Chapter 160: Derek's Gaze Swept Toward Sienna

As predicted, Derek’s gaze swept toward Sienna before addressing the room. “Everyone here knows Sienna Bennett was once my fiancée. I’ve loved her since we were children. Had it not been for… certain events, we would already be married.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. “After everything happened, I was lost. Vanessa was there for me. I mistook that comfort for love.” His voice grew softer, more intimate. “But seeing Sienna again made me realize the truth. My heart has always belonged to her.” His eyes, full of manufactured tenderness, locked onto Sienna. “This isn’t a sudden decision. I even confessed my true feelings to Vanessa weeks ago.”

He was effectively using Vanessa to validate his fabricated narrative. Sienna nearly scoffed aloud. The audacity of this man, lying with such conviction. He was utterly repulsive. Before she could interject, Walter Carlisle’s voice cut through the tension. “You proposed to Vanessa! You can’t just oscillate between sisters. It’s disrespectful!”

“Grandfather Carlisle,” Derek implored, his expression the picture of solemn sincerity. “You’ve known me my whole life. You know my character. I would never intentionally toy with anyone’s affections. My history with Sienna… our engagement, the tokens we exchanged… it spans fifteen years. From when she was just a child. What I had with Vanessa was brief in comparison.” His performance was masterful, dripping with a pain that felt almost real.

Even Walter, initially furious, seemed momentarily swayed by the emotional display. “So,” he asked, his tone gentler, “you truly hold no regard for the incident five years ago against her?” Derek drew himself up, embodying noble forgiveness. “None whatsoever. As Mrs. Bennett said, everyone makes mistakes. Sienna was young. I was immature. It’s in the past.” Walter sighed, turning his attention to his granddaughter. “Sienna? What are your thoughts on this?” He knew of her long-held affection for this man. Her feelings had to be considered.

Helena Bennett watched, her emotions conflicted. Both were her daughters, though she favored Vanessa. She knew a marriage without genuine love was a hollow cage. “If Sienna can move past it,” she ventured, “perhaps it’s for the best. Given the scandal from before… others might not be so accepting.” She looked directly at Sienna. “Well? You were engaged once. If you’re willing, we can begin preparations immediately.”

“How very considerate,” Sienna replied, a slight, icy arch to her brow. Her gaze was flat and dismissive as it landed on Derek. “But no. I don’t go back for trash I’ve already taken out.”

Derek’s face tightened imperceptibly. She was publicly humiliating him. After he’d offered her this gracious way back in? Now that she was Lucas Harrington’s mistress, she thought she could act with such impunity? A stunned silence fell over the room. No one had expected such a blunt, brutal rejection from the woman once known for her hopeless devotion.

Penelope Sinclair, whose daughter was still confined because of Sienna, seized the moment to sneer. “Of course. Our Sienna is the Diamond Boss now, swimming in assets. Why would she settle? She certainly has the attitude to match now.”

“Attitude?” Sienna’s retort was sharp and immediate. “Vanessa wronged me repeatedly. I possessed evidence I could have handed to the police and the media. I showed restraint.” She let that hang in the air before continuing, her tone shifting to one of mock concern. “My refusal has nothing to do with Derek himself. It’s out of consideration for Vanessa. She is, after all, still my sister. How would it look if I took her discarded fiancé? What would that do to her?”