Chapter 425
Jocelyn takes a deep breath before lowering her eyes briefly.
“I wanted to apologize,” she says softly. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you over the years… I was jealous of you, Sierra, always was from the very first moment we met p>
Her voice trembles slightly, but I don’t say anything. I just stay silent, my gaze on her.
“I thought I deserved better. I convinced myself that you had things I should’ve had instead.” She swallows hard before finally meeting my eyes again. “I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m still asking for it anyway p>
I don’t know what to say to that; I don’t even think there is anything to say. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but at least I never went out of my way to make someone else miserable.
Jocelyn exhales shakily before continuing. “The other reason I asked you here is because I wanted to make amends somehow p>
Lilly straightens slightly beside me, and I lean forward almost eager to know how she planned to do that because from where I’m standing, Jocelyn and I will never be anything. Not even acquaintances.
Jocelyn’s expression hardens with seriousness. “Be careful about Brook… I heard what happened to you, and you should know that Brook isn’t working alone p>
“We already figured that out,” I tell her as I briefly glance at Lilly before looking back at her.
Silence settles briefly before Lilly finally speaks. “Is there anything else you can tell us that might actually help p>
Jocelyn thinks for a moment before nodding slowly.
“Brook didn’t tell me much,” she says carefully. “But I do know the person helping her has serious money… He’s the one who helped plant the fake evidence against Sierra p>
Shock crashes through me.
“It wasn’t Brook?” I ask immediately.
Jocelyn shakes her head. “The idea was Brook’s, but the person funding everything… the one making sure the fake evidence would actually hold and point back to you… that was him p>
I feel sick. All along, we thought it was Brook and Jocelyn without even guessing that there was another bigger player. It’s like the person wanted to keep us focused on the two while he was free to move in the shadows.
“Brook approached me after she’d already teamed up with him,” Jocelyn adds. “By the time I got involved, they were already working together p>
Lilly leans forward slightly. “Do you know who he is p>
Jocelyn shakes her head immediately. “No. I never met him. He always dealt directly with Brook p>
Disappointment settles heavily in my chest, but still, this is one more piece of information that we didn’t have before.
“Thank you,” I tell her honestly.
Jocelyn gives a small shrug. “It’s the least I could do p>
After a few more minutes, Lilly and I finally stand. We say goodbye before turning to leave, but just as we had taken like two steps, Jocelyn suddenly calls my name.
“Sierra p>
I pause and turn back toward her. Something uneasy settles in my stomach at the look on her face.
“Be very careful,” she says quietly.
I frown slightly. “What do you mean p>
Jocelyn hesitates before answering.
“I don’t know exactly what they’re planning,” she admits. “But Brook used to brag sometimes.” Her fingers tighten slightly together. “She said they’d come up with a plan that would make sure they both got what they wanted p>
A chill runs through me instantly and I have to fight to keep myself from shivering. I nod slowly and Jocelyn gives me a tired smile.
“Take care of yourself,” she says softly.
“You too.” I reply before Lilly and I leave.
The drive back is completely silent. My mind won’t stop spinning no matter how hard I try to calm it down.
Brook wants me gone. That much I already know but what about the other person? What exactly does he want from all this? I’m convinced it might be one of Noah’s rivals, so what does he want? Wood’s company secrets or something else?
By the time we get back to Lilly’s building, my head hurts from thinking too much. We step into the lobby and are halfway toward the elevators when the receptionist suddenly calls out politely.
“Ms. Wood p>
Lilly pauses. “Yes p>
“You have a visitor waiting p>
Both of us turn instinctively toward the waiting lounge and my breath catches slightly when I recognize Adrian’s familiar figure seated there.