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    Madam sighed. This youngest daughter–inw was perfect in every way–if a bit too tenderhearted.


    “Mom, I won’t leave until Johanes home.”


    Mrs. Holden broke down in tears, regretting her impulsiveness.


    Madam’s offer of money to make her leave clearly signaled anger.


    Besides, though Holden’s chances looked grim, they hadn’t found his body yet.


    She feared Johan taking full control of the Johnson family…


    .and settling scores with herter.


    Madam didn’t want to push too hard and agreed.


    Mrs. Johan quickly helped Mrs. Holden out.


    Only then did Madam turn to Cecilia. “Your aunt can be impulsive,” she said gently. “I hope she didn’t frighten you?”


    Her tone was deliberately soft, protective.


    Cecilia shook her head: She admired Madam’s decisive authority.


    But she saw the grief beneath it.


    “Grandmother, you don’t have to pretend strength with me. I know you’re hurting.”


    Holden deserved his fate, yet he remained Madam’s own son.


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    No mother could easily cross that emotional threshold.


    The forced smile Madam maintained for Cecilia’s sake…


    revealed her profound, protective love all the same.


    That exhausted sorrow worried Cecilia deeply.


    Madam’s eyes welled up instantly, tears nearly falling.


    She didn’t expect Cecilia would be the one to notice.


    Cecilia pursed her lips and said softly, “Grandma, your granddaughter’s shoulder is here for you.”


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    Madam couldn’t hold back anymore. She hugged Cecilia and cried.


    “Ci, you’re Grandma’s good granddaughter.”


    Cecilia gently patted Grandma’s shoulder and let her weep.


    Crying it out and venting emotions felt far better than bottling them up inside.


    After a long while, Madam finally stopped crying.


    “Ci, I’m sorry you had to see me like this.“.


    Cecilia wiped Madam’s tears with a tissue. “Nothing funny about it–it’s only human.”


    Madam marveled again at her thoughtfulness. She took her hand and asked her to share her past.


    Though she’d already uncovered the details, she wanted to hear Cecilia tell it herself.


    Cecilia recounted everything meticulously: growing up in the


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    orphanage,ter escaping it, and being adopted by Bonnie.


    Madam listened with her heart pounding. If not for meeting Bonnie and Gwendolyn, her Ci might still be wandering somewhere.


    “I recall Larissa is also the Wilburn family’s daughter. She…”


    Madam wanted to make some amends.


    Cecilia didn’t hold back. Sheid out every single thing Larissa had done without omission.


    Madam frowned as she listened. This Larissa was downright vicious.


    “And your brother too–how could he marry someone like that?”


    Cecilia gave a bitter smile, “Probably for my sake.”


    Some things became clear when you thought about it.


    Madam immediately said, “He’s her brother. That’s his duty.”


    Cecilia didn’t know whether tough or cry.


    Now that Wesley had no leverage over her, she hoped Johan would get divorced.


    She brought this up with Madam.


    The older woman nodded. “I know. But it’s best to wait until Johan takes over thepany and stabilizes things before discussing divorce.”


    After all, thepany was at a critical juncture,


    Johan’s focus should be on the business.


    Cecilia understood what mattered most.


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    Madam brought up moving back to the family estate again, hoping Cecilia would return to the Johnson residence.


    Cecilia intended to refuse–she still didn’t feel close to the Johnsons.


    But seeing the earnest look in Madam’s eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse and agreed.


    Madam was overjoyed.


    As they talked, the assistant entered. “Madam, someone’s here to see Miss Cecilia.”


    “Show them in.”


    The assistant ushered the visitors inside. It turned out to be Luna Carlton and Faye Carlton.


    Luna beamed with grandmotherly warmth, rushing forward. “Ci, I heard you weren’t feeling well. Are you better now?”


    She then turned to Madam. “Auntie.”


    The Johnson and Carlton families were close. Luna had practically grown up under Madam’s watchful eye, and the older woman held a favorable impression of her.


    “Chloe, you’re back in Aetherton?”


    Chloe sighed deeply, “My husband’s health is poor. I figured the medical equipment here is better, so I brought him over, hoping to… to ease his pain,”


    She looked heartbroken.


    Madam quicklyforted her.


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    Sophie walked over to Cecilia, nced at her bandaged wrist, and asked, “How are you?”


    Cecilia replied tly, “I’m fine now.”


    Sophie stared at her intently for a moment.