Chapter 441
The first emotion that rose in Jarred’s chest wasn’t anger, but a suffocating sense of powerlessness.
He knew Eleanor and Helena’s temperaments far too well.
And he knew Sienna’s unyielding nature even better.
Her arrival guaranteed an inevitable confrontation.
Amidst the stagnant stares of the crowd, Jarred ignored the prying eyes of the guests.
He walked straight through the crowd and stopped by Sienna’s side.
“Why are you here?” he lowered his voice, a hint of undetectable anxiety in his tone.
Sienna looked up at him, offering a faint smile. “What, I’m not welcome p>
Jarred leaned in slightly, lowering his voice and stripping away his usual sharp arrogance.
“I didn’t tell you about the banquet’s arrangements because I thought you wouldn’t want to get involved in family matters or attend this kind of event. Don’t overthink it p>
It was his usual gentle rhetoric, an ingrained habit of trying to soothe her emotions and cover up the dark undercurrents.
Sienna looked at his expression, the way he hesitated, looking as if he genuinely worried she was upset.
She suddenly found it amusing, the curve of her lips deepening. “You guessed right, I really didn’t want to come p>
Her voice was light and candid, falling not only into Jarred’s ears but also floating toward the surrounding guests.
Jarred’s expression shifted slightly.
Sienna turned her head to glance at Eleanor on the stage. “But I heard Eleanor is having a double celebration today.
For such a rare occasion, I had to come personally to offer my congratulations p>
With that, she turned slightly, signaling the subordinate behind her to hand over the brocade box.
Sienna took it and pressed it into Jarred’s hands. “Give this to Eleanor for me. A Century-Old Wild Ginseng, just a token of my appreciation p>
The box was exquisite and valuable, her manners impeccable. There wasn’t a single flaw to be found; she was the picture of a perfectly dignified guest.
From beginning to end, Sienna maintained perfect boundaries, keeping all her emotions buried deep.
Jarred looked down at the box in his hands. When he looked up again, something flashed through his eyes.
Dark, heavy, like the low-hanging clouds before a violent storm.
Jarred stared intently at the cold mockery on her face.
Seeing her so distant and polite, completely like a stranger, a burst of inexplicable impatience flared in his chest.
He knew Sienna too well. The calmer and more proper she appeared, the heavier the ice in her heart.
She seemed to be attending the banquet openly to offer congratulations, but in reality, she had already seen through all their facades.
Sienna stood in place, taking in the fleeting panic in Jarred’s eyes.
The last sliver of hope in her heart shattered completely.
There was indeed a trap.
Eleanor’s gaze swept over her face like a sharp blade, finally landing on the brocade box. “Guests are guests Take a seat,” she said dismissively
There was no thank you.
Sienna didn’t care. She turned and found a seat near the main table.
Around her, several young elites—Celeste’s loyal admirers—had already locked their death glares on Sienna.
Among them were naturally Gideon Grayson and Lucas Lowell, their eyes filled with deep-rooted hostility and scrutiny.
However, Eleanor resumed her speech, pulling everyone’s attention back.
The atmosphere in the hall finally thawed from the earlier tension.
The guests were all shrewd socialites; they knew what to watch and what to ignore, quickly returning to their lively mingling and drinking.
But out of the corners of their eyes; everyone was sneaking glances at the main table, their ears perked up, waiting for Eleanor’s two pieces of good news
On the raised stage, Eleanor suppressed the disgust in her eyes, pasting on a warm, grandmotherly tone to continue her interrupted speech.
As the lengthy congratulatory remarks concluded, applause erupted once more.