Chapter 9 Make Her Lose Face in Public

Felix's gesture was natural, but it made Cecilia feel a bit awkward.

After all, she had just said they barely knew each other - how could they possibly be this familiar?

Noelle watched from the side, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Felix smoothly changed the subject. "How's the job at Yale working out?"

At the mention of Yale, Eloane's eyes lit up. "Cecilia, you work at our school? Can I come visit you often?"

The hope and innocence in the girl's eyes made it impossible for Cecilia to refuse. "Of course you can."

Throughout the meal, Felix kept serving food onto Cecilia's plate.

She couldn't figure out what this man was really after.

She didn't think she had enough charm to make a man like Felix - someone who controlled New York's entire economy - fall for her after just a few meetings.

He couldn't possibly be selling his looks just for Eloane's treatment, could he?

After dinner, Felix left with Roman and Eloane.

In the car, Eloane looked out the window, glancing several times at Felix in the driver's seat, opening her mouth as if to speak.

Finally, she gathered her courage and asked softly, "Brother, will Cecilia... become my sister-in-law someday?"

Roman's hands tightened on the steering wheel as he nervously watched his boss's reaction in the rearview mirror.

Felix gazed at the city's brilliant lights ahead, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth as he gave an absolutely certain answer.

"Yes."

...

After seeing Felix's group off, the apartment finally returned to quiet.

Cecilia bent down to clear the plates.

Noelle came over, swirling half a glass of wine in her hand, raising her eyebrows suggestively. "Honey, this Mr. Knightley treats you differently. The way he looks at you - like he wants to stick you to his side."

"You're reading too much into it." Cecilia put the plates in the dishwasher, her tone calm. "He needs my help. For his sister's condition, this business emperor probably thinks lowering himself to cut me a few pieces of steak is just another investment."

"Really just an investment?" Noelle leaned against the counter, pressing on. "What about you? Don't you plan to find someone?"

Cecilia paused, Felix's deep eyes flashing through her mind.

Seeing Cecilia's silence, Noelle exclaimed, "Don't tell me you can't get over that scumbag Miles?"

"That kind of trash? Once you throw it out, who'd pick it back up?" Cecilia laughed and shook her head. "Don't overthink it. I just haven't met someone who makes my heart skip yet."

The next day, at dawn.

Cecilia changed into a sharply tailored gray business suit, pulled her long hair into a neat ponytail, and arrived at Yale's gates right on time.

"Stop right there! Who said you could come in?"

A sharp, malicious voice came from nearby.

Corinne clutched her books, her heavily made-up face twisted with anger.

She rushed up to Cecilia in a few steps, blocking her way.

"Cecilia, how dare someone like you show up at Yale? This is a temple of learning, not a place for a cast-off divorcee like you. Know your place and get lost. Stop embarrassing yourself here."

Cecilia glanced at her watch and frowned slightly. "Move. I'm going to be late."

"Late? What are you pretending to be, some career woman?"

Corinne sneered, pointing at a nearby trash can. "Someone like you wouldn't even be hired as a janitor at Yale! Don't think you can make something of yourself just because you got divorced."

Cecilia met her gaze coldly. "Corinne, you should be flattering Thea and trying to get her married into the Sterling family quickly, instead of bothering me here. After all, if a dog doesn't guard the house, its owner won't be happy."

"You dare call me a dog?" Corinne shrieked, raising her hand to slap her. "I'll have you fired right now! How did someone like you even get through the gates?"

Cecilia dodged to the side and showed the ID badge on her chest. "I'm a licensed psychological counselor formally hired by the university. If you have a problem with that, you can file a complaint with the board of trustees."

"Fake! It must be fake!" Corinne became hysterical as students began gathering to watch.

"What's going on?"

The crowd parted automatically as Eloane walked out carrying her sculpting tools.

Seeing Eloane, Corinne's arrogant face instantly switched to a fawning smile.

She'd always wanted to get close to the Knightley family but could never find an opportunity.

"Miss Eloane, perfect timing! This woman is Cecilia, a scammer who'll do anything for money. She used to scheme her way into marrying into my family. My brother never even touched her."

"Now she's pretending to be a teacher here - she must be trying to hook rich men this way. Don't let her fool you!"

Eloane looked at Corinne's face-changing act, her eyes turning cold. She walked straight to Cecilia's side and linked arms with her affectionately.

"Cecilia got in on her own professional merit. I've seen her academic records."

Eloane's voice was clear and carried undeniable authority. "As for you, Miss Sterling - your brother's affair during marriage is family shame, yet you have the nerve to broadcast it everywhere? It seems your family's sense of decency has gone to the dogs."

"I... I didn't mean it like that..." Corinne froze. She hadn't expected Eloane to publicly defend Cecilia. "Did you get her this job?"

"The board only looks at ability." Eloane's tone was sharp. "Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself."

Cecilia looked at this young girl who used to be too shy to even make eye contact with strangers, now bravely standing up for her, and felt warmth rising in her chest.

She suddenly remembered three years ago when Miles stood before her with that superior attitude saying, "I'll reluctantly marry you."

Just because of that one sentence, she had foolishly married him.

Corinne hadn't expected Eloane to defend Cecilia so strongly. Humiliated and angry, she said, "What spell has she cast on you! Do you know how manipulative she is!"

"Manipulative?" Cecilia finally spoke, her voice cold. "No matter how manipulative I am, can I compare to the Sterling family? Who was it that pushed for this marriage just to provoke Thea? Now you're putting all the blame on me."

Corinne's face immediately darkened.

She remembered now - Mom had indeed agreed to let this woman with no background marry in with exactly that intention.

Unable to win the argument, Corinne could only change tactics, pointing at her accusingly. "Even after the divorce, you're still squatting in our family's house! You greedy woman!"

"He wasted three years of my life and thinks I should leave with nothing?" Cecilia's eyes were icy. "Corinne, do you think that's possible?"

This calm yet assertive demeanor made Corinne feel utterly unfamiliar.

The woman who used to be meek and wouldn't even lift her head in front of her was long gone.

Cecilia stopped paying attention to her and walked into campus holding Eloane's hand.

"Cecilia, let's have lunch together!" Eloane linked arms with her intimately.

Corinne stood there, watching their close figures, trembling with rage.

She called over a follower. "Go find out exactly who that bitch is!"

Soon, the follower came running back, reporting carefully, "She... she's a new counselor in the school's psychological counseling office. These past few days, lots of guys have been going there just to see her..."