.
Sebastian caught the brief discomfort in her eyes and nodded lightly, "Alright."
Sienna paused, and her heart’s burden unexpectedly lightened from his simple agreement.
She looked up at him, a smile sneaking to her lips, "Alright."
After exiting the car, Sienna entered the gallery, where the first-floor employees looked surprised to see her and greeted her warmly.
Sienna nodded in response, a warm smile on her lips, "Thank you all for your hard work recently. During lunch, I’ll have the administration order meals. You can choose a restaurant and decide on your meals, then submit it to the administration within half an hour."
"Okay."
"Thank you, Director."
Upon hearing this, all employees’ faces lit up with joyful smiles.
Sienna didn’t linger on the floor and took the elevator directly to the third floor. With a reminder from the exhibition team staff, she headed to the guest room.
Pushing the door open, inside were Director Dawson, Nora, the exhibition team, the setup team, and a few group leaders from the research team.
Her gaze finally landed on the graceful figure on a solo sofa.
The woman had beautiful, elegant black short hair and wore a light pink, new-style traditional fastening dress. On the sofa’s back was a short double-faced cashmere coat in pale apricot.
Her delicate, beautiful heart-shaped face had soft eyes and a smile that easily engendered a sense of warmth and familiarity.
In comparison, Vivian Nash’s pure beauty seemed somewhat mundane.
The woman’s graceful, serene demeanor was like a painting of Jiangnan’s mist and rain.
Such charm was innate and built with family knowledge, wealth, status, and literary aura.
Yet, a text message warned against forming a close relationship with such a person.
Why was that?
As Sienna assessed her, Ivy also assessed Sienna, then rose to extend a friendly hand.
Softly smiling, she said, "Director Monroe, I’ve long admired your reputation."
In her eyes, Sienna did not let any emotion show on the surface as a smile emerged.
Walking over, she grasped her fingertips, "You’re too kind, Ivy. It’s me who should admire you. I’ve read a lot about you online, and it’s my honor to meet you in person today."
After a brief and cordial greeting, Sienna took a seat.
Director Dawson then took the opportunity to discuss the few pieces they had just deliberated.
Ivy’s art style mainly focuses on the play of natural light and landscapes, a blend of realism and shadows.
This catalog contains over seventy photos, lightly colored, yet possessing great natural beauty.
Throughout the discussion, Sienna was neither excessively enthusiastic nor cold toward Ivy, maintaining a peaceful and polite demeanor that was unlikely to make anyone uncomfortable.
