Chapter 494
Jarred looked up, his deep gaze locked firmly onto her.
He had always been overbearing, never bothering to hide his possessiveness.
Yet, he was too proud to admit that she had been the one to dump him.
He leaned forward a fraction of an inch, casting a heavy wave of pressure over her. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m pursuing you p>
The moment those words fell, the quiet air seemed to silently detonate.
Sienna froze for a moment, then let out a soft laugh laced with a cool, mocking edge.
She met his tense gaze and spoke slowly. “It’s rare for you to be so self-aware p>
Jarred’s eyes darkened instantly, his oppressive aura growing heavier. “What does that mean p>
Sienna met the turbulent undercurrent in his eyes head-on, her voice light and soft.
“You know perfectly well, Jarred. If this were a normal, honest pursuit, you wouldn’t even make the shortlist right now p>
Her gaze slowly swept over the tightly controlled, reddened corners of his eyes before she scoffed.
“You don’t have the guts to ask me openly, so you resort to the most despicable methods, using Owen’s life as a bargaining chip.
What? Is the high and mighty Mr. Sterling, who never takes anyone seriously, suddenly feeling insecure p>
Jarred’s Adam’s apple bobbed hard. The vulnerability he had kept so carefully hidden had just been ruthlessly exposed by her single sentence.
He was used to being the mastermind in control. Never had he felt so completely stripped bare and exposed.
He wanted to retort, but meeting those eyes that saw right through him, every excuse died in his throat.
Seeing him fall silent, a playful glint flickered in Sienna’s eyes as she methodically twisted the knife.
“But this move of yours is nothing more than self-deception p>
She tilted her head slightly, looking at him with amusement. “You forbid me from telling people I’m single, yet your mother has been loudly broadcasting your bachelor status everywhere.
She’s busy paving the way for you, doing everything she can to set you up with Celeste.
Everyone in our circle who knows about our divorce already knows I’m single.
And those who didn’t know we were married certainly aren’t afraid of any threats from you.
Your little warning means absolutely nothing to me p>
Her logic was flawless.
Jarred was entirely speechless.
The suppressed hostility in his eyes immediately began to boil over, yet he couldn’t form a single word of rebuttal.
It was true he was terrified she would walk away, terrified someone else would appear by her side, and he was undeniably using the excuse af Owen’s treatment to serve his. own selfish motives.
He had lost this round entirely, yet he still refused to lower his pride.
The suppressed possessiveness in his gaze only grew thicker, locked onto her face, refusing to look away for even a second.
Watching him swallow his frustration without backing down, Sienna felt no sympathy, only a creeping sense of coldness.
“If you’re really that confident and have nothing to hide, then do it honestly. Compete fairly p>
Her eyes were bright and challenging. “Don’t use Owen as a bargaining chip, and don’t try to box me in with rules and conditions.
Rely on your own charm and skill. Even if you lose in the end, you’ll at least maintain your dignity instead of looking this pathetic.
Maybe then, I might actually think a little higher of you p>
Seeing the mockery in her eyes, Jarred had never realized just how sharp this woman could be when she was being callous.
His pride was carved into his bones. His greatest fear wasn’t failing to get what he wanted.
It was being utterly looked down upon by Sienna, being branded by her as a coward who could only rely on coercion.
He stared fiercely at her face, inches from his own, a storm of emotions surging in his eyes.
Even though she had dismantled all of his schemes, he only found himself-more drawn to this clear headed, cunning woman who krew exactly when to push and when to yield.
After a long standoff, he gritted his teeth, swallowed his bruised ego, and forced out a low, hoarse reply. “Fine. Fair competition it is p>