Chapter 266
Director Barney Reed was leading the pack personally, flanked by several vice directors and department heads.
The entire group was practically bowing in reverence as they clustered around a tall, imposing man striding purposefully into the room.
The man wore an immaculately tailored black suit, his posture commanding and his aura completely glacial.
Accompanied by two stern-faced bodyguards and an assistant, he radiated a stifling, untouchable authority.
Who else could it be but Jarred Sterling!
Director Reed had a ridiculously flattering smile plastered across his face, nodding and bowing with every step.
Sienna had never seen the man act this subservient.
Her pupils shrank, and her fingers curled into fists under the table as she shot a look at Jonathan.
They both saw the exact same dreadful premonition mirrored in each other’s eyes.
Her unease instantly spiraled into alarm.
Director Reed and his entourage marched straight up to them.
Stepping aside to present Jarred, his tone was so respectful it bordered on groveling.
“Mr. Coleman, Dr. Sloan, allow me to introduce our project’s newest lead investor, Mr. Jarred Sterling.
From now on, all financial matters regarding this project are entirely in Mr. Sterling’s hands p>
A dead silence fell over the room.
Jarred’s lips curved into a faint, impeccably polite smile as he proactively extended a hand toward Jonathan.
His deep voice carried a perfect, gentlemanly grace. “Mr. Coleman, it’s an honor. I look forward to your continued expertise on this project p>
Jonathan’s brows furrowed deeply, a flash of reluctance crossing his eyes.
He knew all about the messy, entangled history between Jarred and Sienna.
He also knew that this man’s sudden appearance was no coincidence.
But with the Director standing right there, practically begging him with his eyes,
Jonathan eventually raised his hand and shook Jarred’s.
The contact lasted only a split second before he pulled away.
Jarred didn’t seem to care about the cold reception, the smile on his face not slipping a fraction.
Lowering his hand, his dark, calculating eyes finally shifted, locking flawlessly onto Sienna.
In truth, from the moment he appeared at the end of the hallway, his gaze hadn’t left her once. It was a look brimming with unapologetic possessiveness and a barely contained, obsessive edge.
He stared at her as if everyone else in the room had faded into white noise.
Sienna stood frozen, her face a mask of calm while fury raged in her chest.
The Sterling family empire was massive, but their business was always handled by Maloney Sterling.
Jarred’s actual job was a SWAT captain. While he might dabble in investments or stocks, he had absolutely no business interfering in highly specialized medical research.
He didn’t know the first thing about this field.
He wasn’t here to invest; he was using his wallet as an excuse to force his way back into her life.
She met his gaze, catching that infuriating hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.
To anyone else, he looked like a refined aristocrat. To her, he looked like a predator cornering its prey.
Sienna had zero desire to entertain him.
She parted her lips, ready to speak.
But Jarred caught the disgust in her eyes immediately.
Before she could utter a word, he let out a smooth, elegant chuckle. “Dr. Sloan, I’m simply here today in my capacity as an investor to attend a routine meeting. Purely business. You wouldn’t happen to be holdinga personal grudge against me, would you p>
Most of the hospital executives in the room were well aware of Sienna’s secret marriage and quiet divorce from Jarred.
The atmosphere instantly thickened with awkward tension.
Director Reed was the first to react.
Smiling nervously, he stepped up and patted Sienna’s shoulder.
Lowering his voice so only she could hear, he muttered, “Dr. Sloan, the man writing the checks is the boss If you can’t stand him, just pretend he’s not human. Treat him like ä walking ATM p>