Chapter 42 Sienna offered no reply , her pare still fixed on the book , Aiden , unfazed by Sienna ignoring him , watched as Linda burst out of her room and hurtled over to his side . " The Quinn family went bankrupt ? So now their company belongs to Hart Corporation ? " After speaking , Linda shot a defiant glance at Sienna . " Anything else ? If not , back to your room ," Alden grunted . He didn't want to upset Sienna again because of Linda Linda said , " Honey , of course , I have something to say . Sienna , now that the Quinn family's company is ours too , you must be stretched too thin managing everything , right ? " How about 1 introduce a few capable people to help you out ? Do you think that would work ? " Sienna nonchalantly put down her book , her icy gaze sweeping over Linda . " No. Hart Corporation belongs to the Hart family , not the Lambert family Stop shamelessly trying to force your way in . " Linda grashed her teeth in fury . Sienna didn't even bother to spare her the slightest dignity . In Sienna's eyes , this so - called stepmother hold no authority whatsoever . Linda continued . " Can't you see I'm just trying to help ? I thought I could lighten your load a bit . " No sooner had Linda finished speaking than her phone rang . She rushed to answer it , her face darkening with anger , then stormed back into the room . Linda shrieked furiously , " Sienna , you bitch , how dare you fire all my people ? " Over the years as Aiden's wife , Linda had been quietly planting her relatives throughout Hart Corporation , Over the years , nearly two thirds of Hart Corporation's employees were Linda's people . She was now the family's golden child . Overnight , Sienna had fired all of Linda's cronies . Hart Corporation was completely purged . Sienna watched with icy detachment as Linda raged like a madwoman before her . The next second , her icy gaze settled on Aiden . Aiden caught Sienna's silent message " Stay or go , she said inwardly . Aiden rose to his fost abruptly and , furious , delivered a resounding slap across Linda's face . The slap sont Linda reeling , her head snapping to the side as a red handprint bloomed across her cheek . A searing pain shot through her like wildfire , mingling with waves of humilation . Linda stared at Aiden with a look of utter disbelief , her trembling fingers gingerly touching her numb cheek . For years , Linda had lived in the lap of luxury as a wealthy socialite . Never once had anyone dared lay a hand on her Aiden snapped furiously , " That slap was well - deserved . How dare you insult Sienna ? She's my daughter . " Linda's eyes widened in shock . Over the years , Linda had gradually turned Vivian and her sisters into exactly the kind of people Aiden despised , driving a wedge and sowing discord between them . However , Sienna hadn't even been back a week , and now Aiden had already defended her . Sienna was quite pleased with Aiden's actions . Behind her , the butler , Ebert , and Elisa , who had been itching to step in , quietly lowered their rolled up sleeves and stepped back . 1/3 Chapter 42 Sienna observed coolly " Dad , Ms. Lambert doesn't seem very accepting of that slap you gave her ." Aiden sorted coldly , " She wouldn't dare . Linda , don't push your luck . Since when does Hart Corporation need your input " Your people ? What people ! Hart Corporation doesn't tolerate incompetence . Being fired , they got exactly what they deserved . " Sienna's acquisition of Junior Quinn Group sent her status soaring , and Aiden basked in the reflected glory . No one dared look down on Hart Corporation now . His million - dollar watch gleamed on his wrist . I'm no fool , Aiden thought . Whandoning the Hart family for Linda simply isn't worth it Aiden never loved Linda , He never confused sex with love . Though he harbored resentment , jealousy , and bitterness , the only woman Aiden had ever truly loved was Solina . Selina was sheer perfection , the unattainable ideal in every man's heart , the ultimate dream woman Linda wasn't even worthy of a single strand of Selina's hair . If Linda wasn't at least useful around the house , Alden wouldn't bother with her . He would have kicked her out right away . Linda was ich speechless , her face turning gloomy with humiliation . Deep down , she knew full well I just how incompetent her relatives were . Linda seethed with hatred as she wondered , " How could Sienna act so recklessly and treat me with such blatant contempt ? Even Aiden actually slapped me , all because of Sienna Without Aiden backing her up , Linda didn't dare make another move . Aher work , Vivian stepped out of her office , spotted Mason waiting by the entrance , and paused in surprise . But she ignored him completely and strode away without a second glance . " Vivian , stop right there , " Mason snapped Vivian crossed her arms and fixed him with an icy stare . "What do you want ? Spit it out . " Mason stepped forward and noticed that lately , Vivian had become increasingly beautiful , graceful , and charming her aura now completely different from before Mason's lips curled into a smile . Just knowing that all of Vivian's changes were for him filled him with a rush of smug satisfaction and a flutter of excitement he could hardly hide . " Vivian " Mason declared with absolute certainty , " I've decided to marry you . " " What did you just say ? " Vivian's lips twitched as she wondered , " Did I hear that wrong , or has this guy completely lost his mind ?? Seeing the shock on Vivian's face , Mason thought smugly , ' Of course , she's surprised . She's been obsessed with me all this time . Now that I'm going to marry her , she must be over the moon . Mason cleared his throat , straightened up , and declared , " I mean it . I'll marry you . Let's get married . " Vivian thought she'd seen everything , but Mason really took shamelessness to a whole new level . ' How did he have the audacity to show up in front of me and propose ? Unbelievable , she wondered . " Mason , if you're crazy , go see a psychiatrist . Get out of my sight ," she snorted . Mason , thinking Vivian was still mad , quickly blocked her path . " Vivian , I swear I'm not lying to you . I really mean it . I'm willing to marry you ! seyes as she spoke in utterly disgusted tones " Are you insane , Mason ? Who in their right mind would want to marry A mocking gleam flickered i in Vivian's a you ? " We already broke up . Or are you suffering from early - onset dementia at your age ? " 2/3