Chapter 100

“What? How could that be?” Josiah was momentarily stunned. “Why would you think that?”

Vette quickly smiled, masking her dissatisfaction. “Just kidding. Why are you so serious?”

She continued, “I’m here on business from East Entertainment.”

East Entertainment was a subsidiary of the Flynn Group, so its offices were naturally located in the Flynn Tower. Today, Yvette was here to finalize the transfer of her responsibilities with her agent, scaling back her workload as much as possible. Anything that could be postponed was, though commitments she’d already made had to be completed.

“Everything’s been taken care of,” Yvette stood up and smoothed her clothes. “I figured I’d stop by to say hello before heading out. I’ve got a shoot tonight.”

“Alright,” Josiah nodded slightly. “I won’t keep you, then.”

“Oh, by the way,” Yvette’s gaze landed on the coffee table mid-sentence, pointing to two brown paper packages. “Forgot to ask. What are these?”

“Those?” Josiah only noticed them then. They must have been the hawthorn candies he asked Lacy to buy.

“They’re hawthorn candies,” he said plainly.

“Hawthorn candies?” Yvette repeated, surprised. She couldn’t help but laugh. “Since when did you start liking those?”

“Well,” Josiah hesitated, not wanting to admit they were meant for Sienna. He mumbled, “Just something to snack on.”

“Really? Are they good?” Yvette leaned down, opened one of the packages, and popped a candy into her mouth.

“Yes, not bad,” she said.

“Right?” Josiah’s brow furrowed slightly as he picked up the now-opened package. “Take this one with you.”

“Are you sure?” Yvette chuckled. “Aren’t these yours?”

“Come on,” Josiah said with a faint smile. “It’s just a bag of snacks. You think I’d be stingy with something like this?”

Besides, it was already opened. There was no way he could give it to Sienna now.

Yvette burst out laughing and took the package. “Just joking! In that case, I’ll take it. Thanks. I’m off.”

“Alright,” Josiah nodded.

As she turned, Yvette’s expression darkened instantly. “Hawthorn candies, for him? That’s a lie I would never believe. Most likely, they are for Sienna,” she wondered.

Her suspicion was confirmed moments later. On her way down in the elevator, Yvette stepped out on the first floor and immediately spotted the receptionist leading Sienna toward the private executive elevator. Her heart tightened painfully. For the receptionist to act so boldly, it had to be on orders from the executive office.

“Hi, Sienna,” Yvette greeted her.

Sienna was already halfway into the elevator when she heard her name. She turned and saw Yvette standing there. Sienna frowned. “Anything wrong?”

“Oh, come on,” Yvette smiled faintly. “I just wanted to say hi. Why do I need a reason?”

“Then can I go…” Sienna was in no mood for small talk and just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

“Do you want a snack?” Before Sienna could finish, Yvette interrupted, holding out the paper package. “Hawthorn candy. It’s pretty good. Want to try?”

Chapter 100 (Continued)

Sienna eyed her warily. “Out of nowhere, Yvette is offering me candy! Poisoned, maybe?” she wondered. Even if it wasn’t, there was no way she’d eat it.

“No, thank you,” said Sienna.

“Not even one?” Yvette withdrew the package, her tone tinged with mock regret. “That’s a shame. They’re quite good.”

Sienna was baffled. “Is she crazy? She’s acting so strange,” she wondered.

Suddenly, Yvette grabbed Sienna’s hand, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Sienna, just a few minutes of your time. I need to talk to you alone.”

Judging by her mysterious demeanor, Sienna couldn’t imagine what she wanted to say.

“Alright,” Sienna glanced at the receptionist, who immediately stepped aside to give them privacy.

“Go ahead, I’m listening,” she began.

“You probably don’t know this yet, do you?” Yvette’s smile remained frozen in place.

“Know what?” Sienna was already annoyed with Yvette’s cryptic way of speaking. “If you’ve got something to say, just spit it out. What are you, constipated?”

“You…” Yvette’s face twisted in anger, visibly caught off guard. “So vulgar! I know you’re feeling smug right now. Josiah got you into Brenda’s dance studio, and you’re probably thinking he’s treating you well, aren’t you?”

Sienna didn’t answer.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Have you ever stopped to think about why Josiah, who can’t stand you, suddenly started being so nice to you?” Yvette let out a cold laugh, her lips curling into a sneer.

The words hit Sienna like a cold gust of wind. She remained silent. That very question had been gnawing at her for some time now. She couldn’t figure it out.

“Could I… actually know the answer?” she wondered.

“That’s right, I do.” Yvette seemed to read her mind, tilting her chin up with a smug air. “Listen closely,” she said, her voice dripping with self-satisfaction. “It’s because Howard woke up.”

Sienna’s breath caught, her body stiffened, and she stared at Yvette in shock. “You’re saying Howard… He’s awake?”

“That’s right.” For the first time, Yvette’s composure faltered. Her voice wavered, and her eyes glistened faintly with tears. “Howard’s awake.”

Sienna clenched her fists tightly, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion. Great! He’s awake. He’s really awake. This is incredible. It’s such good news, she thought. Howard had always cared for her like his own family.

“You…” Yvette quickly collected herself, her expression turning cold again as she looked Sienna up and down. “Don’t you get it yet? Josiah wasn’t nice to you before. He wasn’t nice to you later. So why, all of a sudden, is he bending over backward for you now, going to such lengths to secure your future? Why now?”

“Yes, why now?” Sienna wondered.

The question echoed in Sienna’s mind like a thunderclap. Her eyes locked onto Yvette’s, and suddenly, it all started to click. The answer hovered right on the edge of clarity.

“Why make him marry you? Why did he agree?” Yvette’s voice was sharp, slicing through the air as she delivered the final blow. “Think back. Why did Miranda make him do it?”

Sienna already knew the reason. Miranda’s plan had been to prevent Josiah from competing with Howard for Yvette; Josiah had gone along with it, sacrificing his own feelings in the process. And now, Howard was awake. Does that mean Josiah is pulling the same stunt, using me all over again? she wondered.

“You’ve figured it out, haven’t you?” Yvette’s satisfaction was palpable, her eyes gleaming with a sense of triumph. “Honestly, I feel a little sorry for you. That’s the only reason I’m telling you all this.”

Yvette pities me? Sienna let out a faint smile, her lips curving upward in quiet disbelief. Does she think I’m that stupid? She’s trying to stir the pot. But for that to work, I’d have to actually care about Josiah, Sienna thought.

“I don’t like you, but I do appreciate you telling me this,” Sienna said calmly, gesturing toward the elevator doors. “Are you done? Can I go now?”

Without waiting for an answer, she turned away and signaled the receptionist who was waiting nearby. “Thanks. I’m ready. Could you help me out?”

“Of course. Coming right over,” said the receptionist.

Yvette froze, stunned. She’s not mad? Why is she so calm? She watched in disbelief as Sienna stepped into the elevator with the receptionist, the doors slowly closing behind them.

“No… no way,” Yvette murmured, shaking her head. “How could she not be angry?”

It has to be an act. There is no way she isn’t furious, Yvette wondered.