Chapter 273

Hearing a noise, Sienna and Cedric stopped and turned. It was Josiah. Sienna, surprised, wondered why he was there at that hour.

“You’re here,” Sienna said, instinctively pushing Cedric aside. She stepped in front of him, worried Josiah might hurt him, based on past experiences. This protective instinct only fueled Josiah’s anger.

“Ha,” Josiah chuckled darkly, approaching slowly and menacingly. “Talk outside? No. Let’s talk right here. So tell me, what are you doing?”

Cedric reflexively resisted, but Josiah suppressed him, forcing him back against the conference table.

“Cedric!” Sienna paled, hurrying to Josiah’s side and pulling his arm. “Josiah, calm down!”

“Calm down?” Josiah shouted, his eyes blazing. “You’re here, cheating on me, and you want me to calm down?”

He sneered, turning to Cedric. “You’ve got guts, daring to touch my girl. But let’s see if you can back that up.”

“Don’t!” Sienna lunged, grabbing Josiah’s raised arm. Knowing Cedric stood no chance against him, she pleaded, “Josiah, let’s go home. We can talk about this there, okay?” Unaware her words only agitated him further.

Josiah narrowed his eyes, looking at her tear-stained face. Cupping her cheek, his fingertips traced her tears. “Who are you crying for?” he chuckled.

Seeing the madness in his eyes, Sienna clung to his arm, shouting, “Cedric, run!”

“Sienna Shaw,” Josiah pronounced sharply, his expression hardening. “How dare you stand up for him?” With a swift movement, he flung her away.

“Ow,” Sienna gasped. He hadn’t used much force, intending only to stop her interference, but the push sent her stumbling back. Her elbow hit the table’s sharp edge, causing a sharp pain. “Ah…”

That cry brought both men back to reality. They froze, their attention snapping to Sienna. Clutching her arm, she bent over, struggling to stand.

“Sienna,” Josiah’s face froze. He released Cedric, strode to Sienna, and gently grasped her arm.

“It hurts,” Sienna winced.

Josiah’s face paled. He didn’t dare touch her again, instead sweeping her into his arms. “We need to get to the hospital.”

“Not so fast,” Cedric blocked his way. “You can go, but Sienna stays here.” He had just learned the truth—he had lost Sienna because of him. Seeing Josiah hurt her filled him with regret and guilt.

Cedric, his neck stiff and voice angry, said, “Josiah, you went to great lengths to set Sienna up, but now you’re not even treating her… You set her up. Just let her go.”

Josiah caught the words “set her up,” and his face darkened. “What do you mean by that?”

“What? Are you too proud to admit it, Josiah?” Cedric countered. “I know about Fliraty. Sienna wasn’t involved; this was all you.”

Josiah hadn’t thought about Fliraty in a while. He hadn’t expected Cedric to know.

“Oh…” Josiah suddenly understood. He looked down at Sienna. “No wonder they were hugging and crying,” he mocked inwardly. “How touching.”

“I did it, so what?” Josiah asked indifferently, his chin high, eyes slightly lowered. “Are you going to take her back?”

Cedric’s heart raced. “Just give her back to me.”

“Tsk,” Josiah raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly. “Do you really think you can? Maybe deal with your own family first.”

Cedric began to argue, but Sienna interrupted. She shook her head, signaling him to stop. Then, looking at Josiah, she said, “You misunderstood. I’m fine with Josiah. He didn’t treat me badly…” She tugged at his sleeve. “Let’s go.”

“Sienna,” Cedric called.

“Humph,” Josiah snorted contemptuously. “Did you hear that? Get out of the way.”

He leaned down, whispering intimately, “As you wish. Let’s go…”

“Okay,” Sienna nodded, snuggling closer. Looking away from Cedric, she whispered, “I’m sorry, Cedric. This is for the best.”

Cedric watched them leave, feeling as if a piece of his heart had been ripped out. He gripped the table, unsteady. “Sienna, you lied to me. You’re not happy, are you?” he wondered.

Outside, the tenderness vanished from Josiah’s face. This was far from over. But Sienna was hurt, so he would take her to the hospital first.

He opened the car door and helped Sienna inside. As the car started, Sienna spoke. “I’m not going to the hospital.”

Josiah frowned. Is she being difficult with me now? he thought. After everything today, who’s truly in the wrong?

“Sienna,” Josiah frowned, suppressing his displeasure. “Your arm is hurt. Are you really going to keep arguing with me right now?”

“I’m not arguing,” Sienna shook her head. “I just don’t want to go to the hospital.”

“You…” Josiah pressed his lips together, struggling to stay calm. “You’ve hurt your elbow. It hurts when you touch it, and you might have broken a bone.”

She knew that; that was why she didn’t want to go. An X-ray could endanger her pregnancy. She couldn’t explain that, stubbornly replying, “Anyway, I’m not going to the hospital.”