Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 46

She took a deep breath. "I'm extremely petty. I don't tolerate being mistreated in the slightest. If someone makes me miserable, I will pay them back ten times, a hundred times worse."

Seeing the sheer ruthlessness in her eyes, Jarred felt a sharp sting somewhere deep inside, causing a sudden knot in his chest.

His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. He opened his mouth to speak, but Sienna cut him off.

"The game has only just begun. From now on, I'm going to show both of you what true cruelty actually looks like."

"Sienna." Jarred's voice plunged low, ringing with a clear warning. "Don't be reckless."

It was as if Sienna hadn't heard a word he said. She didn't even bat an eyelid. "Suggestion heard, but I won't be taking it."

With that, she pulled the blanket up and lay back down, turning her back to him. Her voice was entirely detached. "Get out. I'm in the mood to curse someone out, but I don't feel like wasting it on you."

Jarred stood frozen in place, staring at her stubborn back.

The exposed sliver of her neck looked fragile and delicate, as if it would snap with the slightest pressure, yet it radiated an unyielding determination to never bow down.

An unspeakable frustration clogged his chest. He wanted to reach out, forcefully turn her around, and demand to know what she was trying to prove.

But all the words died on his lips, swallowed down before they could escape.

Finally, he let out a heavy breath, turned on his heel, and walked out of the room.

In another VIP suite down the hall.

The cloying scent of fresh floral tributes and nutrient supplements hung thick in the air.

Celeste was half-propped against the hospital bed. One of her legs was in a cast, and thick bandages wrapped around her neck. Bruises and scrapes littered her face and arms, making her look exceptionally pathetic and miserable.

Jarred watched Celeste putting on her weeping act, but there wasn't a shred of pity in his eyes. Instead, a flash of pure ice cut through his gaze.

He walked up to the bedside, his eyes locking onto Celeste's cast. His voice was completely void of emotion. "Before flying back, you met with the airline's executive. Why?"

Celeste's crying hitched. She blinked her innocent eyes up at him. "His son went to college with me. What's wrong with me paying a friendly visit?

Or... Jarred, has someone been whispering rumors in your ear? Do you seriously believe I framed Sienna?"

Jarred stayed silent.

Staring at his coldly handsome face, Celeste sobbed even more pitifully, portraying absolute helplessness.

Helena instantly exploded. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting!"