Chapter 190: Grand Finale

Corinne turned to look at the lawyer, who immediately handed the documents to Rosalind.

"Ma'am, your mental state has been unstable lately. You've been physically violent and engaged in illegal activities. Miss Corinne has arranged for you to be admitted to a facility for comprehensive evaluation and long-term treatment."

Rosalind's eyes went wide. "You're sending me to a psychiatric hospital?"

Corinne's tone was even. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you get the best care. A private room, personal physicians, twenty-four-hour monitoring. You used to say Cecilia wasn't good enough for polite society. Well, today I'm sending you somewhere quiet too, so you can rest properly."

"Corinne! You can't do this to me!"

Rosalind lunged forward, but the bodyguards blocked her.

Her voice spiraled out of control, her hair disheveled, makeup smeared. She was nothing like the haughty society woman she'd always been.

"You'll regret this! I'm your mother!"

Corinne didn't turn around. Only after the elevator doors closed did she shut her eyes. When she opened them again, all that remained was exhaustion.

At dusk, in the café below Laurent Group headquarters.

Cecilia had just sat down when Corinne arrived.

She came alone—no assistant, no bodyguards. Her shoulders were hunched low.

"I didn't think you'd actually come." Cecilia glanced at her.

Corinne sat across from her and was silent for several seconds before speaking. "I came to apologize."

Cecilia said nothing.

Corinne drew a breath. "I did a lot of terrible things to you. Humiliated you, excluded you, weaponized your work, ganged up on you with Thea. I know it's too late to say any of this now."

"But I still have to say it. I'm sorry, Cecilia." She looked at Cecilia, eyes reddening.

Cecilia picked up her coffee, expression calm. "If that's all you came to say, then I've heard it."

"When I was at my lowest, everyone turned on me. Mom forced me to confess, my brother only cared about Thea, the Sterling family wanted to throw me under the bus. You were the only one who helped me."

Cecilia looked up. "You misunderstood."

Corinne froze.

"I helped you because Sterling Group needed a shakeup, and you happened to be the right person for the position. What we have is a business arrangement, not a friendship."

"The damage you caused before won't disappear because of one apology. Corinne, I don't hate you. That doesn't mean I forgive you."

Corinne lowered her head. Tears dropped onto the back of her hand. "I know."

"In business, we're still competitors." Cecilia set down her coffee cup. "Whether you can run Sterling Group well has nothing to do with me. If you tank it, I'll take your market share without hesitation."

Corinne actually smiled at that, even with tears still on her face. "That's more like you."

Cecilia stood. "Don't slip back into old habits."

Corinne looked up at her. "I'll remember today. And I'll remember that when I was at my most pathetic, you didn't crush me."

Cecilia didn't respond to that. She grabbed her coat and walked out.

Corinne remained seated, watching her leave.

The evening breeze drifted through the door. She knew perfectly well—what she owed Cecilia could never be repaid in this lifetime.

-

The Laurent Estate was ablaze with light.

The moment Cecilia walked through the door, Eloane sprang off the couch and threw herself into Cecilia's arms. "Cecilia!"

Cecilia caught her steadily. "Careful."

Eloane clung to her tightly, voice muffled. "I've been waiting for you. I was scared you went off to handle something dangerous again."

"Nothing dangerous today." Cecilia patted her back. "Just met a few people who aren't very bright."

Roman raised his hand from where he sat. "I can vouch for that. The Sterling family really isn't the sharpest."

Noelle rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Roman."

Felix sat in an armchair, legs crossed, eyes locked on Cecilia from the moment she'd entered.

Eloane released Cecilia, eyes sparkling. "Oh! Grandpa woke up, and he's doing really well! The doctor says if he keeps improving, he can be discharged in two days."

Cecilia's expression softened. "That's good news."

"Grandpa also said he wants to thank you personally." Eloane blinked. "I think he really just wants to meet my brother's girlfriend."

Felix looked up. "Eloane."

Eloane ducked behind Cecilia. "Did I say something wrong?"

Noelle laughed. "Not at all, sweetheart. You're absolutely right."

Just then, Zoe emerged from the study, file folder in hand. "Cecilia, come here for a minute."

Cecilia saw the serious look on her face and walked over. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Zoe handed her the file. "Laurent Group is stable for now. Campbell's gone, the Isla Island project data looks solid, and the board's been quiet. This is the equity transfer document. I've already signed."

Cecilia opened the file, frowning. "What are you talking about?"

Zoe leaned against the desk, tone casual but eyes full of exhaustion. "Laurent was always yours. I was just managing it temporarily. Now that you're back and you've secured your position, I should step down."

Noelle's smile faded.

The living room went quiet.

Zoe continued, "There's been talk. People saying I deserve all the credit, saying Laurent Group isn't yours anymore—it's mine. Some are using it to stir up trouble between us. I'm sick of hearing it."

Cecilia closed the file. "Zoe."

"Let me finish." Zoe cut her off. "I don't care what they say about me, but I don't want those words reaching you someday and hurting you. Laurent Group is what your parents left you. I was just the caretaker for a while."

Cecilia studied her, then after a moment, smiled. "Are you trying to date someone?"

Zoe blinked. "What?"

Cecilia tossed the file back into her arms. "If you want time off, just say so. Don't try to scare me with this kind of talk."

Noelle chimed in, "Right? Zoe, if you want to go on dates, I can set you up. I know bankers, artists, race car drivers, or maybe a sweet art student."

Zoe's expression immediately darkened. "Noelle, do you have a death wish?"

The tension in the room dissolved.

Cecilia walked closer to Zoe and lowered her voice. "You're not my caretaker. You're my family. Run the company if you want to run it, rest if you want to rest. Don't let other people's garbage get in your head. They don't deserve to affect us."

Zoe stared down at the file in her hands, silent for a long moment before muttering, "This is so annoying."

Noelle leaned in. "Are your eyes red? I saw that."

"Get lost." Zoe shoved her away, but the corner of her mouth lifted.

All those things she'd carried—the outside speculation, the rumors about her—dissolved in that moment.

Felix walked over, his hand settling naturally on Cecilia's lower back.

Zoe looked at him, tone warning. "Mr. Knightley, you'd better remember that she has the Laurent family behind her. If you ever treat her badly, I can throw you out anytime."

Felix glanced down at Cecilia, then said seriously, "That day won't come."

Zoe snorted. "I usually take men's promises at a discount."

Roman muttered from the side, "You probably don't need to discount the boss this time. He's basically bet his life on it."

Zoe shot him a look. "You shut up too."

Eloane raised her hand. "I'll keep an eye on him! Cecilia, if he makes you mad, I'm on your side."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "What a wonderful sister I have."

Eloane ducked behind Noelle. "Of course. I'm very fair."

Cecilia watched them bicker, a smile tugging at her lips.

The estate hadn't been this lively in a long time.

Night fell, and the living room lights dimmed.

Noelle and Zoe were still downstairs drinking. Roman had been drafted as their driver. Eloane could barely keep her eyes open and was escorted to a guest room by the staff.

Cecilia stood on the terrace wrapped in Felix's coat.

Felix came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, chin resting on her shoulder. "Still awake?"

Cecilia gazed out at the estate lights in the distance. "Today was too quiet. I'm not used to it."

Felix chuckled softly. "What kind of dangerous thing is that to say?"

She turned her head to look at him. "Felix."

"Mm."

"Will we be separated again in the future?"

Felix's arms tightened around her.

In the darkness, his voice was low and steady.

"There'll be business trips. Projects. Brief separations." He said, "But we only part so we can come back together."

Cecilia lowered her eyes. "That sounds like something you'd say to a child."

"You can take it as my promise." Felix pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Don't be afraid of being apart. Even if there comes a day when you can't see me, I'll still be protecting you from wherever I am."

Cecilia turned around and looked up at him. "Where are you planning to disappear to now?"

Felix met her gaze. "I won't disappear. I'll tell you first."

Only then did Cecilia look satisfied. She hooked a finger around his collar. "Remember what you said."

"Every word." Felix leaned down and kissed her.

From downstairs, Noelle's voice suddenly rang out. "Cecilia! Zoe's drunk! She says she's firing the entire board tomorrow!"

Zoe's voice followed. "I'm not drunk! I can fire them right now!"

Cecilia was forced to stop. She pressed her forehead against Felix's chest and, after two seconds, laughed.

Felix closed his eyes, voice rough. "I want to ship them all off to a hotel right now."

Cecilia looked up at him. "Mr. Knightley, this is the Laurent Estate."

Noelle's voice came again from below. "You two stop hiding up there making out! Get down here and help!"

Cecilia pushed away from him and headed back inside. Felix stood there watching her retreating figure, smiled quietly to himself, then followed.