Larissa’s Winter Solstice wasn’t terrible, but far from exceptional.


    Merely average.


    Unworthy of the Holiday Series legacy.


    Humiliation burned through Larissa. She shoved Luciano aside and fled.


    Wesley gave Cecilia a prating look before following.


    Cecilia noticed, yet remained indifferent.


    Sir rose, satisfaction warming his expression.


    Gwendolyn’s legacy had found its heir.


    Though Cecilia was already Gwendolyn’s disciple, the master had passed.


    epting Cecilia as a formal student felt right.


    Cecilia epted the tea,pleting the apprenticeship ritual.


    When formalities concluded, she left the hotel with Luciano.


    Wesley leaned against the car at the entrance, his face shadowed and unreadable.


    Luciano spoke softly, “Need a ride home?”


    Cecilia declined.


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    Her entanglement with Wesley made dragging Luciano into this


    unwise.


    Luciano nodded and left.


    Cecilia approached the car.


    An autumn breeze carrying chill circled them.


    Wesley watched her, lips curling sarcastically.


    “Congrattions. You got what you wanted.”


    After tonight, Larissa would be apleteughingstock.


    The Carlton Group–and he himself–would face public bacsh.


    Cecilia’s usually impassive face remained eerily calm. She recognized the fury beneath Wesley’s words.


    He med her.


    “The Holiday Series perfume never belonged to Larissa.”


    Her voice stayed t and icy as she stated facts. “You knew how the Wilburn family treated Prisci, yet you did it anyway. Wesley, you should feel ashamed.”


    With everythingid bare, she might as well voice all grievances.


    Wesleyughed bitterly. “Cecilia, must everything be about right and wrong to you?”


    “Do you have any idea how tonight affects the arranged marriage?”


    He’d worked to secure this union, fulfilling Larissa’s wish


    Hoping to resolve everything and grow old with Cecilia


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    But Cecilia refused.


    She aimed to destroy the marriage.


    “I don’t know, and I don’t care to know.”


    Cecilia’s voice turned icy. “All I know is what you owe Larissa shouldn’t be repaid by Prisci. Nor by me.”


    “Get in the car.”


    Wesley spoke through gritted teeth, silenced by truth.


    What happened couldn’t be undone.


    He had fires to put out elsewhere.


    Cecilia got dropped at Chaston Vi.


    Wesley drove off without looking back.


    Within two hours, the storm hit online.


    No security footage existed, yet someone captured every moment.


    The videoid bare Larissa’s staggering ipetence.


    Meanwhile, the Holiday Series perfume’s ties to Prisci became a trending topic.


    Public outrage surged like wildfire.


    Cecilia ignored the noise.


    She showered and slept.


    Next morning, descending the stairs, she found Amelia Garcia waiting.


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    Fury radiated from the older woman.


    “Cecilia! What were you thinking?”


    Her shrill usation echoed. “Do you realize the humiliation you’ve brought upon the Carlton family?”


    This could’ve blown over quietly, yet Cecilia chose public disgrace.


    Cecilia paused midway. “You’re not wee here.”


    Amelia’s sudden shove that caused Alina’s miscarriage still haunted


    her.


    Who’s to say she wouldn’t do worse to crush Wesley’s hopes?


    Amelia remained cruel and vicious.


    “I was merely revealing the truth.”


    She said coolly, “If you wish to have breakfast, the kitchen can prepare it. If not, please leave.”


    Amelia flew into a rage, “You’re kicking me out? You…”


    “Not eating? Then please step outside.”


    Four servants stood in unison beside Amelia, poised to throw her out.


    Never had Amelia endured such humiliating treatment.


    Trembling with fury, she spat, “This is my son’s home. You’re the one who should get out.”


    “Very well.”


    Cecilia nodded promptly and moved toward the exit.


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    The servants blocked her path.


    “Ms. Zamora, the master has ordered that you must not leave.”


    Wesley gave the order: Cecilia wasn’t to leave.


    So Amelia’s shouting here was useless.


    Amelia ground her teeth in fury, threw a massive tantrum in the living room, smashing countless things.


    Cecilia turned and went upstairs, telling the maid to watch Amelia.


    Let her smash whatever she wants, just don’t let here upstairs.


    Ceciliay on the balcony, bathing in the morning sun.


    On her phone’s news feed was thetest trending topic.


    The Carlton Group had fired Larissa, though they worded it politely: Larissa needed to leave due to personal reasons.


    But those who knew understood.


    On the official website, the developer name beside the Holiday Series perfume had changed to Prisci.


    Cecilia set down her phone, eyes stinging slightly.


    She’d finally reimed the naming rights for the Holiday Series perfume,


    Putting down the phone, she lifted her palm to cover her eyes.


    Until footsteps sounded beside her.


    Guessing it was Wesley, she lowered her hand, slightly reddened eyes meeting his.


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    “Here to confront me, Wesley?”


    Wesley watched her a moment before saying calmly, “Larissa’s stepped down as R&D director.”


    “I know.”


    She’d just seen the news.


    This was Larissa’seuppance.


    Wesley paused several seconds. “The Johnson family wants to call off the engagement.”


    Cecilia guessed it.


    After all, Larissa wasn’t the true Carlton heiress, had now left the Carlton Group, and carried a tarnished reputation. The Johnson family naturally wouldn’t ept such a marriage prospect.


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