Chapter 27
Richard turned to Edward, half-complaining, half-boasting: "So many wonderful girls—well-educated, from good families—and what does he do? Barely speaks two words to them."
Rachel brightened at this, smiling shyly. "Mr. Hughes, don't say that. Edd—I mean, Samuel is just naturally reserved."
Cecilia couldn't help glancing up, secretly observing Edward's reaction.
Edward's jawline remained tense, but that dark look he'd had for Rachel seemed to have softened slightly.
"No need to rush, Mr. Hughes," Edward said evenly, his voice carrying an unmistakable edge. "Mr. Samuel Hughes has high standards. Not just anyone catches his eye."
As he spoke, his gaze flickered briefly over Cecilia. "Though I've noticed his tastes are quite... consistent."
Richard missed the subtext and asked with interest, "Oh? How so?"
Edward looked down at the motionless Cecilia in his arms. "He prefers women who appear quiet and cool on the surface, but have a stubborn, unyielding core beneath."
"Like Cecilia here, wouldn't you say?"
In that moment, Cecilia felt less like a person and more like a trophy being publicly appraised.
She felt the weight of Mr. Hughes' probing stare, Rachel's gleeful schadenfreude, and Samuel's embarrassment at being so publicly exposed.
Samuel's expression darkened completely, his hand clenching into a fist at his side.
Even Richard, slow on the uptake as he was, finally sensed something off.
"Eddie, that joke is a bit..." Richard forced a laugh, trying to smooth things over.
"Joke?" Edward raised an eyebrow. "I never joke."
Edward leaned down to Cecilia's ear and commanded in a voice only she could hear: "Weren't we acting? Now it's your turn to smile."
Cecilia's body remained frozen for several seconds before she slowly raised her head.
"Honey," her voice was honey-sweet with just the right touch of playful reproach, "you're teasing me again. Mr. Hughes and his son will take you seriously."
Her performance was flawless—a young wife slightly embarrassed by her husband's showing off.
Her compliance and cooperation pleased Edward.
"My wife is rather shy. Please excuse us," he said, then guided Cecilia away by the waist.
As he led her across the room, Cecilia could still feel those intense stares drilling into her back.
The smile melted from her face inch by inch.
Starting tonight, she couldn't drag Samuel into this anymore.
This path paved with five million dollars was always meant for her to walk alone.
The ballroom returned to its lively state of clinking glasses and conversation, as if that dangerous exchange had been nothing but an illusion.
Before long, Rachel approached again.
Ignoring Cecilia completely, she went straight to Edward. "Eddie, could I... talk to you for a moment?"
Edward lifted his gaze to look at her briefly, which Rachel took as permission.
She bit her lower lip, as if gathering enormous courage. "I know I was wrong not to come back immediately after your accident. I was too young, too scared. I was afraid to see you, afraid I couldn't handle it. I truly... regret it."
Her voice grew quieter, her eyes reddening.
Cecilia sat nearby, hearing every word clearly.
When he'd had his accident, Rachel had backed away out of fear.
Now she regretted it and had returned to win him back.
To Cecilia's surprise, Edward's face showed none of the emotion she'd expected.
Edward replied coolly, "The past is better left in the past."
The words sounded like rejection, but to Cecilia, they took on a different meaning.
A gracious forgiveness that only a victor could offer.
If he didn't love Rachel deeply, he wouldn't forgive so easily.
And Cecilia? From beginning to end, she was just a tool he used to provoke Rachel, to showcase his possessiveness.
Perhaps now it was time for her to exit the stage?
Having gotten the answer she wanted, Rachel walked away visibly relieved.
Edward set down his glass and looked at Cecilia, who remained seated. His voice carried a lazy command, "Let's go."
Cecilia didn't move.
He frowned. "What's wrong? Can't bear to leave? Want to gaze at your Mr. Hughes a little longer?"
Cecilia smiled faintly. "Mr. Clifford, you're in such a good mood. Wouldn't you rather stay a bit longer and catch up with Ms. Hughes?"
Edward's eyes narrowed.
He liked her this way—much more appealing than when she was cold and unsmiling.
"My business is none of your concern." He grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the exit.
Back at the Clifford mansion, the vast living room stood empty.
The moment the door closed, Cecilia yanked her hand free.
"Edward Clifford."
She used his full name.
"We need to talk."
Edward loosened his tie and sat down comfortably on the sofa, crossing his long legs with an "I'm listening" attitude.
"Rachel has come back, and she regrets what happened," Cecilia said, watching him carefully. "You're about to get what you wanted."
Edward raised an eyebrow.
"So," Cecilia took a deep breath, "if you want a divorce, please let me know in advance. The contract states you can terminate our agreement at any time. I'll need time to find housing and arrange for my brother's hospital transfer."
She didn't want to be a pawn in their emotional game anymore.
The hint of amusement on Edward's face slowly froze over.
"Divorce?" he repeated softly, drawing out the word as if savoring it. "Finding housing? Hospital transfer?"
Suddenly he laughed—a deep sound that sent chills down Cecilia's spine.
"Cecilia, funny, I don't recall you giving me advance notice when you slept with Samuel and came home wearing his scent."
Cecilia's pupils dilated in shock.
"What are you talking about?" she blurted, her voice trembling.
Edward stepped in front of her, pulled his phone from his pocket, opened a photo, and held it before her eyes.
It was her sleeping face in profile.
She was covered by a blanket, but her exposed neck and collarbone were marked with overlapping bruises and purple marks.
Cecilia's mind went blank, blood rushing to her head.
This photo... when had he taken it? After he'd forced himself on her that night? Why would he take such a picture?
"Are you... threatening me?"
"Do you think," Edward's voice was ice-cold and cruel, "I need to threaten someone when I can take photos like this anytime I want?"
"Let me ask you again, Cecilia Mellon."
The emotion in his eyes was more intense than ever before. "Are you that desperate to run off and find him?"