Chapter 490
Whether it was the indifference on Sienna’s face that provoked Jarred, or if he simply had no intention of acknowledging her.
He scoffed, tossed the water bottle aside, and turned right back to the combat ring.
It was only then that Sienna noticed the person sparring with Jarred was a female instructor.
She was tall and athletic, her hair tied in a sharp, high ponytail.
Seeing Jarred return, she immediately picked up a staff and handed it to him.
Fully geared up, she continued to spar with Jarred as if she hadn’t noticed the extra person in the room.
Her movements were agile, but she was clearly overpowered by Jarred’s sheer strength.
With every strike she blocked, she was forced half a step back. Yet, she would grit her teeth and charge forward again, her eyes practically glued to Jarred’s face.
Sienna knew that look all too well. It carried a heat that went far beyond mere physical training.
Leaning against the doorframe, Sienna crossed her arms and observed the scene.
She waited for almost a full minute.
Jarred didn’t show the slightest intention of acknowledging her.
His peripheral vision was sharp enough to cover the entire facility.
Yet, he treated her as if she didn’t exist, flicking and thrusting his staff to force the instructor back another half step.
“Jarred!” Sienna finally called out. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it echoed clearly in the cavernous space.
Jarred didn’t stop.
The staff carved an arc through the air, landing heavily against the instructor’s arm guard with a muffled thud.
He didn’t miss a beat, pushing the tempo even faster than before.
The instructor couldn’t help but shoot a glance at Sienna, quickly sizing her up from head to toe.
Turning back, she casually stepped closer to Jarred and reached out to adjust the weighted straps on his shoulders.
Her fingertips deliberately brushed against his taut shoulder line, her voice dripping with a sickly sweet softness.
“Captain Sterling, your heart rate is getting a little high. Do you want to take a quick two-minute break? I can log your training data for you p>
She cast a subtle, fleeting glance at Sienna, her eyes filled with hidden scrutiny and testing intent.
She was clearly trying to gauge their relationship while asserting her own special status.
But Jarred didn’t even pause. He smoothly pivoted, swapping the staff in his hands, his voice devoid of any warmth.
“Keep going. Set two, switch to high-angle attacks p>
The instructor pressed her lips together and reset her stance.
Sienna’s fingers tightened slightly around her arms.
She saw right through it. He was freezing her out.
Unable to wait any longer, Sienna strode directly toward them.
She walked right up to the edge of the mat, standing firm as she watched the two of them fight.
By the end of the seventh round, the instructor was panting heavily, her face flushed red beneath her protective gear.
Jarred’s breathing hadn’t changed in the slightest.
He looked down to adjust the tightness of his wristbands, still refusing to look at Sienna.
The instructor took the opportunity to speak up, her voice breathless. from exertion “Captain Sterling, the angle on that last strike could be adjusted five degrees to the left… let me fix your grip p>
She reached out to touch the hand gripping the staff, acting as natural as if she were simply correcting his technique.
Just a fraction of a second before her fingers made contact, Jarred pulled his hand back two inches, completely avoiding her
“No need,” he said, his tone bordering on freezing. “I’ll adjust it myself. Go take a break p>
The instructor’s hand hovered in midair before awkwardly pulling back.
She bit her lip, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face, but quickly masked it with a smile. “Then should I grab you some water p>
Sienna watched from the sidelines, the corners of her mouth curling into a faint smirk.
She reached out, pulling a spare training staff from the rack by the instructor’s feet, and weighed it in her hands.
Then, she looked straight at Jarred.
“Captain Sterling,” her voice was perfectly steady. “I’ll spar with you. Let her rest p>
The instructor froze for a second, snapping her head toward Jarred.