Chapter 158: Sienna Interpreted Vanessa's Silence

Sienna interpreted Vanessa’s silence as guilt. Her voice remained icy and detached. “Mr. Prescott, there’s no need for such anger. It’s really quite simple. She attempted to have me killed in a fabricated car accident. I obtained the evidence and used it as leverage. In exchange, I demanded she send me a compromising photograph. Judging by her… provocative pose, you must consider yourself a fortunate man.”

“Stop it! Just stop talking!” Vanessa shrieked, her composure shattering.

Sienna had no more patience for their impending drama. She had far more important matters to attend to. Her objective had been to reveal Vanessa’s true nature to Derek. Mission accomplished. “Take all the time you need to sort this out. Just try not to make a scene.” A cold smirk played on her lips as she turned on her heel. Before exiting, she delivered a final blow. “Oh, and one more thing. Mother specifically invited me to stay for lunch today. She mentioned owing me an apology.”

Vanessa’s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. That was her mother! Hers alone! Why did Sienna insist on stealing everything from her? Yet, she dared not utter another word. She had already lost the trust of so many. She could not afford to lose Derek’s affection as well.

She desperately latched onto Derek’s arm, her voice a frantic plea. “Derek, my love, please, you have to listen to me! Everything I did… I did it all for you! Just to be with you! You know how it’s been since Sienna returned to Kingsport. She’s been out for my blood from the very beginning! She was the one who swapped my Meteorite Guardian Statue! She told me herself—she wants to take everything from me! This is all revenge for what happened five years ago!”

“I was terrified! That’s why I thought… if I ended it decisively, it would all be over. But I failed. She threatened me with the evidence! She forced me to send that… that picture! She made me do it! She’s the one tormenting me! How could I not despise her?”

“My plan was to ruin her reputation! To make Lucas so disgusted he’d cast her aside! Then you could finally have her! I was doing it all so you could secure her shares and assets faster! So we could be together sooner and live happily ever after! You have to believe me! You have to understand!” Her voice was raw, hoarse with desperation as she begged for his belief.

Derek stared at her, his gaze clouded with doubt and a chilling distance that had never been there before. “I hear your words, Vanessa. But why the deception? Why lie to me repeatedly? I have never once been dishonest with you!”

“I… Derek, my darling, I was so scared. Terrified you would hate me. That you’d be repulsed by me… I only ever wanted to support you from the shadows. To present only the best version of myself to you…” She clung to his arm, shaking it gently, her eyes pleading. “Please, Derek, don’t hate me. Please, don’t…”

Derek let out a heavy, weary sigh. He gently patted her shoulder, the gesture lacking its usual warmth. “Vanessa, you are clearly distraught. You need to rest. I will… visit another day.” With that, he firmly extracted his arm from her grasp and strode away without a backward glance. Vanessa staggered backward as if struck. A sharp gasp escaped her lips. The reality of his rejection hit her like a physical blow.

Had his love for her truly vanished? Did he despise her now? How? Why?! Everyone’s hatred should be directed at Sienna! Why was she the one being shunned? This was all Sienna’s fault! Every bit of it! She would make her pay. She would make Sienna Bennett pay dearly for this. Kneeling alone in the vast, silent prayer hall, her mind churned, weaving new threads of malice and vengeance.