Chapter318
Having taken over the perfume division, Sophia needed quick wins. Partnering with Cecilia was her fastest solution.
But Cecilia had refused repeatedly.
Sophia couldn’t ask again, so she’d sent Wesley.
“Pass.”
Cecilia moved toward the door.
“Wait.” Wesley caught up, grabbing her wrist. “Cecilia, are you still holding on to what happened between us?”
She nearlyughed.
Holding on?
Was Wesley seriously overestimating himself?
“Otherwise, why refuse to coborate with Fangfei?”
Wesley pressed his thin lips together, demanding an exnation.
Cecilia thought he was being unreasonable.
Suppressing her anger, she retorted, “I prefer working alone. Besides, I’ve worked at the Carlton Group before and didn’t like it there. Wasn’t that enough?”
Wesley’s heart ached
He desperately wanted to ask whether she disliked thepany or
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him.
Yet the words stuck in his throat.
It felt like asking for humiliation.
“If you want your studio to thrive,” he said evenly, “the Carlton Group remains your best choice.”
Going solo is always the stupidest move.
Cecilia knew this, but Wesley wasn’t her only option.
“Thanks for the offer, Wesley, but the Carlton Group’s operations are too sprawling for me. Is that reason enough?”
Wesley remained silent.
Would Cecilia ultimately partner with Eldridge then?
Did she find Carillon more valuable?
As Cecilia turned to leave, Wesley’s phone rang.
He answered the call, then seized her wrist.
Cecilia bristled. “Wesley, when will you stop-”
“Holden’s body was found.”
Her struggling ceased. “Found?”
And he’d said body–meaning Holden was dead.
Her first reaction wasn’t relief, but thoughts of Madam.
How heartbroken Grandma would be.
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She battled his grip. “Let go! I need to find Grandma.”
“We’ll go together. You can’t handle things alone if anything happens to Grandma.”
Cecilia bit her lip and agreed.
Grandma came first now.
Rushing downstairs, they saw her lowering her phone.
She was pale and swaying.
Cecilia’s eyes burned as she steadied Grandma.
She called out softly, “Grandma.”
Tears streamed down Madam’s face as the strength she’d maintained these days crumbled in an instant.
She gripped Cecilia’s hand tightly, “Ci, he… he…”
??“I know. We’re going right now.”
Cecilia supported her grandmother.
Madam nodded, “Let’s go.”
She staggered away in silence, determined not to ruin someone else’s engagement.
Wesley took Madam from Cecilia, guiding her aside. “You’re still carrying the child. I’ll handle this.”
This time, Cecilia didn’t argue.
Outside, Elijah waited with the car.
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Cecilia helped Madam inside, and the group headed to the hospital.
Cecilia then notified Johan and Juniper.
Hospital.
Madam went in to see Holden onest time.
Wesley apanied her.
Cecilia stood quietly by the door, waiting.
“Old Cheng.”
Second Madame’s voice pierced through the corridor.
She stumbled forward, paused at the morgue entrance, then copsed to her knees.
“Old Cheng
”
She wept at the threshold until she fainted. Elijah immediately called for doctors.
Cecilia watched Juniper.
She didn’t cry, but tears fell one by one–more heartbreaking than weeping.
“Juniper.”
Cecilia murmured her name, “My condolences.”
Juniper walked inside, step by heavy step.
Soon, heart–wrenching sobs echoed from within. “Dad.”
Johan approached slowly. “Ci.”
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Cecilia’s eyes were rimmed red. “He’s gone.”
Yet for the living, the truth remained cruel.
Johan gently touched her hair. “Yes, he’s gone.”
The me of life is extinguished.
Past grievances could now fade away.
Neither entered the room, silence hanging heavy.
When Mr. and Mrs. Johnson arrived, Madam had just been escorted out by Wesley’s arm. Seated on a chair, she looked utterly drained.
“Mom, I’ll arrange brother’s funeral,” Mr. Johnson stepped up to take charge.
Tears streamed down Madam’s aged face. “Handle it as you see fit.”
Exhaustion weighed upon her.
Leaning on Wesley for support, she tried to rise but darkness swallowed her vision–she copsed.
“Grandma!”
Cecilia cried out in rm.
Madam, ovee by grief,y unconscious with Cecilia keeping vigil. Holden’s body was swiftly cremated.
Four or five hourster, Madam stirred awake. Though she’d
anticipated this oue, the absence of Holden’s remains had kindled a fragile hope.
Now, that final ember was extinguished.
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Her eyes grew dull.
“Grandma, look at me. It’s Ci.”
Cecilia gripped her grandmother’s hand, speaking softly, “You must hold on, to see him off onest time.”
Madam knew she was trapped in her grief.