Chapter 272
Just as the argument reached a boiling point.
Celeste glanced at the furious matriarch and spoke up again. “Elders, if you think about it, the situation is actually quite clear.
Every time Ms. Sloan visits, Grandpa gets dangerously worked up after she leaves. He’s already so frail; how could he possibly handle that kind of emotional rollercoaster?
I’m terrified that this time, he got too agitated and accidentally fell down the stairs p>
As she spoke, she turned to look at the two maids standing nearby, as if a thought had just occurred to her.
“Oh, right. Yvette and Mia know about this too. Recently, Grandpa has acted incredibly strange after seeing Ms. Sloan. Why don’t you two tell the elders exactly what you saw p>
The named maids looked terrified, trembling under the intense scrutiny as they nodded.
“It… it’s true. The last time Ms. Sloan left, the old master threw a tantrum demanding to go horseback riding in the backyard. We couldn’t stop him. Thankfully, Ms. Carlyle managed to calm him down p>
“Exactly. And there was another time he refused to even sit in his wheelchair, insisting that Ms. Carlyle put it away p>
Those two testimonies felt like the final nail in the coffin.
Instantly, dozens of judgmental glares locked onto Sienna.
One of the older relatives slammed his hand down. “This is outrageous! Do you have any idea about his condition? Agitating him is practically a death sentence p>
“Exactly. If someone provoked him intentionally, this changes everything p>
Celeste nodded with feigned distress. “Ms. Sloan, I know you mean well by visiting him every week, but perhaps… it really isn’t appropriate anymore p>
Sienna stood her ground as the tidal wave of accusations crashed over her, a faint, cynical smile playing on her lips.
Just as she was about to speak, a tall, imposing figure stepped forward, firmly shielding her.
“It’s not your place to decide what’s appropriate p>
Jarred stood at his full height, a freezing hostility radiating from his dark eyes.
His dominant presence formed an impenetrable barrier, blocking every ounce of the family’s fury directed at Sienna.
He swept a cold glance over the room, his voice deep and commanding. “She’s visited him once a week ever since he woke up. If she wanted to cause trouble, it would have happened a long time ago. Why would she wait until now p>
Helena was the first to snap. “Jarred, what are you saying? Are you seriously defending her p>
“I’m stating facts,” Jarred said, looking right at her. “Grandpa adores her. She has zero motive to hurt him p>
Sienna stared at the broad, rigid lines of his back.
For once, the jerk was actually making sense, even if he was just stealing the words right out of her mouth.
Helena turned purple with rage. “Jarred, even a toddler has more common sense than you! Hasn’t this woman destroyed our family enough?
The matriarch, me, Celeste—which one of us hasn’t suffered because of her? She’s definitely targeting the old man this time p>
Jarred’s expression darkened completely. He shot Helena a glacial look. “You keep claiming she’s sabotaging all of you. Where is your proof p>
Helena choked on her words, turning to glance at the matriarch as if seeking silent permission.
Suddenly, something clicked, and she shrieked, “That’s it! The Performance Based Equity Agreement! She did it because of the agreement p>
The moment the words “Performance-Based Equity Agreement” reached Sienna’s ears, she frowned sharply.
She had never heard of any such agreement and had absolutely no idea what Helena was talking about.
She immediately looked up, shooting a confused glance at Jarred standing beside her.
Jarred’s dark lashes fluttered, and he almost instinctively averted his gaze.
That tiny, guilty flinch made Sienna’s heart drop straight into her stomach.