Chapter 647
Before he could speak, Sienna continued, “Also, regarding the bodyguards you arranged for the villa and for me personally.
They’ve worked hard and done their duty protecting me during this time.
Starting today, I will personally cover all of their salaries.
I’ll have Ms. Stanton draft a contract. I will be their employer, and their duty will be to protect my safety p>
Jarred’s fingers curled tightly by his side, his knuckles turning pale.
“I know you meant well and wanted to keep me safe p>
Sienna paused for a moment, meeting his gaze openly, without a hint of evasion.
“But I no longer want to accept your free protection, nor do I want to have any kind of dependent relationship with you.
If you won’t accept this arrangement, I’ll move out of here tonight and fire all your bodyguards.
I refuse to owe you anything ever again, not even a single cent p>
Her voice was soft, almost gentle.
Yet that very gentleness now acted as the sharpest of blades, plunging ruthlessly into his chest.
She wanted to draw a clear line between them, and that hurt more than any harsh words ever could.
Jarred’s Adam’s apple bobbed. It felt as though a massive boulder was crushing his chest, leaving him breathless with a dull ache.
How could he possibly agree to this?
He had deliberately kept this villa, preserved all her old furnishings, and arranged around-the-clock security p>
His original intention was never to collect rent, let alone wait to be paid off by her.
He only wanted to give her a safe haven and earn himself a chance to stay by her side to make amends.
But he didn’t have the leverage to refuse.
He couldn’t say no.
The moment he refused, Sienna would move out without hesitation.
If that happened, he would completely lose even the right to watch over her from afar.
After a long silence, he swallowed the bitterness in his throat, his voice so low it was almost inaudible. Alright. Whatever you want p>
As long as he could keep her here, even if it meant taking on the distant, estranged roles of landlord and contractor, he had no other choice.
Hearing this, Sienna immediately handed him a bank card.
“This covers three months’ rent, plus an advance on the security team’s salaries We can settle the exact amount later, though doubt if need it for that long p>
Jarred looked down at the thin piece of plastic, finding it unimaginably heavy.
He sat upon a vast business empire, holding power and wealth others could only dream of.
Yet right now, the woman he deeply loved was forcefully severing all their ties with a cold sum of money.
Three months p>
He already felt it was too short, while she clearly thought it was too long.
Jarred raised his hand but hesitated to take it.
Sienna didn’t rush him. She simply watched him quietly, her stance completely unyielding.
In the end, Jarred finally took the card, his grip tightening around it.
The icy touch of the plastic spread from his fingertips straight to his heart, bringing a bone-deep chill.
A second later, Sienna’s frosty voice rang out again.
“Since the lease is settled, I have one last thing.
You own the house, so naturally, you have the right to return and pack up your personal belongings.
I’ll give you one hour. I’d like you to take everything that belongs to you or store it where I can’t see it.
Once the time is up, please leave on your own. Going forward, unless you notify me in advance, please do not enter the villa without permission p>
She was perfectly polite, arguably more than fair, saving him every ounce of dignity.
But she had also seen right through him, completely shattering any lingering hope he had of staying close to her.
Jarred’s heart sank once more.
It wasn’t as if this was his only property; nearly all of his residences were fully furnished.
Even if they weren’t, someone would always have everything prepared before he moved in.
He literally had no luggage that needed packing.
He could have just said there was nothing to pack and turned to leave.
But at that moment, the pathetic, greedy desire in his heart uncontrollably reared its head.