A pale dawn filtered through heavy clouds above Sterling Mansion, bringing with it an unsettling sense of foreboding. Sienna stood silently beside Silas in his chambers, exhaustion from recent turmoil evident in the faint shadows beneath her eyes. Yet even now, rest seemed impossible—unanswered questions lingered heavily between them.
A sudden, sharp knock echoed urgently. Before either could speak, Augustus Sterling entered swiftly, his expression stern, carrying a small lacquered box adorned with intricate carvings.
"Sienna," Augustus spoke gravely, "I've received something disturbing from Spencer's confiscated belongings—something tied directly to your master, Dr. Chen. You must see this yourself."
Sienna's heart raced anxiously as Augustus placed the box solemnly upon the desk. Silas's eyes narrowed warily, exchanging a tense glance with her.
Slowly, Sienna reached out, fingers trembling faintly, and opened the box. Her breath caught sharply as she stared inside—a surgical scalpel lay delicately wrapped in silk, its gleaming surface stained ominously with dried blood.
"It belonged to Dr. Chen," Augustus confirmed quietly, regret evident in his voice. "Sterling's forensic team matched fingerprints and blood samples—your master's final moments are engraved upon this blade."
Shock and grief surged fiercely through her. She lifted the scalpel gently, vision blurring momentarily, memories flooding her mind—the gentle smile of her master, his wise eyes teaching her patiently.
"My master's murderer kept this as a trophy," she whispered bitterly, anger simmering beneath her composure. "Spencer's cruelty runs deeper than I imagined."
Augustus exhaled slowly, conflict evident beneath his sternness. "Perhaps Spencer—but we cannot ignore other possibilities. Fingerprints from another Sterling family member were also present."
Sienna's breath froze instantly. "Who?"
Augustus hesitated visibly, eyes flickering toward Silas cautiously. "Spencer wasn't the only Sterling brother implicated. Silas's elder brother—your eldest cousin, Pierce Sterling—also left prints upon this blade."
Silas's expression hardened dangerously, fists clenching tightly. "Pierce returned home only recently—just before the trouble began."
Augustus nodded gravely. "Precisely. Pierce arrived just as threats escalated, and now his prints appear alongside Spencer's—suspicion surrounds him."
Before they could respond further, rapid footsteps approached sharply from outside. The door opened abruptly, revealing Pierce Sterling himself, expression calmly confident despite the tension clearly evident.
"Grandfather," Pierce greeted coolly, eyes flickering mockingly toward Silas and Sienna, "discussing family secrets without me?"
Augustus's voice hardened immediately. "Pierce, explain your involvement clearly—why are your fingerprints found upon Dr. Chen's murder weapon?"
Pierce smiled faintly, cold amusement glinting sharply in his eyes. "A misunderstanding, Grandfather. Spencer sought my assistance years ago—though I never imagined this blade had spilled innocent blood. I regret any… confusion."
His gaze flickered deliberately toward Sienna, voice softening dangerously. "Fourth Sister-in-law, accusations are easily cast, yet truths remain elusive. Sterling's legacy demands clarity, wouldn't you agree?"
Silas stepped protectively before Sienna, voice dangerously quiet. "Clarity begins with honesty, Pierce. Your timely return raises serious questions."
Pierce merely inclined his head mockingly, amusement dancing faintly in his expression. "Questions, brother, that you might find uncomfortable to answer yourself. After all, how well do you truly know your wife?"
Sienna's spine straightened sharply, voice steady yet deeply defiant. "I have nothing to hide, Pierce—can you say the same?"
Pierce's eyes darkened briefly, irritation flickering beneath calmness. "Sterling Mansion devours innocence swiftly, Sienna. Watch your step carefully."
He departed silently, tension lingering powerfully behind. Augustus exhaled slowly, conflict clear within his expression. "Pierce's return complicates matters severely. Remain cautious—danger surrounds us closely."
Departing quietly, Augustus left them alone, silence heavy between Sienna and Silas. Finally, Silas turned gently toward her, voice deeply protective yet troubled.
"Pierce's involvement escalates danger sharply," he murmured gravely. "We must find evidence quickly—your safety demands urgency."
Sienna nodded resolutely, heart steady despite fear. "Then we uncover Pierce's true motives immediately. He knows far more than he admits."
Before they could continue, hurried footsteps sounded urgently from the hallway. Jenna Nan appeared swiftly, expression frantic yet carefully composed.
"Silas—Sienna!" Jenna exclaimed anxiously, voice trembling faintly. "Security footage has leaked publicly—showing Sienna handling radioactive substances at Sterling Pharmaceuticals. Rumors accuse you openly of poisoning Silas!"
Shock jolted sharply through Sienna. Silas's jaw tightened fiercely, fury darkening dangerously in his eyes. "Someone deliberately leaked false evidence—framing you again."
Jenna nodded hurriedly, panic evident beneath her usual composure. "Pierce is involved deeply—he controls Sterling Pharmaceuticals' internal systems. He released this footage personally."
Sienna's heart thundered fiercely. "Then Pierce deliberately orchestrated everything—framing me, implicating Spencer, distracting Sterling family attention while planning something even darker."
Jenna hesitated briefly, voice trembling softly yet firmly resolute. "Sterling's darkness runs deeper than Pierce. Someone inside Sterling Pharmaceuticals leads these experiments—a figure known only as K."
Silas's expression hardened instantly, realization dawning grimly. "K—the mastermind behind K-19 experiments. Pierce serves merely as pawn or partner."
Jenna nodded anxiously. "Exactly. K orchestrated Dr. Chen's murder, the radioactive poisonings, everything—but identity remains concealed."
Determination surged powerfully within Sienna. "Then we'll uncover K's identity, no matter the cost. Truth demands justice."
Before they could move, Sterling guards entered urgently, escorting Augustus himself back swiftly. His expression was somber yet authoritative.
"Sienna," Augustus began gravely, tension thickening sharply, "with the video scandal escalating, Sterling Pharmaceuticals' board demands immediate action. Effective tomorrow, you must join Sterling Pharmaceuticals directly—as an intern, to publicly clear suspicion or face permanent exile from Sterling Mansion."
Silas stepped forward sharply, protective anger clear in his stance. "Grandfather—this humiliates Sienna unfairly."
Augustus exhaled slowly, regret evident beneath his sternness. "I know. Yet public perception demands this step. Either Sienna publicly disproves these accusations, or Sterling's reputation faces ruin. There is no choice."
Sienna gently touched Silas's arm, calming him resolutely. "I accept. Truth protects Sterling honor best—interning will reveal my innocence directly."
Augustus inclined his head respectfully, admiration flickering briefly beneath regret. "Your courage is commendable, Sienna. May truth protect us all."
Departing silently, tension lingered powerfully. Alone once more, Silas gently drew her close, voice quietly furious yet deeply tender.
"You deserve better," he murmured fiercely, eyes darkening intensely with protective resolve. "Yet now you're forced directly into danger."
She met his gaze unwaveringly, quiet strength resonating powerfully. "Danger surrounds us regardless—but together, we face it courageously."
His expression softened profoundly, fingertips brushing gently against her cheek, voice dropping softly yet fiercely sincere. "Always together, Sienna—no matter what comes."
In silence, their lips brushed tenderly yet deeply, sealing their bond powerfully amidst shadows gathering relentlessly around them.
Sterling Mansion's legacy now stood balanced dangerously upon truth and betrayal intertwined—a delicate web threatening constantly beneath surface calmness.
Yet tonight, amidst darkness, their unity shone fiercely bright—a beacon protecting them powerfully from endless deceit and hidden enemies, their greatest strength forever forged profoundly through shared peril.