Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 173

Celeste didn't say another word.

Because her back was turned, Sienna couldn't see her expression, catching only the faintest, dark smirk curving on her lips.

Lifting the glass of red wine from the table, Celeste gently brought it to Eleanor's lips, her voice as soothing as a mother coaxing a child. "Here, Grandma. Have another sip."

Eleanor obediently took a mouthful, letting the dark liquid slide down her throat.

Sighing in deep satisfaction, she let her eyes drift shut once more.

"You're the only one who indulges my little habits, sneaking around to give me what I want."

Her voice grew fainter, heavily weighed down by a sudden wave of drowsiness and intoxication. "I just want a simple drink, but your grandfather absolutely forbids it, claiming my health can't take it...

You're the only one who covers for me... Out of everyone in this family, you're the only one who truly cares.

I'll never forget how good you are to me. I'll love you forever..."

Celeste's smile deepened. "As long as it makes you happy, Grandma. As long as I'm by your side, I'll bring you whatever you desire."

Eleanor smiled so widely her eyes crinkled. She reached for the glass again, and Celeste dutifully tipped it back for her.

This time, the older woman drank heavily, draining the very last drops from the bottom of the glass.

A heavy silence settled over the terrace.

Sienna waited for Eleanor to say more, but instead, the quiet was broken by the sound of deep, rhythmic breathing.

In a matter of moments, the woman who had just been happily chatting with Celeste had plunged into a dead sleep.

Sienna stood frozen in the shadows.

She had long known about Eleanor's severe insomnia. For years, the woman had suffered through sleepless nights, completely immune even to heavy prescription sleeping pills.

"Sienna, what are you doing sneaking around? Don't you know the manor rules? No one is allowed to disturb Grandma when she's resting."

Sienna ignored the reprimand entirely. Her gaze locked onto the empty wine glass resting on the round table as she asked coolly, "Is that from the same batch of wine that was shattered?"

Celeste's eyes darted away, her answer dismissive and vague. "Grandma's wine cellar is endlessly stocked. She drinks a different vintage every night to help her sleep. How am I supposed to keep track of which is which?"

Sienna stared her down, refusing to press the issue further.

It was obvious Celeste was lying, but Sienna already had the confirmation she needed.

Even though the previous bottles had been destroyed, she had memorized their exact vintage and region from the labels.

The rich color and the distinct viscosity of the liquid clinging to that glass were an exact match to the ruined shipment.

Exclusive imported wines had highly specific characteristics; it was impossible to swap in a random bottle and expect it to go unnoticed.