Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 209: Unjust Enrichment Mediation Court
"Death of Destiny"
The name of the painting naturally surfaced in Sienna Monroe’s mind.
She went with Director Dawson to the archive department, and when she saw the painting, she was momentarily stunned.
The entire painting was done in the most striking red and black colors, exuding an oppressive atmosphere.
She remembered that her mother’s paintings had always been gentle and warm.
This painting didn’t resemble her mother’s style at all, but from the angles and textures, it seemed a bit like Leah Hughes’ usual painting habits.
Why would she paint such a picture?
What did this painting represent?
She stood there silently, surrounded by the chatter of the archive department staff.
"Museum director?"
Director Dawson noticed her pale face and quickly asked, "Are you okay?"
Sienna snapped back to reality, shook her head, and asked, "Have the transfer records for Aura Art Gallery been filled in?"
The manager of the archive department immediately handed her a booklet.
Sienna flipped through it but couldn’t find the slightest clue, thought for a moment, and then took the painting.
She said calmly, "I’ll take it, I’m bringing it home tonight."
*
The next morning, after washing up, Sienna made a simple breakfast. As she just put it on the table, the doorbell suddenly rang.
She walked over to open the door and saw Sebastian Prescott, which didn’t surprise her.
Today was the mediation court session for the unjust enrichment case with Vivian Nash, and also the trial day for the organized prostitution case involving Radiance Beauty Spa.
They had arranged to go to court together early this morning.
However...
It wasn’t even eight o’clock yet.
The mediation court session was at nine-thirty.
She slowly gave a smile, "Morning."
Sebastian nodded, "Had breakfast yet?"
"Was just about to. What about you?"
"Not yet, I was planning to grab something on the way out."
Sienna was momentarily stunned, suddenly remembering that his left arm was still injured, making breakfast must not be easy.
She casually asked, "Why don’t you eat here with me?"
Sebastian didn’t refuse, "Okay."
The two of them walked to the dining area.
On the table was a somewhat large plate, holding two soft-boiled eggs, four black tiger shrimp potstickers, two small pieces of corn, two small sausages, and two three-flavored soup dumplings.
Beside them were a few slices of kiwi and strawberry, along with a cup of soy milk.
It all looked very exquisite and appealing.
Sienna explained, "I found some tutorials online and just tried to whip something up. You eat this portion first, I’ll make another one."
After she went into the kitchen, Sebastian followed her and helped out with the tasks he could manage.
Though Sienna told him several times to go out, he didn’t listen, so she let him do as he pleased.
After returning to the dining table, Sebastian pulled over the portion that was nearly cold and began to eat slowly and elegantly.
Sienna didn’t stop him, nor did she dwell on it, and asked, "How’s your arm? Didn’t have another fever last night, did you?"
Sebastian replied, "Not bad. No fever."
The fever had subsided by eight or nine in the morning yesterday, although there was a slight fever again in the afternoon. Hannah Nash took him to the hospital, and by evening, he was much better.
Sienna asked no more questions. After breakfast, she tidied up the table and, seeing it was about time, drove to the courthouse.
Right after the New Year is the busiest time for the court, and Sebastian greeted quite a few people along the way.
It was apparent that he was very familiar with the people at the courthouse.
Finally, the two of them arrived at the mediation room in the civil filing court area.
When they arrived, Vivian Nash wasn’t there yet, so Sebastian took the opportunity to go over the documentation once more.
Sienna watched the clock’s hands slowly approach nine-thirty and frowned, asking, "Do you think Vivian Nash will come today?"
Sebastian turned his head to look at her, answering solemnly, "If she fails to appear without a valid reason, we can proceed with the litigation based on sufficient evidence and lawful delivery.
Once the judgment takes effect, even if she doesn’t evade appearing, a compulsory execution by the court can be applied for."
Sienna nodded and smiled lightly, "That’s good then."
About ten more minutes passed, after the presiding judge and the clerk exchanged greetings and just sat down, Vivian Nash arrived.
She came alone without a lawyer.
In reality, when she received the court’s copy of the complaint and subpoena, she panicked and consulted several lawyers.
But the responses she got were almost the same: This lawsuit is hard to win.
Especially if the plaintiff had enough transfer records and evidence of the plaintiff’s husband’s infidelity, the money would have to be returned.
She knew the seriousness of it, and if the court’s compulsory execution were to be awaited, things would be even more unbearable.
But she was not willing to give up.
She had lived in the villa for so long, driven luxury cars for so long, and used brand-name bags and jewelry for so long, only to lose them like this.
How could she let it go?
During this period, because of the miscarriage and being completely abandoned by Caleb Sinclair, she suffered particularly great emotional damage and hurt.
Every day passed, and as the mediation court date approached, her anxiety grew.
She knew that even if she didn’t attend, it wouldn’t prevent the court from judging.
Given that, she might as well come openly.
She suppressed her nervousness, taking steps forward.
She nodded slightly at the presiding judge and clerk, then cast a somewhat desolate and pitiful glance at Sienna.
Slightly startled, she clenched her fists and sat down, intending to greet her naturally, as she had imagined.
But seeing her for real now...
She found that she couldn’t manage it at all.
Instead, what surged up were overwhelming feelings of hatred.
She hated Sienna!
Hated her to the core!
Since that "miscarriage," Sienna had not seen her for a long time.
Compared to her previous pure and charming, confident, and lively self, Vivian Nash looked much thinner now, with a pale complexion, and her hair seemed to be cut shorter.
Yet those eyes still held a shadow of pitiful charm.
Except now, they seemed much more restrained.
Sienna, too, didn’t pay her much attention, her expression also indifferent.
The mediation session formally began, with the plaintiff’s lawyer presenting evidence and making statements.
The evidence Sebastian presented hit the mark with almost every piece, including chat records between Vivian Nash and Caleb Sinclair, confirming an inappropriate relationship.
There were also bank transfer records and payment records for some bags and jewelry.
The most significant piece was the villa, Caleb Sinclair’s spending records, and Vivian Nash’s residence information.
With each word Sebastian uttered, Vivian Nash’s face grew paler.
The hands that clenched into fists began to tremble slightly.
"According to Article 7 of the Supreme People’s Court’s Interpretation of the Civil Code on Marriage and Family, if one spouse transfers property in violation of the duty of fidelity, such as for bigamy or cohabitation, the other spouse can claim invalidity and recovery.
We hereby demand: that the defendant Vivian Nash returns all assets that Sienna Monroe’s husband transferred to her using their marital property while the marriage was still in effect. This includes the Reppling Crest Estates villa number 11, and a BMW M8... 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Also for the mental and physical harm done to my client, we demand the defendant provide compensation amounting to 397,000 C Currency."
Sebastian’s voice was slow, calm, and cold.
Starting from the BMW M8, what followed were the jewelry and luxury bags that Caleb Sinclair had given to Vivian Nash.
The list went on for a good five to six minutes before it ended.
Sienna couldn’t help but glance at him, her cool gaze shifting to Vivian Nash on the opposite side.
Vivian Nash was also looking at her, with a pitiful, fragile appearance, imagining that if Caleb Sinclair were present, he would surely soften.
At this time, the presiding judge asked Vivian Nash, "Is there any explanation or objection from the defendant regarding the statements made by the plaintiff’s lawyer?"
Vivian Nash bit her lip.
It felt like her body was cruelly affixed to a pillar of shame, unable to move an inch.
The resentment in her heart towards Sienna grew even stronger.
She was already so miserable, did Sienna have to push her to the brink?
She actually demanded mental compensation!
That’s nearly 400,000!
Returning those things would leave her with almost nothing.
If those things were like cutting flesh, then this 400,000 was like digging out her heart!
How could she bear it?!
She opened her mouth, trying to hold back a sob, and in her eyes, full of innocence and sorrow, surged intense pain and resentment.
Looking flustered and agitated at the judge, she said, "Judge, I have no objection to the return of the property! But I object to the mental compensation amount."
