Chapter 56
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She startled, her hand jerked, and the phone clattered to the floor.
“Nothing.”
She immediately snatched up the phone and locked the screen. “An old professor moved abroad. Just reconnected af- ter visiting the college during this Capital City trip.”
To divert attention from the email, she hastily locked the screen and stood up, asking Cedrick, “What were you say- ing?”
“I said I need to talk. Come here.”
Cedrick finally dropped the email subject.
Lucille exhaled in relief. “Alright, let me fix my hair first.”
Back in the bathroom, her first move was switching to another email account. Then she grabbed a towel, combed through her damp, loose hair, and finally returned.
In that short time, Cedrick had poured another glass. The large bottle of red wine was nearly half gone.
“Lucie, I’ll pace myself. Won’t get drunk.”
He spoke as if explaining his lapse, adding, “Too many things lately. Just easing the fatigue.”
“Oh.”
Lucille responded flatly.
She’d once risked her life to save him. Even if she owed him from a past life, that debt was cleared. Respect and well- wishes–no more meddling in others‘ fates.
“Ordered you a steak. Eat it hot–they grill it well here.”
He gestured.
She shook her head. “Ate too much tonight. Really can’t.”
He gave a bitter smile. “Quite the pleasant evening you had.”
“Truly pleasant.”
She nodded.
He was pouring more wine. Hearing this, he shook his head with a sigh. “Quite the talent. Your husband’s projects keep failing, yet you stay cheerful?”
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Chapter 56
She almost retorted–Was it me who ruined them?
Don’t you know exactly why they failed?
288 Wouchers
But these arguments had cycled endlessly. Pointless. No matter how she argued, she couldn’t sway him. Better to quit wasting breath.
So she stayed silent, lifting her water glass to take small sips.
“Lucie.”
He’d drunk half his glass, brows slightly furrowed. “I know what you’re thinking. You’ll say it’s all Maricela ‘s fault.”
“No, no.”
Lucille quickly defended herself. “That’s unfair. I never thought that.”
“I know you did.”
He downed the rest in one gulp. “But don’t blame Maricela. She suffered alone abroad. Her boyfriend beat her so badly she landed in the hospital. Came back covered in bruises. Family ties are strained too. Who else can she rely on but us?”
He paused, watching for her reaction.
Lucille nodded again. “True.”
He looked stunned, clearly unprepared for her easy acceptance. “You’re not angry?”
After her shower, the room’s AC felt too cold. She cradled the cup; the warmth felt comforting. “Why should I be?”
Right. Why be angry?
Punish herself for Ced and Maricela ‘s mistakes?
She doesn’t even bring up divorce anymore. Just let it be. It’s too exhausting. Anyway, she’s leaving to study abroad. They can divorce when she leaves. At worst, a two–year separation would suffice.
He paused briefly before letting out a relieved sigh. “Lucille, I’m glad you understand.
Maricela grew up pampered, never faced hardship. After enduring so much injustice… I must show her extra care. Sure, she can be spoiled and lacks a sense of propriety sometimes, but that’s just her nature. Back then, everyone adored her innocence and liveliness.
We can’t expect someone to change their core personality just because they’re older. Core traits don’t change.”
Lucille listened, plucking a grape to eat. “Fair point.”
Cedrick: …
He couldn’t help but chuckle.
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Chapter 56
Lucille found it rare–him smiling in her presence. All thanks to Maricela.
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She recalled a line from those Billionaire Romance DaisyNovel: The young master hasn’t laughed like this in years.
Fitting for Cedrick, except in those stories, the CEO laughs because of the female lead. Here? He’s laughing over the supporting actress.
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