Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Willing to be Used

Cecilia Croft tucked her foot back, afraid Sebastian would grab her ankle again.

Even though he just wanted to check her injury, she felt an inexplicable sense of embarrassment.

Sebastian saw Cecilia’s movement and sensed her reluctance, so he didn’t reach out again.

His expression cooled as he stood up. "I’ll take you to the hospital to get that checked out."

Cecilia was startled and quickly waved her hands in refusal.

"No, you don’t have to. I’m really fine."

To prove her point, she got off the sofa and, despite the pain, took a few steps.

"See? I’m really fine."

There was no sharp, stabbing pain in her ankle, just a slight ache. ’I probably just strained a ligament.’

’Going to the hospital for something this minor would be a waste of medical resources.’

’It probably won’t feel so bad by tomorrow morning.’

Sebastian frowned, his expression grim as he stood to the side, his gaze fixed on her foot.

Cecilia gave an awkward smile and walked over to the entryway, trying to look casual. She spoke softly.

"Thank you for dinner, Mr. Hawthorne. It’s getting late, so I should be going."

Hearing this, Sebastian strode over and said, his face expressionless.

"I’ll drive you."

With that, he picked up Cecilia’s tablet and bag from the shoe cabinet.

Cecilia refused. "You don’t have to, Mr. Hawthorne. My car is right downstairs."

Sebastian shot her a cool glance, then put on his shoes, walked out, and stood by the door waiting for her.

Cecilia quickly put on her own shoes, walked out, and pulled the door closed behind her, saying in a low voice.

"Mr. Hawthorne, you really don’t have to drive me. You should go home and get some rest. I’ll be perfectly fine driving myself."

Her tone was perfectly respectful and polite, yet Sebastian’s face darkened, a muscle twitching in his brow.

"Am I very old?"

The sudden change of topic left Cecilia stunned for a moment before she shook her head.

"No, of course not."

Sebastian’s gaze was cool as he leaned closer to her, suppressing the anger that creased the corners of his eyes.

"Then why do you keep using such formal language with me?"

Cecilia pressed her lips together and said sheepishly, "Because you’re my boss."

’No wonder he suddenly got upset,’ she thought. ’He’s sensitive about his age.’

Sebastian’s expression softened slightly. "Are you planning to stay with the Hawthorne Group for the rest of your life?"

Cecilia shook her head honestly.

’That’s impossible.’

’She had to go back to Karthus to help her sister.’

’No company could hold her back now. All she wanted was to return to the Croft Group.’

"In that case, stop using such formal language with me. It makes things awkward." Sebastian looked away and walked toward the elevator.

Cecilia’s lips twitched. She hurried to catch up and, sensing the displeasure in his eyes, decided to explain anyway.

"Mr. Hawthorne, I really didn’t mean to offend... you. On the contrary, I have a great deal of respect for you, really. It’s just that... in my mind, you’re such a towering and impressive figure that I can’t help but use formal language."

Sebastian was not placated by her explanation. He just gave her an unreadable glance.

"Sir..."

Cecilia lightly tapped her own mouth. "You’re only five years older than me, how could you be old? I never think my sister is old."

Sebastian dropped his gaze to look at her.

’Five years older.’

’They say three years makes a generation gap. That meant there was almost a double generation gap between him and Cecilia.’

Sebastian rubbed his temples.

"Just treat me the same way you treat your sister. There’s no need to be so formal. You’re just making me sound old for no reason."

Cecilia bit the corner of her lip and quietly refused, "I’m afraid I can’t do that."

Sebastian frowned. "Why not?"

Cecilia pressed her lips together and just shook her head, offering no explanation.

’With Ruby, she was used to being playful and a little pouty, and she loved being close to her.’

’She couldn’t exactly act like that with Sebastian.’

’And she definitely couldn’t be clingy with him all the time.’

’So there was no way she could treat Sebastian the way she treated Ruby.’

Sebastian watched her, frowning in silence.

Cecilia looked up, her gaze meeting his. Seeing some subtle, fragmented emotion in his deep, dark eyes inexplicably made her heart flutter.

"Mr. Hawthorne, you’re a man. How could I possibly treat you like my sister?"

She had only wanted to say something to break the tension, but the moment the words left her mouth, she realized it was a terribly cringey joke. In the empty corridor, only her own awkward laughter echoed.

The atmosphere seemed to get even more... awkward.

Thankfully, the elevator doors opened just then. Sebastian stepped inside first, and Cecilia, secretly sighing in relief, followed him in.

Usually the one to start a conversation, this time she prudently chose to remain silent.

Sebastian glanced down at the unusually quiet woman beside him and said in a neutral tone.

"Where you’re living is too far from the office. I have an apartment nearby. Pack your things and move there."

Cecilia shook her head.

"It’s not so bad. I don’t think it’s that far."

Sebastian: "Jude Sheridan started planning to embezzle company assets six months ago. He’s undoubtedly prepared for you to get involved. Your neighborhood is rundown and not very safe."

Cecilia said quietly, "My grandmother lived there for decades. I know all the neighbors. There won’t be any problems."

Sebastian’s voice was low. "People are unpredictable. In an age where anyone can be bought for the right price, do you still think there won’t be a problem?"

Cecilia fell silent. This time, she didn’t immediately refuse Sebastian.

’After all, he had a point. People are greedy.’

The elevator doors opened to the underground parking garage.

Cecilia followed Sebastian out of the elevator. Seeing him walk toward his car, she quickly said.

"Mr. Hawthorne, I’m really fine. I can drive myself. Besides, if you drive me home, I won’t have a car for work tomorrow morning. It’s too much trouble."

Sebastian didn’t break his stride, walking straight to the passenger-side door and opening it.

"It’s completely dark out, and you already took a fall at my place. You and your sister are both masters of the shakedown. If anything happens to you on your way home, I’m afraid your sister will use it to extort me."

Cecilia: "..."

’He made them sound like a pair of gangster sisters.’

’In all these years, the only time they’d ever plotted against him was at that one welcome banquet.’ 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Seeing that she wasn’t moving, Sebastian spoke in a deep, commanding voice.

"Come here."

Cecilia pressed her lips together and had no choice but to walk over.

Sebastian was standing by the passenger door. As Cecilia got into the car, her mouth moved faster than her brain.

"You were perfectly willing to be taken advantage of, weren’t you?"

’It was because he was willing that her sister had been so sure Sebastian would show up.’

Sebastian didn’t answer, merely fixing his deep, intense gaze on her.

His stare made Cecilia extremely uncomfortable. She pulled the car door shut and looked away, doing her best to avoid his gaze.

’Unrequited love is so tragic.’

’He knew her sister had no feelings for him, yet he still willingly let himself be used.’