Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 160

Sienna let out a mocking laugh. "Is this wine really worth that much? It certainly doesn't look like it to me.

I actually have a friend who specializes in appraisals. Why don't we have it authenticated? If it's truly worth that price, I'll pay you every single cent."

With that, she bent down, reaching for a half-broken bottle that was still somewhat intact.

But before her fingers could even graze the glass, Celeste's wheelchair surged forward.

"The glass is too sharp, you'll cut yourself. I have the certificate of authenticity in my room. I'll just have someone fetch it for you."

The split-second panic that flashed through Celeste's eyes didn't escape Sienna's notice.

For a sum like half a million dollars, even if the appraisal proved the wine was cheap, Celeste could easily spin a lie, claiming vintage wine was notoriously difficult to price.

Unless...

Sienna's brow arched slightly. "The burden of proof falls on the accuser. You want me to pay? Fine. Produce the evidence, or I take the bottle to an appraiser. Otherwise, stop wasting my time."

Refusing to entertain the circus any longer, she turned to walk away.

Suddenly, a hand clamped down hard on her wrist.

Sienna scowled, instinctively yanking her arm back to shake Celeste off.

"Ah—"

Celeste let out a shrill scream. Losing her balance, her wheelchair shot violently backward, rolling uncontrollably toward the jagged stone wall behind her, looking like it was headed for a catastrophic crash.

In the nick of time, a massive, powerful hand clamped down on the back of the wheelchair, bringing it to a dead, solid halt.

Jarred had suddenly appeared in the courtyard.

Dressed in an immaculately tailored suit that emphasized his imposing build, the usual playful, teasing edge was entirely wiped from his face, replaced by a layer of absolute frost.

Celeste shrank back into her wheelchair, her tear-filled, terrified eyes locking onto Sienna.

"Sienna, please don't be mad... The wine is already ruined, I was just a little heartbroken over it. Please don't be so aggressive, you're scaring me..."

"Haven't you done enough? She can't even walk anymore, and you still refuse to leave her alone?"

"Leave her alone?"

Staring at the absolute disgust in his eyes, Sienna actually let out a breathless laugh of pure fury. "Get your facts straight! She's the one who won't leave me alone! They orchestrated this entire thing just to frame me and extort me for money!"

Celeste shook her head, her face a mask of profound tragedy. "Sienna, if I were truly that manipulative, if I genuinely wanted to ruin you, would I put myself in such physical danger?

If Jarred hadn't caught me just now, I could have been killed hitting that wall. What could I possibly gain from that?"

Right on cue, the three maids nodded emphatically.

"Boss, we saw the whole thing! Sienna shoved the wine cart over..."

"And she pushed Celeste! We swear we aren't lying..."

Celeste sniffled softly, looking up at Jarred with agonizing grace. "It's okay, Jarred. I won't hold it against her."