Chapter 3 First Encounter

Manhattan, Strand Apartments.

Cecilia stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, her fingertip lightly touching the screen as she sent Miles a text message.

[Divorce agreement signed. Tomorrow morning at ten, meet at the courthouse entrance to process the divorce certificate.]

Less than a minute after sending the message, Miles's text came back.

[Not available tomorrow. We'll talk when I get back from my business trip.]

Cecilia stared at that line of text and let out a cold laugh, full of mockery.

She thought to herself: Is he really on a business trip? Or is he with Thea?

For the past three years, he'd always been busy—busy with work, busy keeping Thea company—just never had time for her, his wife in name only.

She didn't bother calling out this lame excuse, simply reminding him, "Handle it immediately when you get back."

She reset the calendar reminder for two weeks later, then slipped her phone into her pocket and looked out at the night view.

The next morning, Cecilia drove to the outskirts of Connecticut.

Her college mentor, Owen Hayes, lived there.

For the past three years, in order to play the role of Mrs. Sterling, she'd cut off almost all contact with the outside world, including this teacher who cared for her like his own child.

Now that she had a new life ahead, Owen was the person she most wanted to see.

As soon as she walked into Owen's living room, Cecilia sensed an atmosphere of unusual seriousness.

Owen was sitting in an armchair by the fireplace, talking with a man.

The man had his back to the door. His broad shoulders filled out an expensive charcoal gray suit, and even just his back view carried the commanding presence of someone in power.

Cecilia felt the figure looked somewhat familiar, but she didn't stop walking. She simply nodded politely in his direction and went straight to Owen.

"Professor, I came to visit you."

"You finally remembered to come back?" Owen stood up, deliberately putting on a stern face, though his tone was full of concern.

Cecilia gave him an apologetic smile but didn't respond.

Owen turned to look at the man on the sofa and introduced them. "Felix, this is the student I've often mentioned to you—the one I'm most proud of in my entire career, Cecilia Laurent."

The man slowly turned around.

Cecilia's pupils contracted slightly as she finally recognized him.

Felix Knightley, New York's wealthiest man, CEO of Knightley Group, and also a board member of her college.

She looked up, carefully studying the man before her.

Cecilia calmly greeted Felix. "Hello, Mr. Knightley. I'm Cecilia Laurent."

Feeling Cecilia's gaze, Felix slowly raised his eyes. Listening to Owen's praise of her, his gaze settled on Cecilia.

Everyone else who met him was either timid or flattering. This was the first time someone had been so composed in his presence.

"Hello."

Felix's deep eyes showed no emotion. He simply nodded politely.

The woman before him wore loose, casual clothing and no makeup—the kind of person you wouldn't look at twice in a crowd.

If there was anything special about her, perhaps it was only those eyes, which seemed able to see through everything.

This was the ordinary, completely unremarkable girl that Owen praised so highly?

Felix narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Owen, about my sister's situation, what do you think..." He was clearly more concerned with his reason for coming.

"Eloane's case is very special. She needs long-term companionship and guidance. I'm afraid these old bones don't have that much energy anymore." Owen shook his head, his face full of exhaustion and helplessness.

So he came because of his sister's psychological problems.

Cecilia gathered the general situation from their conversation.

Felix's sister apparently suffered from severe psychological trauma, and throughout New York, Owen was the top authority in this field.

Felix didn't push further. He left a check, which Owen refused on the spot.

After the man left, the living room returned to quiet.

Owen turned his head, looking at Cecilia with affection. "Child, have you been well these past three years?"

Cecilia's eyes grew warm. She shook her head. "It's all in the past now, Professor."

"It's good that you're back." Owen patted the back of her hand. "Your talent shouldn't be buried in everyday household matters. Cecilia, come back to this field. This is where you belong."

Cecilia fell silent.

She'd been a housewife for three years and hadn't kept up with the field for a long time.

She wasn't sure if she could return to her previous level.

Owen saw her hesitation and changed the subject. "Felix's sister, Eloane, is a very unfortunate child. Her situation—perhaps only you can handle it."

"Professor, I..."

"I know what you're worried about." Owen interrupted her. "I'll be your strongest support. All the resources you need, I'll prepare for you. You just need to believe in yourself."

"Professor, give me some time to think about it."

...

The conversation lasted until evening.

Owen insisted she stay for dinner. At the table, they discussed nothing but plans for returning to the psychology field, not mentioning that failed marriage at all.

When she left the villa, night had fallen.

Cecilia started the car. In the rearview mirror, her eyes were bright and clear.

Owen's words echoed in her ears again and again.

The next day, Noelle dragged Cecilia to the Knightley family's private racetrack to participate in a small-scale friendly race.

The roar of racing engines mixed with the crowd's cheers instantly ignited Cecilia's passion.

She changed into a tight black and red racing suit, tied her long hair back neatly, and her whole presence radiated a wild beauty.

"This is the Cecilia I know!" Noelle excitedly whistled and handed her a helmet.

Just as they were about to head to the track registration area, some discordant voices came from nearby.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Sterling family's abandoned wife. How does she have the nerve to show up at a place like this?"

Cecilia turned her head and saw Miles with several of his friends. Thea was gently holding his arm.

One of Miles's friends, a playboy named Jason, looked Cecilia up and down with a frivolous gaze. "Run out of money? Come here to hook up with men and be a rich wife again?"

Thea quickly tugged at Jason's sleeve, her face showing a troubled expression. "Don't say that. Cecilia's had it hard too. Miles, make your friend stop."

Though her words were conciliatory, her body pressed even closer to Miles.

"Am I wrong? A woman kicked out of her home—what legitimate business could she have?" Jason's mockery grew more excessive.

Noelle angrily rolled up her sleeves, ready to confront him. "Watch your damn mouth!"

Cecilia reached out to stop her, her gaze passing over the group and landing directly on Miles's face.

"Is this your so-called business trip?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, stopping the surrounding laughter.

Miles's gaze froze completely the moment it touched Cecilia.

He'd never seen her like this. The tight racing suit outlined her beautiful figure, and her confident, bold presence felt strange to him. His chest tightened inexplicably.

He quickly recovered. The embarrassment of having his lie exposed in public made him frown.

"What are you doing here?" Miles asked back, his tone scrutinizing. "Following me?"

The question was ridiculous.

Before Cecilia could respond, a deep male voice came from behind them.

"Mr. Sterling, I think you're mistaken. Ms. Cecilia is my guest."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice. Felix was standing behind them—no one had noticed when he'd arrived.

Felix wore a casual suit, his presence commanding. His eyes calmly swept over Miles before finally settling on Cecilia.

Miles's expression immediately soured. The Knightley family's status far exceeded the Sterling family's. Felix's statement was equivalent to slapping him in the face in front of all these people.

Felix didn't spare them another glance. He walked straight to Cecilia, opened the door of a silver supercar beside her, and made an inviting gesture.

"Your car is ready. I look forward to your performance."