The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2041-2050

Before he returned, Seth had found Cicely’s words in the car utterly baseless

and irrational.

What had he said to her? He told her not to be too greedy, and not to be so

fussy. He accused her of sentencing him to death without cause, of making a

fuss over nothing.

When she said she could forgive him even if he fooled her just once, he told her

she was living a lie, and it was meaningless.

What else did he say? He mentioned he needed to think about whether he really

liked Danielle and that maybe he could give it a shot with her.

Enter title…

The memory of Cicely standing at the car door with that panicked and helpless

look in her eyes resurfaced in his mind. A bitter taste suddenly rose in his throat,

and as Issac clasped his collar tightly, Seth’s hands clenched into whiteknuckled fists at his sides.

She had given him so many chances, even waited for him to deceive her.d2

Seeing Seth’s stricken expression, Issac, regardless of his own raging anger,

realized he had to step out of their world. Issac let go, stepped back,

straightened his clothes, and left the bedroom.

The room fell silent.

Seth gazed at her for a long moment before slowly approaching her. “Why didn’t

you say anything?”

Cicely looked sideways at the slight gap left by the closet door not being

properly shut. “I guess I felt it would be too dramatic to say it out loud. Besides,

what’s done is done. Speaking about it won’t change anything. Why humiliate

myself further?” She threw his earlier words back at him.

“I’m sorry.”

A flicker passed through Cicely’s eyes as she slowly turned to meet his gaze.

“The last thing I wanted to hear was an apology because I really don’t want to

tell you it’s okay. It’s all so trivial, confirming indeed that you messed up, and it

doesn’t undo what’s happened.”

Seth watched her silently, as if waiting for her to vent all the pent-up resentment

in her heart.

Cicely took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and when she opened them again,

she looked at him with a faint laugh, “Am I being unreasonably stubborn again?

Are you always right, and everything I say is just adding to my mistakes?”

As she spoke, she glanced casually at the digital clock on the table, then

lowered her eyes, concealing the turmoil behind them, and spoke indifferently.

“I’m going downstairs to join Grandpa and Dad for New Year’s Eve.”

Seth stepped forward, “I’ll carry you down.”

Cicely turned her head away, her posture as she sat waiting for him to carry her

was notably stiff and unwelcoming.

Seth bent down, his long arm sweeping under the bend of her legs, his voice

low and dim as he spoke. “I didn’t go to the hospital.”

Cicely wrapped her arms around his neck to avoid falling. She didn’t respond.

Seth lifted her up and headed for the door, continuing, “Because I seriously

violated traffic laws.”

A sardonic smile played on Cicely’s lips. She had seen it all before.

“U-turning on the overpass, driving the wrong way, crossing the median. I got

detained, and had to pay a 200 dollar fine.”

Cicely’s brows twitched, and she looked up at him. “What are you trying to say?”

“Nothing much, just I deserved paying my fine for leaving you there.”

Cicely pulled a wry smile, “Don’t shift the blame to me. I’m not the one who

made you lose points or pay a fine.”

Seth cast a glance down at her, stopping by the stairwell wall to carefully set her

down.

Cicely frowned, looking at him with her injured foot raised. “Do you think now

that Issac is gone, you’re the only option I have to get downstairs?”

Seth grasped her waist and leaned in close, his back slightly bending to meet

her forehead, his voice carrying a hint of hurt as he reiterated, “I didn’t go to the

hospital.”

Cicely’s eyelids flickered slightly. She was once again struck by how deviously

manipulative this man could be. He was actually playing the victim and acting

hurt, and she was amazed he had it in him.

“Not going to the hospital is a regret? I never stopped you from the beginning,

so there’s no need to feel hurt with me, and you won’t gain anything.”

Seth’s grip tightened slightly, his voice deep and husky, “Do you really have to

play dumb with me?”

Cicely’s frown deepened, “While wasting time with me here, aren’t you afraid

Danielle might actually drop dead in the hospital without seeing you?”

Anger began to cloud Seth’s eyes, his emotions turning murky. “You don’t have

to say such nasty things.” His breath lowered, “That was not very wise to make

you into someone you are not because of her.”

Cicely chuckled lightly, “Perhaps the truth is harsh. What’s the point of living a

lie?”

Seth’s eyes darkened further, a flash of sharpness passing through, quickly

suppressed. “I shouldn’t have said those things in the car. I didn’t go to the

hospital, I never considered liking her, and I wasn’t really planning to try with

her. Stop using those words against me, okay? They were wrong. It’s my

mistake.”

His current attitude gave Cicely an illusion, that to continue arguing with him

seemed pointless. It made her feel even more like a petty, vindictive shrew.

But if he admitted he was wrong, did that mean the pain those words caused

could be completely erased?

She closed her eyes, pushing down the sadness in her heart.

Her slightly pursed lips were seized by his cool ones, gently probbing, “The

countdown is about to start. Even if you don’t forgive me, can we leave this

behind? Let’s welcome the new year together, okay?”

Leaving this in the past year and starting anew the next?

Cicely was carried downstairs by Seth, and both Erik and Creighton looked a bit

weary. It wasn’t common for people their age to stay up for New Year’s Eve, so it

must have been tough for them to hold out until now.

However, seeing Cicely seemed to invigorate them. “Let’s hurry, the countdown

is about to begin. Let’s go outside for the fireworks.”

The TV show was also gearing up for the New Year’s countdown.

Seth wrapped Cicely in a blanket and a warm down coat before carrying her

outside.

In the yard, Brody and a few men had already set up the fireworks, ready to be

ignited at the right moment.

The TV in the living room was turned up to the loudest volume, the thrilling voice

counting down second by second.

“Ten, nine, eight…”

“Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!”

The final second ticked by, and the fireworks in the backyard ignited, shooting

into the sky with a cacophony of whistles and pops. They exploded in a dazzling

array of colors, painting the night with their brilliance.

Amidst the festive clamor, Cicely thought she heard Seth’s voice near her ear.

She paused, turning to look at him with a puzzled expression, “What did you just

say?”

Seth looked down at her, his dark eyes reflecting the colorful lights from the

distant fireworks.

A faint smile played on his lips, and the icy look in his eyes seemed to melt

away as he gazed intensely at her, then leaned down to gently peck her lips.

“Happy New Year.”

Cicely’s eyes flickered with a hint of subtle disappointment, but it was fleeting.

She looked back up at the sky and replied softly—

“Happy New Year.”

*

Happy New Year.

There was the new year, but joy seemed absent.

Cicely’s winter break was marred by a foot injury that set her back over twenty

days.

Even so, even after a spat they had on New Year’s Day, Seth, upon returning to

work from his holiday, still bombarded her with a flurry of company emails. He’s

determined as ever.

Bored at home, Cicely read a couple out of the ten emails and then spent her

time tucked in a corner of the living room, piecing together a castle from a set of

building blocks she’d bought.

Seth came home several times to check on her progress, and finding it wanting,

he went straight to Creighton with his complaints.

Creighton could hardly contain his bemusement as he pointed at her, and from

then on, he took it upon himself to supervise her. Even as she sat in the corner

building her castle, Creighton would drill her on the company’s history, the

famous projects they’d pushed forward, their progress, outcomes, and the

comprehensive reasons behind their inception.

Cicely’s head spun with the daily analysis. She chewed Seth out in her mind

while stacking blocks—a grown man, tattling, of all things.

Danielle’s condition was not dire. The checkup revealed minor issues but

nothing significantly worrisome, only a slight delay in her recovery.

Seth still visited her occasionally, accompanying her to the hospital when it was

time for her bandages to be changed. He even went so far as to bring in a

renowned rehabilitation specialist from abroad. The Ellis family also extended

their utmost support.

Whether Danielle was spurred by some unseen motivation, her cooperation with

the therapy was surprisingly zealous, and her recovery progressed remarkably.

After New Year’s Eve, Cicely stopped bringing up Danielle. It didn’t matter if

Seth visited the hospital, arranged for experts for Danielle, or ensured someone

was always there to watch over her. Sometimes, Seth wondered if he was

uncomfortable with a life too tranquil.

Cicely fought with him over Danielle, and he was dissatisfied. Now that she no

longer made a fuss, he was still displeased.

He felt Cicely did not really care about what he did. It’s like as long as he was

there in the end, she could tolerate anything he did. He did not like this feeling.

Once Cicely’s foot was nearly healed, Seth brought her back to his side. He

personally drove her to the office, ensuring she stayed within his sight, whether

she was playing or dozing off from boredom.

He had even set up a desk for her in his office at Diaz International, right next to

his own. Her desk was smaller, a bit shorter than his, and whenever he brought

her there, her petite figure seated beside him exuded an air of endearing

obedience that he found quite pleasing.

Aside from work, she took an interest in almost anything. Her desk soon

became cluttered with little trinkets, including some on his desk—everything she

deemed unsightly was replaced with items she favored. He let her be.

The progress on their wedding home was on track for completion in two months.

Wedding planners had begun to consult with Cicely on the details, and she

spent her days in front of the computer in discussion. Every now and then, she

sought Seth’s opinion, which he occasionally provided with superficial

consideration. Eventually, Cicely found his advice lacking and stopped asking.

The venue was set in P City’s largest church, a testament to the Ellis family’s

penchant for indulging their loved ones. The church was funded and built by the

Ellis family over a decade ago, as a gesture of goodwill and safety for their

daughter who had married abroad.

The hotel was the most luxurious one in P City.

Just the selection of these two sites had made Cicely’s wedding preparations

the talk of the town, with everyone eagerly anticipating the event.

Cicely had become quite the busy bee, taking on some of the Ellis Group’s less

crucial matters since Seth had oddly entrusted her with them.

Though reluctant, she had picked up a few things, and she was getting to know

the company’s leadership quite well.

But life in the Ellis Group always came with its share of troubles, so she

preferred spending her time at Diaz International. Lounging idly there was

easier, as there was no need for her to get involved in company affairs.

Seth never hid anything from her. So, when she overheard Seth mentioning a

software project that had been in preparation since last year, requiring a

substantial investment and loan arrangements with the bank, curiosity got the

better of her. “What kind of software development requires such a huge sum?

What field is it in, and are you confident about it?”

Seth replied coolly, “Sixty percent confident.”

Developing the software was one thing, and market adaptability was another. If

it couldn’t seamlessly integrate into the market, failure was the only path that

awaited him.

Cicely frowned, clearly puzzled. “The Ellis Group has been dragging on that

mechanical construction project until now, and you know my dad has been

holding onto it for you. You pass up a project that’s practically handing money to

you to chase a new development you’re not entirely sure of. Two years of

preparation, and you’re only sixty percent confident now.”

“You want to prove yourself, to claim your dignity, not to play second fiddle to the

Ellis family. C&P has already succeeded, and now you’re the one calling the

shots at the Ellis Group , with notable results. Now who would dare to speak ill

of you? People are falling over themselves to get in with the Ellis Group . So

why does it seem like you’re the only one running in the opposite direction?”

Seth’s face was stern, his voice low and serious, “I’m not avoiding the Ellis

family. This project was something I intended to pursue from the start,

regardless of whether the Ellis family extended an olive branch or not.”

Cicely took a deep breath, “But what if it fails? What will become of Diaz

International? Seth, why not let Diaz International take shelter under the Ellis

Group’s wing? They can invest in your development project.”

Seth pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly irritated by Cicely’s suggestion, “I

don’t need it. If I truly fail, then the Ellis Group can consider taking over Diaz

International without any resistance.” To acquire a shell of a company would be

a piece of cake, wouldn’t it?

“Even if the Ellis Group did take over Diaz International, it would be for the good

of Diaz International.”

Seth inhaled deeply, “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Aren’t you busy planning

a wedding? That should be more important to you right now.”Cicely watched as Diaz International began to buzz with activity. The newly

established Engineering Department was already in full swing with a senior

engineer at the helm. It was apparent that Seth had been planning for this

moment for years, with a team ready to hit the ground running.

She knew that the best way she could support him was to stand back and let

him take the reins, even though she wished she could do more to help.

Opportunities for her to get involved were just scarce.

On a quiet afternoon, Cicely took a stroll through the Engineering Department,

where the team—dressed in their plaid shirts and casual blazers—worked

diligently. They were the epitome of understated brilliance, their fingers dancing

Enter title…

across keyboards as screens filled with cryptic code that Cicely couldn’t begin to

decipher.

Her impending marriage to the head honcho of Diaz International was no secret

in P City, so her presence in the department went largely unremarked. The

place was abuzz with rumors of her being a pampered lady, hardly a tech wiz,

making the complex code on screen all the more alien to her.

The department manager, Camden, a tall and lean man sporting a slick suit and

a confident air, made sure to greet her with a touch of charm. His humor and wit

were a breath of fresh air in the otherwise grave environment, making him the

darling of the coding engineers.

“Ms. Cicely, here for an inspection, are we?” Camden quipped with a grin, as

Cicely casually scanned the rows of computers, humming thoughtfully.d2

“Do you have any instructions for us, Ms. Cicely?” Camden asked, following her

gaze to the screens full of incomprehensible code.

Cicely glanced at him and then at a nearby workstation. “How are other people,

like me, supposed to make sense of all this code?” she inquired.

With a knowing smile, Camden nodded to the engineer at the desk, “Show our

future Mrs. Diaz what we can do.”

The engineer swiftly switched screens and within moments, following a flurry of

keystrokes and one final resounding press of the Enter key, a simple animation

graced the monitor. A white kitten, lollipop in paw, bounced across the screen

under the twinkling words “Wishing Mr. Diaz and Mrs. Diaz a lifetime of

happiness.” The animation was simple, but the speed with which it was created

impressed Cicely

“The code may be difficult to understand, but the result is clear enough,”

Camden remarked with a smile.

Cicely nodded, genuinely impressed. “You guys really are quite something.”

“Thank you for the compliment, ma’am.” Camden replied.

After Cicely left the department, she immediately started Googling introductory

courses in engineering.

Later, Seth returned from a meeting to find Cicely squinting at her computer

screen with such intensity, he teased, “Planning on going blind?”

Cicely shot him a sidelong glance and continued her focus on the screen.

“Meeting over, huh?” she replied nonchalantly, eliciting a frown from Seth who

took a glimpse at her screen and saw the C programming language. “Why are

you looking at this?” he asked, puzzled.

Cicely replied with newfound interest, “It’s fascinating. I visited the Engineering

Department today, and they whipped up an animation for me in minutes. It

seemed magical.”

Seth chuckled, “You won’t get it. You might as well give up.”

Cicely glared at him but didn’t persist, although she wasn’t ready to give up just

yet. A few days of learning and the novelty could wear off, but she wasn’t about

to guarantee anything to Seth.

To Seth’s surprise, Cicely’s persistence outlasted his expectations. For a week

straight, she devoted herself to mastering C programming language, bringing

her books to the office and frequently visiting the Engineering Department. She

was scarcely seen except for lunch and at the end of the day.

Her casual approach to college, where she was known as the little princess of P

City, seemed to work in her favor as no one expected her to fail. The campus

had become more of a hobby, with occasional visits to maintain appearances.

During one of those visits, Joel struck up a conversation about coding, and

Cicely, now with a bit of coding knowledge and confidence, admitted she was

studying it too. Joel invited her to join a club at school run by a senior who was a

programming whiz.

[Does he have the patience for it?] she typed back to him, aware of the slight

irritation she had been causing at the Engineering Department.

[Of course, and you’ve got me, right?] Joel assured her.

[Fine, I’ll check it out tomorrow,] Cicely agreed with a sigh.

…

The next day, Camden and a few engineers couldn’t help but suppress their

excitement when they realized Cicely wasn’t accompanying Seth to work.

Camden cautiously asked Seth about her whereabouts.

“She’s at school,” Seth replied casually, and Camden’s mood lifted slightly.

Perhaps having Mrs. Diaz around wasn’t so bad after all—it meant no overtime

work for them.

Without hesitation, Cicely joined the club Joel had mentioned. It turned out Joel

had learned more than she had, and he patiently tutored her through the basics.

Before the after-school club wrapped up, Joel casually handed Cicely a USB

drive, given her noticeable dedication to studying these past few days, he

couldn’t resist asking:

“Why are you suddenly interested in coding?”

Cicely toyed with the drive in her hand, replying nonchalantly, “Just seems cool

and interesting. Seth’s working on a new project, and I figured I might be able to

help him out if I learn a bit.”

Joel’s eyes darkened slightly, then he let out a resigned sigh, “Since it’s software

development, it’s probably all advanced code. We’re talking a good three to five

years before we’re at that level.”

Cicely didn’t seem bothered, “Knowing a little is better than nothing. At least I’ll

understand what they’re talking about.”

After thinking for a moment, Joel nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, Cicely lifted the USB drive, “What’s this for?”

Joel then remembered, “Well, that’s got a program I developed with a friend.”

Cicely uttered an acknowledgement, about to plug the drive into a computer,

“Let’s see what it’s about.”

Joel quickly restrained her wrist, “Wait a second.”

“What’s up?”

Joel explained, “It’s a blank drive. The program code is embedded within. It’s a

virus. You can’t see it.”

Cicely’s mouth hung open in surprise, “A virus? So what happens when you

plug it into a computer? Does it just die?”

He nodded and then shook his head, “The drive has a huge capacity. Once you

plug it in, it’ll automatically back up all the stored files on the computer at

lightning speed. Once it’s done copying, the computer will crash.”

Cicely looked repulsed, “Then how do you use it? Even if you copy the files,

what will hold them for extraction?”

This seemed to be Joel’s pride and joy. The usually modest and polite boy now

displayed an unmistakable air of satisfaction. “The ‘virus’ will only spread to one

computer. On the second machine, it acts like a normal USB drive, but the files

are hidden and need to be cracked to show up.”

Cicely found this intriguing, “Is this to prevent corporate espionage?”

“That’s the idea if you have a specific target.”

Cicely shook her head, “Sounds complicated. Where’s the decryption code?”

Joel shook his head, “Still working on it. It needs time.”

“So why give it to me? It’s useless to me right now.”

“I wanted you to have a piece of my achievement, as a keepsake.”

Cicely raised an eyebrow and slipped the drive into her bag. “Make sure to send

me the cracked version when it’s ready.”

“Of course.”

*

Dusk had settled. The two chatted as they made their way toward the school

gates. “Did you arrange a ride? I can drive you home if not.”

“No, it’s fine. Seth said he’d pick me up.” Cicely hadn’t finished her sentence

when someone bumped into her shoulder, causing her bag to fall and her to

stagger, but Joel quickly steadied her.

“Sorry.” The person mumbled an apology. Cicely wasn’t one to hold a grudge,

but before she could regain her balance, Joel stepped in front of her,

protectively moving her behind him.

Cicely, puzzled, peeked around and saw Ray, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.

Ray seemed to recognize them too. His gaze lingered on Cicely before he let

out a sardonic laugh, “Ms. Cicely, aside from everything else,

there is something destined between us, right?”

Ray looked haggard, the once polished young guy now appeared disheveled.

His long hair was carelessly styled, and his chin sported a patch of stubble. His

clothes were wrinkled. It was clear he was trying to maintain his image, but the

effort only made his disarray more evident.

Although Cicely was almost raped by him, given the whole story and what lay

behind it, she actually felt Ray had been dealt a raw deal.

With his penis ruined and hiss family fortune lost, Ray’s current state evoked a

twinge of pity from Cicely.

“Mr. Ray, I assume there’s nothing else?” Joel interrupted, wary of Ray’s attempt

to converse with Cicely.

Ray’s laugh held a hint of scorn, “No. The Ellis family’s darling is loved by all, I

hear. You’re getting married in a month, I guess congratulations are in order.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked towards the school

entrance.

As they watched Ray disappear into the distance, Joel finally relaxed, turning to

Cicely. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. You had me covered.”

Joel bent down to pick up her bag, dusted it off, and handed it back to her. “Talk

about bad luck, I thought you wouldn’t see him at school. And yet, here we are,

running into him on the last day.”

Cicely took her bag, her voice tinged with confusion, “Last day?”

“Ray came to school today to drop out. With everything that happened at home,

and it’s probably best he leaves, given how he’d be treated here.”

Joel left the sentence hanging, but Cicely understood what he meant. “I see,”

she responded flatly, “I guess that makes sense.”

“Now his family is just him, and those who used to flock around are now

avoiding him. I heard he sold off his properties a few days ago, not sure what he

plans to do.”

Cicely paused, “Sold them?”

“Yeah.” Joel nodded, “There are plenty of rich kids around here; a few bought

from him. If he’s planning to use that money to make a comeback, that’s great.

But there’s the fear he might do something drastic. I heard he had a serious

clash with Seth not too long ago. You might want to warn him to be careful.”

Cicely’s expression grew somber.

At the school gate, a familiar luxury car with its hazard lights flashing was

waiting. The understated, yet imposing black sedan was boldly parked right at

the entrance. Clusters of students leaving the school cast curious glances its

way.

Cicely recognized the car immediately. She stopped and turned to bid Joel

farewell. The silent vehicle suddenly sprang to life as Seth emerged, dressed

sharply in a suit, his demeanor austere, drawing murmurs from the onlookers.

Nobody could mistake him. In the hallowed halls of the prestigious academy, it

was rare to find a young prodigy who, even before donning their graduation cap,

had already carved out a substantial niche in the elite echelons of the business

world. He was a legend whispered about in the corridors and classrooms, his

name synonymous with success and mystery.

His visits to campus were infrequent, his presence more myth than man to most

of the students. Thus, when he did appear, it was as if a celebrity had walked

among them, causing a stir of excitement and awe.

Cicely was mid-farewell with Joel when a sudden chorus of animated whispers

erupted around her. A gaggle of girls huddled by the nearby school monument,

their excitement bubbling over as they bounced in place, their voices a mix of

disbelief and delight.

Was all this fanfare really necessary?

She turned slightly, casting her gaze back to Seth. Well, perhaps the fuss was

justified.

Just right now, his expression was less than pleasant. His brows were furrowed

in a frown, his stance aloof, as if the weight of his glare could be felt from a

distance, cold and as deep as an abyss.

Cicely belatedly pieced together the puzzle. Right, that man had a minor clash

with Joel before.

Joel had been kind enough to part with friendly advice, cautioning her to warn

Seth to beware of a certain Ray. Comparing their temperaments, Seth’s current

demeanor seemed rather off-putting.

“Alright, I should head back. Take care on your way,” Cicely said, choosing not

to provoke him further despite her lack of enthusiasm for his attitude.

Joel replied with a smile, nodding. “You too, and remember, if you run into any

trouble, just give me a shout. I’m here for you.”

“Will do.”

They exchanged smiles and waved goodbye, but Seth’s expression only soured

further.

It wasn’t until Cicely approached him, seeing the stern cast of his face up close,

that she felt a mix of irritation and amusement bubble up. “Who got under your

skin?” she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice.Seth shot Cicely a frosty glance, “How come you’re hanging out with him?”

Cicely replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world, “We’re in the same

class and part of the same club. Isn’t it pretty normal for us to hang out?”

Seth turned and opened the passenger door. As Cicely bent to get in, Seth

grabbed her arm. “What club are you talking about?”

“Uh, the coding and programming club.”

Seth narrowed his dark eyes, “Still can’t shake off this hobby, huh? It’s been

quite a while. How come the enthusiasm hasn’t faded?”

Enter title…

Cicely smiled, her eyes curving, “I’m surprised myself that I’ve stuck with it for so

long. Who knows? In a few years, you might be offering me a high salary to

work for you. Let go. You’re hurting me.”d2

Seth released her arm with a snort and a chuckle, “I bet you haven’t written that

many lines of code. If a corporate spy got their hands on you for a little

interrogation, I doubt it would take two minutes before you’d spill all my secrets.”

The smile vanished from Cicely’s eyes. Glaring at Seth, she retorted,

“Underestimate me? I could last five minutes, at least.”

“Heh,” he couldn’t help but laugh softly, his lips curling. “Get in the car.”

Cicely huffed and slid into the seat.

As soon as the car started, Cicely began to recount her recent run-in with Ray.

Seth hit the brakes, glanced at her, then eased off again.

“I’m fine. Joel was there too, didn’t even get a chance to exchange words with

him.”

Seth’s lips tightened slightly.

“Ray was at school today to drop out. I heard he’s sold off several of his

properties, too. Joel’s worried he might do something drastic again, especially

towards you…”

“Can’t you speak without bringing up Joel?” Seth’s voice was heavy with

displeasure, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Cicely paused, “Of course, that’s what I think too.”

The car sped up, taking Cicely straight to her apartment.

*

With just a month until the wedding, July was shaping up to be the happiest

month of Cicely’s life. Her birthday, her marriage anniversary, and her wedding

day were all coming up.

Her wedding dress had been custom-made by a designer Seth had flown in

from France a couple of months ago. It was due to arrive any day now. The

jewelry was specially ordered by Creighton from Belgium.

The wedding home was finished, decorated under Cicely’s meticulous

supervision, with every detail personally designed and arranged by her. After all,

it was where she and Seth would spend their lives together.

Some custom furniture was still due to arrive, but that too would be sorted out in

the next couple of days. Seth was so worried about her overdoing it, and he had

carried her back from the wedding house several times.

He had scolded her in various ways. She had pleaded for mercy, and Seth had

believed her, for a while. But she would dare to do it again next time.

The last time was just the day before when she received a call from the

renovation company saying that the custom furniture had arrived and needed

her direction for placement. She was about to leave when Seth pressed her to

the bed, leaving her weak and unable to get up until the next day.

After the Seth’s threats in bed, she was scared out of her wits, swearing she

wouldn’t dare again. Now, recalling their shameless romp, she didn’t even have

the courage to face people outside. Cicely chewed Seth out a countless number

of times alone in her room for being a brute.

Seth had Charlie take over the finishing touches on the renovation.

The third day before noon, Seth called Cicely to Diaz International.

Desperate to get out, Cicely got ready as quickly as she could, digging out

summer clothes that would cover her up as much as possible.

Black slim pants, and a white ruffled silk blouse – she was wrapped up tight.

Just stepping out of the car downstairs, Seth’s call came through. “Where are

you?”

“Downstairs at the company.”

“Wait there, I’ll come down and take you to lunch.”

“Okay.”

Seth raised an eyebrow at Cicely’s outfit today. He’d never seen her dressed like

this before. She looked like a delicate girl who somehow managed to pull off the

look of a professional woman.

“Aren’t you hot?” he quipped, noting her long sleeves and pants, which seemed

out of place in the summer heat.

Cicely shot him a glance, “Whose fault is that?”

Seth caught on instantly and chuckled lowly, wrapping his arm around her waist

as they left the building.

The lunch venue showed he had put in some effort, and the food was decent.

“You didn’t call me out just because you found this nice restaurant, did you?”

“No. I’ve got a surprise for you this afternoon.”

Cicely raised an eyebrow, asking a somewhat silly question, “What kind of

surprise?”

Seth just looked at her, saying nothing.

Cicely didn’t press further. A surprise wouldn’t be a surprise if it was revealed

ahead of time.

After lunch, Cicely leisurely savored her cake, taking in the tastefully decorated

restaurant. She was quite pleased until she noticed Seth checking his watch for

the third time, deflating her mood. “Do you have urgent work?”

Looking up at her, Seth’s gaze was calm and serious, “She’s being discharged

from the hospital today.”

Cicely paused, remembering her father mentioning this the day before, which

she had forgotten.

Swallowing the last bite of cake, she casually remarked, “Well, let’s go then.”

Seth’s eyes followed her hand as it rested on the fork beside her, his

unfathomable dark eyes briefly betraying an indiscernible emotion. “Finished?”

“Yes.”

Standing up, Seth said, “Then let’s go.”

Cicely took her time drinking some water, then slowly rose to her feet, flashing

Seth a smile as she approached him. He took her hand, and they left together.

“Did you finalize the script you’ve prepared for her?”

“Mhm.” Seth buckled her up with straightforward honesty, “It’s C&P’s big feature

this year.”

“But the script you picked for Emiliana wasn’t from C&P, and she even won an

award for that role. Big features aren’t exclusive to C&P, you know.”

Cicely turned to look at the man whose expression was a bit tense. Her smile

deepened, “Remember our deal, okay? Once she’s discharged, you promised

her a role in a show, and then you’re free of any entanglement.”

“Understood.”

Cicely didn’t say much more. She had been holding back until now, just one step

away from the outcome.

At this point, there really wasn’t any need for words or actions. It should all go

smoothly.

Danielle got discharged, and started filming. Cicely would marry Seth, and they

would announce it to the world.

Everyone would be happy, square and fair.

＊

At the hospital, everyone was there. Erik, Creighton, and Patty.

Everything was packed up. It seemed they were just waiting for them, or rather,

for Seth alone.

Danielle was dressed in a plain, ankle-length dress, revealing a stretch of her

slender, pale leg, moving as gracefully as before.

When Seth arrived, Patty finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, let’s head

home. I can’t stand another second in this hospital.”

Cicely was holding a bouquet of flowers, but seeing Danielle, she didn’t seem

inclined to hand them over. Instead, she just raised an eyebrow and smiled

faintly, “Congratulations on your recovery.”

Seth stepped forward, handing over a folder to Danielle. “The promise I made to

you.”

Danielle took it, flipped through it, and found a script. Her grip tightened

suddenly, and looking up with a laugh, her eyes began to fill with tears. “Are you

that eager to be rid of me? I haven’t even left the hospital, and you’re already

looking to sever ties?”

Seth’s face was impassive, “A discharge gift.”

Danielle bit her lip hard.

Patty quickly came to soothe Danielle, glaring at Seth, “Couldn’t you have

picked a better time to give this to her?”

“Sooner or later it had to happen. She knows it well. Filming starts next month.

You’re the lead actress. Be prepared.”

Danielle’s tears fell in drops, infuriating Patty to the point of clenching her teeth,

“You…”

Suddenly, Creighton spoke up with a stern voice, “Enough! If you want a role,

the Ellis family has plenty of resources to help you. We all knew what you were

thinking when you made that deal with Seth. Having agreed to it has already

granted you significant favor. Now that we’re simply fulfilling a promise, do you

still expect to choose a time that suits you?”

“And what time would that be, to your liking?”

Cicely was taken aback; her father seemed unusually firm today. Danielle had

not even left the hospital and was already feeling slighted by Seth, and now her

father had given her another blow.

Danielle’s face froze, apparently not expecting Creighton to speak those words.

Her tears, in Cicely’s eyes, were like a fountain, flowing on command, never

drying up.

“Creighton, what nonsense are you spouting at such a time?” Patty was getting

frantic, glaring at him.

“Nonsense? Cicely and Seth are about to get married. When does Danielle plan

to give up and leave them alone?”

“We came to pick her up from the hospital, and what then? She sat there

determined to wait for someone. If she doesn’t move, we all have to sit and wait

with her. No matter how spoiled Cicely might be, she’d never stoop to such low,

selfish, disrespectful behavior. For years, the Ellis family has offered her nothing

but genuine care, and what has it gotten in return?”

It turned out Danielle was really waiting for Seth. Cicely regarded Danielle with

eyes brimming with irony.

After Creighton finished his words, he pulled Erik up, who was sitting in a chair,

leaning on a cane, with a scowl that barely hid his exhaustion.

“If it were just me today, I could wait with you. Your grandfather, at his age,

came personally to take you home for lunch, and you have the nerve to sit here

waiting. You really are something.” Creighton took almost every ounce of temper

he’d ever had in his life out on Danielle. Danielle had quite the skill to drive such

a gentle and courteous man to this state.

Danielle’s eyes blinked, and she suddenly realized her fault, but she looked up

not at Creighton or the tired-looking Erik who was still hungry. Instead, her gaze

was fixed on Seth, who stood beside Cicely. Even in embarrassment, it seemed

she only cared about Seth’s opinion.

Cicely walked to the bedside and tossed the bouquet she had been cradling into

the trash bin. She approached Danielle, her smile chillingly cold.

“What are you going to do?” Patty said defensively, stepping forward to shield

Danielle.

Cicely’s lips twisted into a discernible curve, her clenched hand in her pocket

gradually relaxing. “Why so nervous? Do you also feel Danielle indeed deserves

a good scolding?”

“Danielle, as the Ellis family’s granddaughter, it’s okay for you to be proud and

arrogant. But you need to know your place. If someone’s trying to teach you

manners, you should be humble enough to learn, not keep thinking you’re above

everyone else.

“How long have you lived, and how long have grandfather and my father lived?

The Ellis Group has remained stable under their guidance and is now a worldrenowned enterprise. How many people want to connect with them, or be

friends with them? Whether they succeed or fail, even a fool can see it clearly.

How come when it comes to you, even the most basic respect is lost?

“No wonder Seth doesn’t see anything in you, and to think otherwise would be

foolish. In fact, aside from Ray, no man would be so blind as to truly fancy you.

Unless, of course, your looks have some selling point.”

Danielle was so angry she shook all over, biting her lip until blood seeped out.

Cicely chuckled, “Since you have been discharged, what’s the point in lingering

with everyone here? Go home and prepare well for your role; after all, this script

wasn’t easy to come by.”

Patty held Danielle’s trembling arm tightly, “Let’s go, Danielle. Whatever it is, we

can talk after you’re discharged.”

They had to leave eventually.

Danielle glared at Cicely’s retreating figure, her eyes filled with undeniable

hatred. Patty squeezed Danielle’s arm and patted her back gently. The tension

in Danielle’s eyes blinked away, and her body slowly relaxed.

The group reached the hospital entrance, where three cars were parked,

arranging for everyone to get in.

Cicely now stood on the hospital steps, her arm linked with Seth’s, her gaze

faint and distant as she watched Patty and Danielle inseparable like shadows.

“Seth, tell me, do you think Danielle will really keep the promise she made to

you?”

Seth looked down at Cicely with a pensive frown. “Why do you ask this all of a

sudden?”

Cicely looked up at him, a wry and somewhat ironic smile playing around her

eyes. “I just suddenly felt that she’s not the type to keep her word. She’s too

competitive, especially against me. She won’t just give you up. You say you’ll

take care of her until she’s better, and you’ve promised her a role in a

screenplay. Do these things really mean more to her than her own life? Thinking

about it, this deal of yours doesn’t seem to favor her much, does it? Can she

really just let it go?”

Seth’s brow furrowed deeper. “I am married, Mrs. Diaz.”

Cicely chuckled softly. “But if I can’t manage to get along with my mother-in-law,

it speaks volumes, doesn’t it?”

She sighed then continued, “As long as your mom likes Danielle, she’s bound to

dislike me. That means I could be kicked to the curb at any moment.”

A deep, cobalt flame seemed to ignite in his eyes, his voice tight with tension.

“Stop that nonsense.”

Cicely sighed again, tiptoed, and rested her chin on the man’s shoulder.

“Danielle has your all-important mother to back her up. Look at me, what do I

have? Isn’t that pitiful? Won’t you consider handing over Diaz International to

me? At least then I’d have a fighting chance.”

Seth looked at her with a light gaze. “We’ve talked about this already.”

Cicely pouted in disappointment. As she turned her head, she suddenly caught

sight of a figure standing behind the hospital’s reinforced glass door, wearing a

black hat and a black mask, revealing only a pair of eyes that were coldly fixed

on her.mHer heart skipped a beat at the sight, her body staggering slightly.

When she looked again, the person seemed to smile at her, lifting a cellphone in

their hand, then turned and disappeared around the corner.

Seth steadied her promptly. “What’s wrong?”

Cicely pointed towards the door. “I thought I just saw someone I know.” She

could only say familiar, but with that disguise, she couldn’t make out who it was.

Seth looked back, but the crowd in the lobby was too thick to spot anyone

familiar to Cicely. “Who?”

Cicely furrowed her brow in thought, then finally shook her head. “I must have

been mistakenSeth whisked Cicely back to the company without a moment’s hesitation.

The whole ride there, her mind was a whirlwind of curiosity about who that

person could possibly be. She mentally flipped through every face she

remembered, but couldn’t match those eyes with any of them.

“What’s on your mind?” Seth glanced over at her several times during the drive,

each time finding her lost in thought.

She thought about it and couldn’t really think of who that person was, so she

could only shake her head, “Nothing.”

Taking a deep breath, she expelled the frustration from her system, her

eyebrows lifting playfully as she spoke, “So, any more surprises in store for me

Enter title…

today? Don’t tell me Danielle getting discharged is your big reveal.”

Seth’s lips curled slightly, “You didn’t know she was getting discharged

today?”d2

Cicely pursed her lips, “Dad called me last night.”

“You think her discharge counts as a surprise?”

Cicely rolled her eyes, “I’d rather she stayed there for the rest of her life if she

wasn’t wearing you out with every passing day she spent in the hospital.”

“Then it’s not that.”

Knowing she’d get nothing out of him, Cicely switched gears to another question

that had been nagging at her. “Actually, there’s a lunch at home because

Danielle is getting discharged. Why did you insist on us grabbing a bite before

heading over?”

“Weren’t you satisfied with today’s lunch?”

“It could’ve waited for another day.”

Their car slipped into the company’s underground parking lot, darkness

enveloping them, the sound of the tires rolling over speed bumps echoing

emptily.

“I’d hate to spoil your appetite; keeping your stomach happy seemed like the top

priority.”

Cicely paused, a smile she couldn’t suppress playing at her lips, “Since when

did you get so smooth?”

“Just stating the facts.”

They rode the elevator straight up to the top floor office.

As the door swung open, Cicely fixed her gaze on Seth, her eyes sparkling,

filled with anticipation for the surprise Seth had promised.

Seth, as cool as a cucumber, took his seat and began going through paperwork

as Charlie came in to report on the company’s project progress.

Seth browsed through the documents with a calm demeanor, signing off on

them after hearing Charlie’s update. Charlie handed over the signed documents,

and Cicely hurried over, her eagerness palpable.

Seth’s eyes hinted at amusement watching her. It had been a long time since

he’d seen her this lively and spontaneous in his presence. It was a rare sight

these days, but still deeply missed.

“Where’s my surprise?” Cicely pressed.

But no sooner had she asked than there was another knock on the door. Seth’s

eyebrow quirked up as he called for the person to enter.

Charlie walked in, only to be met with Cicely’s dark, stormy gaze. “Charlie, can’t

your updates wait to be reported all at once? Do you really have to come in and

out just to catch glimpses of Seth?”

Corner of Charlie’s mouth twitched, a bit caught off guard as he glanced toward

Seth, who was busy pretending to be fascinated by his pen. “Ma’am, this work

just came up unexpectedly, and I couldn’t delay.”

Cicely pursed her lips, leaned against Seth’s desk, arms crossed, and huffed to

show her displeasure.

Charlie cast a tentative look at Seth, feeling a tad nervous. Had he managed to

ruffle the lady of the house?

With a nod from Seth, Charlie placed the latest market research report on the

desk – a hot-off-the-press issue. Seth flipped it open and glanced through it.

Charlie continued, “Mr. Diaz, there’s already a software of similar nature making

rounds on the internet, boasting nearly three hundred thousand users. Our

development is in the final stages, and to prevent these competitors from getting

too savvy about our direction, I suggest we hold off on any further market

research to keep our information close to the chest.”

Seth, looking satisfied with the report, responded, “Do you really think that the

program I’ve spent a fortune and time to design could be so easily overtaken by

those shortcut-seekers and copycats? We’ve got the patents. Let them take a

shot at it. This research shows that our brand recognition and acceptance are

on the rise. Let them test the waters for us; it’s good publicity, after all.”

Charlie nodded in agreement.

The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by Cicely’s cool stare. “Charlie,

we’re not expecting any more last-minute documents in the next half-hour or so,

right?”

With an awkward chuckle and a couple of ‘no, no’s, Charlie beat a hasty retreat

from the office.

Cicely stood up, eyes narrowed, “You’re not tricking me into accompanying you

to pick up Danielle from the hospital, are you?”

“Tired?” Seth deflected, not directly answering her question.

Furious, Cicely retorted, “I’m going to sleep. Don’t bother waking me if my

‘surprises’ are not here!” With that, she stormed off to the office’s rest area, her

face a mask of indignation.

Ten seconds.

Fifteen seconds.

A thrilled shriek pierced the silence from the rest area, followed immediately by

the door swinging open as Cicely burst out.

Seth, lounging in his chair with a pleased expression, wasn’t surprised by her

reaction; it was as if he had expected it all along.

Cicely bounced up to him, pointing excitedly inside, “When did it get here?”

“About two hours ago,” Seth replied calmly, which meant it had arrived right

around the time she had reached the company’s lobby.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!” She dashed back into the rest room, a

whirlwind of excitement, while Seth watched her, amused. Her curiosity was

clearly piqued by the contents inside. He pushed back from his desk and

followed her in.

In the center of the rest room stood a dazzling pure white wedding dress, its

surface almost entirely covered in delicate diamond sparkles. Despite the drawn

curtains, even the faintest light made the gown shimmer with a rainbow of

colors.

Not a detail was spared, even the gloves were adorned. The dress,

conservative in design with an off-the-shoulder cut and long lace sleeves,

exuded an air of top-tier elegance and charm. The train of the veil was so long it

hardly fit in the room, cascading down, wide enough to cover her shoulders

entirely.

She suspected every detail of the dress bore Seth’s influence, designed with

conservatism in mind.

Still, it was utterly breathtaking.

She had visited countless bridal shops before, but never had she found a dress

that captivated her heart quite like this one.

Cicely twirled in front of the mirror, her hands caressing the delicate lace of the

wedding gown she couldn’t seem to part with. “Do you think I’ll be the most

beautiful bride in the world if I wear this?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with

excitement as she clung to the dress.

Seth watched her, an amused smile curling his lips. “That’s a question for the

Magic Mirror, love.”

Cicely’s brow furrowed in mock annoyance. “Oh, c’mon! Can’t you just say yes?”

Approaching her with a relaxed stride, Seth’s fingers grazed the edge of the veil.

“Sure, you’re the most beautiful to me, but I prefer it when everyone agrees

you’re the fairest of them all. A princess only gets one answer from the Magic

Mirror.”

Well, the guy sure had a way with words.

Delighted, Cicely whipped out her phone and started snapping pictures of the

gown from every angle.

Seth stepped back, “Aren’t you going to try it on?”

“No way,” Cicely shook her head. “If I try it on in front of you now, you won’t get

the full effect on our wedding day.”

Her eyes danced with mirth as she looked at Seth. “Just you wait until the big

day to see the magic happen.”

Seth pressed his lips together, a sign that his patience was being tested.

“I’m gonna send these pics to Grandpa, Dad, and Issac.”

A shadow passed over Seth’s eyes, a hint of displeasure seeping through his

gaze. “Do you have to share everything with Issac?”

Cicely was busy typing out a message, replying without thinking, “Uh-huh.”

But then, sensing Seth’s mood, she looked up, her eyes still warm with smile.

“Issac has always been there for me since we were kids. I didn’t have many

friends, so naturally, he’s the one I talk to the most. He even bought sanitary

pads and underwear for me during my first period. And I remember once I

stained his shirt. I think he washed it himself.”

It seemed like a sudden recollection, and now, thinking back, she blushed a bit.

Back then, boys were so concerned with keeping their image, getting

embarrassed over the smallest things. They were especially offended by things

like girls getting their periods, and the boys often made fun of girls for such

things.

But Issac never did.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized how good Issac had been

to her. He’s quietly standing by her side, always there when needed, without a

single complaint. Because of his silent presence, she took him for granted all

these years, treating him like part of the background. But, he was as essential to

her as her nose, her eyes, her limbs – any part of her body.

Taken for granted, yet indispensable.

Cicely’s expression grew more serene as she pondered what life without Issac

would be like. What kind of Cicely would she be now?

Her contemplation caused Seth’s face to darken further.

“Cicely, what are you thinking about?”

His voice was deep and brooding, snapping Cicely back to reality just as her

phone vibrated in her hand. She looked down to find a message from Issac.

[Beautiful. You’ll definitely be the world’s most beautiful bride.]

Cicely’s lips curved into a gentle smile. See? That was the kind of answer that

satisfied a girl.

Upon seeing her reaction, Seth strode over and snatched the phone from her

hand.

He glanced down at the message Issac had sent so promptly. “I didn’t realize he

had it in him to say such things. Does that please you?” His jealousy wasn’t

even trying to hide itself.

“What girl doesn’t like to be called beautiful? Someone’s a bit too obvious with

their jealousy, Mr. Diaz.”

“Jealous?” Seth scoffed, then he tossed the phone back to her. “Shouldn’t I be?”

Cicely caught the phone, finding it amusing to see such a display from him. “Of

course, you should. Anyway, I might be out this afternoon for a bit, so you hold

down the fort at the office, champ.”

She pecked him on the lips and turned to leave, only to be yanked back by her

arm. “You didn’t mention having plans this afternoon. Where are you going, and

what for?”

Cicely thought for a moment. “Shopping.”

Seth’s brow furrowed. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll have someone buy it.”

“No need. Shopping is more meaningful when done personally.”

“I’ll have Charlie follow you.”

“Why suddenly assign Charlie to tail me? I’ll have Issac.”

Seth’s expression became even more strained.

Cicely sighed, her fingers fiddling with the smooth fabric of Seth’s suit sleeve.

“Issac and I have been like two peas in a pod since we were kids. He’s always

been good to me. He’s handsome, fit, even-tempered, and capable.”

Seth abruptly brushed her hand away, but she just laughed softly and caught his

sleeve again. “So, if there was anything romantic between Issac and me, you

wouldn’t have the change with me. If there was anything to develop, it would’ve

happened long ago.”

Seth tried to pull away, but Cicely held on tight.

“I’m married, Mr. Diaz. If you keep getting jealous, should we take out our

marriage certificate and give it a good look to calm your current mood?”

“The person who needs a good look is you.”

“Alright, alright. We’ll look at it together tonight at home.” She patted his hand

soothingly. “There, there. I’ll come pick you up after work, and we’ll head home

together.”

Seth just stared at her, and sighed.

*

As soon as Cicely left the office, she messaged Issac. [Going shopping.]

[Got it.]

Charlie, noticing Cicely’s departure, quickly got to his feet and greeted her. “Mrs.

Diaz, it hasn’t been an hour yet.”

Cicely gave a nonchalant “Hm” in response. “I’m leaving it to you. It seems like

you’re itching to spend more time with my husband. Didn’t want to keep you

waiting.”

The secretaries nearby couldn’t help but stifle their laughter at the exchange.

Charlie turned beet red. “Mrs. Diaz, it’s really just work.”

Cicely raised an eyebrow, giving him a knowing smile before heading for the

elevator.

Charlie, under the secretaries’ amused gazes, carried the freshly delivered

paperwork into Seth’s office.

Seth had just returned to his desk when he saw Charlie. He stopped in his

tracks. “You, follow Cicely.”

*

Stepping out of the office building, Cicely found Issac’s car already waiting for

her. He quickly opened the door and stepped out to greet her. “Miss, which mall

would you like to visit today?”

Cicely paused at the door, looking up at him. “Where do you usually shop for

clothes?”

Issac paused, his expression subdued as he spoke, “If I’m really short on

clothes, I’ll find the nearest small department store to buy some. It’s not the

place for you, Miss.”

Cicely frowned slightly, her gaze landing on Issac’s shoulder. She didn’t have

much of an idea about men’s suits or brands. She saw him every day, decked

out in a suit and leather shoes, impeccably neat and tidy. Yet, she had never

considered that his clothes might actually be so cheap.

Suddenly, she reached out and pinched the collar of Issac’s suit. Issac flinched,

instinctively stepping back.

“Don’t move.” Cicely leaned in closer, examining it carefully. In terms of color,

fabric, and craftsmanship, it was a far cry from any of Seth’s suits.

“It’s certainly not suitable for me.” Cicely let go of his collar and gracefully slid

into the car. “Then we’ll head to the most upscale department store in P City.”

“Alright.”

*

After parking the car in the underground lot, Cicely unbuckled her seatbelt.

“Issac, come with me.”

“Okay.”

A warm feeling suddenly washed over Cicely. The words Issac used most often

in her presence were “okay” and “yes.” Regardless of whether her proposals

were right or wrong, he was always like that

They walked into the elevator, and Cicely pressed the button for the men’s

designer floor.

The women’s section was mostly populated by female shoppers, while couples

dominated the men’s section.

Cicely was now the bride-to-be who was the talk of P City, and in this luxurious

place, there was no one who wouldn’t recognize her. Whenever she approached

a counter, the sales associates would surely offer their congratulations. “Ms.

Cicely, are you shopping for Mr. Diaz?”

Cicely just smiled faintly without answering. She casually perused the suits on

display, occasionally pulling one out and having Issac, who was standing by the

entrance, try it on for size.

Issac stood ramrod straight, allowing Cicely to use him as a temporary

mannequin.

After visiting three or four brand stores and trying on no fewer than ten suits,

Cicely finally spotted a white suit at another counter that caught her eye. After a

quick measure-up on Issac, she turned to the nearby sales associate and said,

“This one, get his size for him to try on.”

Issac glanced at the white suit, his lips tightening slightly. Hesitating for a

second, he still couldn’t help but speak up, “Mr. Diaz probably doesn’t like

white.”

“Who cares about that?”

She continued to pick out a shirt and tie, and then handed them to Issac to try

on. She went back to browsing the other styles on display.

Just a few minutes later, the fitting room door swung open, revealing Issac in a

white suit. Wearing a black shirt paired with a blue-gray diagonal striped tie, his

white waistcoat peeked out from beneath his open suit jacket. The jacket was

decorated with a row of carefully crafted black buttons. His overall look was a

balance of refinement and elegance.

His usual wear was always a modest black suit. This color, which he had never

tried before, turned out to suit him as well.

Cicely was pleased. “This is the one. Wrap it up when we’re done here.”

“Miss, I think my size is one down from Mr. Diaz.”

“Who said I was buying for him?”

Issac paused, mentally running through images of the Mr. Erik and Mr.

Creighton, yet none seemed to fit. “Could this be for…”

“Mm-hmm, hurry up and change. We need to get shoes next.”

“Miss,” Issac felt uneasy, glancing down at the suit he was wearing, “I’m often

working outside; this outfit doesn’t really suit my needs.”

“Who said anything about wearing it to work?” Cicely laughed lightly. “You think

I’d have you drive around in a high-end white suit? That’s not my style.”

“Then this is for…”

Cicely took a deep breath, “Did you really think I’d let you attend my wedding in

something off the rack from a small department store?”

Issac fell silent for a moment, “I’ll prepare something myself.”

“But I don’t trust your taste. You’ll be sitting with my family at the wedding. You

need to uphold the image of Cicely. If you don’t want the suit, then don’t bother

coming to my wedding.”

Of course, Issac would attend Cicely’s wedding. It was a given, no question

about it. However, Cicely’s words gave Issac pause, “Could I purchase it

myself?”

“That’s not an option.”

Silently, Issac turned and went back into the fitting room. Cicely smiled with

satisfaction and paid the bill.

After buying shoes, Issac found himself trailing behind Cicely, his arms filled

with bags of his own belongings for the first time.

Passing a café, Cicely stepped inside, ordering two cups of coffee without

hesitation. Issac couldn’t feign ignorance any longer and took a seat opposite

her.

The tall, handsome man exuded an aura of discomfort. Cicely rested her chin on

her hand, watching him, her voice soft, “Seeing that wedding dress today, I feel

like I’m finally getting married, stepping into the next phase of life, and it all hit

me hard. I thought about my life. Few people have been by my side, but they’re

the most important to me.”

“I considered what Cicely would be like without you in my life, and I can’t

imagine an answer.” Cicely sipped her coffee, gazing out the window at the

passersby. “Since I can remember, you’ve been there with me as a friend and a

brother, supporting me unconditionally, right or wrong. Wherever I am, whenever

I need you, you show up without fail. You never say much, always going along

with me, and I took that for granted, then easily overlooked you.”

Cicely turned back, catching the unguarded disappointment in Issac’s eyes. She

pressed her lips together, smiled gently. “But if you were absent from my

wedding, I think I would be very lost. Apart from the groom running away, your

absence would sadden me more than anyone else’s.”

Issac looked at her in surprise.

Cicely straightened up, stirring her coffee. “It’s the most important moments of

my life, and you won’t be absent, right?”

Issac nodded, “Right. I’ll always be there.”

At first, Charlie didn’t understand why Mr. Diaz had suddenly asked him to follow

his wife. Whenever she went out, Issac was always by her side, without fail. And

today seemed no different. Adding him to the mix seemed redundant.

for clothes and shoes

leisurely, Charlie kind of got

The things she said, they were enough to set anyone’s heart racing.

a thing for Mr. Diaz, her

confession.

*

and

to wait for Seth to finish work – not counting his

departures.

on his way, knowing

soon enough.

Seth was hammering

with a nonchalant

up in work?” Cicely flopped down on

Seth asked blandly, “Didn’t you

What’d you buy?”

silently stuck her tongue out, weighing the truth. Telling this

“Just browsed a bit, didn’t

Was there really

like the place was

felt guilty, “Who rushed

data entry, saved the file, and shut down

dig, or will you

getting annoyed by his pressing demeanor. “Do you seriously

sell you out, or cheat on you? What could I possibly do

check up on

darkened, “If there’s nothing you could do, then why

you can’t tell

get all

you’ve done that would

still act like

She couldn’t outplay this man. “So

promise not to get

laugh, standing up and

you might as well keep it to yourself.

you up.”

“Eh?”

to question when

and into his arms.

she kicked and

anything, what are

He kicked open the door to the resting room

her into the bed.

we should exercise some restraint. Save some excitement for

wedding night.”

need to

really

“Heh.”

her, and

thoroughly at

weakly a couple of times,

but her efforts feeble.

wasn’t long before Charlie’s call came through, as if he had

the call, something

to stay put and

waiting obediently

and decided to

employees were preparing to leave, so she ambled over to

to working late

to mess with her.

league, but

employees’ feathers.

the moment Cicely appeared, everyone sat

Cicely smirked and scanned

wasn’t there, she headed for

didn’t come to work today,” a

day

sick and yet not

didn’t hear about him taking a

things she wasn’t

leave today. He might be marked absent

hard. I’ll have a word with

cut Camden some slack.”

up a chair next to

Seth for me. I need to take out some

a coder to work his magic on her code, Cicely’s

checked it to

The wedding dress is gorgeous. I

dying to see

every girl’s soft spot. Cicely

wedding dress was the envy of another girl.

she

free tomorrow night though.

message was followed by a string of

Enter title…

Friday. Alright, we’ll have

take a look.]

[Yay!!! Love you!!]d2

[Sure. Dismissed.]

[Got it, your Highness.]

took off, Emiliana had become more

girls had grown more familiar and comfortable with each

were no replies from Creighton and Erik. Cicely had gotten used

folks just weren’t into

her attention back to the

“Are we almost there?”

more minutes,

up her chin, bored. “Do you tech guys

planting one in a hard drive to mess up someone’s system,

steal

write viruses, but it’s rare and targeted. We’re

and reinforcing firewalls. As for

kinds of machines are too well-guarded

break into. Take our computers here—our firewalls are crafted

commissioned by Mr. Diaz. We’re

worries.”

“so if there’s corporate espionage, it must be an

job?”

a crime. No one would

“Right.”

“It’s ready, ma’am.”

“Huh?”

to the cartoon character playing on the scree. It

resemblance to Seth. The character was adorably dressed in

with dark furrowed brows and a

to Seth’s

help but laugh, “So this

is a commanding leader.

ma’am.”

out loud and said, “Move over.

his seat and showed her a few game commands.

with “pow, pow, pow” sounds,

Seth could even swell up

It was hard to imagine the real

taking a hit.

over half an hour,

in the office, suspecting she was

would

giggles echoed through the office space. The tech,

Seth approach with a thunderous expression,

on the

“Ma’am.”

in the game,

“Mr. Seth…”

continued. The office, which had been

fell silent, making Cicely’s computer

off, she sensed a

she locked eyes with Seth’s dark, ominous

intense she blinked rapidly.

screen,

“Yeah.”

“Enjoying it?”

“Sorta.”

chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. “Should I

getting yourself so excited?”

had the

comment in public.

her from her seat, “Let’s continue

I’ve had my

her close, his hand tight against

try harder when you’re

Seth whisked

staff of engineering department collectively exhaled in

heavens!

*

as much distance between herself and

just playing a game. Stop looking for excuses to pick on

help but chuckle at Cicely’s scrunched-up figure as he

car and let the couple

department isn’t some playground.

you’re there distracting them

was there to boost morale, and

work hard. You should consider

their work, but now they have

seem fair.”

really because you’re the bully. They’re

owe them that

I bullying you?” Seth gave her a sidelong glance, pulling her close

his voice teasing. “How have I bullied you,

breath, “Did you know Camden called

to change

slightly, “And that

reminding you to care for your

briefly, then turned to Charlie

Camden.”

“Sure.”

a red light. Charlie quickly dialed

for a good ten seconds before it was answered,

life. “Hello,

voice sounded a tad frazzled, prompting Charlie to ask, “What’s

Camden? Something wrong?”

it’s just that some emergency came up, and I didn’t have time to

of Mr.

“Not that. Mr. Diaz is right here. You can speak

directly.”

real? You are with

even have a minute to call and ask

cut

as

the other

sorry, Mr. Diaz, it won’t happen again. It’s just that I

couple of days, and I was hoping to take this opportunity

few

then it’s the weekend. You can’t make it back in

days?”

that’s plenty. Thank

“Alright.”

up, Cicely lounged back against

got to be ten years older than you,

shaking like he’s

his hefty salary is me. Anger your bread

nowhere to cry when you

and glanced out the window at a couple

with an

could have ice cream with Emiliana

Tomorrow, Emiliana.

joining you for dinner tomorrow night. I’ve

Emiliana.”

will

rarely gets out, so dinner, a movie, or

home before

the latest. Otherwise, don’t bother going

I not get to have

providing you

cough, cough.” Charlie, who was driving with

choked unexpectedly.

He hadn’t anticipated this side

if scalded by boiling water. Decency

was the most shameless of

*

the restaurant Seth had taken her to on

was discharged from the

reviews as well.

catch a movie. The

blocks away from the restaurant. They bought a

taking

were bustling with life.

conversation revolved around Cicely’s

particularly focused on

bridesmaid, you. For groomsman, Issac’s a

be

merrier! If not, Issac can just join my

bridesmaids.”

laughed, “You want him in

if I actually suggest it, he might just be up

spoils you

let out a proud “Hmph,” “You

they passed by posters of movie stars,

glamorous than the last.

had some fame by now, and to avoid unnecessary

hat.

waiting area was bustling. They grabbed their

boards—several were

me, I saw Danielle at the studio today. We

her crew happened to be there,”

the electronic posters.

the biggest studio in P

bumping into

nodded, “I saw their costumes and crew today, so lavish. You can

it’s a top-notch production.”

he wouldn’t skimp. But a toptier production, that I

Mr. Diaz’s favors are bound to be

true,” Cicely agreed with a raised

also saw some high-profile lady

probably rest over the weekend. Let’s

you’re about to

find

was referring to, but she really didn’t

Danielle. She nodded and let Emiliana pull

nine o’clock. Cicely had called

of the cinema, they went straight to the

to Diaz

“Got it.”

*

quiet over

access card. Leading Emiliana through

to the top floor, they headed for Seth’s

somewhat astonished, “I thought

are we at

here for the dress, but

his office?”

said that, Cicely figured the man probably just wanted to

lounge. They entered Seth’s office, flicking on the lights,

instantly bathed in brightness.

here, and even

help but feel tense.

arrangement screamed grandeur

the little table

cushion on the

mats.

the thought of Cicely cooped up in

couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

“What’s so funny?”

picturing you holed up next to him at work cracks

imagine it. All I see is

cards out of

“The affairs

am I supposed to do if not play

got a point there.” Laughter brought

decorative pillow from the chair and hurled it at her,

but let’s see

waved her hands frantically, “No, no,

the

Cicely moved to a concealed door in the

froze for

Emiliana couldn’t wait and squeezed past

her words

she turned back with a mischievous wink. “You two got

business this afternoon, didn’t

was a testament to

crept up Cicely’s ears.

hit the nail on the head and

cabinet.

her mouth, scurrying to the center of the lounge

dress was displayed, now illuminated under the brightest

than it had been

diamonds? I’m getting dizzy

bell sleeves

veil, so

silver thread embroidery,

design is

reaction to the stunning bridal gown was anything

overstatement.

air of pride, “Did you expect anything less for my

sneak peek before the big

few high-resolution photos with her

wear it at the wedding. You’re going to

“Don’t share those pictures, okay?

on the wedding day.”

For such a beautiful dress, you must have

glare, “Are you done?

leave the

and it still wouldn’t be

looking. I’m

“Hey, wait for me…”

to leave, she couldn’t really

here and you’re

late as it is.” Cicely grabbed her purse from the

annoyed.

“Late for what?”

me back by

raised an eyebrow, “That strict,

as if the curfew was her

if you are late, what’s

little charm, perhaps flirt a little, and

the office door, “I hope you get a boyfriend someday

a little’ to keep

as

mid-air, her gaze fixed on

herself,

floor, and upon opening, Emiliana urged

on.”

deep

for the ground floor, then pulled out a compact mirror

up her makeup. She had plans to drag Cicely to a bar

drink.

the elevator began to run, and when it

Cicely suddenly reached

for the twelfth floor.

elevator halted almost

out just as

a glimpse of her

floor!”

“Wait for me downstairs.”

Emiliana couldn’t tell if

words.

floor was familiar to Cicely, second

housed

had been on the ground floor when

remained there, so

at the twelfth?

was home to Diaz International’s

the making. The software was in the final

coding. Any leak or malicious sabotage

There was no room for

behind and was

Or maybe someone was just a workaholic

thought made Cicely scoff. Such employees

they? But if they did,

not a

foyer and down the hallway to the entrance

of a smartphone’s flashlight caught her

watched from a hidden angle as the figure rummaged through

something in

intruder’s actions tightened Cicely’s chest

have a security badge for free

company?

office?” The stranger sounded nervous, a muffled

with anger and urgency.

the Bluetooth earpiece, occasionally winking blue

Were they communicating with someone

Camden had a private office in the Engineering

Camden’s tremulous voice on the phone that afternoon,

That explained how

security badge.

Camden had told the stranger something significant, and the

for

that file path you

and you’ll be picking out a

That voice…

of recognition flashing in her mind. Was that

face suddenly merged with the pair

behind the hospital door when she had

A sharp pain pulsed at the center

of information started connecting in

out

planning a comeback or something

opted for the latter.

sudden no-show at work wasn’t due to a lack of time

Ray had threatened him

the annual company gathering, Ray had vowed to make Seth pay, and

executing his sinister

was well-known within the company, and if

he certainly could have. It was no secret that

International. So, he chose the moment

the program or destroy it. Then, everything that

had worked for

of today was clearly no

to face

for her phone to text Issac to come up when suddenly,

of the empty office space,

walls.

Cicely’s mind went blank.

hit her face, and she squinted, drawing a

eyes from the glare and answered the call.

you been? Everything okay? When are you

as she

a moment more. I’ll

“Make it snappy.”

“Will do.”

the phone and tucked it

sheen of cold sweat.d2

said we

Enter title…

was eerily calm, as if being caught

thing in the world for

forced herself to relax, offering a hesitant smile as she

him.

you in the

escaped Ray, “Not at all. It’s rare for you to be

weekend, Ms. Cicely.

a moment before

about

casually against a nearby desk, legs crossed, the picture

blow my

perhaps strike a deal?”

silent for a beat, then burst

that day outside

“Pure coincidence. I was just there

closed the distance between them, their conversation as casual as

“To be honest,

and I might have misunderstood you. I wouldn’t

romantic

his face

shady deal, so could you hand over your

and then I’d really be

into her purse to retrieve

pressed the unlock button, the screen lit up, revealing

had been

screen illuminated, Ray snatched

He checked the phone and saw no calls made, and

not satisfied, he emptied her purse,

tissues, bank cards, and other daily

the unassuming USB

the drive, he raised an eyebrow

reason

her gaze fixed on the USB drive before shaking

head, “Not sure.”

“Hmm?”

leaned against the desk, face-to-face with

is cold and aloof. The

him are his mother and Diaz International,

for him is no secret, and even

when he might leave

to him, he

to this day her desire

is still alive and well. There was no

so my sights were set on

Diaz International to my name a few times, but

saying that if the software

then Diaz International would easily fall into my

Ellis Group, Diaz International is

is irrelevant to me; I

who had been listening quietly, and she

align with mine. I intend to completely

International will then face a huge

company will

and start anew, I’m sorry, but

Helping you profit is

your planning, you’ve left

and reap any benefits. Even if

will eventually catch on, and he won’t let you

be

expression contemplative, then he suddenly

can be terrifying,

kidnapped

the most

so I’ll make sure he tastes the loss of his

International”

a quick buck with

point of money? Better to

voice trailed off, his gaze on her, “Aren’t you worried that if Seth

behind this,

struck Cicely’s heart, “You had the audacity to walk

afraid of

“With the head of engineering

was a piece of

cameras, no evidence, no reason for him

me.”

fixed his gaze on her, a sardonic grin playing on his lips. “So, we

together?”

straightened up and strode toward Camden’s office. Following

another access card to unlock the door to Camden’s

the computer, and keyed

given him—spot

fished out his own flash drive from his

a cucumber, stopped him

Ray.”

paused mid-air as he looked

just smiled. “If I’m going to sabotage, I’ll do it right. I know a bit

files with that plain

could recover the lost files without breaking a sweat. What’s the

your little exercise?”

face blanched. So Camden had a backup

should we

“Destroy the computer itself.”

asked,

chuckled. “You seem to be a bit out

as the hard drive remains intact,

recover the data

panic. “Then what

drive he

from her bag. “That flash drive is loaded with a virus,

it’s in the system,

core operational data. The files will be destroyed, and

will be rendered useless.”

something out of a cyberpunk novel to Ray, but

It wasn’t outside the realm of

should I trust

option? We’re both in too deep now. If I’m playing you,

think you’d let me

hard, and finally, through gritted teeth,

Cicely.

give me back the flash drive. It cost me a

it to get back at someone

as you claim, then it’s useless to

arched an eyebrow but said

took a deep breath and inserted the flash

then went black, showcasing a flurry of white code

across the darkness.

halted,

unit ceased to hum, and even the

faded

It worked.

tense heart finally eased a bit.

but it seemed

power button of the central unit

for the

at Cicely, easily noticing the faint smile playing on her

now that love indeed

is a force

lowered her gaze to meet his,

mind?”

a

princess to this extent.”

and tried the computer switch to make sure

to pull the

deal. Diaz International could put up a fight, but

Ellis Group shares. Worst case

some of the

a laugh as he stood

deed is done, the rest is up to you. Take care of yourself.

phone for now. Once I’m

leave it by the fountain downstairs. Remember to pick it

Cicely remained stone-faced.

left the building, Cicely made her

department. She found Emiliana and Issac waiting in the

lot.

hurried over. “Cicely, you were gone for

spent from the

pale face, “Nothing much. Where are

have Issac drive you.”

realizing she wouldn’t get

her head. “No need, I’ve booked a hotel nearby. I’ll take a cab. You

You should head

“Be careful

Cicely into

Cicely leaned back, closing her eyes. “Miss,

happened?” Issac inquired.

deep breath and responded with a faint

her eyes. “Didn’t you see anyone else leaving the building

were downstairs?”

voice tensed. “Did you

“Ray.”

a stop on

her, his expression grave. “Are

shook her head.

the car, and asked, “What was he doing

International?”

more than he does. He was

program.”

moment. “So, did he succeed in getting what he

“Well… Oh, right.”

up straight, retrieved her phone, and

yet, and Joel’s phone was answered

a little unsure about

flash drive you gave me, did you manage

crack the program?”

That’s been on the back burner for a

suddenly asking about this?”

tremor in her voice betraying her panic. “I accidentally used

are really important files on it. Why is

to crack?”

anxiety was palpable, even through

with

“It’s not that it’s too hard, just that other things

out. I’ll contact our senior right now and

phone tightly, tears circling her eyes. “Don’t hang up.

what

“Okay, hold on.”

the landline to call

came

we put

projects. What happened?”

blurted out, “The

files urgently. Can we

“That urgent?”

hummed affirmatively, “Better if we

on the other end before a

heart eased a little as she wiped her tears, “Are we heading

university? I’m coming, too.”

“Sure.”

hanging up, Cicely bit her lip and sent a message to

a bit longer tonight. Don’t wait up. Go

a pouting emoji and turned

we’re heading

lips, “Miss, you won’t be any

and wait for news.”

how to face him. I

Let’s just go to the university, and you turn off

Seth can’t reach you.”

“Understood.”

long after Cicely arrived at the university, Joel and his friend

after another.

Cicely with red-rimmed eyes and a look of unease, they

to do other than to start working on the

trying to understand

red eyes before,

her pride, would cry. “You really don’t

with this. Go home, take a

his arm, “I can’t, Joel… You’ve got

I’d do otherwise.” As she

mix of heartache and guilt, “Don’t worry,

so I share the blame. If you won’t

and try

knowing she was of no help,

nearby seat.

*

house when he received Cicely’s

odd phone call yesterday, Seth had

had Charlie dig into it and found

relatives had no clue where they were.

vanished, and Mrs. Camden

their son up from school. Camden was

to see

it had been 24

location – they’d been retrieved and were on their

company.

Cicely’s message and confirming she was

Seth felt no urgency

*

at the company, the

Seth, Camden wept bitterly. “Mr. Diaz, I’m so sorry, I

they threatened

darkened ominously. “Who threatened

“It was Ray.”

already frosty, became glacial as

air to feel like ice. “And what did he want from

took the company’s access cards, my office’s key

path

felt a chill run down

family without reason

g Ray was too ruthless, which was why he

So, he tossed Ray into the

himself, and he did not pursue the matter

he didn’t expect him

Diaz, Ray doesn’t seem to know much about computers.

copied them, I still

severe at this. “When did

after getting my stuff. Wasn’t it

quickly left the

scrambling behind.

*

Camden’s office, Charlie bent over the

boot it up after

approached the computer with a palpable

Frantically, he switched to

remotely access the first. Within minutes, his face drained

looking like

Seth’s cool

Camden’s

“Mr. Diaz, all its data

clean from that computer.”

the chill in his

voice was a cold snap threatening to

‘all its data has

of passing out,

the computer operate,

as a piece of

in despair.

preparation, a fortune invested, all for what? A

world’s most expensive junk.

hung by his sides, clenched into

he didn’t know anything about

just as lost. I remember

to it was enough. But

not some amateur.”

paused, catching a glimpse of Seth’s ominously

his head down, “Mr. Diaz. I think

had help. There’s no way he could’ve done

his heel, “I’ll check the security

good would it do?

added, “He had me erase the records

stride halted,

tears streaming down his cheeks. “My

Diaz. I can’t risk their lives for the company.

my hump for the firm, and I’m willing to do that. But I can’t

line. It’s just

for a long moment.

pond, eerily composed. “How long would it take

over?”

still cowering, thought for a second. “It’s a six-month job.

off, two

Enter title…

Seth closed his eyes.

month… It was

Ray, see if he has a

“Right, right, right! Maybe he

fast before

into action and

*

in his office, waiting

become their only

fallen asleep at her desk numerous times, her

hoped it was all a dream, but each time

reality of her surroundings and the two busy figures nearby

feeling. Anxiety and helplessness welled up, followed

spent two years and a fortune on

facing ruin was unbearable.

Disappointment? Regret? Defeat? Despair?

didn’t want to see him like that.

enough.

could not get married, but she

on his

by her side the whole time, pained to

buy breakfast. Two portions for Joel and

he

always the same

worked all night, didn’t stand

buns without taking their

hearty scent of the

woke again, and Issac pushed the bag toward her, “Have

breakfast.”

at the bag,

over her mouth.

the wall, heaving with nothing to

up.

water. After rinsing her mouth and quenching

stomach, she

concerned, draped her dropped jacket over her and

you to the hospital.”

her head, “I’m fine. Just

pulling the jacket tight around her, and

you check on

it?” Pale and weak,

her to ask Joel

should be able to do it. We’re trying

give a definite

that

Issac nodded, “Thank you.”

Cicely. Despite being

without getting a successful decoder

looked up at the brightening sky, biting her lip in worry. “Issac, what do

when he finds out

won’t lose it. He’s young

if he ever fails at

again. “But he’s been working on this for

years.”

expression,

want his life to be smooth. I don’t want him

because of me.”

and the harshness of reality made Cicely’s

head, tears

hand on her head, soothing

drive. They’ll crack the program sooner or

this much. Speak to him clearly,

it for his sake. Even if it’s not

are made by people. They can

just a

steadied with Issac’s comforting logic. She looked

is it?”

you need to do now is get some good sleep, then

him at the

worried if he finds out. I

work starts.” Issac held

two hours before going to

in the hotel next

felt truly awful, and this time

get some

…

dropped by the set to

city that evening, so they ended up staying at

ready to head back to

in their room and

downstairs.

were about to walk out

the arm by someone who appeared

instinctive scream.

me.”A familiar, anxious voice rang out. Danielle snapped back

and saw that it

at a startled

“Let go of

didn’t let go, but looked around and took out a cellphone

to Danielle. “Danielle, I really like you, but I can’t expect

This is the last thing I can do for you. I hope you get

wish

to Diaz International before noon to see Seth.

can ask him to meet

talking

why should

of time, I have to go. Just

an eye on his surroundings as he spoke,

cap down

scene, asked, “Who was that

the phone? Is there something important on

Patty’s driver approached, and after greeting

and they walked

out in

*

his breakfast and taking a stroll outside, Creighton received

bat, Patty’s shrill

eardrums.

a piece of work! She’s so heartless

nor would we dare. This wedding

never agree to let her marry into the

him, Creighton wouldn’t have

to nothing, and Creighton’s temper

in the morning? Where did Cicely wrong

deserve such strong opinions?!”

snorted, “Where did she wrong

she at

now. We’re going

suggested, “Patty, Ray advised us not

ask them to meet us somewhere

instead.”

to Diaz International?!

depend on his say-so.”

was understandable for Patty to

with indignant rage, her fury was palpable.

I had to be entangled with her. We

Ellis Group but managed to drag Diaz International down first.

disaster!”

almost roared

and domineering demeanor,

her

*

was left confused and annoyed

He wanted to call Cicely to ask what

be asleep. Instead,

phone was off.

furrowed

He immediately called Seth.

up

you and Cicely have a

Seth paused, “No.”

call me wanting to

Cicely like she’s the worst? Are you

was an issue at the company last

was out with friends

see. I hope everything’s fine. I can’t reach her. Could you try? By the

mentioned that there was a

happened?”

lips, “I’ll

“Alright.”

up feeling unsettled, especially since Seth avoided

the company. Given Patty’s hysterics on the call, he

to check on

*

intention of sleeping. No matter how uncomfortable she

eyes, so she just

and left the room.

door, and seeing her like

“Going to Diaz International?”

Cicely nodded.

grab some breakfast

Cicely shook her head.

insisted. They headed straight

arriving at the company, they

such a big issue, Seth would

on a weekend. That was the logical

office?”

on her with an unfamiliar blend of anger

“In the Engineering

a hitch

and with a dim expression,

him.”

time, accompanying her upstairs. The office was

quiet on the weekend.

Issac to wait at the door while she

of eyes

and Danielle stood before Seth, seemingly in

with him.

in disarray, the computer tower and monitor now

strewn across the

was towards Seth, whose bloodshot

“Sleep well

raspy to the extreme.

gripped the door handle tighter and

to speak. “Seth, I didn’t go home

late…”

because you spent the night partying

home?”

never wavered from her, each question sounding like an

something else.

lip and shook her head,

he looked away. “As long as you

there’s no issue. I’m busy

leave.”

of the office. As she

something, Patty’s shrill voice suddenly cut through the

did you even hear what we just told you, or

dumb?”

project!

data is gone, and the computer is

might go under because of her. This

woman!”

frown deepened as she turned to Patty and

her. “How did

her, her eyes

She admits it and you still don’t

closer to Danielle, her gaze sharp. “I’m asking

you know about the

crisp slap, Patty’s hand

and he abruptly stood up

heard the commotion, burst through the door and

him.

now in a rage beyond control, glared at Cicely.

After what you’ve done, you still act so superior.

shameless!”

was icy. “Madam, the situation

down.”

do you need? Does this

laughed mockingly, pulling out a phone from her bag –

– and after pressing something, tossed it onto the desk

Seth.

familiar voice began to play, its clarity allowing one to

expression at the time:

that Seth is cold and aloof. The

and Diaz International, left to

secret, and even though we’re set to

I don’t know when he might leave me,

so important to him, he wouldn’t just walk away. You’re well

day her desire to set him

no way for me to break

set on

International to my

saying that if the software development fails and

easily

Ellis Group, Diaz International is small fry. Whether it fails

value is irrelevant to me;

destroy this program. Diaz International will then

issues, then the Ellis family

fall into my hands.

cameras, no proof of who did it. He has no

If I’m to destroy, I’ll do it thoroughly. I know a bit about

with a regular USB, any engineer here could recover the

the point of what you’re

a virus I had specially

computer, it will

resulting in both data

hardware failure.”

…

interspersed, but it no longer

didn’t have much of a color to it, went

she looked towards Seth, who was also looking

grim to

obliterating even

a thorough

approached him, “It’s not like

his hand, batting away hers

steadying herself

coldly,

her nerves inch by inch. “You’ve

you wanted to get your hands on Diaz International, and you’ve

were just

stand to look at a single company

pulling teeth, but you’re oddly fascinated by

scurrying off

deal with that,

recording would you say are not true? Maybe

I’d have no reason to

There’s no

the side, her gaze fixed on a crack in the

looked like she didn’t

Cicely was done for.

was spinning, and

it was true. I only said

Ray.”

turned to look at her, his

the desk beside him. It seemed like he was thinking,

for a way

moment, Danielle suddenly spoke up, “If it was

files onto a flash drive would have been enough.

that he might get

was going to do it?

words?”

one sentence from Danielle completely overturned all

explanations.

and when he looked up again, they

cold state. Just as Cicely was

flash drive, his look silenced

the same time, four

are from Department of

others to maliciously destroy company

the evidence is irrefutable.

preparing to press

slightly as he turned to

phone over to one of

‘Department of Justice,’ Cicely’s

she looked

“Seth, are you suing me? Are you going to press charges against me?” Charlie’s stride halted, his fury cresting.

his cheeks. “My

Mr. Diaz. I can’t risk their lives for the company.

my hump for the firm, and I’m willing to do that. But

the line. It’s just

moment. Charlie watched his

as calm as a still pond, eerily composed. “How long would

over?”

for a second. “It’s a six-month

off, two

Enter title…

Seth closed his eyes.

month…

if

“Right, right, right! Maybe he still

fast before he leaks our

into action

*

whole night in his office, waiting

their

asleep at her desk

uneasy. She had hoped it was all a dream,

and the

helplessness welled

thought of Seth, who had spent two years and a fortune on this,

facing ruin was unbearable.

Disappointment? Regret? Defeat? Despair?

didn’t want to see him like that.

enough.

blame her and they could not get

look on

whole time, pained

breakfast. Two portions for Joel and

he placed before

cafeteria’s offerings were always the same – buns

all night, didn’t stand on ceremony.

taking their eyes off their screens. The room

scent of the steamed

again, and Issac pushed the bag toward her, “Have

breakfast.”

looked around, sniffed at the bag, then

the room, hand over her

leaned against the wall, heaving with nothing to

up.

rinsing her

stomach, she

concerned, draped her dropped jacket over her and whispered, “I’ll

you to the hospital.”

her head, “I’m

the

the smell in there. Can you check on their

Pale and weak,

her to ask

looked worn but hopeful, “We should be able to do

we can’t give a definite timeline.

and that it’ll work

Issac nodded, “Thank you.”

to Cicely. Despite being promised a

getting a successful decoder

the brightening sky, biting her

Seth will do when he finds

replied, “He won’t lose it.

he ever fails at something, he won’t

“But he’s been working on

years.”

expression, “Everyone faces

his life to be smooth. I

because of me.”

reality made Cicely’s heart ache with

her head, tears falling,

on her head, soothing her. “The

drive. They’ll crack the program sooner

really don’t need to worry this much. Speak to him

since you did it for his sake. Even if it’s not

and these programs are made by people.

it’s just a

comforting logic.

is it?”

do now is get some good

at the

worried if he finds out. I

are two hours until work starts.” Issac held

can definitely sleep for two hours before going to the company.

for you in the hotel next

awful, and this time

to get

…

Patty dropped by the set to see Danielle. Danielle

city that evening, so they ended up staying

early, ready to

in their room and packed

downstairs.

they were about to walk out the front door, Danielle was

who appeared out of

instinctive scream.

it’s me.”A familiar, anxious voice rang

that

a startled Patty and quickly

“Let go of

didn’t let go, but looked around and took out a cellphone from his

handed it to Danielle. “Danielle, I really like you,

I can do for you.

I wish you

before noon to see Seth.

him, you can ask him to meet

talking about?

and why should I go

I’m out of time, I have to go. Just remember what I

an eye on his surroundings as he

his cap down

the scene, asked, “Who was that guy? All sneaky

the phone? Is there

Patty’s driver approached,

arms with Patty and

out in the

*

and taking a stroll outside,

off the bat, Patty’s shrill voice

eardrums.

a piece of work! She’s so heartless and

to have her, nor would we dare. This

it! I will never agree to let her marry into the Diaz

him, Creighton

to

in the morning?

deserve such strong opinions?!”

snorted, “Where did she wrong me? She

do you think she wronged me?! Is she at home? If so, tell her

now. We’re

suggested, “Patty, Ray advised us

this morning. Let’s ask them to meet us

instead.”

we go to Diaz International?! Since when does

depend on his say-so.”

the brink, it was

with indignant rage, her fury was palpable.

had to be entangled

Ellis Group but managed to drag Diaz

disaster!”

International!” Patty almost roared at the driver. Danielle frowned

raging and domineering demeanor, didn’t dare to

accompanied her

*

was left confused and annoyed

to call Cicely

Instead, he

phone was off.

brow furrowed in

He immediately called Seth.

up quickly, and he sounded

you and Cicely

Seth paused, “No.”

just call me wanting to call off

she’s the worst? Are

the company last night. I

She was out with

fine. I can’t reach her. Could you

mentioned that there was

happened?”

lips, “I’ll

“Alright.”

especially since Seth avoided

happened at the company. Given Patty’s hysterics on the call,

check on Diaz

*

No

her eyes, so she just took a shower, changed into clean

and left the room.

and seeing her like this,

“Going to Diaz International?”

Cicely nodded.

grab some

Cicely shook her head.

They headed straight

arriving at the company, they

such a big issue,

That was the logical conclusion. “Charlie,

office?”

up, his gaze locked on her with an unfamiliar blend of anger

“In the Engineering

reply caused a hitch in

a dim expression, she muttered, “I’ll

him.”

accompanying her upstairs.

quiet on the weekend.

to wait at the door while she

Three pairs of eyes turned to her

Danielle stood before Seth, seemingly in the middle of

with him.

in disarray, the computer tower

across

was towards Seth, whose bloodshot

well last night?”

raspy to the extreme.

tighter and after a brief silence,

go home last night. I came back

late…”

spent the night partying

home?”

never wavered from her, each question sounding like

something else.

bit her lip and shook her head, “No,

away.

me behind my back, there’s no issue. I’m busy

leave.”

of the office. As she was about to open her

Patty’s shrill voice suddenly cut through the

you even hear what we just told you,

dumb?”

project! Doesn’t this

data is gone, and the computer is trashed.

might go under

woman!”

deepened as she turned to Patty and Danielle, who was

“How did you

anger, pointed at her, her eyes red

it and you still don’t believe

however, stepped closer to Danielle, her gaze sharp.

know about the data

a crisp slap, Patty’s hand struck

abruptly stood

through the door and

him.

glared at Cicely. “What right

After what you’ve done, you still act so superior.

shameless!”

icy. “Madam, the situation isn’t clear

down.”

more clarity do you need? Does

mockingly, pulling out a phone from her bag – the one

and after pressing something, tossed

Seth.

familiar voice began to play, its clarity allowing one

expression at the time:

knows that Seth is cold and

his mother and Diaz International, left to him by his father.

secret, and even though we’re set to

he might leave me, so

so important to him, he wouldn’t just walk away. You’re well aware

her desire to set him up

way for me to

set on Diaz

Diaz International to my name a few times,

if the software

easily fall into

the Ellis Group, Diaz International is

irrelevant to me; I just

completely destroy this program. Diaz International

then the Ellis family

fall into my hands.

proof of who did it. He has no reason to suspect

If I’m to destroy, I’ll do it thoroughly. I know a bit about

a regular USB, any engineer here could

exactly. What’s the point of what

a virus I had specially prepared for today.

into the computer, it will automatically destroy

the computer’s operational data, resulting in both

hardware failure.”

…

was interspersed, but it no longer

a color

Seth,

grim to mocking, and he

obliterating even the computer’s

done a thorough job

her head frantically and approached him, “It’s not like that,

raised his hand, batting away hers

steadying herself on

eyed her coldly, his

through her nerves inch by

your hands on Diaz International, and you’ve even

I thought you were just being flippant,

you can’t stand to look at a single company

teeth, but you’re oddly fascinated by those

codes, always scurrying off to

deal with

words on the recording would you say are not true?

thing. Without surveillance, I’d have no reason to suspect

no surveillance, just

on a crack in

irony playing across her face. It looked like she didn’t

Cicely was done for.

her head was spinning,

recording, but none of it was true.

Ray.”

his eyes and turned to look

It seemed like he was thinking, trying

a way out for

spoke up, “If it was

him copy the files onto a flash drive

that he might get caught, and to destroy

do it? Don’t you see

words?”

Danielle completely overturned

explanations.

eyes flickered, and when he looked up again, they had

state. Just as Cicely was about to bring

flash drive, his look silenced

same time, four uniformed

from Department of Justice, right? It’s

to maliciously destroy

losses, and the evidence is irrefutable. Please

preparing to

to

over to one

Justice,’ Cicely’s head shot up,

of panic as she looked

to press charges against me?” Charlie’s stride halted, his fury cresting.

tears streaming down his cheeks. “My son and wife are

Mr. Diaz. I can’t risk their lives for the company. I’m just

for the firm, and I’m willing to do that. But I can’t put

safety on the line. It’s just not fair.

a long moment.

pond, eerily composed.

over?”

for a second.

ass off, two

Enter title…

Seth closed his eyes.

month…

if he has

nodded eagerly, “Right, right, right! Maybe he

fast before he

into action and dashed

*

the whole night in his office, waiting for Charlie’s response.

their

asleep at her desk

hoped it was all a dream, but each time

surroundings and the two busy

and helplessness welled

two

facing ruin was unbearable.

Disappointment? Regret? Defeat? Despair?

see him like that.

enough.

blame her and they could not get married, but she

look on

side the whole time, pained to see her

to buy breakfast. Two portions for Joel

he placed

cafeteria’s offerings were always the

his friend, having worked all night, didn’t stand on

their eyes off their screens.

the hearty scent of the steamed

again, and Issac pushed the bag toward her,

breakfast.”

the bag, then her face

room, hand over her

leaned against the wall, heaving

up.

handed her water. After rinsing her mouth and quenching the

stomach, she

jacket over

you to the hospital.”

her head, “I’m fine. Just

by the flowerbed, pulling the

you check on their

weak, her voice barely held

reluctantly left her to

hopeful, “We should be

can’t give a definite timeline. Just tell

and that it’ll

Issac nodded, “Thank you.”

being promised a

to her without getting

the brightening sky, biting her lip in worry. “Issac,

he

pause, Issac replied, “He won’t lose it. He’s young but steady.

or if he ever fails at something, he won’t

again. “But he’s been working

years.”

avoided her pained expression, “Everyone faces failure

to be smooth. I don’t want him to face failure, especially

because of me.”

harshness of reality made Cicely’s

hung her head, tears falling, drop

on her head,

away from the flash drive.

don’t need to worry this much. Speak to him clearly,

it for his

and these programs are made by people. They can write

just a matter

comforting

is it?”

What you need to do now is get some good

him at the

worried if he finds

hours until work starts.” Issac held

hours before

you in the hotel next door. Go rest a

this time

get

…

dropped by the set to see Danielle.

evening, so

morning, they were up early, ready to head back

they finished breakfast in their room

downstairs.

to walk out the front door, Danielle

who appeared out of nowhere. She let

instinctive scream.

familiar, anxious voice rang out. Danielle snapped back

and saw that

a startled Patty and

“Let go

looked around and took out a cellphone from

really like you,

thing I can do for

wish

go to Diaz International before noon

him, you can ask him to meet you somewhere

talking about? Why can’t

and why should I go see

out of time, I have to

as he spoke,

down low, and

“Who

phone? Is

Patty’s driver approached, and

with Patty and they walked down

check it out in the

*

finishing his breakfast and taking a stroll outside, Creighton received

the bat,

eardrums.

raised a piece of work!

afford to have her, nor would we

her

criticized him, Creighton wouldn’t have minded,

by belittling his daughter to nothing, and Creighton’s temper

the morning?

deserve such strong opinions?!”

“Where did she wrong me? She nearly

you think she wronged me?! Is she at home? If so,

right now. We’re going to settle

suggested, “Patty,

ask them to

instead.”

we go to Diaz International?! Since when does

depend on his say-so.”

on the brink, it was understandable for Patty to be livid.

rage, her

yet I had to be entangled with her.

Ellis Group but managed to drag Diaz International down first.

disaster!”

Patty almost roared

domineering demeanor, didn’t dare to speak up

accompanied her to Diaz

*

was left confused and annoyed after being

Cicely to ask what

time, she might still be asleep. Instead, he called Issac, only to find

phone was off.

brow furrowed

He immediately called Seth.

was picked up quickly, and he

did you and

Seth paused, “No.”

why did your mother just call me wanting to call off

the worst? Are you with Cicely

issue at the company

was out

can’t reach

was a problem at the company.

happened?”

pursed his lips, “I’ll

“Alright.”

hung up feeling unsettled, especially since Seth

at the company. Given Patty’s hysterics on the call, he

check on Diaz

*

No matter how

just took a shower, changed into

and left the room.

and seeing her like

“Going to Diaz International?”

Cicely nodded.

grab

Cicely shook her head.

insisted. They

the company,

with such a big issue, Seth would

on a weekend. That was the logical

office?”

looked up, his gaze locked on her with an unfamiliar blend

“In the

terse reply caused a hitch in Cicely’s

expression, she muttered,

him.”

this time, accompanying her

quiet on the weekend.

Issac to wait at the door while she

of eyes turned to her in

Danielle stood before Seth, seemingly in the middle of a

with him.

disarray, the computer tower and monitor now

across

towards Seth, whose bloodshot eyes met hers

and ferocity. “Sleep well last night?” he asked, his

raspy to the extreme.

tighter and after a brief silence, mustered

to speak. “Seth, I didn’t go home last

late…”

it because you spent the night partying with Emiliana that

home?”

wavered from her, each question

something else.

bit her lip and shook her

away.

back, there’s no issue. I’m

leave.”

glanced at the chaos of the office. As she was about to open

something, Patty’s shrill voice suddenly cut through the air.

you even hear what we just told you, or are you

dumb?”

two-year project! Doesn’t this mess prove

data is gone, and the computer is trashed. All

might go under because

woman!”

as she turned to Patty and

her. “How did

pointed at her, her eyes red

admits it and you

closer to Danielle, her gaze

know

slap, Patty’s hand struck Cicely’s

he abruptly stood up from

the commotion, burst through the

him.

control, glared at Cicely. “What right do you

After what you’ve done, you

shameless!”

the

down.”

What more clarity do you

out a phone from her bag – the one

Danielle – and after pressing something,

Seth.

its clarity allowing one to imagine

expression at the time:

is cold and aloof. The most important things to

mother and Diaz International, left to him by his father.

secret, and even though we’re

don’t know when he might leave me, so I thought, if

him, he wouldn’t just walk

day her desire to set

way for me to

set

International to my name a

saying that if the software development fails

then Diaz International would easily fall

International is small

to me; I just want

goal is to completely destroy this program. Diaz International will

bank loan issues, then the Ellis family will

fall into my hands.

no proof of who did it. He has no reason to suspect

it thoroughly. I know a

USB, any engineer here

point of what

infected with a virus I had

it will automatically destroy

the computer’s operational data, resulting in both data

hardware failure.”

…

interspersed, but

didn’t have much of a

looked towards Seth, who was also looking back

his eyes slowly morphing from grim to mocking, and he even let

obliterating even

done a thorough

shook her head frantically and approached him, “It’s

away hers as she reached

staggered, steadying herself on the

eyed her coldly, his

her nerves inch by

to get your hands on Diaz International, and

tearing it down. I thought you were just being flippant,

dull, and you can’t stand to look at a

if it’s like pulling teeth, but you’re oddly fascinated by those

always scurrying off to the engineering

with

recording would you say are not

one thing. Without surveillance, I’d have no reason to suspect you.

There’s no surveillance, just the

stood to the side, her gaze fixed on a crack in the floor, a

her face. It looked like she didn’t have

Cicely was done for.

her head was spinning, and her heart ached.m“Seth, I did

of it was true. I only said that to

Ray.”

his eyes and turned to look

It seemed like he

looking for a way

Danielle suddenly spoke up, “If it

files onto a flash

that he might get caught, and to

was going to do it? Don’t you see the

words?”

sentence from Danielle completely overturned all of

explanations.

when he looked up again, they had returned to

state. Just as Cicely was

drive, his look

four uniformed

quickly said, “You guys are from Department of Justice, right?

with others to maliciously destroy

losses, and the evidence is irrefutable. Please

preparing to press

as he turned to look at

phone over to one of

the words ‘Department of Justice,’

of panic as she looked

you going to press charges against me?” Seth caught

figures before him.

investigated.”

Patty suddenly shouted, her angry voice piercing

present, “The evidence is irrefutable, what’s there to

go soft just because this woman’s put on a

she’s practically driven Diaz International into the ground?

me

at Seth, “I’ve

just how cruel

Enter title…

brows knitted together

the lead agent from the Department

“Since you mentioned that the

in the inquiry

Ms. Cicely is indeed innocent, we will ensure she is returned to

unharmed.”

lawsuit against her immediately!”

her emotions and

gaze turned, deep and tranquil as he looked

head, tears swirling in her eyes. “I don’t want to go there.

tainted are taken there. I can’t

hurt you, and I wouldn’t do anything to bring shame

Ellis family.”

words were fearful and helpless, laden with

seen her so terrified. Not Seth,

moment, taking in every facet of

he spoke slowly, his voice deep

been a misunderstanding. Is that

nodded, tears spilling over with the motion. “I

have to

tear-streaked face was alien to him; he had never seen her cry so

face tight with

cheek, he paused, turning

voice was

yet exceedingly sharp. “Take

on the spot. Her wide eyes stared blankly at Seth.

been for the tears that suddenly fell from

was a

day these words would

let’s go,” the two

either side of her, ready

now utterly still, her gaze desolate except for

She looked at Seth silently for two

seemingly

blocking their path. “You can’t take

of hope glinted in

asking Ms. Cicely

about to speak, a deep and resonant voice boomed

an

away. Try taking her

as she lifted her head to

expression stern and commanding,

indomitable authority.

“Mr. Ellis.”

face was a mask of fury, “What in the world

married couple. Since when does

intervene in marital

chairman of the Ellis family, of course, and

that

parties were exerting pressure, they couldn’t leave

Charlie walked in.

up here. Let him personally testify whether

unfazed by Creighton’s icy

feeling like they’d been granted a reprieve,

bring the accused.

into laughter. “Ms. Cicely, we meet

could escape, huh? And to think, you were so

I almost believed

words

Cicely.

watched Ray, and suddenly realized how

her. “Trying to win over Danielle by fighting for

man? Should I say

Cicely’s composure returned. The chaos in

settle. Still,

right where it hurt. He glared at Cicely, but it

before he laughed again. “It’s thanks to you I got

Cicely, truly. Without you, I couldn’t have caused

regrets in this life.

me, or even hit

How wonderful. Even now, he was

of his life for Danielle. Even if Danielle’s role in

third woman who shamelessly clawed her way into their lives,

still supported her.

Ray was concerned, everything Danielle did or wanted was

deserved.

“Take him away.”

words, like a curse, exploded again within her. It

heart had been blown to pieces, leaving her bleeding

smile, her

detachment.

grain of the

unwavering trust

envy. In this, I’m clearly outmatched,” she said. Her

emotion, resigned to being the

skipped a beat. So many people around, yet

intended for him alone.

for not believing in

many people waiting?

the prejudice against her?

of the Ellis family, Cicely—was she to be

about in

a heartbeat, his eyes darkened, his jaw clenched, and

with a chill

Department of Justice glanced awkwardly at

should escort everyone out and

Would that

say?” Patty strode over, snatched

again, specifically

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