Chapter 1999


    They added a marriage license to their rtionship, and it seemed everything remained the same,


    but Cicely could clearly feel Seth''s change.


    He had always been reserved, but now there was a notable tenderness towards her. He would wrap


    her in gentle, considerate hugs and bestow upon her the deepest, most enchanting kisses. Rarely


    did he refuse any of her requests.


    Cicely remained Cicely, the brash and pampered heiress of the Ellis family, the radiant and proud


    princess of P City.


    A new, highly anticipated TV series was making waves, backed by a massive promotional


    campaign, a renowned producer, and a powerhouse director. After three months of casting, the


    actors were selected and just days ago, they had their grand kick-off event.


    Seth, a few dayster, seemed to shift his focus back to his studies, regrly attending school in a


    disciplined manner.


    Cicely, contrary to expectations, got busier instead. Apart from the mornings when she could hitch a


    ride to school with him, she seldom went home with him after sses.d2


    But Cicely would often visit his apartment. Each time she came, she brought an assortment of


    things.


    Trinkets, potted nts, fine dining ware, exquisite bedding, matching towels, bathrobes, toothbrush


    holders, slippers, andter, cosmetics, clothes... Bit by bit, gradually, her presence began to mark


    every corner of the apartment.


    In the blink of an eye, another month passed.


    Kane was excited because he finally had a chance to indulge in some fun.


    December 27 was Seth''s birthday. A few days earlier, Kane had cheerfully made his presence


    known to the Diaz family and had secured Seth''s time for the day.


    Patty fully understood that young people have their own circles. Kane had a way of amusing people,


    and a few words were enough to make Patty burst intoughter, allowing him to take the dull Seth


    away.


    Seth wasn''t interested in all of this; the entire time, it was Kane who was having a st. Securing


    the venue, inviting friends... it was all his doing.


    As for the oue? If anyone was initially puzzled as to why Kane opted for the dance floor rather


    than a private,vish booth, their questions were answered when a group of seductive women took


    the stage, sensuously stripping off their clothes to the rhythm of the music.


    The crowd cheered and hollered, giving Kane thumbs up, fully satisfied with his arrangements.


    Kane, with hands in his pockets, epted thepliments with casual grace.


    Seth sat in the central booth, his frown deepening only slightly as the women took the stage. He


    remained silent, a couple of premium cigarsid out in front of him, surrounded by an array of spirits


    taking up two-thirds of the table.


    The heavy metal music of the bar, the rowdy cheers, and the visual onught in front of him all


    highlighted the superficial yet hollow aspects of society. It was all gloss on the surface, but beneath


    lay nothing but tainted bones and blood.


    Seth didn''t disrupt the party he had been unprepared for. He casually draped his jacket over the


    couch, his shirt''s top button undone, revealing a hint of corbone, and reclinednguidly on the


    sofa, cigarette in hand. He tossed the box aside after lighting up, the ember glowing in the dim light


    of the bar.


    After mingling for a bit, Kane returned to find Seth lounging there, asionally taking a drag, his


    gaze calmly surveying the revelers. Kane was surprised, but he sat down next to Seth, lighting a


    cigarette and crossing his legs with a chuckle. "I was worried you wouldn''t enjoy this kind of thing,


    but looks like you''re fitting in pretty well."


    Seth''s lips twitched slightly, his dark eyeszily drifting towards Kane. "Knowing I wouldn''t enjoy it,


    why did you arrange this?"


    "You''ll have to get used to these kinds of events eventually. Better to start early," Kane replied.


    Seth''s smile seemed more pronounced, a softugh buried in the cacophony around them. "Then I


    should really thank you for your thoughtfulness."


    Kane took a drag, his gaze fixed on the stage. "No need for thanks. In five years, P City will be ours.


    It''s all good for everyone."


    Seth didn''t reply, the smoke from his cigarette blurring his already indifferent face. After stubbing out


    his cigarette in the crystal ashtray, Seth checked his phone.


    Kane rolled his eyes at the action. "You''re the man of the hour tonight; you can''t leave halfway


    through."


    Seth put the phone down. "I can only stay until nine."


    "Come on!" Kane protested. "The night hasn''t even started at nine."


    "I can''t bete. Someone''s waiting for me."


    Kane''s eyebrows shot up, then settled into a gossip-hungry arch.


    "Who? Cicely the little Princess?"


    Seth didn''t respond, but the slight upward curve of his lips was all the confirmation Kane needed.


    Leaning in, Kane''s expression was rife with intrigue. "Your romance with Cicely seems pretty solid


    these days. And you, lucky guy, have P City''s most prestigious and beautiful girl wrapped around


    your finger. How''s that, having such a delicate beauty all to yourself?"


    Seth gave him a sidelong nce. "Don''t pry into things you shouldn''t. What does the answer matter


    to you?"


    Kane shrugged. "Can''t I be curious?"


    "But what about the otherdy of the Ellis family? I''ve been hearing a lot about hertely. She''s


    getting quite the buzz for a supporting role in a y, nearly overshadowing the lead. A lot of guys


    and girls at school are treating her like a celebrity. She likes you too, doesn''t she? She''s bound to


    come back for your birthday, right?"


    Seth picked up a drink from the table and said indifferently, "I wouldn''t know."


    "Hey, if she doese back to celebrate with you, would you turn her away?"


    "I won''t have the time," Seth replied after taking a sip.


    "So, you''ve made up your mind about Cicely?"


    Seth''s lips curled into a smile as he nced at a woman on stage shedding her shawl before


    returning his gaze to Kane. First he smiled, then he downed his drink in one go. After a pause, he


    slowly spoke, "Really? You''re asking me that now?"


    Kane blinked in confusion, "Huh? Now? When was I supposed to ask you?"


    Seth was silent for a moment, lounging on the couch, fingers idly ying with the chain around his


    neck. He said tly, "Some questions should never be asked because they were never meant to be


    multiple-choice."


    Kane paused, staring at him for a few seconds before clearing his throat and straightening up. He''d


    always pegged Cicely as a snooty little rich girl, all airs and graces. But Kane never guessed she''d


    be so crafty, to have Seth, the ice-cold, indifferent man, wrapped around her finger from start to


    finish. "Look, you didn''t have to bail early. Why not just call her toe hang out?"


    Seth''s brow twitched imperceptibly, "She doesn''t like ces like this."


    "How would you know if you never ask?"


    Seth shot him a cial look.


    Kane stood up from the couch abruptly, "I''m off to the restroom."


    Half an hourter, at nine o''clock sharp, Seth stood up, phone in hand.


    Kane pressed down on his shoulder, "Man, we''ve barely touched our drinks. It''s not every day we


    get together for a birthday – stay a little longer."


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    Seth coldly brushed Kane’s hand off his shoulder. "You guys carry on without me."


    "Hey, don''t go! I just called Cicely. She''ll be here any minute."


    At those words, Seth''s expression darkened instantly. When he looked up again, a figure in a puffy


    coat with its cor pulled high, concealing most of her face, approached them. Even with her face


    mostly hidden, Seth knew exactly who it was.


    Cicely approached, lowering her hood and cor, revealing a face so stunning it could steal the


    spotlight. He strode over, gripping her wrist. "What are you doing here?"


    Cicely looked unfazed, "Well, I''m here for your birthday, of course."


    She said this while peering toward the stage.


    Seth''s grip on her wrist tightened, "Let''s go home."


    Cicely slowly returned her gaze to Seth, her smile teasing. "Here to watch a strip show?"


    Kane stepped forward, "Cicely, don''t get it wrong. This was all my doing. Seth barely nced at it


    tonight. And nobody''s gotten fully naked."


    Cicely nced at him sideways, "Seems like you''ve been quite the observer tonight, keeping tabs


    on his every look."


    Kane stiffened, stepping back with his arms crossed, "Cicely, aren''t you being a bit unfair?"


    Cicely smirked, "If you had a date with friends, why didn''t you inform me? Worried I wouldn''t fit in?


    That I''d embarrass you?"


    "It''s not that."


    Cicely nodded thoughtfully, "Today''s your birthday. I won''t nitpick. Since I''m here, I might as well sit


    down for a bit. I''ve never actually seen a real strip show before."


    With that, she pulled her hand free and walked inside.


    Seth stood there, his face a thundercloud. Kane, sensing trouble, quickly followed Cicely.


    The dancers on stage moved through their routine, and the crowd changed. The women''s jackets


    lay scattered, their clothing strategically covering the private parts. What would seem normal on a


    beach feltden with sultry undertones here.


    Cicely stood watching for a moment, then remarked, "Nice figures, indeed."


    Seth, face still thunderous, approached Kane and ordered curtly: "Shut it down."


    "What? Cicely was enjoying it. Fine, everyone down."


    Seth''s icy re, sharp as a de, quickly made Kane backpedal.


    The women on stage stopped, clutching their chests, quickly picking up their jackets and scurrying


    off.


    "Why''d you send them away?" Cicely''s words indicated protest, but she didn''t seem disappointed as


    she turned and settled into a booth.


    Seth stood frozen for a moment, then turned to see Cicely lounging on the couch with a bottle in


    hand, about to take a swig. His expression darkened once more, and he strode over, snatching the


    bottle from her grasp. "Stop messing around."


    Cicely frowned, "Who says I''m messing? I don''t know which is your ss, and I can''t just use any..."


    She trailed off with a coy smile. "Don''t worry, it''s your birthday, and you''re the boss. Even if I''m


    upset, I wouldn''t cause a scene today."


    Seth looked at her intently, his brow furrowed. Eventually, unable to discern any ulterior motives, he


    said, "If that''s the case, then behave ande home with me."


    Cicely seemed disappointed, "Can''t we stay a little longer? It''s my first time in a ce like this."


    Seth was resolute, "No."


    Cicely resisted, her whole body tensing, but Seth was unyielding, without room for debate. He


    leaned down and scooped her up in his arms.