Chapter 2018


    Over the course of a month, C&P Entertainment brazenly poached talent, leaving Ray''s family''s


    painstakingly cultivated artists in short supply. Subsequently, an anonymous tip-off brought Ray’s


    shady dealings to light, uncovering significant tax issues. It was a blow upon a blow, and eventually,


    Ray’s dynasty changed hands, bing a subsidiary of C&P Entertainment.


    It wasn''t exactly a long period, but it left asting impact on the industry.


    When did it all begin? It started with that g. Everyone thought Seth was after the resources held


    by Ray''s family. But they were all mistaken. From the start, Seth''s target was probably Ray''s family


    itself.


    Deeply calcting, his moves were invisible but lethal.


    Cicely wasn''t clueless, but what did it have to do with her?


    *d2


    Maybe Seth did have a word with Danielle. During the six months it took to film the period drama,


    Danielle never appeared before Cicely again, nor did she return to the Ellis estate.


    The filming took quite a bit of time, but in the industry, it wasn''t considered too long. After all, for


    period dramas, some sets required a significant amount of time for construction.


    As the post-production and editing phase kicked in, aimed at delivering the best viewing experience


    and meeting the criteria for various awards, Seth was plunged into another round of busyness.


    The main cast, including Danielle, began their promotional tours. Times changed, and people


    changed too. Danielle''s poprity was still quite good.


    Now, Danielle had her fans and her haters. Her aristocratic demeanor conveyed a sense of


    unattainable beauty, as if to dislike her was to reveal one''s ownck of taste.


    Cicely had hardly spent any time at the Ellis estate over those six months. She was curious why


    Seth never brought up that issue, but if he didn''t mention it, she certainly wasn''t going to.


    If Patty came over, Cicely thought it would be a good opportunity to clear the air. But that


    conversation never happened. Not once.


    And Seth never suggested taking her to visit Patty back home, not even during Thanksgiving.


    Seth had hired a nanny. Meals and housekeeping were scheduled to the minute.


    Cicely had wanted to treat Emiliana to a taste of living off capital, but Seth had other ns for her,


    casting her in a supporting role in another production.


    Emiliana was ted at the audition, happier than if she had been offered a lead role.


    Seth said that Cicely''s approach wasn''t really doing Emiliana any favors. Cicely didn''t understand


    but didn''t argue, seeing how content Emiliana was.


    Life went on, uneventful and steady. Their matrimonial home had been under construction for some


    time.


    Cicely would visit the site when she felt bored. The foundation alone took time toy, and her


    impatience gnawed at her. All she envisioned was within reach, yet time seemed to drag on


    interminably.


    Cicely often saw Danielle''s roles on TV and the inte. Then she realized that emotions could fade


    with the monotony of daily life. Danielle was behaving, and now, watching her through a screen,


    Cicely no longer felt the urge to tear her apart.


    But then again, there''s wisdom in the old saying: experiencees with age. Her father had urged


    her to be patient, perhaps with this exact oue in mind.


    She was still too young after all.


    After turning off the video, Cicely took a deep breath and dialed the number of Creighton''s family


    doctor.


    "Ms. Cicely."


    As she walked out of the ssroom with a book in hand, Cicely spoke, "How''s my father''s health


    lately? Could you give me some details, please?"


    Dr. Hanna replied with a polite smile in her voice, "I''ve justpleted Mr. Ellis'' check-up, and his


    health is excellent. Blood pressure and sugar levels are stable, and he looks to be in good spirits.


    Mood has a big impact on health, so we hope he keeps up his current lifestyle."


    Creighton''s voice came through the phone, a bit exasperated, "Is Cicely checking in on me again?"


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


    "Here, give me the phone."


    Cicely listened quietly until she heard Creighton''s breath close to the phone, then teased, "So,


    you''re actually quite happy when I''m not at home, huh? From Dr. Hanna''s tone, you might be


    getting your youth back any day now."


    Creighton had wanted to chide Cicely for neglecting him since she had Seth as she hardly visited


    the Ellis estate once a month. However, she seemed to preempt hisint, shutting him down


    before he could even start. "You little rascal. Are you out of school? I’ll have Isaac pick you up and


    come home for dinner." Creighton''s tone was indulgent yet helpless.


    "No can do. For the sake of your longevity, it''s probably better I don''t visit too often."


    Creighton knew her all too well and snorted, "You wouldn''t be nning to dine out at some new


    restaurant with Seth again, would you?"


    Cicely mischievously chuckled, "Exactly!"


    Creighton grunted, "Then tomorrow. Come home for dinner tomorrow night."


    Cicely sighed as if put upon, "Alright, we won''t make other ns for tomorrow then."


    With a huff, Creighton hung up the phone.


    Dr. Hanna took the phone back, relieved, while Creighton''s smile faded slightly.


    "Mr. Ellis," the doctor began, "everything I''ve just discussed with Miss Cicely is urate. Your


    health is stable right now, and I hope it stays that way. She''s a lot more attentive than other children,


    making sure to check in every month without fail. She really cares about you. After all, there''s


    nothing moreforting to a child than knowing their parent is in good health."


    Creighton managed a small smile at the doctor''s words, but a hint of mncholy clouded his eyes.


    "I know. Who doesn''t want to live a long, full life? But how many of us get to blow out a hundred


    candles?"


    "Just take care of yourself and keep that spirit high, and anything''s possible," chimed in Brody, who


    was standing nearby.


    Creighton let out a wry chuckle and shook his head, "I''ll go with the flow, I guess. But I do need to


    hang on a bit longer, to see more of Cicely''s happy, fulfilled moments."


    The mere thought of his daughter''s face when her mother had passed away years ago sent a sharp


    pang through Creighton''s heart, as if his breath could shatter it into pieces.


    How could he not know how much his daughter loved him?


    Just because he knew, he could not imagine how sad and heartbroken Cicely would be if that day


    really came. But fortunately, if that day were toe, Cicely wouldn''t have to face it alone. She had


    Seth whom she deeply loved by her side.


    Yes, Isaac chose to keep Creighton''s condition hidden from Cicely. In truth, aside from the


    necessary medical staff, no one knew of Creighton''s health issues.


    Creighton''s heart issues had prompted him to undergo a bypass surgery two years ago, arranged


    by Lana, under the pretext of going on vacation abroad.


    Lana, the sole daughter of the Ellis family, Creighton''s sister, and Cicely''s aunt.


    Having married into a prominent family overseas, where her husband''s influence and the myriad of


    responsibilities that came with it didn''t allow her out of his sight, she rarely returned home, just to


    avoid worrying her husband and putting the Ellis family in unnecessary danger.


    When Lana had made the decision to marry and move abroad, she had braced herself for what was


    nearly the abandonment of her family. Although it pained her to feel like she failed her role as


    daughter, she couldn''t forsake the man who would do anything for her.