Chapter 228

That night, Joshua and Jamar pleaded with Elliot. First, they felt a bit sorry for Cain—after all, if he kept kneeling like that, he might injure his legs and be unable to participate in the variety show. Second, they wanted to test Sienna. However, not only did Elliot refuse their pleas, but he also gave them a harsh scolding; worse, he even ordered them to go outside and kneel alongside Cain.

To make matters worse, Joshua and Jamar wanted to cry. They had only tried to plead on someone else’s behalf—who knew they’d end up getting punished too? The two of them turned to Sienna.

Sienna hadn’t expected Elliot to be this angry. Even those who tried to plead for mercy were dragged into the punishment. She had always been a little afraid of Elliot, and now, she was even more reluctant to speak up. She didn’t want to risk angering him and making him dislike her. After all, he was the head of the household, and she still needed to stay on his good side. So, all she could do was give Joshua and Jamar a helpless, apologetic look.

At that moment, Joshua and Jamar completely gave up on her. Leon was right—Sienna was all talk and nothing else. Under the butler’s supervision, the two of them went outside to kneel as punishment. Cain had already been kneeling so long that his legs barely felt like his own anymore.

Seeing the other two join him, he couldn’t help but gloat. “You guys got punished too? Serves you right.”

Joshua snapped. “We got dragged into this because of you! We just pleaded with Dad on your behalf, and not only did we get scolded, but we ended up getting punished!”

Jamar added, “Exactly! And you still have the nerve to laugh? This is all your fault.”

Cain was genuinely surprised. He hadn’t expected these two to suddenly show some brotherly loyalty. How rare. He chuckled and said, “Well, then keep me company while kneeling. I was about to break down doing this alone.”

Joshua and Jamar were speechless. They shouldn’t have sympathized with this guy. The three of them chatted while kneeling. Although Sienna was a problem, they were suddenly beginning to realize that she was all talk.

Joshua finally lost patience and pointed at Cain directly. Cain, however, shot back, saying, “If you have a problem, take it out on me; don’t blame Sienna. She’s just a girl, and she’s already got weak arms and legs. How could she stay out here and kneel with us?”

Tien die went on to lecture Joshua and Jamar, calling them heartless for not caring about their younger brother and saying they lacked sibling affection. That was the final straw for Joshua and Jamar. They gave up on trying to talk sense into Cain. They had already warned him—if he continued in this manner, then he had no one but himself to blame when he suffered later.

The three of them weren’t given dinner.

Chapter 228

By nightfall, they were starving, and their legs were completely numb from kneeling. But with the guards keeping watch, if they tried to stand up and move around, they were immediately forced back down. Joshua and Jamar deeply regretted getting involved.

Close to midnight, Sienna arrived, carrying a tray of food. Cain was deeply engrossed in his own misery. But before she could get close, a body guard stopped her. “Mr. Jenkins ordered that they are not to be given food.”

Sienna tried to sweet-talk him into bending the rules, but the bodyguard was unmoved. She chose to put on a helpless expression and look at the three of them with pity. “Joshua, Cain, Jamar, I really want to help you, but Thad won’t allow it. There’s nothing I can do.” She didn’t actually care whether they got food; she was just here to put on a show—to make sure they saw how much she “cared” about them.

Then, she suddenly said, “I’ll stay and keep you company.” Given how much her brothers doted on her, they definitely wouldn’t let her suffer here with them, especially since she had deliberately worn a thin silk nightgown. It was chilly, and the wind was picking up.

Sure enough, Cain immediately protested, “It’s okay, Dad is just being too harsh. It’s getting cold, and you’re still recovering. Go back to your room and rest.”

Sienna, however, shook her head. “No, I want to stay with you.”

Joshua smirked and said, “Sienna has such a kind heart, Cain. How could you reject her?”

Jamar chimed in, “Yeah, since Sienna wants to stay with us, we should let her. That way, she’ll feel better about it. Cain, how could you be so heartless and deny her such a simple request!”

Sienna’s smile stiffened. What was wrong with these two! Were they actually taking her words seriously? Still, she kept up her act and gave a gentle, caring smile. “Yes, I just want to be with you all,” she said as she looked at Cain. She shivered slightly and added, “Cain, don’t worry about me.”

She was playing the same sanctuary trick she had used for over a decade—one that had always worked like a charm. After all, how could her brothers not cherish her when she was willing to suffer in the cold just to be with them!

And sure enough, Cain noticed how thinly dressed she was. He ached out and scolded her, “This is ridiculous. What if you get sick?” “Then we’ll have to take care of you instead. Be good, go back to your room. We’ll…” Sarmina gently insisted that she didn’t mind the cold.

Joshua and Jamar needled each other the whole time, watching the act unfold. When Cain fussed over her performance and had a servant wheel her back inside, they exchanged a knowing look. If they hadn’t seen her arrive, they probably would have been fooled. But now? It was obvious she had only come out to put on a show.

Chapter 228

If she truly wanted to keep them company, why would she wear something so thin? And why emphasize that she wasn’t cold? She just wanted them to feel bad for her and send her back inside. Seeing Cain’s touched expression made them cringe, but they couldn’t be bothered to say anything.

After kneeling all night, their legs were completely numb. At dawn, the butler had them carried back to their rooms, where a family doctor treated them. Later, Sienna made a show of visiting them, even offering to massage their legs. Cain refused, not wanting her to overwork herself. Joshua and Jamar, on the other hand, refused because they didn’t trust her.

Several days later, they were finally able to walk downstairs for meals again. That day, Lydia and Elliot attended an important business banquet, and Ollie, as the heir, went with them. That left only the four brothers and Sienna at home.

After dinner, Sienna suggested they have coffee in the living room. They chatted for a bit, and then Sienna got up—limping on one leg—to pour coffee for the four of them. Then, suddenly, she “lost her balance” and fell toward the sofa. Cain immediately rushed forward to catch her. The other three? They all moved out of the way.

Cain held Sienna steady and scolded her, “Sienna, you don’t need to serve us. Just sit down and rest.” Sienna apologized softly, “I’m so useless.” She was annoyed that the other three didn’t try to catch her. Since they were heartless, she wouldn’t be kind either. Then, with a pitiful sigh, she began complaining about how unlucky she had been lately. Cain sat beside her, comforting her. Leon, however, felt like she was setting something up.

And sure enough, the moment he spoke to console her, she turned to him and said, “Since I’ve been so unlucky lately, Leon, why don’t you share some of your luck with me?” He was the coldest toward her—so she’d target him first.