Chapter 53

The event had officially started, and everyone was settled in their seats. Sienna glanced around the room, taking note of familiar faces, but her attention was immediately drawn to the Pierce family's seats—positioned right beside theirs. Her eyes met Nyx's, who gave her a simple nod, which she returned.

She hadn't seen Riley again since their brief, intense encounter in the washroom.

"Where's your husband?" her father, Arthur, asked casually, swirling his wine glass as he scanned the crowd.

"He's on a business trip, Pa," Sienna replied smoothly, though the truth stung. Another lie. She knew Ethan was actually on a trip with his boyfriend, enjoying a getaway under the guise of work.

Arthur clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Of all days, he chooses a business trip over supporting you here?" He shook his head and stood, frustration visible on his face.

Before Sienna could respond, a familiar presence stepped into view, one that made her heart skip a beat.

"You're in my way, Mr. Reed," Riley's voice, calm and self-assured, cut through the air. Arthur turned sharply toward her, a scoff escaping him.

Sienna's eyes immediately flicked to the woman standing behind Riley. Was that her partner? Her heart clenched uncomfortably.

"Well, if it isn't the Pierce runaway," Arthur said, his tone condescending, as if mocking Riley's presence.

Riley chuckled, brushing past Arthur with ease. Sienna gulped, stealing a glance at the Pierce family, all of whom were watching closely, as though waiting for something to go wrong.

"Hey," Arthur's voice dropped low, but the authority in it was unmistakable as he called out to Riley.

Riley paused but didn't turn to face him.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Arthur challenged, taking a step closer.

Sienna instinctively moved to rise, but stopped when Riley let out a soft laugh. She turned, meeting Arthur's gaze head-on, calm and unfazed.

Riley smiled as she stepped forward, facing Arthur fully. She briefly glanced at Sienna's mother, Vivian, giving her a respectful nod before locking eyes with her father again. "Well, I suppose I did forget something," Riley said, her voice smooth. "My congratulations."

Sienna's breath hitched as the tension in the room thickened, the crowd casting curious glances toward the two standing figures locked in a silent battle.

"Pa," Sienna called softly, but Arthur didn't even glance her way.

Riley slid her hands into her pockets, her posture casual yet commanding. "Congratulations to LunaVera for being top of the charts," she continued, a smile playing at her lips. But the smile was fleeting as she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping just enough for Arthur to hear, "But I wonder how long it'll stay there... now that I'm back."

With that, Riley stepped back, her smile returning, and excused herself with a nod.

Arthur moved to follow her, his annoyance flaring, but Vivian quickly placed a hand on his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

Sienna watched as Riley ushered the woman beside her to her seat, the Pierce family greeting them warmly. Sienna cursed silently, her jealousy creeping up and tightening around her chest. Her fingers clenched into fists beneath the table as she watched Riley from across the room.

That should be me, she thought bitterly, fighting the rising tide of regret.

The Pinnacle Summit's awards ceremony had moved on to the prestigious Young Moguls category, where heirs under thirty were recognized for their net worth, innovation, and strategic business acumen. The room buzzed with anticipation as the nominees were whittled down.

"Alright, congratulations to all of our young moguls awardees so far," the host announced, the tension building. "Now, we're down to the top two. Who will it be this time?" The drumroll echoed throughout the hall, adding to the intensity.

Riley sat calmly in her seat, appearing disinterested despite knowing she was one of the final two. She hadn't asked for this recognition, yet here she was—courtesy of the Pinnacle Summit's invitation.

"Our second-place awardee," the host began, "with a net worth of 3.3 billion Swiss francs. She's made waves with her eco-friendly, cruelty-free luxury skincare line under LunaVera Cosmetics, setting new standards in the beauty industry. Her brand has become a bestseller, particularly in the Asian and Middle Eastern markets, thanks to its organic ingredients and sustainable packaging..."

Riley's thoughts drifted. It must be Sienna, she mused.

"... Her business strategy emphasizes brand expansion and tapping into emerging markets, with aggressive digital marketing campaigns and influencer collaborations creating a strong international presence. Let's give it up for our top 2 awardee, Ms. Sienna Reed!"

The crowd erupted into applause as Sienna stood, gracefully acknowledging the cheers with a nod before heading to the stage. Riley's eyes followed her every move, an unreadable expression crossing her face.

"You look proud of her," Maggie, Riley's mother, teased, nudging her gently.

"Mom..." Riley replied with a half-smile, surrendering to her mother's knowing glance. Maggie chuckled softly.

Sienna accepted her plaque with poise, the audience continuing to applaud.

"And now," the host's voice boomed again, "we're down to our top awardee for the Young Moguls category!"

The crowd grew louder in anticipation.

"Our first-place awardee, with a net worth of 3.5 billion Swiss francs, has taken the biotech industry by storm. Her innovative venture expanded BioSynthix's global reach by opening a cutting-edge research and manufacturing facility in France. This facility has been instrumental in developing breakthrough pharmaceutical solutions, including a revolutionary drug for neurodegenerative diseases, solidifying the company as a leader in medical innovation..."

Riley straightened in her seat, subtly adjusting her collar. She glanced at her mother, who winked at her. Riley smirked, trying to play it cool.

"Her strategic move into the European market, alongside partnerships with biotech firms, has catapulted her company's global presence. Everyone, please give a round of applause to our top Young Mogul awardee, Ms. Riley Pierce!"

The spotlight hit Riley, and the room erupted in cheers. She rubbed the back of her neck, standing up awkwardly as she acknowledged the crowd with a respectful bow before walking toward the stage.

Just like Sienna, she was handed a plaque to honor her achievements, though the weight of the recognition felt heavier than expected.

"And now, we'd like to invite all our Young Moguls awardees back to the stage for a group photo," the host called out.

Riley froze for a moment, realizing what this meant—standing next to Sienna. As if on cue, Sienna was already making her way back to the stage. Riley gulped, trying to hide her discomfort.

The host guided everyone into position, and Riley found herself standing right beside Sienna. Of course. Is this good luck or bad? she wondered, feeling the tension rise as their arms brushed.

"Sorry," Riley mumbled, her voice low, as she felt her skin touching Sienna's.

Sienna glanced at her, her smile polite though her eyes held a flicker of something deeper. "It's fine," she replied softly as they both posed for the camera, maintaining their professional facade.

The host's voice boomed again. "Once again, congratulations to all of our Young Moguls!"

The crowd clapped as the awardees began to exit the stage. Riley noticed Sienna struggling with her footing on the steps, likely due to a recent wardrobe change. She sighed inwardly before stepping closer, offering her hand.

"Figured you might need some help," Riley said, her tone neutral as she avoided eye contact.

Nyx, Harriet, and the rest of the Pierce family discreetly observed, their expressions carefully neutral, aware of the Reed family's proximity.

Sienna blinked in surprise but accepted the help, her fingers brushing against Riley's. "Thanks," she murmured quietly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Riley held her hand steady until Sienna had descended the steps safely. "You're welcome," Riley said, nodding before motioning for her to walk ahead. "After you."

Sienna returned to her seat, doing her best to act unaffected, though her heart was racing from the unexpected closeness. Riley, too, retreated to her own seat, only to be met with teasing glances from her family.

"You've got guts," Zoey murmured, barely containing her laughter.

"Seriously, stop it," Riley muttered, her face flushing as she tried to deflect their knowing looks.