Chapter 9 Where's Rhett

Reluctantly, Rhett placed his cup aside and made his way upstairs.

Upon entering, he found Natalia overseeing the arrangement of her new room. Her expression soured upon noticing him, and she dramatically threw herself onto the sofa.

Dismissing the servants, Rhett joined her on the sofa, gently draping his arm around her. "Are you still upset?"

"Of course, I am! They've stripped me of the manor I so dearly loved!"

She was visibily aggrieved, having carefully selected that picturesque mountain spot, only to have it ripped away so abruptly.

Rhett tried to calm her, his hands on her shoulders. "There's a land being developed in Osemery. I've chosen a spot there for us..."

"That's not what I want!" Natalia snapped back, her voice full of anger. "I want my manor!"

Rhett's expression turned serious. "I've already declared that estate belongs to Sienna. Should I go back on my word?"

Natalia's anger softened as she sensed his growing impatience. "Talk to Sienna. She's reasonable. Maybe swap it for another gift? She's kind-hearted and won't hold a grudge."

"Sienna might be accommodating, but Julian is another matter," Rhett replied, his expression growing grim. "He mentioned the manor deliberately-it's clear he's aware of our situation and is leveraging it against me."

He looked at her pointedly. "Even if we reclaimed the manor, would you feel secure living there?"

"I..." Natalia faltered, unsure.

In Plinas, defying Julian was unthinkable.

In a moment of exasperation, she blurted out, "If only Sienna weren't around anymore!"

Rhett's eyes narrowed sharply. "What did you just say?"

Realizing her slip, Natalia quickly softened, clutching his arm. "Just kidding, babe. Don't take it to heart."

"You seem worn out. Why don't you rest a bit?" Rhett said as he started to get up, but Natalia's sudden exclamation stopped him.

"What's the matter?" he asked with concern.

She grimaced, holding her stomach. "I'm feeling some discomfort here. Can you stay with me for a bit?"

As he noticed her discomfort, Rhett's demeanor softened. He removed his jacket and lay beside her, thinking Sienna would manage a little longer in the chapel.

Meanwhile, in the chapel, Sienna found herself alone without her wheelchair or bag.

Slowly dragging herself across the cold floor toward the door, she called out desperately.

"Rhett! Rhett! Let me out!"

The distance from the living room to the chapel was long, yet the house's silence should have carried her voice.

But still... no response came.

The cold from the floor was biting, chilling Sienna to the core.

Her eyes fixed on a lighter left carelessly on the floor, and she dragged herself towards it with grim determination.

Flames quickly engulfed the chapel as she lit it, and the blaring fire alarm soon reverberated through the mansion.

Servants burst into the room, their cries filling the air as they scrambled to extinguish the flames. Amidst the chaos, someone discovered Sienna lying unconscious swiftly carrying her out.

"Sienna, are you okay?"

The familiar voice belonged to Nolan Wells, Rhett's younger brother.

As they moved her, Sienna's lungs filled with smoke, causing her to cough violently.

Nolan placed her in the living room, anxiously asking, "Sienna, can you hear me? Are you okay?"

Barely gathering strength, Sienna managed a weak nod. "I'm... just a bit shaken."

Tears streamed down her face, her lashes damp and clinging together, giving her a pitiful look.

"Why were you by yourself in the chapel? Where's Rhett? Didn't anyone look after you?"

In a weak voice, Sienna responded, "Ivy insisted on a special prayer session."

Realizing the chapel door had been locked, Nolan pieced together that it was likely his grandmother's doing.

"Wasn't Rhett supposed to defend you?"

A faint, sorrowful smile crossed Sienna's lips, her face showing signs of collapsing.

Nolan studied her face, moved to comfort her and nearly reached out to wipe her tears but stopped himself short. "He hasn't been looking after you, has he?"

Just then, Rhett's strained voice cut through the tension. "What's going on here?"