<h4>Chapter 371: Chapter 371 False Faces</h4>


    Cecilia ’s pov


    I didn’t wake until noon.


    My body had finally given in to the exhaustion that had been building for days.


    Sebastian was sitting on the sofa in my room. He was typing quietly on hisptop with one hand and speaking into his wireless headset with the other.


    His voice was low and steady, barely disturbing the calm.


    When lunchtime came, someone knocked gently on the door.


    Outside, the others were already stepping out of their rooms, drifting downstairs one by one.


    I looked... better.


    The dark circles under my eyes had faded a little, and the haunted look I’d had sincest night had softened into something moreposed.


    Lunch was already set on the table, everything arranged neatly in polished golden dishes.


    But Daisy wasn’t there.


    Before Sebastian could say anything, one of the staff stepped up.


    "Miss Riley’s fever came back," she said. "Mrs. Daisy stayed upstairs with her. She said to start without her."


    Sebastian didn’t say a word. He simply turned and left the dining room, his expression unreadable.


    Naturally, we all followed, leaving the untouched meal behind.


    Upstairs, we gathered outside Riley’s bedroom.


    Sebastian knocked softly.


    Daisy’s tired voice came from inside. "Come in."


    The room was dim. Heavy curtains blocked out the sunlight.


    Rileyy in bed, her small face flushed with fever, a cooling patch stuck to her forehead. She looked fragile and too quiet for a child her age.


    Daisy had been sitting beside her but stood the moment we entered.


    "Sebastian, you’re here. Have you eaten yet ? I can ask the kitchen to..."


    She didn’t get to finish.


    Sebastian had already moved to the side of the bed, leaning down to check the girl’s temperature with the back of his hand.


    His brow creased instantly. "Why is she burning up again ?"


    "I don’t know... I’ve already called Dr. Han. He should be here any minute."


    "Take her to the hospital," Sebastian said. His tone left no room for discussion.


    "It’s just a cold..."


    "She needs a full examination. At the hospital."


    His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was unmistakable.


    Daisy hesitated, then nodded. "All right. If you think that’s best."


    She paused, then seemed to remember something.


    "I’ve sent people to look into the butler issue. Still no updates yet... I really am sorry about what happened, Cecilia."


    I kept my tone neutral. "Don’t worry about it. Right now, the child matters more."


    My response was perfectly appropriate.


    Daisy looked grateful for my understanding.


    Just then, a voice came from the hall.


    "Mrs. Daisy, Dr. Han has arrived."


    Daisy turned to the door, about to tell him toe in.


    But Sebastian spoke first. His voice was sharp.


    "Tell him to leave. We don’t need him."


    Daisy frowned. "Sebastian ?"


    "A doctor who can’t even treat a mild fever properly ? He’s wasting our time. Find someone else."


    Daisy’s expression shifted for a second. Maybe it was difort, or maybe something else.


    Footsteps echoed outside as the staff member turned away.


    The poor man had obviously been standing right outside the door.


    Which meant he’d probably heard everything.


    Daisy stared at the doorway for several seconds before pulling herself together.


    She bent down and gently lifted Riley into her arms.


    "Sweetheart," she said softly, "would you like Uncle Sebastian toe with us to the hospital ?"


    Riley mumbled a drowsy agreement.


    As Daisy walked toward Sebastian with Riley in her arms, she suddenly stumbled a little, just enough to make people look.


    It looked like the weight was too much for her.


    "Careful!"


    "I’ll take the child."


    "Mrs. Daisy, let me help you."


    Tang stepped in with practiced ease, lifting Riley from Daisy’s arms before she could fully copse.


    Harper caught Daisy by the elbow, steadying her firmly.


    Sawyer, without waiting for instruction, reached for the door and swung it open.


    The whole thing yed out smoothly, like they’d done it a hundred times.


    Every move was quick and automatic.


    I stood off to the side, arms crossed loosely in front of me.


    A cold little smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, not because I found the situation amusing, but because it was predictable.


    Daisy wasn’t short, not really, but next to Harper’s tall, calm presence and quiet confidence, she looked smaller.


    She seemed less in control.


    Almost fragile.


    "Thank you, Harper," Daisy said, her voice soft and a little too careful.


    "Don’t mention it," Harper replied, offering a calm smile as she gave Daisy’s shoulder a gentle pat. "You’re exhausted."


    On the way to the hospital, we split into two cars.


    Sebastian, Tang, and I rode together. Daisy, Harper, and Sawyer took the other one.


    It felt like a strange choice.


    Most people would expect the uncle to ride with his sick niece, but Daisy didn’t say anything. It was like she didn’t care.


    When we arrived, Riley was taken in right away for a full check-up.


    Daisy insisted on going with her, and no one objected.


    Sebastian nodded once. "Harper and Sawyer, go with them."


    Then he looked at me and Tang. "Come with me."


    He led us down a long hallway into a private waiting room.


    The whole ce felt cold and clinical.


    The lights were too bright.


    The chairs were stiff and ufortable, like they were designed to keep people from settling in too long.


    We didn’t talk.


    Sebastian sat across from me.


    Tang stood near the door, arms behind his back, silent as always.


    Twenty minutester, his phone buzzed.


    He answered immediately.


    Sawyer’s voice came through, hushed and regretful. "Alpha... Mrs. Daisy and Harper got into it. Badly. Harper walked out."