Chapter 46
Reginald opened the car door, his lips curving upward. "Let's go. I'll take you home."
Lucinda looked at his shadow, stretched long by the setting sun, and stayed silent for a moment.
This location was too remote. Last time she'd come, she'd spent half an hour on a ride-hailing app with no takers.
She withdrew her gaze, bent down, and got into the car.
The car pulled out of the village and headed back toward the city.
Reginald held her hand. After a while, he suddenly spoke. "Let's eat together every day from now on?"
"I'm very busy." Lucinda declined directly.
She really was busy—the studio, the research institute, the company. Her schedule was packed every single day.
"Then I'll come find you." Reginald's tone carried no hesitation. "Wherever you are, I'll go. I'll wait until you're done, and then we'll eat together."
Lucinda looked at his earnest expression, stayed silent for a few seconds, then sighed. "Once every evening. I'll set the time and place and text you."
Reginald's lips curved upward, a smile spreading from his eyes. "Deal. It's a promise."
The two went to another upscale restaurant—a branch of The Velvet Fork, located by the lakeside in the southern district.
Reginald had reserved the entire place in advance. The restaurant was completely quiet, with only their table occupied.
Meanwhile, at the restaurant entrance, Allegra held onto Marshall's arm and was once again stopped at the door.
"We apologize. The restaurant has been reserved by a VIP tonight and is not accepting other guests."
Allegra's smile froze on her face.
Reserved again?
She'd carefully done her makeup today, planning to have a nice dinner with Marshall. And once again, they couldn't even get through the door?
Her gaze swept past the server and into the restaurant.
The entire dining hall was empty except for a man and woman seated by the window. The lighting was too dim to see their faces clearly, but she could make out the man's silhouette—tall, upright. Even just sitting there, he radiated an undeniable presence.
She withdrew her gaze, a vague bitterness welling up inside her.
So there were this many wealthy families in the world. Forget the Wipere family—even the Grayson family couldn't measure up to displays like this in Starlight City.
She wondered which woman would eventually climb up to such wealth.
She bit her lip, feeling both envious and unwilling.
Just then, her gaze suddenly froze.
At the window seat, the woman tilted her head slightly. The light fell on her face.
Cool, refined features. Familiar styling. Hair draped over her shoulders.
Allegra's pupils contracted slightly.
Lucinda.
Her again.
Her brow furrowed instantly.
At noon, Lucinda had been with some old man who'd reserved a venue. And now in the evening, she'd switched to another one.
Allegra's gaze landed on that tall silhouette. The environment was dim, light scattering unevenly across him. Though his build resembled the one from noon, Allegra instinctively felt this wasn't the same man.
This one looked younger. Even just his back was enough to make hearts race.
Why? Why did all the good things fall into Lucinda's lap?
Allegra took a deep breath, forcing down the jealousy rising in her chest. She plastered on a pained expression and tugged at Marshall's sleeve. "Marshall, look... what's happened to my sister? That man at noon... and now she's with a different one tonight. After leaving the Wipere family, her life has gotten so miserable. Having to keep different men company every day—can she even handle it?"
Marshall followed her gaze.
Under the light, Lucinda's face was cool and composed—even more beautiful than he remembered.
He thought back to the first time he'd met Lucinda. She'd been wearing a white dress, standing in the garden at the Wipere Villa, sunlight falling on her like she'd stepped out of a painting.
He'd been captivated on the spot. He'd approached her proactively, wanting her to be his secret lover.
She hadn't even looked at him. She'd coldly said, "Not interested."
But now, through the glass window, seeing that face from afar—his heart still skipped a beat.
Realizing she now kept different men company every day, after acting so aloof back then—irritation surged in Marshall's chest.
He withdrew his gaze, his voice turning cold, tinged with disgust. "Shameless. She acted so high and mighty back then. Turns out she's just this kind of person."
Allegra lowered her head, her lips curving briefly before she suppressed the smile.
She tightened her grip on Marshall's arm, her voice soft. "Marshall, don't be upset. Let's go. We'll eat somewhere else. I'll keep you company."
The two turned and walked toward the parking lot.
Allegra glanced back at that tall silhouette, her eyes lighting up again.
So what if Lucinda had latched onto rich men?
She was just a plaything to them.
But she, Allegra, had Marshall—young, handsome, good to her. He was a man who could stay with her for life.
After dinner, Reginald drove Lucinda back to the Douglas Estate.
Lucinda pushed open the door. The living room lights were still on. Valencia sat on the sofa, Wesley beside her reading the paper. Dahlia sat on the single sofa across from them, holding a gold-embossed certificate, her face glowing with barely concealed delight.
"Cindy's home!" Valencia was the first to see her and waved her over. "Come here! We have great news!"
Lucinda walked over and sat down on the sofa.
Valencia grabbed her hand, her tone excited. "Dahlia won an award today! A jewelry design competition—first place! She's the only one from all of Starlight City!"
Dahlia turned the certificate in her hand so Lucinda could see the gold lettering on the cover, her lips curved in a modest smile. "It's nothing, really. Just a small competition. Mom insisted on celebrating. I couldn't stop her."
"How can you call it small?" Valencia chided her gently. "That's the City Jewelry Design Competition. It carries real weight. Dahlia winning first place proves she has genuine talent."
Dahlia smiled humbly, her gaze shifting to Lucinda, her tone carrying just the right touch of consideration. "Lucinda came from a small place, so she might not understand these things. Jewelry design is a high-threshold field. Not just anyone can grasp it."
She paused, then added, "But don't worry. Once I'm done with my current projects, I'll design a jewelry set just for Lucinda. Consider it a welcome gift."
Valencia's eyes reddened at those words. She patted Dahlia's hand. "You're such a kind child. Sisters should be like this—looking out for each other."
Wesley also set down his paper, glanced at both daughters, and nodded slightly, his face carrying a satisfied smile.
Lucinda sat beside them, looking at the certificate in Dahlia's hand, then at the "I'm so generous" expression on her face. Her lips curved slightly.
"Lucinda, take a look." Dahlia handed over the certificate, her tone tinged with pride. "This is the award certificate. Here are the judges' comments. They all said my design has a real 'natural energy' to it."
Lucinda took it and looked down.
The design was a brooch—a butterfly shape. Its wings were set with tiny diamonds, the lines intricate, the colors vivid.
She looked at it for two seconds. It felt oddly familiar. Then she handed the certificate back and smiled. "Very nice."
Inwardly, though, she stifled a yawn.
She hadn't expected the prestige of this competition to drop so much year after year.