Page 61 of Vendetta Crown

"Of course," I promise. "Hannah, care to join me?"

Hannah sets down her teacup and follows me out of the sitting room. Once we're in the hallway, I exhale deeply.

"Those women are something else," Hannah whispers. "Guess you lucked out with Ruslan, huh?"

"I did."

And that's the truth.

Walking toward the conference room, I straighten my posture and mentally shift gears. The documentary isn't just a strategic move against Kristofer anymore. It's become my mission. The auditions need to be authentic, not just for show.

"So who's up for the role of your mom?" Hannah asks. "Anyone we know?"

The assistant hands me a tablet with the names. I scroll through quickly, then freeze.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me."

"What?" Hannah leans over my shoulder, then lets out a low whistle. "Sienna Voss? The same Sienna who outed you?"

My stomach coils into a tight knot. "The very same."

"How the hell did she even get an audition slot? I thought Ruslan blackballed her from the industry."

I take a steadying breath. "Someone must have slipped her name onto the list."

"Want me to tell her to get lost?" Hannah offers, already rolling up her sleeves.

I consider it for a moment. Sienna, with her Instagram post and nightclub drama, is partially responsible for my current situation. She's responsible for Kristofer finding me. But she's also unwittingly helped set in motion the plan that might finally free me from him.

"No," I decide, my voice steadier than I feel. "Let her audition."

"Are you sure?" Hannah's eyebrows shoot up.

"My mother was fierce, protective, and unafraid to face her enemies." I straighten my blouse and square my shoulders. "Let's see if Sienna can channel any of that."

I walk into the conference room to find a small crowd of actresses already waiting. Some chat in hushed tones while others silently review pages of dialogue. But my eyes lock immediately on one face I never expected to see again.

Sienna Voss.

The moment she spots me, she rises from her chair. My pulse quickens, adrenaline flooding my system in a fight-or-flight response that's become too familiar since Kristofer found me. I half-expect her to make a scene, to threaten me again, but instead she approaches with downcast eyes.

"Aurora, I need to speak with you."

Hannah tenses beside me, ready to intervene, but I give her a slight nod to stand down.

"About what, Ms. Voss?" My tone is cold, professional.

"I didn't come to audition. I came to apologize." She wrings her hands together. "For what I did. I don't expect you to forgive me. But I just wanted a chance to tell you how truly sorry I am."

I study Sienna's face for any hint of deception, any sign that this is just another power play. But all I see is fear—raw and genuine—etched into the creases around her eyes.

"Why apologize now?" I ask, crossing my arms. "It's a little late, don't you think?"

She glances around nervously at the other actresses, then lowers her voice. "Can we speak somewhere private?"

I hesitate. Hannah shoots me a look that clearly saysbad idea, but something in Sienna's desperation makes me nod.

"Five minutes," I tell her. "Jerome, we'll use the office next door."

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