Chapter 369: The Moment Derek Left

The moment Derek left, Margaret Prescott finally spoke. “Alright then. Should we begin the wedding preparations immediately? I hope Vanessa can get some proper rest now.”

“Of course.” Helena Bennett gave her daughter’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’ll stay right here, Vanessa. I’ll handle everything. Don’t you worry about a thing.”

“Okay,” Vanessa replied with a compliant nod.

It had all worked out in the end. As long as she married Derek, her future was secure. Most of the people in the hospital room filed out to start organizing the wedding. Uninterested, Sienna Bennett turned to Henry Bennett. “If there’s nothing else requiring my presence, Grandfather, I’ll be heading home.”

“Thank you for your assistance today, Sienna. Your sister is in your debt. I’ll put you in charge of the real estate development project next year,” Senior Bennett stated.

He felt a pang of sympathy for Sienna. She had spent eighteen years with Derek, only to have her own wedding destroyed. Now she had to watch her sister marry him. It must be agonizing. No project, no matter how profitable, could truly compensate for that heartache. Sienna, however, showed no outward emotion. She simply acknowledged his words. “Understood.” A bitter taste filled Vanessa’s mouth. Her hands clenched into tight fists beneath the sterile hospital sheets. She owed Sienna? Owed her for what? Sienna was the one who had publicly ruined her reputation!

And now Grandfather was just handing the project over to her? That project was supposed to be Vanessa’s responsibility! Its success would have brought her significant profit and cemented her standing. Why this sudden change? Henry Bennett turned his attention to Vanessa. “Vanessa, you must focus on recuperating. You don’t object to this arrangement, do you?” Object? Of course she objected!

She felt like she could tear them all apart in that moment. But the wedding was imminent. She had to maintain control, to not risk offending the Bennett family. She had no choice. “Of course not,” Vanessa forced out. “As long as Sienna isn’t overburdened.”

“Don’t concern yourself. I’m not pregnant, and my health is excellent. You should concentrate on your recovery. Focus on becoming a good mother and a dutiful wife. I will manage everything else,” Sienna commented, a faint, cool smile touching her lips.

With that, she turned and exited the room. Vanessa watched her leave, teeth gritted. She was gloating. Sienna was deliberately rubbing her face in it—flaunting the project, her vitality, her victory. If the original plan had held, Sienna would be the one marrying Derek, destined for a life as a confined housewife. That was supposed to be Sienna’s fate! Sienna should have been the one rendered useless and irrelevant! But the tables had turned completely. Now Vanessa was the one being forced into that powerless role.

Once married, her standing in the modeling world would vanish. She would never reclaim her former glory. She would be forced to watch from the sidelines as Sienna’s star rose higher and higher. What alternative did she have, though? None. If she didn’t hold onto Derek, she would have nothing left. A wave of nausea washed over her, despite the cheerful wedding planning happening just outside her door. Sienna’s final words echoed, eerie and threatening. It was impossible that Sienna would help her without some hidden scheme in motion.

Henry Bennett soon left to join the wedding discussions. Not long after, Margaret Prescott re-entered the room. Her tone was gentle. “Vanessa, Derek just called. He said it’s too late to have a custom wedding gown made. We’ll have to purchase a designer one from a boutique. Also, because of the short notice, Meridian Exhibition Hall is completely booked. We’ll have to hold the ceremony at a different hotel. I hope you understand.”

A designer gown? The same mass-produced design anyone with enough money could buy? And Meridian Exhibition Hall was the most distinctive venue in all of Kingsport. Built out over the ocean, its spire was visible from every corner of the city, a landmark from any angle! Every prestigious family and public figure hosted their weddings at Meridian Exhibition Hall. Now, suddenly, Vanessa had to compromise on everything. Compromise. The word curdled in her stomach. Vanessa was utterly displeased.