I Stopped Loving Him When He Let Me Bleed Out novel Chapter 493

Sienna could instantly tell that Maeve was doing this on purpose.

But why?

Was it strictly to put her in her place?

And why use Sasha of all people as her weapon?

Paxton squinted over the rim of his glass, the lazy smirk fading from his lips.

He didn't say a word, but he deliberately shifted a half-step closer to Sienna, a silent show of solidarity.

Maeve's gaze swept across the room, landing squarely on Sienna for a fraction of a second.

It was a brief, dismissive look before she turned her full attention back to Sasha, her demeanor growing even more affectionate.

It successfully triggered a new wave of hushed whispers among the guests.

The message behind that single look was unmistakably clear: she was actively elevating Sasha's status.

She was using her authority as Finn's mother to broadcast to high society that she preferred the Beaumont heiress over Sienna.

Sienna felt the slight.

Standing beside her, Finn felt it too.

He squeezed Sienna's hand tightly, his eyes blazing with resolve.

"Whatever anyone else thinks or does, it doesn't change a damn thing about us. They don't matter."

Sienna nodded softly.

"I know."

"Ugh," Paxton scoffed, rolling his eyes at Finn. "Get your mother in line first before you start brainwashing Sienna with romantic speeches."

Suddenly, Maeve broke away from the crowd and glided directly toward Finn and Sienna.

"Finn, a word."

Finn gave Sienna's hand one last reassuring squeeze before letting go and stepping forward.

Maeve turned slightly, lowering her voice, though she ensured her words easily carried to the surrounding listeners.

"For tonight's charity auction, tradition dictates that a female member of the Fletcher family strikes the opening gavel. It's usually your sister-in-law, Felicia, but since she isn't here tonight—"

She paused, her eyes shifting to Sasha. "I've decided to let Sasha do it."

A suffocating silence instantly fell over the immediate area.

Striking the opening gavel was an honor exclusively reserved for the inner circle of the Fletcher family.

Standing nearby, Sasha's heart hammered against her ribs, a triumphant smirk breaking across her face.

Maeve's declaration was the equivalent of publicly crowning her as an honorary Fletcher.

"I absolutely forbid it."

Maeve offered a chilling smile.

"I'm only informing you as a courtesy, Finn. Whether you agree or not has zero bearing on my decision."

With that, she turned back to the Beaumont heiress.

"Sasha, are you ready?"

Sasha beamed sweetly.

"Whenever you are, Maeve."

Lifting the hem of her gown, she took a graceful step forward.

Suddenly, Sienna's voice cut through the tension.

"Wait a moment."

Maeve turned around, a polite smile still frozen on her lips, but her eyes were absolute ice.

"I was under the impression you were a sensible girl who knew her place. It seems you're just as desperate for the spotlight as anyone else."

The surrounding guests eagerly tuned back in, practically salivating over the impending aristocratic bloodbath.