Chapter 534
Luna’s face instantly went livid as she cursed out loud, “That’s so low! The Sterlings are unbelievable! He pulled off a flawless switch right under our noses p>
Thea looked grim, slowly shaking her head. “Without the forensic results, we lack evidence.
Celeste can outright refuse to cooperate, and there’s no way to pin anything on her in the short term p>
A heavy sense of powerlessness washed over the group.
But Sienna’s cold eyes held no trace of defeat, only an even sharper, chilling clarity.
She quietly watched the tall man standing a short distance away, taking in his elegant, aloof smile, while a freezing dread rippled through her chest.
At this moment, she finally saw the truth.
Jarred’s calculations, his traps, his foresight—they were far deeper and more terrifying than she had ever imagined.
On a sealed flight with no layovers, he had somehow managed to secretly transfer and hide Celeste without leaving a trace.
He had expertly parried the police, exploiting legal loopholes to perfectly shield her.
From start to finish, he had orchestrated every single move, commanding the entire board.
The morning breeze settled through the quiet cemetery as the chaos finally faded.
Sienna watched the officers drive away. After confirming there were no flaws in the collection process and nothing out of the ordinary left at the scene p>
She turned to Luna and Thea. “Let’s go p>
But the moment she moved, a tall figure blocked her path.
Declan stepped up briskly, his attitude polite and respectful. “Ms. Sloan, the Boss invites you to join him for lunch. We hope you’ll do us the honor p>
Declan paused, glancing at Luna and Thea beside her, and offered a slight smile.
“The Boss says you are welcome to bring your two friends p>
Sienna lifted her gaze, looking past Declan to the luxury car parked nearby.
Jarred was leaning casually against it, looking every bit the wealthy aristocrat.
Bathed in the morning light, his striking features and exceptional aura were undeniable.
He had always been dangerously attractive. When he looked at someone with affection, every movement carried a seductive charm that drew countless people to him:
But to Sienna, that intoxicating, gentle facade only looked like pure sarcasm and alienation.
Not a ripple of emotion showed in her eyes. She pulled her gaze away, her tone cool with a hint of rebellious defiance, entirely merciless.
“No need. I’m afraid I don’t have the luck to survive a meal with Mr. Sterling. I wouldn’t want to get played and lose my life in the process p>
She delivered the rejection without hesitation. Though she was looking at Declan, the words were meant for Jarred.
With that, she didn’t spare the man another glance, turning cleanly on her heel and leading Luna and Thea straight to her car before driving off.
Leaning against the Cullinan, Jarred quietly watched her car disappear into the distance, his eyes lingering on her proud, distant, and utterly unappreciative retreating figure.
The cold calculation faded from his brow, replaced by a deep, helpless melancholy that no one else could see.
A low chuckle escaped his lips. His eyes were tender, yet heavy with the suppressed agony of wanting something he couldn’t have.
The world only saw his schemes and traps, completely blind to the fact that his every calculated move was forged from inescapable chains.
Declan slipped into the passenger seat, catching the rapid shift in his boss’s expression through the rearview mirror.
Knowing Jarred’s temperament perfectly, he didn’t dare say a word out of line, cautiously delivering his report.
“Boss, I’ll take care of the forensic center. The results definitely won’t disappoint you p>
Jarred pulled back the affection in his eyes, instantly restoring his icy, overwhelming aura, and uttered a single, indifferent syllable. “Mhm p>
The black Cullinan slowly rumbled to life, winding its way down the mountain road away from the cemetery.
The mountain breeze swept past, scattering the morning mist, but it couldn’t blow away the dense shadows layering his eyes.
Down at the base of the mountain, Sienna’s car rolled to a stop at a red light.