Chapter 1982


    Cicely slowly set down the paper in her hand, rose from the couch, and made her way toward the


    front door. "Where are you right now?"


    Seth was silent for a moment before replying, "Cicely, whatever it is, let’s talk about it in three days."


    The door was left ajar. Cicely reached the foyer and halted in her tracks. "Why wait three days?"


    After several seconds of silence, she hung up the call and stepped outside. She walked up to the


    tall, rigid figure standing with his back to the door.


    Danielle mmed the trunk of her car shut and turned around, her face freezing as her eyesnded


    on Cicely.


    Cicely forced a smile, her voiceced with a mocking cheer, "Can''t we talk now?"d2


    Seth, who had been clutching his phone, paused for a second before turning around. He towered


    over Cicely now, but as he turned, his gaze locked immediately with hers. He knew precisely the


    angle to catch her eyes.


    Cicely faced him with a small smile, her tone neither warm nor fiery as she looked up at him.


    He squared his shoulders, looked at her indifferently, and asked tly, "What brings you out here?"


    Cicely blinked, chuckled softly, and nced at Danielle approaching from behind, raising an


    eyebrow. "Should I escort her?"


    That was augh. Everyone knew Cicely and Danielle were at odds. So much so that even if today


    were Danielle’s funeral, Cicely might not bother to show up.


    Now, just for Danielle moving out, Cicelying to see her off? Even a fool wouldn''t believe it.


    Clearly, Seth didn''t either.


    Cicelyughed outright, "Don’t believe me?" It was evident her mood was anything but light,


    contrary to her facade.


    "Just like I don’t buy the too-busy-for-you boyfriend suddenly having time to personally pick up my


    nemesis." Each of Cicely''s words dripped with biting sarcasm.


    Danielle disliked Cicely, and every w of hers was magnified in Danielle''s eyes. "Cicely, can you


    drop the sarcasm?"


    "Sarcasm?" Cicely gave her a dismissive nce, "Compared to you, I’m tame. Can’t handle it?


    Then you should realize just how annoying you usually are."


    "You..."


    "You get in the car." Seth’s voice, deep and icy, cut through the tension. Though he faced Cicely,


    Danielle knew themand was for her.


    Biting her lip, Danielle moved to the passenger side door and opened it.


    "Danielle, wait." Cicely''s sudden call halted her.


    Turning around, Danielle saw Cicely step past Seth toward her, "Even if he’s decided to take you


    today, you don''t have the right to sit shotgun, got it?"


    The humiliation surged through Danielle, "Cicely, you''re going too far!"


    Cicely''s lips twisted into a mocking smile, her beautiful eyes cold, "This is too far? Danielle, just


    being near you without an incident makes me feel like I’m the most benevolent person on earth. A


    p is all you got. Do you see how magnanimous I am?"


    Danielle stepped back, wary.


    Seth turned, his gaze falling on the handprint still visible on Danielle’s face, and his eyes darkened.


    "Get in the car."


    His voice, colder now than before, prompted Danielle to fully open the door. Cicely''s smile was


    reced by an icy expression as she stepped forward, only to be grabbed by Seth. She watched


    Danielle take the passenger seat.


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    After a few seconds, Cicely looked back at Seth with a faint, almost invisible smile. "Want to discuss


    now what you nned for three days from now?"


    As she spoke, she stepped back, her eyes on his hand on her arm. "Afraid I might do something to


    her?"


    Catching her gaze, Seth''s grip loosened, and he moved his hand slightly downward. Where he had


    been holding her, the blood rushed to the surface, leaving a distinct red mark on her pale arm.


    Cicely nced at it, "You hurt me for another woman. I''ll remember that."


    Twisting her arm, she pulled away, retreating a step with a cool voice. "Go on, you grabbed me so


    tightly, you better have something earth-shattering to say, or I’ll hold you doubly ountable."


    The butler, sensing trouble, had followed outside.


    Seth looked directly at him, "Her arm’s hurt. Take her back and apply some ointment."


    The butler frowned deeply.


    The car window rolled down, and Danielle’s face appeared. "Cicely, he came to pick me up because


    Patty asked him to. Don’t you trust your man?"


    The butler''s face turned even grimmer, but he stepped forward toward Cicely. "Miss."


    Cicely chuckled lightly, "Don''t y these childish games of misdirection. What if I booked a hotel


    room to ''just chat'' with your future husband? I’d hope you''d trust him enough then."


    Standing before Cicely, Seth''s expression darkened instantly. "Cicely," his voice turned colder,


    matching his demeanor.


    "Uh-huh?" Cicely turned her gaze from Danielle to Seth, a feigned smile on her lips. "Patty sent you


    to pick her up? And that house in the prime P City district, the same neighborhood, was that Patty''s


    idea too?"


    Seth''s gaze intensified on her radiant face, "I''m not in the mood for your games today. I have to take


    her away personally. If you really want to make a scene, save it for three days from now. You can


    have your outburst then."


    Cicely touched the spot where Seth''s grip had pained her, her expression mocking, "You mean I


    should hold back? But I''m angry now, and I can’t wait. I want to vent now, and in three days, there


    will be new anger waiting."


    Seth''s brow furrowed, "Suit yourself." His voice managed to be as cold as his very presence.


    Cicely''s brow quirked with a hint of mischief, then she nodded with a smile that was all sweetness


    and light. She stood with a grace that seemed as natural as the breeze, her voice soft and


    melodious, "Of course."


    Seth gave her a cursory nce, his expression unreadable as he strode past the shiny car, swung


    open the door, and slid into the driver''s seat. Without a moment''s hesitation, he fired up the engine


    and pulled away.


    The butler''s face was a study in concern, his usuallyposed features betraying a flicker of worry.


    With Mr. Diaz''s temper, if Cicely were to truly end up with him, and if she maintained this current


    demeanor, would it truly be for the best?


    As Cicely stood there, gaze lingering on the receding car, the butler stepped forward and softly


    called out. "Miss..."


    "Brody." Cicely cut him off suddenly, "Where''s Issac?"


    Brody paused for a brief moment, "I''ll give him a call and have him here right away."


    "Mhm."


    Cicely''s response was nonchnt as she turned and walked into the living room, her face betraying


    none of the drama that had just unfolded.


    Issac, Brody''s son, had been just as dedicated to the Ellis family as his father was.


    Five minutester, Issac''s tall and imposing figure appeared before Cicely. She was lounging on the


    sofa, half-watching the TV when she saw him, and greeted him with a yful smile, "Issac, you''re


    looking more dashing each day."


    Having been raised to understand the nuances of respect and hierarchy, Issac didn''t react much to


    Cicely''s teasing. His reply was formal, "Is there something you require, Miss?"


    "Oh, there is."