Chapter 1964


    Seth never explicitly agreed to be Cicely''s boyfriend, but he never stopped her from flitting around


    him either, always present, making it impossible for him to find peace.


    July 27th marked a monumental day in Cicely''s life—hering-of-age celebration.


    The Creighton family went all out for Cicely, sparing no expense.


    Cicely''s Mansion—a gift three years in the making—was a magnificent castleplete with


    fountains, gardens, a swimming pool, and avish lounge. Every detail, every amenity, was


    meticulously nned and executed.


    The grand opening of Cicely''s Mansion coincided with her celebration, drawing P City''s elite, the


    offspring of the wealthy and powerful, and even a smattering of celebrities to its doors.


    The opulent vi, alight with glittering chandeliers, left guests in awe.d2


    "True to the rumors, P City''s princess really does have it all," they whispered among themselves.


    "The Ellis family spoils her rotten, with no end in sight."


    "Creighton adored his wife. It''s no wonder he dotes on her legacy, their daughter. His love for her is


    deep in his bones."


    "Some say she is all beauty and no brains. Can she really handle the Ellis empire?"


    "They never expected her to. Haven''t they already found a sessor?"


    "To have a man like Seth—tall, handsome, charming, and capable—she''s living the dream."


    Envious nces followed Seth as he made his entrance. Dressed in a designer suit, his long,


    straight legs moved with a steady, rhythmic grace. His handsome features wereposed,


    unaffected by the bustling crowd or their admiring stares. An air of cool detachment surrounded him,


    his aloofness well-known.


    Only the young heiress Cicely could approach him so freely. Any other woman knew better than to


    compete with Cicely''s youthful beauty, her natural poise, and her brash, unapologetic demeanor.


    The battle was lost before it had even begun.


    However, there were always those discontent with their lot, craving a challenge, always looking for


    an angle. To them, Seth''s allure and Cicely''s intimidation were merely a matter of weighing


    priorities.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Seth was essentially running Diaz International, and Creighton, to counter any doubts about Seth''s


    age and experience, stayed involved in important decisions. In truth, he was more of a figurehead,


    as Seth was the one truly calling the shots.


    The gradual eptance of Seth as the future helmsman of Diaz International couldn''t have


    happened without Creighton''s mentorship and support.


    Seth was also deeply involved in Ellis family affairs, handling many matters Creighton entrusted


    solely to him. Rumors of his influence were widespread.


    Seth''s arrival stirred the crowd, prompting many to consider approaching him. He was aware of the


    sideways gossip, but if it wasn''t true, he saw no need to exin—nor could he, really.


    A wave of admiration swept through the crowd as Cicely descended the grand staircase. Her attire


    was always clean and sharp, never adorned with excessive decorations orplicated designs.


    Her white fringed shoulder dress was simple yet unmistakably luxurious, the hemline reaching her


    knees, revealing her elegantly curved legs under the soft lighting.


    Her hair, usually free-flowing, was styled toplement the dress—a low bun with a few strands


    curled perfectly around her cheeks, adding a touch of sophistication. It was the first time Seth had


    seen her so dressed up.


    Her confidence was palpable, an almost defiant vibrancy that made her the envy of all.


    Seth''s eyes narrowed imperceptibly, his gaze darkening as if thick with lust, making even the act of


    looking around seemborious.


    Cicely was nked by staircases, with Creighton and Erik descending behind her. Before they could


    speak, Cicely rushed down the stairs toward Seth.


    "Hey, Cicely." Creighton tried to call after her, but his voice was lost as she made a beeline for Seth.


    Shaking his head with a resigned smile, he knew she hadn''t changed one bit over the years. Erik


    frowned. "This is so inappropriate."


    Creighton shared the sentiment. "It''s what we''re used to."


    Erik watched as Cicely eagerly took Seth''s arm, herughter bright, while Seth maintained his usual


    stoic demeanor. With a disapproving hum, Erik scanned the grand hall and found himself slightly


    furrowing his brow. "Where''s Danielle? Even if their rtionship is strained, she should at least


    show her face at an event like this. Is she trying to give people something to gossip about?"


    Creighton too searched the crowd, feeling a bit helpless. "She wouldn''t do that; she''s probably just


    not ready yet."


    Erik''s expression soured. If not for witnessing Creighton''s kindness toward Danielle and the


    absence of any negative talk about their dynamic, one could easily mistake Danielle''s attitude as a


    result of Creighton''s mistreatment.


    What kind of person was Danielle? She just never seemed to warm to anyone.


    Cicely wasn''t short, but next to Seth, she seemed like a petite bird nestled against him.


    "Have you eaten tonight?"


    Seth''s gaze settled on her face as she looked up at him, a hint of makeup on her face that couldn''t


    mar her wlessplexion even up close.


    Her eyes were clear, as if they bore no pretense. Perhaps they never did.


    When she faced him, the love she could hardly conceal seemed to have melded into her being,


    bing an inseparable part of her.


    Seth’s lips parted slightly, a soft, deep voice slowly rising, "So, this big shindig and no food in sight?"


    "You nning on chowing down in front of this crowd?"


    Seth didn''t respond. He wasn''t one for feasting under the watchful eyes of an audience.


    "Why don''t we sneak off to the kitchen? I can have someone whip up your favorite."


    "You''re the belle of the ball tonight."


    "Not even. The man of the hour''s my dad."


    How many of them were here to genuinely celebrate her birthday? Weren''t they all just angling for


    their own gains? Who didn''t know the score?


    As Cicely spoke, she reached for Seth''s hand, intent on leading him away. But her movement was


    countered by a gentle tug from Seth, pulling her back.


    "Don''t be petnt. There are shareholders and partners here you need to meet."


    "Why should I care about them? You know them, and that''s enough."


    Seth''s brow furrowed slightly, his gaze on Cicely cooling. "Don''t think about leaning on anyone. No


    one''s gonna be there for you forever."


    Cicely faced him squarely, staring for a moment before her eyebrows lifted in a yful smile, "I''m


    not counting on anyone else. Just you."


    Seth''s fingers twitched subtly.


    "Come on, let''s get you something to eat."


    He remained still.


    Cicely''s patience wore thin. Ever since he had made her a promise, he had never given her a


    straight answer. She knew his nature; he wouldn''t openly acknowledge it, so she''d taken it as a


    given. However, he seemed to never quite offer her a sense of security, allowing her closeness, yet


    always somewhat aloof.


    Taking a deep breath to quell the rising anger, she restrained her temper and looked at him, "By the


    way, what did you get me for mying-of-age gift?"


    She swiftly changed the subject, and Seth paused momentarily, but before he could speak, Cicely


    cut him off. "Forget it. I''m not in the best mood. On any other day, even a piece of candy or a grain


    of rice from you would''ve made me happy. But now, unless it''s the one thing I want, anything else


    you give me is worthless trash."


    The atmosphere, once cordial, had suddenly shifted. Cicely''s words spared no feelings. Seth''s


    expression, however, remained impassive. "What do you want?"


    Cicely''s lips curled slightly in defiance. "You''d give me anything I want, right?"


    She didn''t let him answer, "Yes, that''s right. Today''s mying-of-age, a once-in-a-lifetime event.


    It''s significant. Even if it''s... you have to make me happy, right? I assume you can''t give me a gift


    that might get thrown back in your face. If you don''t know what I like now, then whatever I ask for,


    you''ll satisfy, right?"


    With so many eyes on them, and Erik and Creighton watching from the nearby staircase, Cicely


    was deliberately leaving Seth no room to back down.


    "I''m asking you, what do you want?" Seth''s expression remained indifferent, devoid of any


    fluctuation. Even when the statement was repeated a second time, there was no trace of emotion.


    Cicely chuckled, stepping closer to Seth. They were inches apart.


    She slowly raised her hand, caressing Seth''s cor. "Do you really not know what I want?"


    Seth''s eyes lowered, his gaze lingering on her face as he narrowed his eyes slightly.


    Cicely smirked, tilting her head, the light entuating a hint of allure at the corner of her eyes. Her


    hand finally rested on his shoulder, and she rose slightly on her toes, leaning in close. "Don''t even


    think about backing out now, Seth. You''re mine for life."


    As her words fell, she tightened her grip on his shoulder and boldly kissed Seth.