Chapter 16

Sienna couldn't believe how confident William still was! He was so shamelessly arrogant! She laughed coldly and felt her anger rising uncontrollably. "You disgust me! You're pathetic, and now you want to use me? Dream on!" "You—" William's expression darkened, and he was stunned by her outright rejection. Feeling humiliated, he barked angrily, "You'll regret this! Don't come begging me later!" She'd regret this? Sienna's gaze was filled with mocking disdain. Her laughter, which sounded bitter and hollow, echoed her heartache. Rain started falling as she walked aimlessly, lost in her fury and sorrow. It was not until she realized she was soaked through. After that, she took a cab and went home. As she stepped out of the car in front of her villa, still struggling to compose herself, she ran into L. He had just returned as well. Tall and striking, L stood like a top male model, exuding a commanding presence that could dominate any space. His sharp gaze swept over her disheveled appearance, and he frowned. "Where have you been, wandering around like that? If you catch a fever, my child will too!" His cold, scolding tone reminded her that at least her baby wasn't a bastard. L cared deeply for the child, and there was no reason to let William's words wound her. Just like that, her lonely heart felt a little lighter. Under his commanding presence, she mumbled a soft rebuttal, "Mr. L, embryos don't get fevers. Even if I catch a cold, it's only me who suffers." Was she actually arguing with him about pregnancy facts? L's face turned colder. "Go inside and change your clothes." "Okay." Sienna hung her head and shuffled indoors. After changing, she came to the living room and found L's mother sneaking a bite of dessert. Startled by her son's potential wrath, Helen quickly scooped some for Sienna. "Sienna, here, have a bite!" "Mother," L said sternly from the couch, "scrape off the cream. It's not suitable during pregnancy." Helen immediately complied, nervously scraping off the cream before handing it back to Sienna. Then, with exaggerated innocence, she patted her chest and declared, "I didn't take a single bite, I swear!" L cast a doubtful glance at her. Helen merely pouted in protest. Watching their playful exchange, Sienna felt her mood lighten further as she savored the lingering sweetness on her tongue. Meanwhile, L finished his work and loosened his tie, his sharp eyes catching sight of Sienna sitting nearby. A faint smear of cream clung to the corner of her mouth. He pointed at her with a long finger. "Are you a cat?" Sienna looked up, her almond eyes bright and glistening. She was utterly confused. "Over here." He raised a brow in silent instruction. "Where?" Sienna blinked, still oblivious. "Oh, you two are so troublesome," Helen muttered as she walked over. With swift precision, she grabbed L's thumb and wiped the cream from the corner of Sienna's lips. "See? Easy!" She grinned mischievously. Before L could react, she pressed his thumb to his own lips. A loud pop followed as L's elegant lips grazed the cream from his finger. Sienna could only watch in shock as he ate the bit of cream that had been on her lips. Her mind went blank with a loud bang. Even more startling, L didn't seem the least bit repulsed. He casually glanced at her with a deep, unreadable expression. Sienna's cheeks grew unbearably hot at this. Helen then nudged her son with a knowing smile. "Well? Doesn't it taste especially sweet?" Sienna simply bit her lip at her remark. Meanwhile, L's dark eyes lingered on her lips as he murmured ambiguously, "Mm, it is sweet." It was unclear whether he meant the cream or something else, but his voice carried a seductive undertone that sent shivers down Sienna's spine. Her heart skipped a few beats, and in her nervousness, she licked her lips to ensure there was no cream left. L's gaze deepened as he watched her unconscious movement. Irritated, he tilted his head back and yanked off his tie sharply.. The roughness of his actions, coupled with the way his Adam's apple moved, made Sienna inexplicably blush. Had she done something wrong? Her innocent expression only added fuel to the fire. L abruptly stood and downed a full glass of cold water. "Oh my, why does it feel like the temperature has gone up?" Helen teased, glancing mischievously at the maid. "Mary, is the air conditioning off?" Mary chuckled. "It's on, Madam." "Enough!" L's deep voice cut through as he strode upstairs, his tone low and commanding. Helen stuck out her tongue playfully before turning back to Sienna, who was quietly eating her dessert. With a sly smile, she pulled out her tablet and said conspiratorially, "Sienna, you wouldn't believe it! Earlier today, I mentioned buying you some clothes and sent a few options to him to pick. Guess what your husband chose?" Distracted by the revelation that her mother-in-law shopped online, Sienna looked over curiously. Helen pointed at the screen. "Would you believe it? That brat has such a bold taste!" Sienna looked down and saw the image of a pleated skirt. She immediately bit her lip, suddenly recalling that it was the same skirt she had worn earlier to meet her rival. Was it just a coincidence? Or did he like it too? In the elegant bedroom of the Rhodes residence, Natalie had finally managed to coax William back. She played the part of a pitiful lover with tears in her eyes. "Will, please forgive me! I wasn't really pregnant, but I just wanted to make you happy. Besides, Mrs. Sanders has never accepted me—I had no choice…" She looked fragile and delicate as she pulled him toward the bed. Her dress was slipping off one shoulder to reveal smooth, alluring skin. With teary eyes, she leaned in to kiss him. "I love you…" William's gaze darkened with frustration. "Don't change the subject! What's the deal with that other guy?" Natalie's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly burst into sobs. "Do you believe Sienna? She used a doctored photo to frame me, and now you're blaming me? I might as well die!" She poked his chest as she whimpered, "You know me better than anyone! I've only ever been with you. Remember my first time? I was so young, and I gave you everything." She was young back then. Since Sienna wouldn't even give William a kiss, William had long been unable to resist her. Natalie slowly leaned into him, her voice soft and seductive. "You want a baby, don't you? Then, let's try harder to make one." "You little temptress. Don't think you can just…" "You bad man, I know exactly what you like," she whispered coyly. William couldn't resist her tricks. She was wild in private and sweetly innocent in public—a far cry from Sienna's cold and reserved demeanor. Yet, in moments like these, Sienna's stunning face still flashed in his mind. If she hadn't been so prudish, refusing intimacy for eight years, perhaps he wouldn't have fallen for Natalie. Hah. She claimed to be so pure, but now she was with a thug and even rejected him! William clenched his fists as there was a storm of anger and bitterness brewing within him. An hour later, Natalie quietly closed the bedroom door. Julia, who was waiting outside, asked, "Did you calm him down?" Natalie smirked triumphantly. "Don't worry, Mom. Sienna's attempts to sow discord won't work. William is completely under my control. He's utterly infatuated with me. It's all thanks to you, Mom. Your skills in managing men is truly an art." Natalie had indeed learned well from her. Julia had used similar tricks to secure her hold over Carl. "Now, take your medicine quickly, or you really won't be able to keep this pregnancy façade going. Thankfully, William didn't suspect the repair job." "He'd never doubt me," Natalie said confidently. "Because of that thing, he's even more protective of me." "William may be an illegitimate child, but Mr. Sanders Senior loves him dearly. He's undoubtedly the heir now. You worked hard to take him from Sienna, so make sure you hold onto him," Julia reminded her. Natalie, however, remained indifferent. "The Sanders family might be one of the Big Four, but compared to the Lawson family, they're nothing." "The Lawson family is an untouchable aristocracy," Julia said with a proud smile. "If we're ever to climb that high, it'll have to be through your eldest cousin." Natalie knew her eldest cousin was a formidable figure. She was firmly tied to the Lawson family's most powerful man—its third son. Sooner or later, the Rhodes family would align with the Lawson family. And Sienna? She was already a discarded pawn, merely a defeated wretch cast out of the Rhodes family. Thinking of the humiliation she had suffered earlier, Natalie clenched her fists tightly. "There were plenty of people at the hotel who recorded the video of my fake miscarriage. That wretch humiliated me in front of everyone. If the video makes its way to Mrs. Sanders, my marriage to William will be doomed. "And now Sienna's claiming she'll win the provincial jewelry competition and take Fortuna back. Mom, we can't let her keep causing trouble!" "I'll take care of her," Julia said with a cold glint in her eyes. "Just wait and see how I'll deal with her." Her expression darkened as she contemplated her next move. After a moment, she turned and headed into Carl's study.