Chapter 154
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She turned to Lucille again, “Lucille, I’m so sorry! I truly didn’t realize its significance…”
“Maricela, drop it.”
Cedrick intervened once more.
Yet Maricela’s mouth kept running. Lucille couldn’t tell if she was stirring trouble or testing waters as she leaned in, pleading, “Lucille, please don’t blame me?
I really didn’t know…”
Lucille hadn’t planned to expose her, but enough was enough. One sentence ended it all: “You’re apologizing to the wrong person. That charm was carved for him by Eleanor. Perhaps apologize to his grandmother?”
Maricela froze.
Cedrick’s face darkened instantly, “Lucille! Why tell her that?
She didn’t know!”
“Oh? It’s not?”
Lucille feigned innocence, “Didn’t you say Eleanor’s your most important person?
That this charm is her precious heirloom?
What?
Not anymore?”
“Lucille!”
Cedrick snapped.
Here comes the scolding, Lucille thought.
For Maricela’s sake.
But Cedrick, remember–you still need my help.
Lucille kept smiling calmly, watching him.
Cedrick finally swallowed the rest of his words, his expression darkened. “From now until this matter is settled, nei- ther of you speaks a word!”
Lucille smiled faintly, yet memories flooded her mind.
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Chapter 154
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Back then, she’d been just like Maricela–eager to hang her blessings in his car, praying for his safety as he started his career. So she’d sought out a jade Protective Amulet to hang for him.
It never occurred to her to remove what was already there; she just wanted to hang it alongside. But he refused.
He said, “My car doesn’t need extra ornaments. I consider it my private space. Besides, Grandma is the most impor- tant person to me. I won’t have anyone else’s things placed beside hers.”
Truth be told, being called “someone else” had stung her back then.
But she’d been good at rationalizing it to herself.
She told herself it was natural–he hadn’t fallen for her yet. Things would get better with time…
She naively believed his private world held only himself and memories of his grandmother.
But it turned out otherwise.
Someone else did occupy that space–not his grandmother, but Maricela.
Lost in thought, she paid no attention to Cedrick and Maricela until his voice cut through, “Don’t be like this. I didn’t say anything, nor blame you. Just smile for me–that’s all I need to be happy.”
Lucille glanced in the rearview mirror, catching Maricela’s tear–streaked face blossoming into a smile.
So Cedrick was comforting his mistress right in front of his wife.
Lucille could only think: Unbelievable.
Lucille responded with a smile so bright it left Maricela bewildered.
Lucille ignored them both, closing her eyes to rest.
Cedrick drove straight to the local police station. Lucille stepped out, tuning out Maricela’s shrill cry: “Cedrick, help Lucille! Her legs aren’t steady!”
The shout drew stares from everyone inside.
Ha. Maricela never missed a chance to drip with hypocrisy, just like Cedrick’s bootlickers Harlan and David–practi- cally screaming through megaphones that Lucille was a cripple unworthy of their precious Cedrick.
Fine. She’d play along.
Lucille stood still, calling over her shoulder, “Darling, hurry up!
My foot hurts–help me.”
Wanted to highlight her limp? She’d lean into it.
She knew Cedrick would come. He’d never deny being her husband here.
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First, he needed her to drop the charges. Only a fool like Maricela would provoke her now.
Second, he was her husband.
Cedrick hesitated, his expression dark, but he approached.
Steadied her.
“Thought you wouldn’t come.”
Lucille mocked him.
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Something unreadable flickered in Cedrick’s eyes. “If I didn’t, who knows what stunt you’d pull next? What humilia- tion you’d cause?”
True. She would.
“You’ve become someone I don’t recognize, Lucille.”
His voice held no emotion as he supported her into the station like a lifeless crutch.