Chapter 2 The Mistress’s Provocation

"Dear Cecilia, congratulations on your freedom!"

On the other end of the phone, Cecilia's good friend Noelle Vale sounded even more excited than Cecilia herself.

Cecilia held the phone away from her ear, a relieved smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"Thanks. These three years have been way too long."

"I told you ages ago that blind idiot Miles never deserved you! You're a legendary genius from Yale. You gave up so much for that jerk back then, and you've finally woken up!"

Noelle went on a rant over the phone, then her tone shifted, taking on a mysterious quality. "There's a friendly racing competition next week. Want to come? Let you relive the old days."

Racing.

Cecilia's grip on her phone tightened slightly, her heart stirring with excitement, nostalgia, and a touch of nervousness.

After marrying Miles, to play the role of the gentle and obedient Mrs. Sterling, she had suppressed her true self for far too long.

Now, she could finally touch her beloved racing again, no need to pretend to be docile, no need to compromise herself anymore.

"Who's organizing it?" Cecilia asked.

"A few friends from the circle. And I heard Felix Knightley will be there too." Noelle lowered her voice with a gossipy tone.

Felix Knightley.

New York's richest man, CEO of Knightley Group.

But for her, that didn't matter.

"Okay, I'll go." Cecilia agreed without hesitation. It was time to restart her life.

After hanging up, Cecilia took a deep breath and pushed open the door to her new apartment.

Just as she reached the ground floor, a familiar black Maybach came into view.

Miles was leaning against the car door, his dark gray suit jacket hanging open, looking somewhat tired.

The passenger window was half down, and Thea sat inside, touching up her makeup in the mirror.

Cecilia didn't break her stride, heading straight for the stairwell.

"Cecilia." Miles called out to her, striding forward to block her path.

"What is it?" Cecilia looked up at him, her gaze as calm as if she were looking at a stranger.

Miles frowned, seemingly unaccustomed to her indifferent attitude. "Grandma sent me to pick you up. There's a family dinner tonight, and she specifically asked for you to attend."

Miles's grandmother, Lauren Sterling, was the only person in the Sterling family who truly cared about her. Cecilia knew that.

But now, the situation was completely different.

"We've already signed the divorce agreement. I'm not suitable to attend the Sterling family dinner." Cecilia's tone was flat. "Please give my regards to Grandma."

For the past three years, Cecilia had always been completely obedient to him. Now she actually dared to defy him. Looking at Cecilia, still dressed in her outdated clothes, Miles only felt disgust.

"Grandma's health isn't good. Do you have to upset her at a time like this?" Miles's tone grew heavier, carrying a note of blame.

The passenger door opened, and Thea walked over in high heels, intimately linking her arm through Miles's, then turned to Cecilia with a sweet smile on her face.

"Cecilia, just listen to Miles. The old lady is getting on in years, she can't handle stress."

Thea spoke softly, "Besides, I really need to thank you. If you hadn't been so understanding, how could Miles and I make up for these ten lost years?"

As she spoke, she deliberately rested her head on Miles's shoulder, marking her territory.

Cecilia looked at the scene before her and felt nothing but nauseating disgust.

"Your regrets have nothing to do with me."

Cecilia coldly cut off Thea. "Miles, since you love her so much, find time soon to go to court with me to sign the divorce decree and finish the paperwork. Don't delay Miss Thea from becoming Mrs. Sterling."

Miles's expression darkened. "Cecilia, do you have to talk like this?"

"What else? You want me to wish you both happiness?" Cecilia took a step back, creating distance. "I'll go see Grandma on my own tonight. Stop bothering me."

With that, she walked past Miles into the apartment building without looking back.

Back at her place, Cecilia opened her closet. Hanging inside were all long shirts and pants she'd kept for who knows how long, convenient for housework.

From this pile of clothes, she picked out a relatively new plain dress.

This dress was a birthday gift Noelle had sent her on her birthday. When she showed it to Miles at the time, he accused her of wasting money.

...

Sterling Manor.

Cecilia appeared in the living room wearing the plain dress.

Miles stared at her.

For the past three years, Cecilia had always worn outdated styles, meek and submissive.

Now, wearing the plain dress, perhaps because Thea beside her was too flashy, Cecilia appeared even more elegant by contrast.

This was the first time he'd seen Cecilia look like this, and for a moment he couldn't look away.

"Seen enough?" Cecilia's tone was flat.

Miles frowned, about to speak, when Lauren came down the stairs leaning on her cane.

The smile on the old woman's face completely disappeared when she saw Thea behind Miles.

"Miles, this is a family dinner." Lauren gripped her cane tightly. "What are you doing bringing an outsider here?"

Thea's eyes immediately reddened, and she shrank behind Miles.

Miles took Thea's hand and protected her behind him. "Grandma, Thea isn't an outsider. We'll be getting married soon."

"Outrageous!" Lauren struck her cane heavily, glaring at Thea. "The Sterling family will never accept a homewrecker!"

Rosalind quickly stood up and walked over to support Lauren's arm. "Mom, don't get upset. Thea and Miles have deep feelings for each other. About what happened back then..."

Corinne chimed in, "Yeah Grandma, that Cecilia shamelessly occupied the position of Mrs. Sterling for three years, and now she's finally gone. Sister Thea is so much better than her."

"Shut up!"

Lauren shook off Rosalind's hand and pointed at Miles's nose. "You irresponsible bastard! Cecilia devoted herself to the Sterling family for three years, and this is how you repay her? I'm telling you, I only recognize Cecilia as my granddaughter-in-law!"

Miles's face turned dark. "Grandma, true love can't be forced! I never loved Cecilia. These three years have been torture for me!"

Lauren trembled with anger, pointing at the door. "Get out with that woman!"

Cecilia stepped forward and supported Lauren's arm, her voice calm. "Grandma, don't get angry over me. I've already signed the divorce agreement. It was voluntary."

Everyone present froze in place.

Miles whipped his head around to look at Cecilia, his eyes full of disbelief.

Cecilia looked at Lauren, her tone flat. "I don't love him anymore. Staying in the Sterling family is torture for me too. I came today just to say goodbye to you."

Lauren looked at the determination in Cecilia's eyes, her own eyes reddening slightly. She sighed heavily and said no more.

The dinner ended in a heavy atmosphere.

Cecilia picked up her coat and walked straight out the door without a glance at Miles.

Lauren sat on the sofa, looking at Miles with disappointment in her eyes. "You're going to regret this."

The old woman's voice was hoarse. "You have no idea what you've lost."

Miles stood there, his face grim.

Thea bit her lip, head down, eyes full of resentment.