Chapter 92

He pulled out a card and handed it to Sienna. “Here, this is for you. Take it.”

At that moment, the people in line became an audience, all eyes on them as if watching a live show. Sienna, increasingly annoyed, snapped. “I told you I don’t want it! Please, leave me alone and stop bothering me.”

“Sienna,” the man hesitated, sensing her upset. He had no choice but to grab her hand and try to force the card into it. “It’s for you. Just take it.”

“I don’t want it!” Sienna tried to pull away but couldn’t break free. Panicked, she threatened, “If you don’t let go, I’m going to scream for help!”

Without waiting for his reaction, she shouted, “Help! Help!”

The people around only watched in confusion. It was obvious the man wasn’t trying to harm her; he was offering her money. No one moved to help.

Frustrated, Sienna said loudly, “Enough! I don’t want your money!”

“Sienna…” The man spoke again.

Meanwhile, Josiah, in his Bentley, was finishing a meeting and heading back to Silver Beach, passing TeeMall. He spotted Sienna in the crowd immediately. She was being harassed by a man, and no one was helping.

“Zaid, stop the car,” Josiah ordered.

“Huh?” Zaid slammed on the brakes. “Mr. Flynn, where are you going?”

“Sienna’s in trouble,” Josiah said, already getting out of the car.

“Wait, what?” Zaid was stunned, now seeing the situation. A knowing smile crossed Zaid’s face. “Well, well, Mr. Flynn, looks like your eyes are getting better.” In the past, Josiah had mocked Zaid for spotting Sienna in a crowd; now, Josiah was the one noticing her first.

Josiah strode over and grabbed the man’s arm, easily shoving him aside. He recognized the man; this wasn’t the first time he’d bothered Sienna. Josiah’s hostility surged. His eyes narrowed, a dangerous aura surrounding him. “Who the hell are you?” His glare was intensely menacing. If not for the law, Josiah probably would have already knocked him out.

The man swallowed nervously, his eyes darting toward Sienna in fear.

“Go. Get out of here,” Sienna said, speechless. What do you expect me to do? Just go already! she wondered.

“Oh, okay,” the man nodded, finally comprehending, and quickly ran off.

“Trying to escape?” Josiah didn’t get an answer and wasn’t about to let him go. He took a step forward, ready to chase him.

“Don’t chase him!” Panicked, Sienna grabbed Josiah’s hand, stopping him. “You’re protecting him?”

“Sienna,” Josiah froze, his temper flaring. “You’re…”

Sienna held his hand, afraid that if she let go, Josiah would go after the man. She was taken aback by Josiah’s question. “What are you talking about? Which part of this looks like I’m protecting him?”

That was true. Sienna had clearly been struggling. She looked up at the angry Josiah, her voice calm but firm. “Are you really willing to break the law over someone like him?”

At Josiah’s words, his eyes softened for a split second. She’s worried about me? he thought, feeling a little lighter. He saw Sienna still holding his hand, and his lips curled into a small smile. “Hey…”

Sienna, suddenly realizing the situation, quickly pulled her hand away.

Josiah stared at her, his grin widening. “Alright then.” He was clearly in a good mood. “I’m not about to waste my energy on someone like that. By the way, who was he?”

Sienna frowned, refusing to answer.

“Humph,” Josiah scoffed lightly. “You don’t have to say it. I already know.” It must have been some jerk she’d attracted while dancing at Maze. Luckily, she wasn’t working there anymore. Convincing her to join Brenda’s dance studio had been a smart decision.

But now there was a different issue. Josiah squinted at her, his sharp gaze assessing her. “It’s so late. Why aren’t you home sleeping? What are you doing here?”

Sienna, clearly irritated, replied, “None of your business. You can leave now!”

Josiah was used to her attitude. He glanced around at the line. Pulling out his phone, he motioned toward someone in the queue. “Why are you all standing here? Let’s make this quick. How much for 1500 dollars sound good?”

The chosen person’s face lit up. “Well, it’s like this…”

“Hey! Josiah, have you lost your mind!” Sienna blurted out in shock. Is he crazy? 1500 dollars just for an explanation? she thought.

The person, unconcerned by their argument, happily explained the situation—it was for a limited-edition Minnie Mouse—and even rattled off a bank account number with a cheerful, “Thank you!”

Josiah didn’t blink. That’s barely the cost of one meal. Is she seriously making such a fuss? he thought. He paid the money, put his phone away, and strode forward to grab Sienna by the arm.

Sienna nearly collapsed from frustration. If not for his help, she would have seriously considered getting physical. “What are you doing now?”

“Come home with me.” Josiah lowered his gaze to meet hers, his tone dripping with disdain as he tapped her forehead. “Are you stupid?” She’s planning to wait all night for a toy! In her condition… she’s already so thin. Can her body even handle it? he thought, clearly annoyed.

“Go home and get some sleep,” he ordered.

“I’m not leaving,” Sienna, unable to overpower him, tried reasoning. “I have something important to do. Can you please respect that?” She was determined to get that gift for Joyce.

“Oh, you’re not leaving?” Josiah leaned down, towering over her. His gaze was sharp and unrelenting.

“No, I’m not,” Sienna said firmly, shaking her head.

“Fine.” Without another word, Josiah bent down, extended his arm, and scooped her up in one swift motion.

“Wow!” The crowd erupted, thoroughly entertained by the unexpected late-night drama. Sienna, however, was pale with fright. “Josiah! Put me down right now!”

“No.” He didn’t even glance at her. “You don’t listen to a single thing I say, so why should I listen to you?”

“You…” Sienna’s face darkened, trembling with anger. How is he this unreasonable? she thought, struggling fiercely in his arms.

“Put me down! Right now!” she demanded.

“Stop moving.” Concerned she might fall and get hurt, Josiah had no choice but to set her down gently.

As soon as her feet hit the ground, Sienna shoved him away and turned to run back. But it was too late. The demand for the limited-edition Minnie Mouse was intense. Besides those already in line, others had been lurking nearby, waiting for someone to give up. The moment Josiah carried Sienna away, the line shifted forward, and her spot was gone. To queue again, she’d have to start at the back, but there were only twenty pieces available.