Sienna pushed open the door to the small meeting room next to the office area and ushered him inside.
The room was usually used for short breaks or private conversations between colleagues who wanted to complain about work without being overheard.
Riley sat down on one of the chairs while Sienna took the seat across from him.
Sienna lifted her latte and finished the last warm sip before placing the empty cup back on the table.
Then she leaned forward slightly. Her eyes narrowed.
"Now," she said calmly, though her tone carried clear curiosity, "tell me what really happened."
Riley frowned. "Tell you about what?"
Sienna crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look.
"Tell me why the important project was canceled. I'm curious," she continued.
She knew very well how important the project was.
The Sterling Capital Management Training Event was not some ordinary business gathering.
Every year, the program was held in a different city, and all managers and executives from many of Sterling Capital's companies and subsidiaries would gather at a single location.
This year, the event was scheduled to take place in Silver City at the Imperial Hotel. It was a major opportunity, which was why the staff had been diligently and carefully preparing for it. A mistake during an event like this could easily damage the hotel's reputation.
That was why Sienna had almost drained her wallet taking a taxi earlier that day.
Meanwhile, the guy sitting across from her looked totally chill.
Riley leaned back in his chair and took a casual sip of his coffee.
"Relax," he said.
Sienna furrowed her brow, confused by how composed he remained as they faced the potential loss of a major client.
"Chill, girl! The project wasn't canceled," he said calmly. "And the meeting wasn't canceled either."
His answer only deepened her confusion. "Then what happened?"
"They just changed the meeting location. Only the higher-ups are attending now because Zachary Sterling joined this morning's meeting."
Sienna slowly nodded as she started to understand.
"Ah… so that's the reason," she muttered. "The CEO himself attended the meeting…"
The tension in her shoulders finally eased.
But another question quickly appeared. "Then why did they suddenly move the meeting location?"
Riley shrugged lightly.
"I don't know either," he replied nonchalantly, "maybe Zachary Sterling is too busy to come here."
Sienna couldn't help but smile when a thought crossed her mind.
'No wonder Angie didn't complain about the new meeting location. She was about to meet the big shot.' She shook her head in disbelief.
Riley noticed the change in her expression.
"Why do you look surprised?" he asked before taking another sip of coffee.
Sienna leaned forward, her eyes suddenly bright with excitement.
"I'm not surprised, but I just recalled something," she said enthusiastically.
Riley looked suspicious. "Recalled what?"
"Our hotel," she said softly, "is actually part of the Sterling Group."
Riley almost choked on his coffee. He coughed several times before finally managing to swallow.
"You... You only realized that now?" he asked, staring at her.
Sienna shook her head.
"I'd known that for quite some time," she admitted, a small laugh slipping out. "But I only just remembered it again now."
Riley stared at her with a warm smile.
"I can't blame you," he said eventually. "They usually use Sterling in their company names, but The Imperial Hotel doesn't use 'Sterling' in its name."
"That's true," Sienna replied.
Because their hotel didn't include 'Sterling' in its name, many people were unaware that it was part of one of the country's most powerful business groups.
The Sterling Group was renowned nationwide for its diverse investments across industries such as finance, real estate, and hotels. And Sterling Capital was among the largest financial institutions in the country.
"Imagine being that rich," Sienna murmured thoughtfully.
"Who?" Riley asked, confused with her words.
"Zachary Sterling..."
Riley smirked slightly as he asked, "Ah, he is indeed rich." He paused before asking again, "What would you do with that much money?"
Sienna didn't hesitate.
"I would sleep until noon every day and not have to work under Angie. She is such a terrible b..." She didn't intend to finish her words, but Riley could guess what she was about to say.
He laughed.
"You are very ambitious, Miss Adams."
"And eat expensive desserts without checking the price," she added with a smile.
"Your life goals are very inspiring."
"Thank you, my friend." Her smile widened as she continued, "No worries, I will never forget you and will include you in my summer vacation abroad."
"Haha, nice. I will record that. Please repeat..." he said while taking out his cell phone.
The two of them continued chatting for a while, occasionally joking about what life must be like for people who owned half the country.
Neither of them realized someone had been watching.
Outside the small meeting room, a woman stood quietly near the corridor window: Anna, Angie's assistant.
Her sharp eyes moved between the glass wall and the two people inside the room. She could clearly see that Sienna and Riley were laughing about something.
Anna's lips pressed into a thin line.
Everyone in the department knew Riley was well-liked. He was good-looking and smart, and he came from a wealthy family... at least, that was what the rumors said.
Many women had tried to get close to him.
But Riley always seemed particularly comfortable around Sienna.
That fact irritated Anna more than she cared to admit. She turned away from the door with a small scoff and walked back toward Angie's office.
...
A few hours passed.
The office atmosphere gradually grew quieter as the afternoon approached.
Sienna had just finished reviewing a reservation report when her desk phone rang.
She picked it up.
"Sienna speaking."
Anna's voice answered from the other end.
"Sienna... Angie wants to see you in the meeting room."
Sienna immediately sat up straight.
"Right now?"
"Yes. Bring Riley and Mia as well..."
Sienna's heart jumped slightly.
"Right away."
Then she hung up the phone and looked around the office.
"Riley... Mia..." she shouted in a rush. "Come with me, Angie wants a meeting."