"So, why the sudden invitation for breakfast?", Ella asked the mont she spotted him sitting inside the cafe. Honestly, she had no interest in eting with this man and only wanted one answer. Was he the lead that she was looking for to get deeper into that poisonous ring?
Sidney smiled easily and gestured toward the empty chair opposite him. "Just thought I’d catch up with an old friend in this new place. What’s so wrong with that?"
Ella gave a short, disbelieving snort as she slipped into the chair, crossing one leg over the other. "An old friend? You flatter .. I’ve been here for more than six months, Sidney, and we’ve crossed paths plenty of tis before. You never so much as looked my way. And now you’re suddenly calling an old friend? Do you have amnesia or sothing? The only ti you ever spoke to before this was when you wanted to use - to get Serena’s attention or to get back at Aiden. So tell , what do you want this ti since I cannot really help you with either of those for now?"
Sidney didn’t answer imdiately. He just studied her for a long mont, eyes calm but unreadable. Then he sighed softly, as though carrying so invisible weight. "You’ve changed."
As he said this, he leaned across the table and, without warning, gently cupped her face in his hand.
Ella stiffened instantly, her whole body tensing. She jerked her face away before he could say anything more.
He gave her a faint, almost sad smile. "I suppose I’m one of the reasons for that change. I used your innocence... your trust... for my own ans. I won’t deny it."
Ella said nothing. Whether his regret was genuine or just another layer of manipulation, she couldn’t tell—and frankly, she didn’t care. What he said was true. He had used her naivety back then, and she had no intention of letting him wash his hands of it now, not even for show.
"If you’ve called here just to stir up mories of the past," she said coldly, "then this conversation is over. I have no desire to ruin my morning—or my digestion."
Sidney gave another one of his quiet sighs and leaned back. "You’re right. Fine. I won’t talk about the past." He paused for a beat, then added lightly, "Let’s talk about the present."
He gestured toward the waiter who appeared with a tray. "I took the liberty of ordering so bacon and eggs for breakfast. I hope that’s all right."
Ella gave a small nod, though inside her mind was already ticking. How easily he slipped back into control- first lowering himself, playing the part of the regretful man, then without hesitation ordering for her as if he still set the rules.
"Actually," he continued in that calm voice of his, "I wanted to ask you about your future plans here. With Aiden blocking your return... even though he’s still sending you money... well, once Mrs. Hawk passes away, you might be left with nothing."
Ella’s spoon clattered sharply against her plate as she looked up, eyes flashing. "What do you an, I’ll be left with nothing? Grandmother has already set up a trust fund for . I’ll never be lacking in anything."
Sidney leaned forward slightly, voice dropping as if to drive the point ho. "A trust fund managed by Aiden. And rember- if you can’t return, you can’t see your grandmother. You might even lose your inheritance altogether if he has his way..."
Ella scowled. Was she really that foolish in the past? He had said exactly three sentences and from the look on his face, he really believed that was enough to incite her. She wanted to applaud herself for her past. But of course she couldn’t. So, she grabbed the nearest spoon and slamd it down on the table. "Are you trying to ruin my mood, Sidney? Or just anger to death?"
Before she could snatch up another piece of cutlery, Sidney reached across the table and caught her hand in a quick grip.
"No more theatrics, Ella," he said quietly, eyes holding hers. "I’m not here to provoke you. I’m here to tell you that sitting here, waiting for things to fall apart, isn’t going to save you. You need to take so control before it’s too late."
Ella stilled, studying him with narrowed eyes. "So this is about control," she said slowly. "You have a business proposal for , don’t you?"
Sidney nodded once, calmly, like he had known the conversation would co to this all along.
Ella leaned back in her chair, a humorless laugh escaping her. "You should have led with that, Sidney," she said flatly. "Fine. Tell what you want What is this business about that would make you want to et with ."
Sidney sighed and brought her hand closer to him," I will tell you. I’ve been wanting to bring a trustworthy person into this. But before that, I want to clear the air, about the past. I used your naivety in the past but it was not because I looked down on you. It was just that I was too blinded by revenge to actually understand yuor value. I hope going forward, if we get together in this business, you will be able to forgive ."
Ella said nothing, just gave a pointed stare at his hand that was holding hers until he let go and then said, "Explain."
Sidney smiled and then pushed open his tablet," Its not much. You know the entertainnt industry in this country is quite unorganized. But the governnt has been slow in pushing the laws. Finally, there have been a few changes so I thought why not take this opportunity to form an agency and..."
Ella leaned forward and heard the proposal with narrowed eyes, her hands clenched under the table, as she gave a puzzled glance to Sidney Pierce. She now had the confirmation she needed. Because the ’employees’ he had just shown her, were the ones who were wanted by the law.
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