Chapter 26
The vein in Jarred’s temple throbbed wildly. “You are completely unhinged, Sienna! She’s always been outspoken and blunt. She was just playing around with you, and you retaliated with extreme violence p>
He narrowed his eyes, fully letting his anger bleed through. “No matter how you try to spin this, putting your hands on someone is wrong p>
With that, he reached out to drag her again.
Sienna took a sharp step back. “Over my dead body p>
Staring at her bloodshot, defiant eyes, a flicker of helpless resignation passed through Jarred’s gaze.
He knew her temper far too well. She responded to coaxing, never to force. The harder he pushed, the harder she would push back.
He took a slow, grounding breath, forcing down the rage bubbling in his chest, and lowered his voice. “A million dollars a word p>
Sienna didn’t process it immediately.
“As long as you come to the hospital and apologize, and calm her down,” Jarred stared at her, his eyes as vast and unreadable as the night sky. “For every single word you say, I’ll pay you a million dollars p>
Hearing this, Sienna let out a mocking scoff. “You think you can buy my principles with a million dollars? What kind of cheap commodity do you think I am p>
Jarred’s Adam’s apple bobbed, finding himself momentarily at a loss for words.
She had literally thrown his exact logic right back in his face.
He shoved aside the strange, uncomfortable twinge in his chest and immediately upped the stakes. “Two million p>
Before Sienna could respond, he added the ultimate leverage. “Don’t you want a divorce? If you come to the hospital with me, the literal second the contract expires, I will walk right into the Civil Registry Office with you. I won’t waste a single minute of your time p>
Sienna had never seen him look so intensely serious.
So, just to avenge Celeste, he was willing to surrender everything—even promising the divorce he had been actively avoiding.
She immediately looked up at him. “Are you serious p>
Seeing the sheer, unadulterated eagerness on her face caused Jarred’s expression to plummet into absolute darkness.
But he had always been a master at masking his emotions, keeping his exterior impeccably stoic. “When have I ever lied to you p>
Staring into the deep abyss of his eyes, Sienna’s mind drifted back to California.
He had held her tightly in his arms, whispering that he wished they could stay like that forever.
Back then, there were stars in his eyes, and she had been his whole universe.
She wanted to tell him, *You’ve lied to me, Jarred. More than once p>
But as the words rose to her tongue, the urge to say them died. It was utterly pointless now.
She looked down, pulled out her phone, and texted him her bank account number.
“Usual rules. Pay upfront p>
Jarred was already accustomed to her recent, highly transactional attitude. He assumed she was just doing this to provoke him.
Without a word of protest, he pulled out his phone and dialed Declan Ward.
Barely ten minutes later, a notification popped up on Sienna’s screen. A five million dollar transfer.
“The deposit,” Jarred stated coldly. “You’ll get the remainder when this is over p>
Sienna didn’t hesitate. She shoved her phone into her pocket, grabbed her purse, and turned toward the door. “Let’s go, Jarred. Let’s not keep your little friend waiting p>
In the hospital room, Celeste leaned weakly against the headboard, a small gauze pad conspicuously taped to her forehead.
She was usually the epitome of a loud, boisterous tomboy.
Seeing her play the role of a fragile, fading flower made even Sienna raise an eyebrow in sheer amusement.
Celeste clearly hadn’t noticed her walk in yet.
Her eyes instantly welled with tears the moment she saw Jarred, throwing herself shamelessly into his chest. “Jarred, I’m so dizzy… Sienna went way too far this time. She clearly has a personal vendetta against me. I’ve never been beaten like this in my entire life p>
She sobbed beautifully, her hand rising to dramatically cover her face, perfectly positioning herself to show off the red, swollen flesh on her cheeks.
Standing just behind Jarred, Sienna caught sight of her face, a cold sneer tugging at the corners of her lips.