Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 563

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She didn't dare talk back. She just kept her head down, letting the tears fall freely.

The tears carved two faint streaks through her makeup, but she didn't even have the courage to wipe them away.

She just stood there, looking like a scolded child.

From her wheelchair, Celeste watched Helena's trembling figure and the matriarch's hysterical rage.

Her eyes were as cold as if she were watching two complete strangers.

But a second later, her expression shifted. Tears welled up in her eyes as she rolled her wheelchair over to Helena, wrapping her arms around the trembling woman.

She looked up at the matriarch, her eyes rimmed with red. "Grandma... please don't yell at Helena anymore. I'm to blame for this too.

I've been the one managing and organizing all of her jewelry.

This massive oversight is my fault. It was my lack of supervision."

Tears streaming down her face, she willingly took the blame.

"If we can't recover the losses, Helena will be more devastated than anyone, and my guilt will eat me alive.

If you're angry, punish me. You can hit me or scold me, just please don't be so harsh on her..."

The matriarch looked down at Celeste's tear-stained face.

Her fragile, helpless demeanor, coupled with her willingness to take the fall, pierced right through to the softest part of the older woman's heart.

She had watched Celeste grow up.

In all these years, when had this girl ever caused her an ounce of worry?

She was obedient, sensible, and sweeter than a biological granddaughter.

The matriarch's fury instantly softened by half.

She quickly stepped forward and personally helped Celeste sit up straighter, her tone suddenly gentle. "Silly girl, this has nothing to do with you. Don't go taking the blame for things you didn't do."

With that, the matriarch straightened up and glared at Helena.

Her face switched back to a mask of ice in an instant. "Well? Get your ass inside!"