I Fell for the Man Who Ruined Me, Then He Forgot He Ever Loved Me Back novel Chapter 124

As for what the actual consequences were?

She couldn't exactly put it into words.

It was nothing more than...

"It would ruin your company! It would definitely cause market panic for the Vaughn Group. Seeing you sick like this, with a condition that makes it impossible for you to run things... who knows what those gossip-hungry media outlets would write? How could I possibly..."

"Would it affect you?" Jorrod suddenly cut in.

Sienna froze.

Whether Stellaris Corp thrived or tanked had nothing to do with her. And the Vaughn Group's stock prices were completely outside her orbit.

"I guess... no..."

Jorrod said, "As long as it doesn't affect you, I don't care about anything else."

"But..."

"That kid likes you," Jorrod added.

Sienna knew he was talking about Nathaniel.

She wasn't blind. Showing up once or twice was just Nathaniel being nice, but after this many times, anyone with eyes could see the younger guy was interested in her.

"He's just a kid. Even if I weren't with you, I would never date someone like him."

"But he doesn't see it that way," Jorrod said. "If I didn't show him that you have a boyfriend, and that we're in love, he probably wouldn't have given up so easily."

Sienna couldn't argue with that.

After all, in front of outsiders, she hadn't denied that Jorrod was her boyfriend. Aside from not wanting to hurt his feelings, she had also intended to use him as a shield against anyone else's advances.

She pressed her lips together, still holding onto a bit of lingering frustration.

Jorrod tentatively tugged at the hem of her shirt where it bunched against the bed. "Don't be mad. It was my fault. But he didn't figure it out, did he?"

Sienna snatched her hem back, though her voice softened significantly. "If he had recognized you, I would have sent you packing today."

She was just talking out of anger, but the man listening lowered his eyes.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed down an unspeakable bitterness.

After a long moment, his voice came out low and raspy. "Just bear with it. I know you hate me, but there are only five days left. Once you can walk on your own, you can send me away. I'll never bother you again."

Sienna turned her head in shock, meeting the man's evasive gaze. He looked so heartbroken, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

He cradled her calf. Without the fabric in the way, she could clearly see his thumb pressing deeply into her muscle, coaxing a flush out of her pale skin in just a few strokes.

"Wait." Sienna flinched uncomfortably. Jorrod reflexively reached out to follow her movement. He leaned in so quickly and at such a bad angle that her foot slammed squarely into the side of his face.

They both froze.

Realizing she'd struck him with unexpected force, Sienna yanked her foot back, staring at the faint red mark on his cheek...

Her face burned bright red, her toes curling tight in absolute mortification.

No matter how much Jorrod liked her, no matter how much he catered to her every whim, taking a foot to the face had to be too much. It was a massive blow to his pride.

"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to. I just wanted to go put on some pants. Did... did it hurt?" The more Sienna spoke, the guiltier she felt, her head dropping lower and lower until her voice was barely a whisper.

She could feel him looking at her from above, but he remained completely silent. Was he... mad?

Jorrod paused, his gaze drifting downward. It inevitably landed on the "culprit" that had just kicked him. Like it had done something wrong, her foot was pulled far away, her toes perfectly rounded and pale. It was cute and incredibly pretty.

It hadn't hurt at all just now. In fact, it had been surprisingly soft...

His dark eyes suddenly darkened. Jorrod lowered his gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing in the shadows.

A second later, he reached out and dragged her leg back, while his left hand snagged the thin blanket tossed at the foot of the bed and draped it over her...