Chapter 282
Bianca got to her feet, her eyes burning with a desperate, bitter hatred.
“Are you happy now, Julian?” she spat. “I admit it, I underestimated you. Now I have nothing left. I hope you die a miserable death.”
Julian’s expression was calm, as if he couldn’t be bothered. Think what you want. In his eyes, Bianca was a stranger, not worth his anger, his time, or even a second glance.
“You’re hurt. Let me take a look,” Sienna said, taking Julian’s hand and leading him away.
Julian’s focus was entirely on their joined hands, his heart pounding in time with her steps. “Thank you, Sienna.”
Once Julian sat down, Sienna examined the wounds on his back. “Was this from a whip?”
He nodded.
“Take off your shirt. I’ll treat this,” Sienna said, getting straight to the point.
Julian hesitated, a faint blush creeping up his neck.
“She’s a doctor,” he reminded himself.
He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a back covered in angry, gruesome welts. The sight was stomach-churning.
Sienna’s eyes flashed with a hint of pain for him. “This is going to sting.”
“Okay,” Julian said quietly. The burning on his back was excruciating, but having her this close felt impossibly sweet.
His back was broad and toned, the muscles perfectly defined. He always seemed so gentle, his smile as warm as a spring breeze, but he was built. At nearly six-foot-three, his proportions were perfect – lean muscle without being skinny.
As Sienna’s fingers accidentally brushed against his skin, his entire body tensed. He didn’t dare move a muscle.
Noticing how rigid he’d become, Sienna chuckled. “What’s wrong? Haven’t you had a girlfriend in all these years?”
Julian’s throat felt tight. He shook his head honestly. “No.”
He’d only ever loved her. A lifetime felt too short to love just one person, let alone anyone else.
“Sir, I–”
Clark burst into the room at the worst possible moment, a box in his arms.
He froze, his eyes widening at the scene before him. After a beat of stunned silence, he quickly turned around.
“Sorry, so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’ll just go. My apologies,” he blurted out.
Julian scowled. “Get back here.”
The man had zero sense of timing, Julian sighed.
Clark turned back around with a sheepish grin. “Uh, hi, Miss Hart. I was just bringing something for my boss.”
Julian took the box from him. It held his mother’s things.
“Do you want to see?” Julian asked, noticing her gaze on the small box, and moved to open it.
Sienna gently placed her hand over his. “No, that’s yours.”
“Alright,” Julian nodded.
“Let me give you a ride home,” Sienna offered softly. “Julian, if your mother were still here, she wouldn’t want to see you get hurt like this. You need to protect yourself from now on. And if you ever need anything, you can always call me.”
Sienna gave him a gentle smile, her tone patient as always.
Chapter 283
Julian looked up at her. “I won’t let it happen again.”
On the plane to Frandell, Fay Santos toyed with a small black sphere, her face a blank mask. The air in the private cabin was thick with a suffocating tension.
A man chose that moment to approach, pouring her a drink.
“Miss Santos, I really don’t think it’s fair,” he began. “For years, you’ve done all the dirty work, the hardest jobs, yet you don’t even get to stay by the Master’s side.”
When Fay didn’t respond, he pressed on. “You know everything about the organization, you’re second-in-command. Why bow down to someone else when you could–”
The man’s words cut off with a choked gasp. Blood bloomed from his neck as he stared in shock, collapsing before his hand could even reach the wound.
The sudden violence sent a ripple of fear through the other subordinates, who shrank back in their seats.
Fay’s voice was ice. “I am a weapon forged by the Master. If anyone else dares to run their mouth, they’ll meet the same end.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
When Amber and the others got home from school, they found Sienna bringing dishes to the table.
Amber’s face lit up. She ran over and threw her arms around her sister’s neck. “Sienna, you’re back. I missed you so, so much!”
Amber nuzzled into her, breathing in her familiar, wonderful scent.
Winifred strode over, grabbed Amber by the scruff of her neck, and pulled her away. She broke into a warm smile. “Hey, Sienna. Did everything go well?”
Sienna ruffled her hair. “It did. Now, everyone sit down and eat. Tell me what you think.”
“Okay,” Winifred said with a lovely smile.
Vivian, who was also thrilled to have Sienna home, helped set out the plates and silverware.
“You should eat more, Sienna,” Vivian said, putting some food on Sienna’s plate.
“Thanks, you too,” Sienna replied.
“Sienna, here, have the chicken leg,” Amber said, not to be outdone by Vivian, and quickly served her the largest piece.
As Amber ate, she announced, “My SATs are coming up soon. Just tell me which university you want me to go to, and I’ll get in.”
Winifred paused, her fork halfway to her mouth, and scoffed. “Oh, please. You think you’re Einstein? That you can just pick any school you want? Your grades are at the bottom of the barrel, and you have the nerve to say that.”
Amber glared back, indignant. “What do you know? I wasn’t trying before. My grades are great now.”
Winifred just rolled her eyes. Amber turned to Sienna, her voice pleading. “Sienna, you hear her?”
“So, Amber, which university do you want to go to?” Sienna asked with a smile.
Amber chewed on her fork, thinking for a moment. “MIT, I guess. Claire said their math program is brutally hard, and I want to take on the challenge.”
The words had barely left her mouth when both Vivian and Winifred let out dismissive snorts.
Amber bristled. “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? You’re looking down on me! I’ll have you know, I can totally get in. My teacher said I could even get a recommendation for early admission, but I’m saving the spot for someone who really needs it.”