Chapter 85

“What?” The shock was overwhelming. Sienna’s eyes widened, and a piece of bread lodged in her throat. She couldn’t swallow or cough it up.

“Cough, cough!”

“Sienna!” Josiah was startled, rising immediately and going to her side. “What’s wrong? Let me see!”

He cupped her face in his hands, trying to pry open her mouth. Sienna refused, shaking her head vigorously. My mouth is full of breadcrumbs; how could I show him that? More importantly, why should I? she thought.

“Don’t be stubborn!” Josiah frowned with worry, wishing he could simply force her mouth open.

Linda, unable to bear it any longer, brought over a glass of water. “Ms. Shaw seems to be choking; let her drink some water, Mr. Flynn.”

Sienna, unable to speak, nodded repeatedly.

Josiah snatched the glass as Sienna reached for it, preventing her from taking it. He brought the glass to her lips. “Drink it!”

With no other option, Sienna drank as he held the glass, desperate to avoid choking. After several gulps, she finally felt relief.

Sienna looked up and pushed the glass away.

“Is it enough?” Josiah still seemed worried. “Are you okay now? Feeling better?”

“Yes,” Sienna nodded. “I’m okay.”

“That’s good.” Josiah sighed in relief, setting down the glass and gently tapping her nose. “You can choke on bread? Could you be any more careless?”

Sienna frowned and tilted her head. She truly disliked his touch.

As his hand fell away, Josiah’s face froze momentarily, but he wasn’t angry. He was more upset by her earlier statement on the balcony about disliking him.

Josiah stood and sat back in his chair, lowering his head and resuming slicing the bread. Watching him made Sienna nervous. She quickly said, “I don’t want any more… just don’t bother.”

Josiah paused, then lifted his hand and gazed intently at her.

“Sienna,” he said casually, but a forceful undercurrent permeated his words. “No one can refuse me. Do you understand?”

In other words, she had no choice but to comply. A chill ran down Sienna’s spine. Yes, that’s exactly how he is.

Feeling overwhelmed, she asked, “So what exactly do you want me to do?”

Finally getting to the point, Josiah sat up straighter, leaning slightly toward her. “I’ve made it clear. Come back to me and withdraw the divorce application.”

“What?” Sienna shook her head, gazing into his eyes, trying to decipher his thoughts. “I mean, why are you doing this?”

Josiah was stunned by the question. “Isn’t it obvious? I want to win your heart back.”

Sienna let out a barely audible laugh. “You want me back by your side, but why? Surely you haven’t just fallen for me, have you?”

Josiah raised an eyebrow at a question he’d never considered. Sienna read his expression perfectly. Just as I suspected, he has other motives.

She shook her head with a smile. “Mr. Flynn, surely it’s not for such a ridiculous reason. So what really…”

“A moment,” Josiah said calmly. “Do you think it’s ridiculous that I like you?”

“Isn’t it?” Sienna retorted immediately. “Do you even know who I am? I’m the notorious socialite of Jeiacrity, the one you sent abroad, scheming…”

“Shut up! That’s enough!” Josiah interrupted sharply, anger flashing in his eyes. “Your mouth isn’t made for talking!”

He picked up a slice of baguette, dipped it in sauce, and said, “Open your mouth.”

“What!” Sienna was stunned. Is Josiah alright? What could be such an extraordinary reason that he could even tolerate me saying something like this?

“I’m not eating,” Sienna frowned, turning her head slightly. “Unless you agree to let me go back to dancing at Maze.”

Josiah’s hand paused. “So all this is about that?” He put down the bread and said flatly, “Forget about dancing at Maze. That’s not happening.”

“Why?” Sienna was surprised, a chill running down her spine. “That’s my job!”

“What kind of lousy job?” Josiah didn’t care. He waved his hand dismissively. “You don’t need to do it anymore. Can’t I afford to take care of you?”

Take care of me? Has he really not given up? Sienna felt frustrated and, with some difficulty, spoke. “I know how capable you are, but I won’t agree to it.”

“Is that so?” Josiah met her gaze.

Their eyes locked in a fierce standoff. Neither was willing to yield.

“Alright,” Josiah nodded. “I understand what you mean.” After hearing what she said on the terrace, he naturally understood that getting her back wouldn't be easy. After all, who can I blame but myself for not treating her well enough or paying enough attention to her before? he thought.

He wasn’t delusional enough to think one sentence could change her mind. He was prepared to pursue her, to woo her.

Changing the subject, he said, “Let’s eat. You’ve only had a couple of bites; you can’t be full yet.”

As he spoke, he picked up a piece of bread and offered it to her. This time, Sienna ignored it, lowering her head to finish her soup.

“Hmm,” Josiah was surprised, raising his eyebrows before bursting into hearty laughter.

After breakfast, they left together. Zaid drove, dropping Sienna off at 12th Avenue first.

Josiah had no desire to send her back. However, he had just halted her work at Maze. Forcing her to move on top of that would likely push her to the brink and make her turn against him.

For now, he would let her be. Thinking about how she wouldn’t be dancing at Maze anymore, no longer attracting the attention of those men… Josiah suddenly felt much more at ease.

At the alley entrance, Josiah got out of the car with Sienna and walked her back to her apartment. Short on time, he only escorted her to the door and didn’t go inside.

One was inside the door and the other outside. He looked down at her. “I’m leaving now.”

Sienna didn’t respond.

Josiah smirked, knowing she was upset but unconcerned. “Stopping you from dancing—isn’t it for your own good? A place like that, you can’t dance there forever.”

Sienna quickly looked up, glaring at him.

“Alright, I won’t say anything more,” Josiah raised his hands in surrender. “Time for me to leave now.”

He looked at her, stepped back a couple of times, grinned, and said, “Later.” Turning, he went down the stairs.

Listening to his footsteps, Sienna frowned, wondering why he was so determined to pursue her.

That night, Josiah and some friends met at Maze, with Cedric also joining them. While speaking with Yosef, Josiah specifically mentioned bringing Cedric along.

Since arriving, Cedric’s eyes had been fixed on the stage. As time passed and Sienna didn’t appear, he grew anxious and stood, saying, “I’m heading to the restroom.”

Not long after Cedric left, Josiah stood. “I’m going to the restroom too.”