Chapter 680
“If we find a suitable successor within that timeframe, you can hand over your authority and walk away immediately.
“But if the deadline hits and the Sterlings still haven’t found a candidate capable of commanding the room p>
By the time he finished speaking, Sienna had also finished reading the clauses. She stared at the man in front of her in genuine shock.
It was as if he had mapped out her every move, flawlessly neutralizing every single one of her defensive triggers.
Marcus didn’t show much emotion, his low, rich voice remaining incredibly steady.
“No matter the outcome, when the month is up, I guarantee that no one will force you to take a single step against your will.
“If anyone dares to harass you or block your exit, I will personally handle them.
“When the time comes, you can wash your hands of this entirely and go wherever you want p>
With that speech, he had taken every single one of Sienna’s fears and laid them out in the open, resolving them completely.
She read the agreement from top to bottom once more, flipped it over to ensure there were no hidden addendums, and finally looked up at Marcus.
“You had this prepared from the start p>
“I drafted it on the drive back from the fishing village,” Marcus said.
“I know how much you hate being tied down. So, I’m handing you a rope.
“But you hold the other end. You can cut it whenever you want p>
Sienna sat in silence for a long time, the knot of anxiety in her chest completely unraveling.
She truly couldn’t just walk away from the kindness the patriarch and Maloney had shown her in the past.
But she had been terrified that endless sacrifice would only result in endless entanglement.
The terms Marcus offered perfectly bridged the gap between her guilt and her need for self-preservation.
Thirty days, and a solid promise that someone would take the authority off her hands.
Even if she ultimately couldn’t save Maloney, she wouldn’t be imprisoned here forever. She could still escape when the time was up.
Sienna lifted her head.
“I accept the agreement,” she said coolly.
“But let me make one thing crystal clear. Owen’s treatment cannot be interrupted.
“During this month, I might need to leave on short notice a few times.
“If an emergency arises, I will prep Maloney’s treatment plan in advance.
“If you can agree to that, I’ll sign p>
Marcus didn’t hesitate for a second. “When it comes to Owen, if you need to leave, just go.
“I’ll have someone oversee things on this end p>
Sienna nodded. Pulling a pen from her bag, she signed her name at the bottom of the agreement.
She folded the paper, slipped it back into her bag, and stood up to walk over to the patriarch’s bed.
Out of habit, she pressed two fingers against the patriarch’s wrist, feeling his pulse for a moment.
Marcus stood a few feet behind her, making no move to close the distance. Looking at her back, he suddenly spoke softly.
“Thank you, Sienna p>
Sienna didn’t turn around; she merely tilted her head slightly.
In the warm glow of the floor lamp, the sharp, almost overwhelmingly handsome contours of Marcus face were heavily shadowed.
The coldness in his eyes was usually so pronounced.
Yet the sincerity in his voice just now had sounded completely genuine.
Meeting his intense gaze, Sienna thought she caught a flicker of something unreadable darting through his eyes for a split second.
Her brow furrowed imperceptibly, but she simply replied in a flat tone, “Don’t mention it. I didn’t do this for you p>
With that, she tucked the blankets securely around the patriarch.
She placed The Neurological Treatment Blueprint on the nightstand, then turned and headed for the door.
As she brushed past Marcus, she handed him the stack of medical files.
“Please give this to Dr. Clayton for me. If he has any questions, have him call me p>
Marcus’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Alright p>
Sienna didn’t linger another second. She pulled the door open and walked out.
Marcus stood right where he was, watching her silhouette disappear at the end of the hallway.
Once the door clicked shut, he looked down at the bandage on the back of his hand. As his thumb brushed over the gauze, the smile on his lips slowly evaporated.