Chapter 574
The grip wasn’t punishing, but the warmth of those fingers bled right through the sleeve of her coat, carrying an overbearing dominance that Sienna knew all too well.
She didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was.
Sienna halted, keeping her back to him.
“Sienna p>
Jarred’s voice drifted from behind her, the final syllable lifting into a lazy, teasing drawl. “You did that on purpose back there, didn’t you p>
Sienna tilted her head slightly, the warm glow of the streetlamp tracing the sharp contour of her profile.
Jarred leaned casually against the light pole. His sharply tailored dark suit accentuated his towering physique, still carrying the lingering tension from his face-off with Helena.
Yet his usually rigid, icy features were now brushed with a careless smirk.
His predatory eyes crinkled slightly at the corners, completely devoid of the lethal edge he had just aimed at his mother.
His thumb lazily stroked the bone of her wrist. His tone was loose, showing zero anger.
Instead, he sounded like he was joking about some harmless prank. “I heard exactly what you were doing in there.
You clearly stood by and watched the train wreck happen. You only came tonight to enjoy the show.
Are you really that ruthless? Watching my mother lose billions in jewelry without showing a shred of mercy p>
Sienna finally turned to look him in the eye.
The streetlamp behind him cast his sharp features in stark contrast.
If it weren’t for that ghost of a smile playing on his lips, Sienna would have thought she’d misheard him.
The man actually hadn’t torn into her with a furious lecture.
She stared at him for two seconds before her lips curled into a cold, faint smile. “Get your facts straight, Jarred.
If it weren’t for the fact that I want to destroy Celeste, I wouldn’t bat an eye if the entire Sterling family went bankrupt, let alone your mother p>
Rather than getting angry, Jarred let out a low, deep chuckle.
The sound vibrated from his chest—a sound laced with profound helplessness and an undeniable, infuriating indulgence.
He ignored her sharp words, leaning in slightly, his dark gaze locked on her face.
“Got that anger out of your system? Feel better now p>
Saying that, he instinctively reached out to grab her other hand, his tone naturally softening.
“Declan told me you went straight to the precinct after the banquet, and then rushed straight here. You’ve been running around allright without grabbing a bite to ea
What are you craving? That new Cantonese place downtown, or our usual spot p>
Sienna pulled her hand back an inch, expertly dodging his touch.
She raised her eyes to meet his. The mocking frost in her gaze was like an impenetrable sheet of ice, hiding whatever emotions lurked beneath.
“Jarred, who said I wanted to get dinner with you p>
She tugged her wrist firmly, trying to break his hold, but Jarred’s grip remained resolute.
Right in the middle of their tug-of-war, a fragile, timid voice called out from behind them, accompanied by the soft click of wheelchair tires.
“Jarred p>
Celeste stopped a short distance away.
One hand gripped the railing, while the other clung to the wheel of her chair, looking as if she had desperately chased him out here.
Her eyes were swollen, the tip of her nose flushed pink.
She looked entirely swallowed by the wheelchair—frail, thin, and utterly helpless.
Her gaze snagged on the hand Jarred had firmly wrapped around Sienna’s wrist. She paused for a beat before darting her eyes away in a panic.
The cold smirk on Sienna’s lips deepened.
She stepped to the side, her gaze sweeping over Celeste before landing back on Jarred. “It seems the woman behind you is waiting for you p>
Whatever trace of patience Sienna had for dealing with Jarred evaporated instantly.
The second Celeste showed up, any conversation felt like a complete waste of oxygen.
Stopping her struggle, Sienna turned sharply, fully intending to walk away.
Sensing her move, Jarred tightened his grip, anchoring her effortlessly in place.
He never once turned his head. He: didn’t spare a single glance for the woman waiting behind him. His eyes remained permanently glued to Sienna.
He released her wrist, only to shift his hold entirely.
With an even firmer grip, he forcefully yanked her right into his chest!