Try Me

Scanning the updating feed, Sienna tracked the chaotic blur of text flashing across her screen. Amidst the sickening sea of misplaced sympathy, she noticed a few brave skeptics trying to call out Gia's innocent act. They typed fast, labeling the rising star as a fake and a manipulative tease. *We all know she is just playing the victim,* one user commented. *No one ends up as the other woman in a hotel room by accident.*

However, a massive flood of paid supporters ruthlessly buried those valid criticisms under an avalanche of overwhelming praise. Sienna watched the synchronized bot accounts spamming the comments section, drowning out any genuine voice of reason with heart emojis and tears. She gave the glowing, toxic screen one last dismissive glance and closed the browser tab. She had seen more than enough of this orchestrated circus for one night.

Beside her, Kaelen leaned in closer. He studied her face, visibly surprised by her composure in the face of such a brutal public character assassination.

"You are taking this severe bashing pretty calmly," he noted out loud, a hint of genuine curiosity woven into his deep voice.

Sienna turned her head, shooting back an immediate reply. Irritation threaded her sharp voice as she firmly corrected him. "I am anything but calm. I just refuse to show it and give them the satisfaction of seeing me break." She crossed her arms, her gaze turning cold as she diagnosed the situation. "Gia is merely weaponizing her rabid fan club to throw a massive public tantrum. The whole PR tactic is nothing but pathetic."

Kaelen chuckled. The rich sound rumbled in his chest, making it clear he was intrigued by her sharp analytical mind. "I have to hand it to them. It is a dirty trick, but it works," he admitted, a playful smirk touching his lips. "Damon is one slick operator, and the woman he has his eye on is no slouch in the manipulation department either."

Sienna frowned at the casual praise directed at her enemies. She hated hearing it, but she could not deny he was right. In her past life, she would have fallen for the exact trap. She would have been left standing bewildered in the direct line of fire while Gia and Damon played the poor, innocent victims for the cameras.

But not this time. She refused to be a disposable pawn in their twisted game.

"So what?" she retorted, lifting her chin with a defiant glare. "Their little orchestrated schemes will not stand up to the cold, hard truth. I swear I will make them wish they had never messed with me."

Taking a steadying breath, she let the simmering anger wash away. A teasing smile returned to her face, shifting the heavy focus back to the tall man sitting beside her. "Thanks for coming over late to help out and offer your support. It means a lot to have someone in my corner."

Before he could brush off the gratitude, she circled back to her earlier proposal. She leaned closer, her eyes flashing with unwavering determination. "Have you given any serious thought to what I said at the hotel? About us getting hitched?"

She did not miss a single beat, launching into a confident pitch. "I am clean as a whistle. I have my act together. I can hold my own anywhere, and I would make a rock-solid, competent wife. We could be a formidable team, Mr. Vance."

Smiling wryly at her persistent, straightforward business-like pitch, Kaelen shook his head. "Maybe you should focus your energy on your current public enemies first," he smoothly suggested, turning toward the hospital room door to make his exit.

"Hey, do not be in such a rush," Sienna said, stopping him before he could reach the handle. She took a step forward, offering a quick compromise. "Even if you are not ready to hit the altar with me just yet, you could at least share your digits. Let me take you out for a bite once this mess is sorted. Consider it a proper thank you."

Taken aback by her unyielding persistence, Kaelen paused. He could have walked out the door, but instead, he rattled off his phone number. Sienna quickly typed it into her device, pulling up his profile and sending a friend request on the spot.

A short while later, back in the quiet isolation of his own room, Kaelen pulled his phone from his pocket and accepted her request.

Miles away, Sienna lounged back against her pillows. She smirked as she analyzed his bare-bones, curated profile. His social media painted the vivid picture of a hardcore, unrepentant party animal. She scrolled through rows of photos featuring endless crowds, expensive bottles of liquor, and wild late nights in exclusive underground clubs.

Yet, to her sharp eye, the setup felt staged. Kaelen never once mingled with the women in the photos. He always stood slightly apart, a detached observer in his own wild life. The posts seemed performed for a specific, judging audience rather than serving as a genuine reflection of his daily routine.

Amused by the obvious facade, her fingers flew across the keyboard. She shot him a bold text.

[Mr. Vance, you are living the high life, huh? Every night is a new adventure. Just a friendly reminder, though—take it easy on those late nights. You are young, but you do not want to burn out too soon.]

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Kaelen read the incoming text. His eyes lit up with sudden interest, a slow grin spreading across his handsome face. She was sharp, fearless, and relentless.

He typed back immediately, his thumbs flying over the screen. He asserted he was fit as a fiddle and needed no worry from her end. Then, deciding to push the envelope, he issued a bold, suggestive challenge.

[I am fit as a fiddle. No need to worry about my stamina. But if you really want to see for yourself, you are more than welcome to swing by and test me.]