In the elite social circles, where old money and new fortunes collide, there was a whispered rumor everyone knew but no one dared to speak aloud. Creighton Ellis, the people in charge of the affluent Ellis family, was rumored to have had a true love—a woman named Millie.

Millie was the talk of high society, a social butterfly whose grace and beauty were matched only by her cunning and charm. She was known to captivate the wealthiest bachelors with her enchanting ways.

Despite the knowledge that she was trouble, many men fell prey to her allure. The ladies of the circle would bitterly dub her “the temptress,” hoping evilly that her string of conquests would no doubt lead to an untimely and sordid demise.

But then, as suddenly as she had appeared, Millie vanished.

Months later, the Ellis estate was abuzz with the birth of a daughter, Cicely. It was then revealed that the child’s mother was none other than Millie, the once notorious heartbreaker of P City’s elite.

Creighton’s love for Millie was undeniable, and it extended to his daughter Cicely, whom he spoiled without limit. Tragically, Millie’s life was cut short, passing away when Cicely was only eight. While some whispered of karmic retribution, others pitied the young daughter.d2

Still, Creighton’s doting ensured that Cicely lacked for nothing, except for the absence of her mother.

Cicely grew up to be a stunning young woman, her beauty a testament to her mother’s legacy. The Ellis family had long since warned against idle gossip about their affairs, and though murmurs persisted, they faded with Millie’s passing.

Cicely was known for her radiant looks and her defiant spirit, intelligent yet indolent. She seemed to believe life would always be a breeze, never taking anything too seriously. Her moods were as fickle as the wind—one moment content, the next irked. Her tastes could shift overnight, from craving a simple salad to indulging in a succulent plate of roast beef. To the Ellis family, her whims were no surprise.

But Cicely had her obsessions.

At twelve, she met Seth, three years older than her, under less than joyous circumstances—her uncle, Creighton’s brother, had died in a plane crash. The Ellis funeral lasted three days, and it was there she first encountered Seth.

Seth stood quietly, a handsome, lanky figure beside a beautiful woman, exuding an air of calm and an indescribable presence.

Cicely, having slipped away from the service, was caught by Seth’s gaze as she presented a flower at her uncle’s memorial. Unfazed by the attention, she offered him a smile, which seemed to trap him in an unwanted cage.

Cicely put the flower down, put her hands together and prayed silently. When she turned around, the place was empty.

she saw the woman and her father disappearing

in the air. When she stopped, the skirt swayed to the front again and again, like

her

running around again?” Creighton was scolding her, but there

daughter?” The young and beautiful woman sitting next to him opened her mouth. Cicely turned her head. The woman must be a guest. But after all, Cicely was also the little mistress of the Ellis family. At least in her

“Dad, who is she?”

and laughed: “She’s a friend of your mom and dad. Call her

Cicely shifted her gaze to the boy next to her, “Who

who was ignored by Cicely, paused and then put

terms of basic courtesy, he was not one

helplessly at her, but saw her gaze seemed to be on the boy across her all

and said, “He is Aunt Patty’s son, Seth.

smiled beautifully at Seth. “Hey

still carried the traces of youth, tinged with an unmistakable blend of

It sounded more like a command

impassively,

for an answer. She turned to Patty, who stood beside her, and

mince words. “You didn’t seem to like me much

so I guess

taken

ruffled her hair

composure and with a detached tone said, “You’re quite the

and the mention of the name dimmed the smile on her face. At twelve, she was

face. She glanced sidelong at Patty’s left, where a girl about her age sat quietly, the model of decorum, the type that adults usually doted

up this time, “That’s Danielle Clandon, your uncle’s and my

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