Chapter 52
Seeing him, Lucille suddenly seemed to find her anchor. She wept softly, “Cedrick, I didn’t do it, I really didn’t. I just… I just got excited when I saw Mrs. Wilson arrive and wanted to greet her as your supportive partner. I never ex- pected Lucille to stand up at that exact moment… Maybe… maybe our dresses tangled… I rushed to explain because I didn’t want anyone blaming Lucille for being rude. I wanted them to feel sympathy for her…”
Predictably, Maricela had twisted the story to absolve herself completely.
And Cedrick swallowed every word of this nonsense.
“I know. Don’t be scared. I’m here.”
Hah. Hearing Cedrick’s tender tone, Lucille almost thought that if he weren’t her husband, she’d ship them herself! Such touching devotion.
Mrs. Wilson seemed to finally recall who Maricela was, then nodded. “Aren’t you Mr. Maynard?”
“Yes, I’m Cedrick. We met just the other day.”
Cedrick stood protectively beside Maricela, his gaze sweeping over Lucille with an unreadable intensity.
Mrs. Wilson
nodded again, turning to Mr. Wilson. “This project with Mr. Maynard is your decision to continue or not. I won’t interfere. But this woman-” she gestured at Maricela-“I find distasteful. Since this is my banquet, please have her removed.”
Truthfully, Cedrick’s presence at this Capital City negotiation proved his influence and competence. But who was Cedrick?
Seaston’s biggest romantic, willing to sacrifice everything for his Maricela!
So Lucille watched as Cedrick helped Maricela up, then addressed Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Wilson with unruffled grace: “My deepest apologies for tonight’s disruption. My companion and I shall take our leave immediately. Please enjoy the rest of your evening undisturbed.”
With that, Cedrick led the weeping Maricela away. Harlan followed, but not before turning back to glare at Lucille with pure hatred.
Seriously? Her fault again?
“Come, Lucille. Let’s not dwell on unpleasantness. The party continues.”
Mrs. Wilson took Lucille’s arm.
She mentioned Lucille being Aydan’s lifesaver–a heroic act Lucille genuinely couldn’t recall and dared not claim credit for.
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Chapter 52
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Mrs. Wilson smiled. “It’s understandable you don’t remember. Aydan will tell you the story himself someday.”
“I doubt I performed any earth–shattering feat?” Lucille joked. “Otherwise I’d surely remember.”
Mrs. Wilson clasped her hand. “Sometimes saving someone doesn’t mean carrying them from literal fire or sword. When someone’s in their darkest moment, utterly lost… the faintest light can become their hope.”
Lucille froze in place, suddenly understanding.
She didn’t know if everyone had their own darkest hour, but the light in hers had been dance itself, the version of her- self that once shone so brightly…
Whenever she thought of this, tears would well up
in her eyes.
Whether it was Mrs. Hurley or others in the household, everyone treated Lucille with kindness. That evening, they all took great care of her. When the banquet ended, Aydan sent her back. Stepping out of the venue, at the foot of the exit stairs, Lucille saw Cedrick standing there.
Wasn’t he supposed to have gone back with Maricela and the others?
Why is he here again?
Cedrick was still wearing the suit from the banquet, looking just as sharp as any of the wealthy gentlemen there, though his hair was a bit messy.
He stood at the bottom step, unmoving, as if waiting for her to come down.
“Let’s go this way?”
Aydan gestured.
Lucille nodded.
Just as the two were about to head to the side, Cedrick quickly climbed the steps and blocked Lucille’s path.
“You saw me, yet you’re still leaving with someone else?”
He sounded calm and inscrutable.
Actually, tonight’s events had hit him hard; if he held any resentment, based on past patterns, he’d probably blame Lu- cille, right?