Chapter 35
Chapter 35
The sapphire blue mermaid gown shimmered subtly in the light. Its cut was unforgivingly precise, especially at the waist—a corseted design embellished with tiny diamonds that would reveal not only her barely-showing pregnancy but even the slightest bloating from a single extra bite of food.
Teddy left after delivering the box, leaving Cecilia alone with the gown. She couldn't refuse. Given Edward's current state, any resistance would be interpreted as guilt or defiance, triggering even more uncontrollable consequences.
She walked to her vanity, pulled open a drawer, and retrieved a small pair of eyebrow scissors from an elegant jewelry box.
---
Friday evening, the East City Convention Center blazed with lights.
The Clifford family's Bentley stopped at the red carpet entrance. The driver opened the door, and Edward stepped out first in his tailored black suit, immediately becoming the center of attention.
He turned and extended his hand toward the car. A slender hand took his, and Cecilia emerged, bending slightly as she exited the vehicle.
The sapphire blue gown accentuated her snow-white skin. Her hair was swept up, revealing her elegant swan-like neck. A subtle collective gasp rippled through the crowd as she appeared.
The gown was the same, except for the tightest part at the waist, which had been replaced with a wide silk sash in the same color. The sash was tied loosely at the side, its tassels swaying gently with her movements.
Rather than detracting from the overall aesthetic, it added a touch of relaxed elegance—and perfectly blurred her waistline, softening what would have been an extremely cinched silhouette.
Edward's gaze lingered on her waist for a moment, his eyes unfathomable.
Cecilia calmly took his arm, wearing an appropriate smile as if the alteration were merely a spontaneous styling choice.
Rachel was chatting with several socialites when she spotted them. Her smile froze for half a second. The "surprise" she had specially prepared for Cecilia had been effortlessly neutralized.
Cecilia walked past her on Edward's arm, eyes straight ahead, not sparing her even a glance. That complete dismissal felt more humiliating to Rachel than any direct confrontation.
---
The auction officially began.
Cecilia showed little interest in the initial offerings of antique paintings and jewelry. Edward merely lounged lazily against his chair, occasionally raising his paddle, mostly to compete with rival companies. Whatever he won, he immediately handed off to Teddy to deal with.
Then the auctioneer's voice rang out: "Our next item is quite special—a charitable project initiated by the Summit Enterprises Group Foundation called 'New Bud Project.' It aims to provide medical resources and early intervention support for infants in remote areas. The starting bid is five hundred thousand dollars."
The big screen began playing promotional footage for the project, showing young faces, innocent yet suffering from illness—a sight that tightened everyone's hearts. The hall grew quieter. This purely philanthropic project lacked the prestige of bidding on a rare diamond.
"Six hundred thousand," a soft voice called out.
All eyes turned to see Edward's wife in the front row raising her paddle.
Edward turned to look at Cecilia beside him. She sat perfectly straight, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the screen, her profile appearing somewhat vulnerable in the light.
"One million dollars," someone from another seat raised their paddle.
"One million five hundred thousand," Cecilia responded without hesitation.
"Two million."
"Three million," Cecilia's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear.
Murmurs spread through the hall.
Edward finally spoke, his voice low with a hint of scrutiny: "You're very interested in this project?"
"It's a good investment," Cecilia didn't look at him, her gaze still fixed on the stage. "Investing in the future never results in a loss."
"Investment?" Edward's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Cecilia, you're quite generous with your money."
He was referring to her five-million-dollar contract.
"Isn't your money meant to buy reputation?" Cecilia turned to meet his gaze. "I'm just a quick learner."
Her retort left him speechless.
In the end, Cecilia secured the project for five million dollars. As the gavel fell, she seemed to relax, her back slightly easing against the chair. Edward observed her every reaction, the seed of suspicion in his mind quietly sprouting a tendril.
---
During the auction's intermission, guests moved to the side hall for cocktails.
Rachel approached with two glasses of red wine, her walk graceful, her smile flawless. "Eddie, Cece, congratulations. Cece, you're as kind as you are beautiful—five million dollars at one go! I was stunned."
She offered one of the wine glasses to Cecilia. "Let me toast you—consider it thanks on behalf of those children."
Cecilia didn't take it. "I'm sorry, I don't really drink."
"Just a small sip, it's fine," Rachel persisted, extending the glass further.
Just then, she suddenly stumbled, falling toward Cecilia. The red wine headed straight for Cecilia's abdomen.
In that split second, Cecilia's reaction was astonishingly quick. She stepped back and turned sideways, while instinctively bringing both hands to shield her stomach. That gesture was a mother's most primal instinct to protect.
Most of the wine spilled on the floor, with only a few drops landing on the hem of her dress. Because of her abrupt evasive movement, Cecilia lost her balance and swayed.
An arm from behind caught her waist just in time, holding her firmly against a solid chest. Edward's cool presence enveloped her.
"I'm so sorry! Cece, are you alright?" Rachel apologized, her face distraught, though a flash of satisfaction gleamed in her eyes.
Cecilia steadied herself and stepped out of Edward's embrace, shaking her head. "I'm fine."
Her voice was calm, but her hands, still protectively cupped over her abdomen, hadn't moved.
Every eye in the cocktail hall focused on them. Edward didn't look at the seemingly distressed Rachel, nor did he acknowledge the surrounding whispers. His gaze, sharp as ice, remained fixed on Cecilia's hands shielding her stomach.
The women's health clinic. The morning sickness. The loose-fitting clothes. The infant charity project. And now, this instinctive protective gesture.
All the pieces fit together into one answer.
His arm around Cecilia's waist tightened gradually, with enough force to nearly embed her into his body. Cecilia winced in pain, furrowing her brow. She looked up and met Edward's eyes. Within them swirled a bottomless storm.
---
The cocktail reception ended abruptly.
The atmosphere in the car on the way back was oppressive. Edward said nothing, his profile hard and cold. Cecilia could feel his gaze on her, but she didn't speak, keeping her eyes fixed on the view outside.
Back at the villa, Edward slammed the car door with a thunderous sound. Cecilia followed him into the living room, where the crystal chandelier cast a cold light.
He turned around, blocking her path.
"You've gotten bolder, Cecilia."