Chapter 358
Celeste kept her head down, her voice trembling violently. “She… that day she said she was going to treat my legs p>
I thought she was being genuine. She claimed Dr. Vance had taught her a special acupuncture technique that could cure me… and I trusted her p>
“And then what?” the matriarch pressed.
“And then my legs just p>
Celeste buried her face in her hands, tears leaking through her fingers. “It hurt… it hurt so much… The pain was completely unbearable p>
Then Jarred brought a doctor in, and they said my legs were p>
Celeste couldn’t finish. Her agonizing sobs tore at the heartstrings of everyone in the room.
Helena flushed a bright, furious red and shot out of her chair.
“I’m pressing aggravated assault charges! I will see that woman rot in a cell p>
“Do you own the penitentiary system? You think you can just throw anyone behind bars whenever you please p>
A low, thoroughly pissed-off voice suddenly echoed from the doorway.
Everyone snapped their heads around.
A glacial frost coated Jarred’s gaze. His expression was venomously cold, his utter disgust on full display.
Helena pointed a finger straight at his face. “Jarred, you’re going to stand right here and promise Celeste in front of all of us that you won’t let that wretched woman get away with this p>
Jarred didn’t answer. His tall frame stepped further into the room.
He locked onto Helena with a predatory gaze, radiating an authority that demanded absolute submission.
“I will handle this. Both of you, go home p>
“Go home?” The matriarch slammed her hand against the mattress. “How can we possibly leave? Your career is going up in flames, Celeste has been permanently crippled by your ex-wife, and you expect us to go sit at home and wait p>
Gideon immediately stepped forward. “Jarred, what the hell is wrong with you? That woman pushed you into a disciplinary review and got you dragged through the mud online!
She permanently crippled Celeste, and you’re still protecting her? Are you completely blind?
If you’re busy protecting Sienna, who is going to protect Celeste p>
Lucas was just as blunt. “The entire internet is accusing you of cheating and painting Celeste as the other woman.
This is irreparably destroying both your reputations.
You need to announce your divorce from Sienna immediately to kill these rumors once and for all p>
These two were purely operating on blind loyalty, completely ignoring the facts.
They had already deployed their cyber-army, orchestrating the smear campaign to victimize Celeste while dragging Sienna.
Their words caused the air in the room to snap-freeze.
Jarred stood tall and rigid as a pine. His expression plunged well below freezing, a lethal frost coating his eyes.
Celeste weakly tugged at Helena’s sleeve, her voice faint as a whisper. “Helena… please, stop. Jarred is. already under so much pressure… I don’t blame him and I don’t blame her either p>
As she spoke, she looked toward Jarred—her supposed ultimate protector—and let the tears fall even harder.
“Jarred… I’m so sorry, this is all my fault. The horrible things they’re saying online-calling me shameless, a gold digger, a home-wrecker… I can handle it.
But why won’t Sienna let me go?
My legs were already injured. She came specifically to treat them, and instead, she ruined them forever p>
Taking my legs wasn’t enough. Now she has to destroy me online, spread malicious rumors, and drag your name down with me p>
You and I have only ever been platonic. I never wanted anything that wasn’t mine to have p>
She conveniently glossed over the fact that she had faked her paralysis, expertly shifting the blame on Sienna, painting her as a ruthless monster.
“See!” Helena cried out, fresh tears spilling down her face.
“Look how sweet Celeste is! Even after suffering such horrifying abuse, she’s still defending you two!
And Sienna? All she knows how to do is play the victim online and throw dirt on your name p>