Chapter 679
“I know Jarred couldn’t make you stay in that conference room, and neither could Silas p>
He spoke slowly, the amusement fading from his face. “Jarred’s mistake was trying to weaponize a broken relationship to corner you.
“And Silas tried to use his own desperate devotion to Maloney to force you into bearing the consequences.
“Both of them were actively trying to shove the entire burden of responsibility onto your shoulders p>
Sienna’s eyes flickered at his words.
She hadn’t expected Marcus to cut straight to the bloody heart of the matter so surgically.
“I know you’re someone who remembers a debt of gratitude p>
Marcus turned back to face her, his gaze sincere, entirely devoid of any guilt-tripping.
“The patriarch protected you during the darkest period of your life, and Maloney stepped in to defend you multiple times.
“If these two men meant nothing to you, you would have turned your back and walked out today without a second thought.
“But earlier… you hesitated p>
Sienna’s fingers curled tighter against her sides. She didn’t deny it.
It was the most authentic conflict tearing at her soul, one she wasn’t even willing to admit to herself—yet Marcus had laid it bare with a single sentence.
“You’re afraid to take this on,” Marcus continued.
“It’s not that you’re afraid you can’t cure Maloney. You’re terrified that the second you reach out to save him p>
“Regardless of whether the treatment succeeds or fails, you know you’ll be permanently trapped by the Sterling family.
“The person you worry about most is Owen p>
At the mention of her brother, a dark, dangerous edge flared in Sienna’s eyes, and the temperature in the room instantly plummeted.
“And so?” Sienna looked up at him, her voice terrifyingly flat. “How exactly does Mr. Sterling plan to convince me p>
Marcus pushed himself off the windowsill, took two steps forward, and stopped on the opposite side of the coffee table.
He made no move to sit. He just looked down at her for a few seconds.
Then, he slowly crouched down until he was at eye level with her.
It was an incredibly natural movement, but in that split second, at stripped away all the intimidating distance that came with being the formidable Marcus Sterling.
It looked just like one ordinary person crouching down to speak to another.
“I’m not here to force your hand,” Marcus said quietly. “I heard what Jarred said to you in the conference room today.
“Using your history to trap you was crossing a line.
“I’ve never seen him act like that in my life. He’s never lowered himself like that, not even for his own father.
“But that’s his problem to deal with, not yours p>
Sienna remained silent, but as she held his gaze for those few seconds, the ice in her eyes seemed to thaw just a fraction.
“You have your own difficulties. I’m fully aware of Owen’s medical situation.
“You might not trust me personally, but you should trust the genuine kindness the patriarch and Maloney have shown you over the years.
“I’m not asking you to bend your rules for my sake because of them.
“I’m only asking you to use what they did for you back then as a reason.
“A reason to be willing to think it over for just two more days p>
Marcus paused, his tone shifting into something even softer know your boundaries will not stop you if you are dead set on walking away
“But we could make a deal p>
Sienna’s eyes snapped up, her gaze sharpening into daggers. “What kind of deal p>
Instead of answering, Marcus picked up a manila folder from the edge of the sofa, pulled out a single sheet of paper, and handed it to her.
Sienna took it. It was a pre-drafted contract consisting of exactly three clauses.
“Give us thirty days. One month max,” Marcus said, his tone steady, crystal clear, and completely uncompromising.
“For this one month, you stay in the Capital and do everything in your power to treat Maloney.
‘Regardless of whether you manage to pull him back from the brink, whether he improves, or whether it’s totally hopeless the proment the month is up, this agreement is void.
“During these thirty days, I will aggressively push the search for a new executive successor.