Chapter 1955


    The moment Creightonid eyes on Seth, fury bubbled up within him. It was clear as day that


    Danielle was up to something.


    Besides whether she knew if Cicely would bring ssmates home today, causing any


    misunderstanding with Seth, just the fact that she asked Seth to tutor her had always been a sore


    point for Cicely.


    Cicely had been biting her tongue for days now, not speaking a word of it, but her silence didn’t


    mean it didn’t bother her. Tutoring was one thing, but at least they used to di it out of sight, so Cicely


    didn''t have to fret over it. But now, Danielle had to go and bring Seth straight into the lion’s den. If


    that wasn''t rubbing salt in the wound, Creighton didn''t know what was.


    “Hey Uncle Creighton,” Danielle greeted him as if nothing was amiss.


    Even though Creighton was seething inside, he managed a gruff, “Hey,” without letting his face


    betray too much of his displeasure.


    “Mr. Creighton,” Seth greeted him in turn, his voice t and expressionless, clearly just going


    through the motions.d2


    Creighton nodded, “Why don’t you stay for dinner? I’ll tell the kitchen to whip up something extra.”


    Surprisingly, Seth nodded in agreement.


    Danielle didn’t know whether to be pleased or distressed. If she hadn''t told him about Cicely getting


    late-night tutoring from Joel, or mentioned the possibility of Cicely bringing Joel home for study


    sessions, would he have agreed toe back with her today?


    “Seth,e on up to my room,” Danielle said, pulling herself back to the present.


    There was a brief silence before Seth replied indifferently, “Go through what you’re confident with


    first. I’ll be in the living room if you need me.”


    Danielle opened her mouth to say something else, but Seth had already settled onto the couch.


    At Creighton’s age, he enjoyed a good cup of tea and the asional chess game. The living room’s


    coffee table boasted a fancy tea set, and Seth''s gaze lingered there for a moment.


    Creighton felt a twinge of satisfaction at Seth’s cautious move and caught Seth’s eye as he pushed


    the freshly brewed tea that the maid had brought over. Creighton began to heat the water himself,


    and the maid, sensing his intent to indulge in his tea ritual, discreetly left the room.


    Danielle, sensing the shift in the air, knew that nothing she said would change the situation. With a


    bitten lip, she headed upstairs.


    It was the first time Seth sat with Creighton like this, his eyes quietly following Creighton’s


    movements, his face betraying no emotion. It wasn’t until Creighton set a cup of tea in front of him


    that he murmured a thank you.


    Creighton gave a small smile. “University life should be pretty rxed, but I haven’t heard about you


    getting involved with the Diaz family business. Patty has been hoping you’d take an interest.”


    Creighton was well aware of Seth’s level of involvement, orck thereof, in thepany.


    Seth nodded, “Not at the moment.”


    “Hands-on experience is invaluable, no matter how much theory you learn. You should start getting


    involved. Drop by the office more often, and if you have questions,e ask me.”


    Seth took a sip from the tea cup and nodded.


    Creighton internally shook his head. With Seth’s cool and detached nature, his darling Cicely might


    have a tough road ahead. Creighton normally didn’t meddle in the kids'' affairs, but when it came to


    his only daughter’s future, he couldn’t help but worry.


    After a moment, Creighton said, “Cicely''s been a bit of a handful for youtely. We might’ve spoiled


    her a bit too much. She’s innocent, and I’ve always made sure to shield her from the messier


    circles, so she’s quite straightforward. Doesn’t have a scheming bone in her body, but that can be


    worrying. She’s my only child, and when Danielle came back, I was happy Cicely finally had some


    company. Never expected them to butt heads.”


    Seth’s brow twitched. “You have something else to say, Mr. Creighton?”


    Creighton nodded, “You’re aware, I’m sure, that Cicely is quite fond of you. I hope you’ll look out for


    her. And if things work out between you two, that would be ideal. The whole of P City knows I’ve


    never intended to force her into the family business.”


    Creighton paused, then added with a smile, “I trust her character, but not so much her business


    acumen.”


    Seth’s frown deepened. “She’s young, and life is long and uncertain. She might like me now, but


    that doesn’t mean she always will.”


    Creighton shook his head, “You’re right, but perhaps you underestimate the impact of a girl’s first


    love. It’s irreceable, even if someone betteres along. Do you really think there’ll be another


    man who could pose a threat to you? I’ve never seen you as a mancking in confidence.”


    Seth’s guarded expression faltered for a split second, then he spoke evenly, “I am not.”


    Creighton nodded, satisfied. “The rest is up to you youngsters. I never force anyone.” Creighton


    was merely stating his hopes for the future, leaving the next move up to them.


    Seth nodded again. He took the second cup of tea Creighton offered and nced at his watch. Half


    an hour had passed. Seth’s eyes briefly fixed on the door, his lips pressed into a thin line.


    Creighton chuckled lightly. “It’s quite a coincidence, you know. If you''de yesterday or the day


    before, you might not have run into Cicely. Today, she’s got a friend over for a study session. You


    should join them for dinner; she’d be thrilled.”


    Seth’s brow darkened, “She’s home?”


    Creighton nodded, “Yes, suddenly got studious. She’s upstairs with a ssmate right now.”


    Seth''s gaze lifted slowly, meeting Creighton’s without a ripple of change. Creighton couldn''t help but


    marvel at the kid''s temperament, which was as cool and deep as an Autumnke. He wondered


    how his daughter would cope with such a personality.


    Lifting his teacup, Creighton took a sip of the strong brew, his gaze fixating on Seth through the


    steam rising from the dark liquid. Setting down the mug, his voice, deep and smooth, broke the


    silence, "I heard you had a bit of a scuffle with some ssmates at school the other day, even came


    to blows. I know you''re not one to start trouble, so I''m curious, what sparked it?"


    Seth''s pupils tightened slightly. Though Creighton''s tone was inquisitive, Seth could detect a


    shrewdness in his manner, a sense of being seen through. It was an unsettling feeling, unprovoked


    but certain.


    With a slight frown, he replied, "At our age, most of us have our impulsive moments. A conflict,


    verbal or physical, is sometimes inevitable."


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Creighton watched him for a moment, a meaningful smile ying on his lips. "Is that so?"


    Seth didn''t reply again.


    Minutester, Danielle descended the stairs, carrying her workbook. With Creighton showing no


    intention of leaving and Seth not moving aside, Danielle had no choice but to sit by Seth and ask for


    help with her remaining problems.


    Seth didn''t like to repeat himself; if he could make someone understand an issue the first time, there


    was no second chance—except for Cicely. It wasn''t that he wasn''t clear enough. It was just that


    Cicely always had the nerve to y dumb in front of him. She''d insist she didn''t understand, and


    he''d have no choice but to exin it again.


    "Got it?" he asked after going through the problem once more.


    Danielle nodded.


    Clearly, Cicely was the only one bold enough to pull such stunts.


    After scribbling the solution in her workbook, Danielle exhaled softly. "The exams are the day after


    tomorrow. I think I''ll do well this time, thanks to you, Seth. I appreciate your help these past few


    days."


    "Mhm."


    Danielle clutched her workbook, "I''ll go upstairs and organize my homework." She didn''t expect a


    response from Seth and turned to ascend the staircase.


    At that moment, the housekeeper came to inform Creighton that dinner was ready.


    Creighton nodded, "Go check on Cicely and Joel, see how their studies areing along. They can


    come down for dinner if they''re about finished."


    "Understood."


    The housekeeper climbed the stairs and knocked on the study door. "Miss, dinner is prepared, and


    your father is inquiring about your progress."


    Cicely was struggling with a problem. Joel had exined it several times, but she was still stuck.


    Hearing the knock, she responded irritably, "Not great!"


    The housekeeper was taken aback and left without another word. Returning downstairs, she


    addressed Creighton with some difficulty, "Sir, she may need a little more time."


    Creighton was puzzled; after all, Joel was a guest, and Cicely should be mindful of that—unless


    something had upset her. "Do you know what''s bothering her?"


    The housekeeper shook her head, ncing at Seth before whispering, "She didn''t open the door."


    Seth''s sharp eyes narrowed slightly, a cold veneer setting over his indifferent face. Creighton didn’t


    want Seth to misunderstand anything about Cicely, and he never believed his daughter would be


    involved with other boys romantically.


    Presumably, the housekeeper hadn''t had the chance to mention Seth''s presence.


    After a moment''s reflection, he turned to Seth with a smile, "When she gets like this, few dare to


    approach her. I can''t be bothered to go upstairs myself, so would you mind calling her down?"


    Seth nodded and rose to his feet.


    The housekeeper quickly interjected, "Mr. Diaz, the young miss and her guest are..."


    "Manuel, get the table ready. We don''t want to keep the miss waiting."


    Manuel seemed to catch that Creighton had deliberately cut her off, and while not understanding


    why, she tactfully retreated.


    Seth ascended the stairs, encountering Danielle on her way down. "Seth? What brings you


    upstairs?"


    "Where''s Cicely''s room?" Seth asked, his tone detached. He never felt it inappropriate to directly


    inquire about Cicely in Danielle''s presence.


    Danielle hesitated, then reluctantly pointed towards the room at the end of the opposite corridor.


    Seth turned and strode toward the indicated door.


    Unsure of the situation, Danielle followed after a moment''s thought. Within a few steps, she


    remembered that Cicely was with Joel today. Even she, who disliked Cicely, trusted her inexplicably,


    based on years of umted understanding. She hated this insight.


    She hadn''t entertained any untoward thoughts; just the idea of Cicely with another man was


    enough.


    Seth stood before Cicely''s bedroom door, his icy gaze fixed on the closed barrier, lips pressed into a


    razor-thin line. After a pause, he raised his hand, hesitated, then knocked with increasing force and


    duration.


    Danielle drew a deep breath but didn''t exhale, her focus sharp as she listened for any response.


    Three seconds, four, five... Still, no answer came.


    Seth''s eyes narrowed further. He knocked again, once, twice, each strike harder and longer than


    thest.


    Confused, Danielle stepped forward and twisted the doorknob, flinging open Cicely''s bedroom door.