Chapter 382
“Celeste, calm down p>
Jarred’s tone was restrained, gentle yet firm, leaving no room for ambiguity.
“No one is trying to poison you, and Sienna would never do something like that. You can’t just make baseless accusations against her p>
A flash of coldness instantly swept through his deep gaze, his steady voice carrying an unquestionable severity.
He could indulge her fragility, soothe her emotions, and fulfill his duty to care for her because she had saved his life all those years ago.
But he absolutely would not tolerate her tarnishing or slandering the woman who held his heart.
He paused, softening his tone. “This is the detention center’s medical wing. There are security cameras and on-duty officers right outside. No one can hurt you here p>
Celeste cried hysterically, acting completely unhinged as she continuously painted herself as an innocent victim persecuted by Sienna.
She looked so pathetic and helpless, putting on an incredibly deceptive display.
A nurse nearby quickly stepped up to explain, “Captain Sterling, we just prepared some sedatives according to the doctor’s orders.
We were just trying to administer her routine medication. We absolutely did not have any intention to harm her.
She suddenly started violently resisting and screaming crazily. We didn’t dare force her p>
Jarred withdrew his icy stare, looking back at the still-trembling Celeste in front of him.
The coldness in his eyes slowly faded, replaced once again by a layer of pity.
He had worked countless cases and could see that her current sensitive, chaotic state was likely the result of the intense stress from being locked up for days, breaking her spirit.
Thus breeding paranoia, making her mistake routine medical treatment for an attack.
This fragility was real. This trauma response was real.
And because of that, the sense of responsibility in his chest grew even heavier.
He owed her his life, so he had to ensure her safety now.
He softened his voice, soothing her patiently. “Celeste, you’re just too: scared and your mind is playing tricks on your Just cooperate with the treatment. No one is going to hurt you p>
Celeste stared at him blankly, tears still silently streaming down her face.
“I’m scared… Jarred, I’m so scared… I don’t know anyone here.
I don’t even understand what they’re saying… I have nightmares every night about someone trying to kill me p>
Through her tear-blurred vision, she locked eyes with Jarred, her gaze filled with an obsessive dependency.
Trying to leverage her pathetic fragility to pry loose all of his favoritism.
Jarred glanced at the empty hospital bed nearby, then looked back at her trembling frame, his frown deepening.
“The floor is damp, and your leg hasn’t healed yet. I’ll carry you back to bed so you can rest, okay p>
Celeste shook her head frantically. “No, you’re lying to me… They won’t let me get better Sienna won’t let me get better p>
Jarred, take me away, please? Let’s go right now. I don’t want to stay here anymore. Not for another day p>
Her voice grew quieter, her head dropping lower as her sleeve accidentally slipped down.
It revealed several jagged ligature marks crossing her wrist. They looked horrific, of varying depths, left by who knew what.
Seeing the glaring injuries, Jarred’s gaze instinctively sharpened.
He knew this was a common occurrence in the detention center.
Disobedient inmates inevitably caught a beating.
Celeste’s current mental state truly was compromised.
If this continued, she really might break completely.
Jarred leaned forward slightly, looking at her earnestly. “Once the doctor evaluates your physical and mental condition and clears it, will expedite the paperwork and get you out of here to rest p>
Celeste lowered her eyes, a teardrop still clinging to her lashes. “Are you really going to save me p>
“Yes,” Jarred nodded. “Now, will you let me put you back in bed p>
Celeste immediately reached out her arms obediently, the terror in her eyes fading, leaving only a pitiful vulnerability.