Chapter 2080


    In the corner office with its floor-to-ceiling windows, Seth stood tall in his sleek, dark suit, his


    silhouette a sharp contrast against the sprawling view of P City.


    "Mr. Diaz." Charlie couldn''t help but call out from behind. Seth''s gaze drifted back from the horizon,


    his voice cool and detached, "When is she nning to be discharged?"


    "I don''t know. Ms. Cicely didn''t say." Charlie replied, though what he really wanted to say was that


    Ms. Cicely wanted to be alone for the Thanksgiving.


    "Before the holiday, she must be discharged."


    "Yes, sir."


    Charlie noted themand, his original query left unanswered. "Mr. Diaz, the staff in the apartment


    asked what to prepare for lunch today?"d2


    "Sweet soup, pork ribs, green beans, pickled cucumbers, and pasta."


    "Alright, I''ll have Shane bring yours over."


    "Good."


    "And for Ms. Danielle."


    "Use your judgment."


    "Yes, sir."


    *


    "Lunch is here," the housekeeper chimed, carrying in the meal.


    Cicely set her phone aside, watching as the housekeeperid out the dishes. Cicely picked up her


    spoon, nced over the dishes, and lifted the soup bowl. "The food always looks a bitckluster."


    The housekeeper smiled warmly. "That''s because we have to consider your injury. We can''t have


    anything too rich or spicy, and the sauce and vinegar are out. Otherwise, your recovery could slow


    down, and scars might linger. A youngdy like you should always look her best."


    Cicely remained nomittal.


    *


    Danielle was set to be discharged that afternoon. The doctor came for a final checkup while the


    assistant was clearing the dishes.


    Despite the open window, a faint scent of lunch lingered. The doctor nced casually at the


    leftovers on the table, his brow furrowing slightly. "Smells good. What did you have for lunch?"


    Danielle noticed his concern, "Beef stew, why?"


    Charlie stood by Danielle, eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the doctor.


    The doctor hesitated, then looked away, "Well, nothing. Beef is quite good for nourishing the body


    and boosting blood and energy. You''re in good shape now. You should indeed replenish your


    strength."


    Danielle''s tense expression rxed somewhat, "I thought something was wrong."


    After the checkup, it was three in the afternoon. Seth was there to take Danielle home from the


    hospital.


    Reporters had gathered outside the hospital, swarming them upon their exit. "Is Danielle being


    discharged to rush back to the film set? We understand that the reason for your hospital stay was to


    keep up with the shooting schedule."


    Danielle nodded, "I''m fine now and will be returning to the set immediately."


    "No need." Seth''s words cut through Danielle''s, his tone indifferent.


    She turned to him, "Why not?"


    Seth nced at her, a faint smile ying on his lips, "You should rest at home after being


    discharged."


    A wave of sweetness washed over Danielle, "Aren''t you in a hurry to get back on schedule?"


    Seth looked at her, his smile lingering, "Your health is more important, of course."


    Back in her room, Cicely couldn''t escape the news about them, her phone pushing thetest


    entertainment updates.


    Another public disy of affection outside the hospital.


    One rushed back to set, the other pouring money into a project on hold, just to ensure the leading


    lady''s well-being.


    Watching Danielle''s moved and sweet expression, Cicely chuckled. Indeed, ths would melt any


    woman''s heart.


    She closed the webpage, returning to her game.


    *


    The next day, Cicely was discharged, personally escorted by Charlie back to her apartment.


    Well-fed and uninterrupted in the hospital, Cicely looked much better, herplexion rosy and


    bright. Her mood was inscrutable as she sat silent in the back seat, gazing at the receding streets.


    "Ms. Cicely, how was your stay at the hospital?"


    Cicely nced at him through the rearview mirror, her tone lukewarm, "Fine. Should I start saving to


    buy a permanent room there?"


    Charlie was momentarily speechless. "Ms. Cicely, you must be joking."


    Cicely smirked, shiftingfortably in her seat, "What did you want to say?"


    Charlieughed awkwardly, "Actually, Mr. Diaz has been eating the same meals as you. Your daily


    diet was arranged by him—light and nutritious, perfect for your recovery."


    "Really?" Cicely raised an eyebrow, "Had you not mentioned it, I might have thought the meals


    these past days were quite to my liking. Now that you bring it up, suddenly it seems rather


    nauseating."


    Charlie couldn''t even maintain his awkward smile, "Ms. Cicely, to speak so dismissively of Mr.


    Diaz''s care..."


    Cicely was nonchnt, "It''s fine, as long as Ms. Danielle appreciates it, it''s not wasted."


    The idea that she had to eat differently from the couple while hospitalized was truly distasteful.


    Charlie sensed something more behind her words. "Ms. Cicely, you shouldn''t take the news outside


    too seriously. The industry is full of such ephemeral stories. You''ve always known how Mr. Diaz


    feels about you, so trust him."


    Cicely suddenlyughed lightly, "Trust him?"


    Herughter sent a chill through Charlie, an unease he couldn''t shake.


    "Trust him..." Cicely mulled over the words, a coldness seeping up from within. "But does he


    deserve it?"


    Charlie tensed, looking into the rearview mirror to find Cicely''s expression had turned ice cold.


    For several silent minutes, the car glided on until Charlie''s voice, still a touch defiant, broke the


    quiet. "Ms. Cicely, why did you choose to plead guilty and serve time? Was it not because you were


    confident in Mr. Diaz''s unique feelings for you?"


    Cicely’s eyes flickered subtly, a hint of emotion passing through them.


    “Ms. Cicely,” the voice continued, a tone of solemnity in the air, “you’ve never seen what Mr. Diaz


    became after you plead guilty and got locked away because of your testimony. But I believe, given


    how hell-bent you were on revenge against him, Mr. Diaz must have been a sight that wouldn’t have


    disappointed you at the time.”


    A sharp pang contracted Cicely’s heart, and she felt its rhythm stutter as if grappling in its final


    throes, desperate to beat on, yet utterly devoid of strength.


    Revenge on him, yes, indeed.


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    “What was he like at that time?” She asked the question almost reflexively, but as she did, her gaze


    swept over the vast mall’s exterior screen shing an ad with Danielle modeling for a high-end


    fashion brand. Her heart turned to a block of ice.


    “What could he have been like? Running around, frazzled and exhausted, catering to Danielle’s


    every whim for her cosmetic surgeries?”


    Charlie took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the surge of anger that was threatening to break


    through. “For you, Mr. Diaz would have done anything. Even if it meant bing the very person


    he loathed, the kind that would be ndered and condemned by everyone.”


    At that moment, Cicely’s gaze was fixed beyond the car window, her heart a fortress of ice and


    steel, impervious to Charlie’s words. “It sounds like he’s the most devoted and passionate soul in


    the world, and I, the ungrateful wretch, the heartless bastard,” she mused bitterly, her voice dripping


    with sarcasm.