Chapter 2012


    In the morning, Cicely went to attend sses and overheard her ssmates discussing the day''s


    trending topics. Curiosity got the better of her and she pulled out her phone to see what the fuss


    was about.


    The trending topics were littered with mentions of "Era of Elegance," each one loaded with a


    barrage of harsh criticisms. Taking a big IP seemed like a dream gig, but with more fans came more


    haters, and the smallest ripple could stir up a tsunami of negativity. Critiques of corporate greed, the


    state of the entertainment industry, and disrespect for creative works filled the screen, some


    comments too vile to even read and yet somehow upvoted to prominence.


    With a dispassionate nce at the vitriol, Cicely pocketed her phone and skipped herst ss to


    leave campus early. She stuck to her routine and headed to the diner to "pay off her debts" – to


    work her shift and grab a bite before the lunch rush.


    The diner''s entrance was swarming with people who looked like reporters, all badges and bulky


    cameras. Cicely breezed past them and into the chaos of the kitchen where Emiliana was hiding out


    like a deer in the headlights.


    "Em, what''s got you ying hide and seek?" Cicely asked, stashing her bag in her locker.


    "The reporters." Emiliana repeated, her voice a mix of anxiety and fear.d2


    Cicely locked her locker and faced Emiliana. "Guilty conscience?"


    "No! It''s just..." Emiliana was struggling. "I''m scared I might say something dumb, and you know


    how they can twist your words."


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Cicely cut her off, "Look, hiding now won''t change anything. You''re in this industry, right? This is part


    of the gig. Don''t worry, you''re innocent, and that''s your armor. People root for the underdog."


    After a moment of silence, Emiliana looked touched. "Cicely, how did this all blow up so suddenly?


    This kind of news usually doesn''t make such waves."


    Cicely raised an eyebrow. "Isn''t it satisfying to see some justice?"


    Emiliana nodded but admitted, "I''m just afraid..."


    "That I''m behind it?" Cicely asked bluntly, addressing the unspoken suspicion.


    Emiliana squirmed. "I don''t want you getting in trouble for me."


    Cicely gave her a long look, then a half-smile. "Don''t worry about me. I might like you, but it''s just


    that – I like you."


    Emiliana didn''t quite follow but didn''t feel ufortable either. Cicely advised her to face the


    reporters and be honest, and if in doubt, to say nothing at all. They couldn''t exactly eat her alive.


    After the pep talk, Cicely stepped out of the locker room, right on time for her lunch break. Her usual


    order was ready – a spread that included spaghetti and shrimp, but today, her appetite was off; the


    vors had be too routine.


    Her phone rang, cutting through the hum of the diner. She nced at the screen, took a few


    indifferent bites of her spaghetti, and let the call go to voicemail. It rang again almost immediately.


    This time, she answered.


    "What''s up?" she greeted the caller.


    "Where are you?" came Seth''s familiar, icy tone.


    "Diner," she replied, her voice dripping with nonchnce.


    There was a pause on the line, and Cicely continued herckluster lunch. Finally, Seth spoke up.


    "Aren''t you going to tell me something?"


    "You call to ask what I have to say?" Cicely smirked.


    "Have you seen the news?"


    "Yep. They got what they deserved. What about it?"


    Another pause.


    "Cicely," Seth said, his voice even. "Finish your lunch ande back to the Ellis estate."


    The fork in Cicely''s hand paused midair, and her tone chilled. "Why?"


    "I have to deal with this mess. I won''t have the time to indulge you. Stay at the estate for now."


    "Is that so?"


    "Yes."


    "Then let me remind you, you''ve got the order wrong. I''m aware of the mess, so what am I


    supposed to tell you?"


    "What you''ve already said, haven''t you?"


    "They got what they deserved?" Cicely scoffed, "A good hand ruined by a Danielle, couldn''t be more


    deserved. But this call isn''t about hearing me say that, is it?"


    "What do you think I want to hear?"


    "That I did it," Cicely didn''t hesitate. "You''re calling to use me, right?"


    "Did you?"


    Herugh was cold, confirming her expectations. "I''ll go back to the estate. Not because you''re


    kicking me out, but because I can''t stand to see you right now." With that, she hung up, drained her


    ss of ice water, and returned to her shift.


    The afternoon was rough; her performance at the piano suffered,ints rolled in, but the


    manager let it slide. After all, she was also a customer here.


    She returned to the Ellis estate that evening, her mood like a storm cloud over the household. The


    servants became even more cautious.


    "You and Seth fighting?" Creighton asked halfway through dinner, noticing her disinterest in the


    meal.


    "No," Cicely replied, propping her chin up, "He''s tied up with somepany crisis. No time to deal


    with me."


    The exnation seemed usible enough, and dinner continued in an uneasy calm.


    "He''s still young and ambitious. It''s good for a man to have aspirations. The more sessful he


    bes, the more I can confidently entrust you to him. You''ll be together for a long time, and in


    crucial moments, if you can''t help him, at least don''t cause him trouble. In any rtionship, there


    has to be somepromise."


    Cicely set down her fork, fixing Creighton with a yful gaze, "You know, I half-expected you to


    warn him not to take me for granted. Are you ying favorites already?"


    "Don''t be silly, girl. This is all for your future happiness," Creighton responded, his voice soft yet


    firm.


    "It sure sounds like it. But the idea of me being the one to always give in—that''s a new tuneing


    from you," Cicely retorted, a hint of disbelief coloring her words.


    Creighton focused on his te, cutting into his steak without looking up. "Marriage is different than


    dating, Cicely. A breakup is one thing, but a failed marriage can scar a woman deeply. I''m telling


    you how to safeguard your marriage because all I can say to Seth is to take good care of you. I


    can''t—and shouldn''t—expect anything beyond that from him. Understand?"


    Cicely''s smooth brow furrowed as she continued to watch Creighton, her eyes softening into a


    smile, "I get it. But why this sudden concern? I haven''t even thought about divorce, and even if


    things got rough, wouldn''t I still have you to back me up?"


    "I can''t be by your side forever."


    "Dad!" Cicely''s voice rose sharply, the seriousness on her pretty face was unprecedented. "Are you


    hiding something from me?"


    Creighton''s grip on his silverware tightened imperceptibly, "What could I possibly hide from you?"


    "Like your health, perhaps?"


    He sighed heavily, "Let''s not talk about this anymore. I don''t want you to worry unnecessarily."


    "Are you really okay?" Cicely pressed, her eyes searching.


    "Are you saying I''ve lived too long?" Creighton quipped lightly.


    Cicely finally looked away, "Of course not."


    Still, after dinner, she couldn''t shake her concern and dialed Issac, asking him to check on her


    father''s recent medical records. After Isaac epted, Cicely hung up the phone and went to take a


    shower, unaware of the brief pause on Isaac''s end.


    *


    The trending topic had cooled down, and the PR team continued to monitor the situation online. The


    drastic decrease in discussion volume was a sign of their effectiveness.


    Seth arrived home from work to find Patty lounging on the couch. His cool, detached expression


    didn''t waver at the sight.