My Ex-husband Begs Me Back
Chapter 1123: Disparagement

Chapter 1123: Disparagement

The dinner proceeded smoothly, but Sienna remained unusually quiet,a detail Madison noticed.

After the meal, everyone gathered in the living room for tea. Madisontook Sienna to the kitchen, saying, "Let's prepare some fruit for yourbrother and Rex to enjoy with their tea!"

Sienna nodded, joining Madison in arranging the fruit. Madison, agentle and dignified woman, was generally lively and expressive. Shetook a glance at Sienna and gently inquired, "Sienna, are you upset? Isit inappropriate that Rex's dad and I invited your brother over withoutinforming you beforehand?"

"If that's the case, Mom, I apologize. It was unexpected to run into yourbrother, and considering you two met last night, Rex's dad and Ithought it was only right to invite him for dinner. After all, he's yourbrother."

Madison's tone was sincere, as she could sense Sienna's less-than-happy mood. Knowing Sienna as an upbeat person, Madison feltuneasy witnessing her silent demeanor, an unusual and uneasy feeling.Feeling increasingly guilty, Madison spoke, "Sienna, what did you meanjust now?"

Sienna quickly responded, “Mom, what are you saying? Why would Ibe angry? I'm delighted that you and Dad invited him over. Your actionsare for my sake, and I understand that.”

Sienna gazed at Madison and spoke softly, “I don't feel any discomfortor unhappiness. I just...”

"Just what?" Madison locked eyes with Sienna, concerned about thesomewhat unfavorable expression on her face.

Sienna pursed her lips, hesitated for a few seconds, and then said,“Mom, I'll be honest with you. You know about my relationship with theKing family. Although I grew up there, for some reasons, I no longerhave any connection with them. I'm grateful for their upbringing, and ifthey ever need my help, I won't hesitate. However, the relationshipbetween Mario and me is not as close and friendly as real siblings. Wedon't interfere with each other, and I prefer to keep it that way. This isalso what Dad means by “thanks.

Sienna hesitated before sharing this information. However, shebelieved that transparency was better than concealing the truth. Bybeing honest, Mr. Ward and Madison would understand that herrelationship with Mario wasn't very positive. This way, the Ward familywouldn't have any reservations, and they wouldn't feel obligated to giveface to Mario repeatedly.

Sienna gazed at Madison, observing the changes in her expression.Madison didn't show much surprise or astonishment; after all, she hadwitnessed many things between affluent families.

Looking at Sienna with affection in her eyes, Madison said, "Sienna, Iunderstand what you mean. You don't need to feel any pressure orunease. Rex's dad and I will handle everything. You don't have to worryabout us. Just be yourself, okay?"

Sienna pursed her lips and replied in a low, husky voice, "Okay, thankyou, Mom."

"No need to be formal with me," Madison said with a slight smile.Although Sienna and Rex hadn't had their wedding yet, Sienna hadalready started addressing Madison as her mother-in-law. Madisoncouldn't wait and decided to give Sienna a significant gift in advance toprompt the change.

This matter had a touch of humor to it, with the assistance of Camilleand Talia. So, Madison was eager and didn't want to wait, aiming tomake Sienna change her address sooner.

While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were in the kitchen,chatting about various topics while preparing fruit, in the living room,the three men were engaged in pleasant conversation.

Afterward, everyone enjoyed the fruit, chatting intermittently. By aroundten o'clock, Mario glanced at the time and suggested, "Mr. Ward, Mrs.Ward, it's getting late. I appreciate the hospitality tonight. Let's call it anight, and we can gather again next time. I'll take my leave now."Naturally, Mr. Ward and Madison politely insisted on keeping Mario a bitlonger, but Mario declined with courtesy, expressing that there would beplenty of opportunities to meet in the future.

The group escorted Mario to the door, but he didn't allow anyone toaccompany him to his car. Instead, he turned to Sienna and said, "Ihave a few words to say to Sienna."

The implication was clear: everyone should give them some privacy.Rex, standing next to Sienna, instinctively glanced at Mario. His eyesnarrowed slightly, revealing a subtle coldness. Sienna, on the otherhand, took Rex's hand, offering silent comfort.

Since Mario had made this request, Madison and Mr. Ward had no rightto refuse.

Sienna said, "Dad, Mom, you and Rex go in first. I need to talk to mybrother for a moment."

Mr. Ward and Madison nodded, agreeing. They bid Mario farewell onceagain, reminded the driver to prioritize safety, and then went inside.

As for Rex, he made no move to enter the house. Without the presenceof Mr. Ward and Madison, Mario's lips curved into a faint smile. Heremarked, "Mr. Ward, do you plan to keep staring at her like this?"

Rex chuckled and calmly responded, “I do have that intention.”

"Don't you think it's a bit excessive? If someone belongs to you, theywon't leave even if you don't keep an eye on them. If they don't belongto you, even if you keep constant watch, they'll still leave," Mario saidmeaningfully, looking at Rex. His gaze toward Sienna conveyed a clearmessage. He then turned to Sienna and said, "Sienna, I believe thereare some things we should discuss privately. What do you think?"Sienna didn't answer him, maintaining a silent and cold demeanor. Aftera few seconds, she spoke softly to Rex, "Go inside and accompanyMom and Dad. I'll be there shortly.”

Rex nodded gently, his gaze tenderly fixed on Camille. He said, "I'll beinside. If you need anything, just call me, alright?"

"Alright, I know," Sienna responded, and then Rex entered the house.Now, only Sienna and Mario remained outside. Mario's gaze stayed onSienna, but she showed no expression, maintaining a cold demeanor.She said, "Speak. What do you want to talk to me about?"

Mario's emotions were understandably not in a good state. His tonewith Sienna wasn't pleasant either. He said, "You're already calling hisparents Mom and Dad? Sienna, is this how the King family and I raisedyou? You're blindly with him, but does he and his family respect you?They can't even give you a decent wedding, which is a blatant denial ofyou. Are you not undermining yourself?"

"Undermining myself? Am I? Is that what you think? Everything now iswhat I want. So, I don't think I'm undermining myself. On the contrary, Ibelieve my previous self was undermining me."

"What do you mean?"

"Can't you understand? Everything now is my choice, and I want it all.So, I don't think I'm undermining myself. In fact, I believe this is goodfor me."

Sienna's words completely darkened Mario's expression. He squinted,his gaze filled with icy anger, and questioned in a low voice, "Now, forthe sake of this man, are you willing to give up even the King family? If Ihadn't come to Hance City, were you planning to never see me again inyour life?"