Chapter 68

Miranda took Sienna’s hand and stood. “Since we’re talking about it, let’s go try on the dress.”

“Grandma—”

“Be good. Don’t make me upset.”

With no way to refuse, Sienna followed Miranda upstairs. The dress, kept a surprise, was in Miranda’s room.

Miranda led her into the walk-in closet and pointed to the gown hanging on the rack, already ironed and covered with a garment bag. “Look, isn’t it beautiful?”

“Yes,” Sienna nodded. “It’s beautiful.”

Miranda looked Sienna over. “You’re tall and have a great figure. Only you can pull this off. Go on, try it on.”

“Okay, Grandma.”

Miranda turned and left the closet, waiting outside.

“Mrs. Flynn,” Linda called. “There’s an order I think is suspicious and needs your verification.”

“Alright,” Miranda replied, leaving with Linda since Yvette was out and only she could handle it.

They had just stepped out when Josiah came upstairs. He had returned home early to see if anything needed his attention. Not finding Miranda and Sienna downstairs, he went upstairs.

“Grandma, are you here?” He knocked twice on Miranda’s door. It wasn’t locked, so he pushed it open and went in.

In the closet, Sienna had put on the gown. It fit quite well, but she encountered a small problem. The zipper was at the back, and she couldn’t reach it.

Feeling anxious, she heard footsteps behind her. Thinking it was Miranda, she didn’t turn around. “Grandma, can you help me zip this? I’ve been trying for a while but can’t reach it.”

The footsteps paused subtly and then slowly approached.

Sienna felt someone standing right behind her, and when she turned her head, “Could you please—” Sienna was startled and instinctively wanted to run.

Her words stopped abruptly. It was Josiah.

“Don’t move,” Josiah stopped her, grabbing her wrist with one hand and placing the other on her waist, leaning down with his breath almost touching her ear. “Dressed like that, where are you going to run to? Believe me, if you move, that dress is going to slide right off.”

Hearing this, Sienna froze. She believed him, so she didn’t dare move.

Josiah barely smirked and reached around her waist. “Let’s zip it up, okay?”

“Okay,” Sienna lowered her gaze and nodded. She didn’t expect things to end up like this. She wondered where Miranda was. The only person she could rely on was Josiah.

“Alright,” Josiah searched around her waist. “Where’s the zipper?” He kept feeling around but couldn’t find it.

“You…” Sienna’s face turned crimson with embarrassment. “It’s right there! How can you not find it?”

“Right where?” Josiah wasn’t pretending. “I’ve never worn women’s clothes before, you know.”

“Just right—” Sienna couldn’t explain it clearly, so she reached behind her back and took Josiah’s hand. The moment their skin touched, a tingling sensation spread through them, like a gentle electric current.

Josiah was taken aback. He found the sensation pleasant and somewhat comforting. Sienna was completely unaware of this. She guided his hand to the zipper pull. “Here, can you see it?”

“Yeah,” Josiah’s Adam’s apple moved up and down intensely; his throat felt extremely dry, almost as if stuck together. “Ahem, yeah, I see…”

“Then hurry,” Sienna urged. “Help me zip it up.”

“Alright,” Josiah placed one hand on her waist and pulled the zipper up with the other, his eyes unintentionally following the closing seam. His gaze fell upon her flawless skin. It’s such a beautiful back.

Josiah suddenly closed his eyes; flashes of a blood-spattered scene flickered through his mind, a sharp pain followed, and the pounding sound was deafening. His back seemed to throb faintly.

“Are you finished?” Sienna was growing impatient, wondering why it was taking so long.

“Yeah, it’s done,” Josiah snapped back to reality and quickly zipped up the last little bit, just revealing her elegant shoulder blades. He felt like his throat was so dry it might catch fire. He couldn’t keep looking.

As Sienna turned around, Josiah averted his gaze, returning to his usual calm demeanor.

Sienna felt a bit uneasy, brushing her hair behind her ear. They stood there, and it was extremely awkward. Trying to make conversation, Sienna chuckled and asked, “Well, what do you think?”

Josiah was surprised and squinted slightly.

Sienna almost instantly regretted it. She must be out of her mind. Even if she had nothing to say, she shouldn’t ask such a question. She wished somebody could help her out.

“Sienna? Are you ready?” Miranda called from outside.

“Grandma!” Sienna replied quickly, lifting her skirt as she walked out. “I’m ready!”

Suddenly, a deep male voice came from behind, quiet but clear, “Quite stunning.”

He was answering her earlier question. Sienna was briefly taken aback but didn’t turn around as she hurried out of the room.

Josiah chuckled softly, standing still as his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, murmuring, “Stunning.”

Miranda looked at Sienna with curiosity. “What’s going on? Why’s your face so red?”

“Uh?” Sienna was startled. She didn’t know she was blushing. She nervously licked her lips. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just I couldn’t get the zipper up, so I got all flustered.”

“Oh, is that so!” Miranda chuckled. “Did you get it up? Need any help from me?”

“No need, I managed to zip it up!”

“Perfect timing. Linda wants us to come over and taste the dishes, care to join?”

“Sure,” Sienna was more than willing and nodded eagerly. If Miranda found out she and Josiah had been in the closet together, it would be hard to explain. “Grandma, let’s go.”

After they left, Josiah came out of the closet, frowning as he rubbed his forehead. He didn’t know why Sienna would run off, as if she was really worried about being caught by Miranda.

Night fell. Compared to the casual dinner at the rehab center a few days ago, tonight’s birthday party was clearly much more lively.

The Flynn residence was vast and could host many guests. At a glance, it seemed as if nearly all the socialites of Jacarity were present, many arriving with their entire families.

The previous welcome dinner was discreet, but this birthday party was the exact opposite, boldly announced with invitations that read: “[Birthday Celebration for Sienna, the foster daughter of the Flynn family.]”

At this moment, Sienna was in her room. Her makeup was done. It was time to go out. She exhaled deeply at her reflection, pursed her lips, and smiled. Rising, Sienna gracefully lifted the hem of her dress.

Miranda and Josiah were already mingling with the guests. As soon as she reached the top of the stairs, Sienna could feel the lively atmosphere. Descending the staircase, Sienna glanced around the crowd and spotted Miranda, ready to head over to her.

“Hi there!” Just as she took a step, a young man appeared in front of her, waving with a smile.