Chapter 395: Vanessa's Face Burned with a Mix of Fury

Vanessa’s face burned with a mix of fury and humiliation. That incident was ancient history. Yet Sienna deliberately brought it up in front of Caleb. How calculating could she be? Sienna let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “Caleb, look closely. She didn’t just steal Derek from me. She conspired with him to plunder my entire fortune. If this recording hadn't surfaced, I’d be dead by now. They would be in control of all my assets at this very moment.”

“You’re asking me to forgive her? Fine. Answer me this: Have you ever truly forgiven our parents and Grandfather for how they treated you?”

The question struck Caleb unprepared. She was right. He harbored deep resentment for the way his parents and Grandfather had always looked down on him. What Vanessa did to Sienna was far worse. How could forgiveness even be an option? If he were in Sienna’s position, having endured all that betrayal, he would have ended them. Vanessa sensed Caleb’s shifting loyalty instantly.

Tears immediately welled in her eyes and began to stream down her cheeks. “It’s not what it looks like! There are reasons… complicated reasons. I can’t explain them now. Not yet. You’ll understand someday. I promise you will.” She sobbed pitifully, implying she was burdened by a terrible secret. She then produced an ornate invitation card and walked slowly toward Sienna.

“Sister,” she began, her voice choked with emotion. “I came here today to personally deliver this to you. I sincerely hope you will attend my wedding to Derek. I know I’ve wronged you in the past. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Please… we are sisters. I’m begging you to come. Do you know I have no friends left? No one is willing to be my bridesmaid.”

“Mother and Father agreed that you should be the one. They hoped it would help you forgive me. That we could heal our relationship. Please… I’m begging for a chance to make things right.”

Her voice was raw and hoarse from crying. The tears never stopped falling. She performed the picture of utter agony. Sienna merely responded with another cold scoff. She was about to speak, to refuse, but Vanessa forcefully pressed the thick cardstock invitation into her hand.

“Sister, I know you’ll say yes. I choose to believe this world is still beautiful, just like you do. I’ll be expecting you in two days. You have to be there.”

With that, she turned to Caleb before making her exit. “Be ready, Caleb. Don’t waste this opportunity. Call me if you need anything…” Her final words successfully redirected Caleb’s thoughts to Takashi Yamamoto. A notoriously arrogant and reclusive top-tier gamer like him usually refused all coaching requests. Yet Vanessa had somehow convinced him. Maybe she really was a kind sister at heart. Perhaps there were hidden reasons for her being with Derek, just as she hinted…

Caleb turned back to Sienna. “Sienna, everyone makes mistakes. She’s learned hers. I truly believe she won’t harm you again. You should find it in your heart to forgive her. She’s going to be a mother soon.” Sienna looked down at the invitation in her hand, her eyes narrowing to slits. Vanessa should be terrified of her showing up at the wedding, fearing she would ruin it. So why actively invite her? And insist she be a bridesmaid? Vanessa was plotting something. She had to be.

Sienna had no intention of arguing further with Caleb. She moved to leave when her sharp eyes caught sight of the earphones lying on the sofa. On the side of one earpiece was a tiny, almost imperceptible dent. Her gaze instantly turned razor-sharp. It was a dent specifically caused by the installation of a pinhole camera!

“Who bought you those earphones?” Sienna demanded, her voice sharp.

“Vanessa did. She’s very thoughtful. She’s not a bad person. I believe she’s acting under difficult circumstances,” Caleb attested loyally.

Sienna scoffed in derision. No wonder Vanessa was so desperate for her to attend the wedding. So that was her game. It seemed the time for showing any mercy to Vanessa was long past. Vanessa slid into the back of her waiting car, leaving Willowcrest Estate behind. The pitiful, weeping mask she wore for Caleb and Sienna vanished instantly. It was replaced by a dark, vicious smirk of triumph. In the palm of her hand, she clutched a tiny pinhole camera. Hah!

She couldn't wait to see how Sienna would possibly talk her way out of this one.