Chapter 171
Back home, she showered, ate a quick meal, then video–called Grandma.
She avoided visiting the hotel too often, wary of tipping off her parents and causing trouble.
Seeing Grandma peaceful on screen cased her mind.
She hadn’t checked ebay all day. Red notifications dotted the corner–over a dozen new sales.
Still time for pickup. She hurriedly packed the clothes, summoning a courier while Cedrick was out.
After this round, her closet gaped emptier.
No regret. Just shoulders suddenly lighter,
like shedding half the weight after miles under a crushing load. How could she not feel airborne?
When Cedrick returned, Lucille was scrolling through apps. A local headline flashed: CEO Cedrick Donates to Nurs- ing Home, Honors Elderly.
The article praised him as an exemplary youth, quoting “care for the elderly as your own” to champion dignity in ag- ing.
A flawless reputation boost.
Maricela’s smiling face appeared in the photos, unnoticed.
The fame–hungry Maricela had faded into the background.
Whatever Cedrick’s motives–vanity or Maricela’s schemes–the elders‘ joy mattered most.
Lucille swiped past the news.
Midnight. Cedrick still hadn’t returned.
Lucille was asleep when her phone rang.
Startled, she answered–not Cedrick’s voice, but Harlan’s. “Can you come get Cedrick?”
Lucille: ?
?
?
Her fetch Cedrick?
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Chapter 171
What were they thinking?
“He’s drunk. Insists on going home–says he has something important for you. Come get him.”
“Just get a courier to deliver whatever it is, or give it to me tomorrow.”
Lucille was wide awake now, but had no intention of picking him up.
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“Lucille…” Cedrick’s voice came through, heavily slurred this time. “Never mind, don’t come. I’ll get back myself. It’s
about this afternoon’s stuff…”
Lucille understood–it was her father’s waiver and notarization.
Chaos erupted on the other end.
Cedrick must’ve been completely drunk. Over the phone came the clattering and shattering of dishes hitting the floor.
“Cedrick!
Cedrick!
Don’t push yourself!
In your state, even calling a driver wouldn’t feel safe!
That heartless thing you call a wife won’t even come downstairs to get you.”
“Yeah, Cedrick, just forget it. Don’t go home. Stay at Maricela’s place tonight.”
Lucille hung up the phone.
Fine, staying at Maricela’s place it is. She had no objections.
She set her phone down and went back to sleep.
What she didn’t expect was hearing the front door open about half an hour later.
He actually came back?
After some thought, she got up to check. Mainly because he was making a huge clattering noise in the Entryway Hall again. She worried–if he was this drunk, could her father’s notarized waiver still be valid?
Walking into the living room, she found him standing dazed in the entryway.
“Lucille, come here.”
He actually recognized her.
She approached and said bluntly, “You didn’t mistake me for someone else?”
“My own wife? How could I?”
His voice carried an unexpected bitterness as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
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“You…” Surrounded by the strong smell of alcohol, Lucille tried to shove him away, but he only held her tighter.
“Push me again!
Knock me over and you’ll be husbandless.”
He sounded unnervingly cheerful.
Arguing with a drunk is pointless!
Fortunately, after stumbling from the entryway to the living room, he collapsed onto the sofa. Then he pulled a docu- ment envelope from his bag and handed it to her. “Take it.”
Lucille opened it and checked. Everything was in order.
He leaned back on the sofa with a scoff. “Still checking?
Don’t trust me?
Have I ever failed to deliver what you asked for?”
True enough. Though honestly, there was little he couldn’t accomplish. But hearing him boast so blatantly was rare- clearly wasted.
Lucille turned to leave with the documents, but he grabbed her wrist and yanked hard.
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