Chapter 144: Chapter 144: She Seems to Have No Heart

Jasmine Vance saw that she had almost shoved Cecilia Croft aside and realized she’d used too much force.

But when Sebastian Hawthorne quickly wrapped his arm around Cecilia, Jasmine secretly sighed in relief. A flash of triumph crossed her eyes as she smiled at Cecilia Croft.

’How could this not be a blessing in disguise?’

After wrapping his arm around Cecilia Croft, Sebastian Hawthorne shifted to one side, making room for her to sit down.

Jade Golding’s question was completely lost amidst this series of small incidents.

No one noticed her question.

When Wendy Rhodes saw how attentive Sebastian Hawthorne was to Cecilia Croft, a flash of jealousy crossed her eyes.

She wanted to walk over, but there was no longer any room for her. She could only return to her seat, fuming.

Giselle Grant took everything in, including the fleeting cold glint in Jade Golding’s eyes. She curved her lips into a slight smile and brought up another topic.

Finn Vance chatted with Giselle Grant like a gentleman, and the atmosphere quickly became lively again.

The engagement party was starting, and the Quillan Family sent someone to the backyard to invite them.

At that moment, Wendy Rhodes got up from her seat, ignored the group of girls behind her, and walked straight over to tell them to go to the front hall.

At this, Jasmine Vance let go of Cecilia Croft’s hand and dutifully returned to her brother’s side, linking her arm through his.

Finn Vance laughed, exasperated.

As Cecilia Croft tried to stand up, she noticed that Sebastian Hawthorne was sitting on the hem of her dress.

She wouldn’t be able to get up unless he stood first.

However, the man beside her was still on the phone.

He clearly had no intention of getting up.

Seeing this, Cecilia Croft could only lean her head closer and remind him in a low voice.

"Sebastian, you’re sitting on my dress."

Only then did Sebastian Hawthorne glance down. He then stood up and naturally extended his open hand to Cecilia Croft.

Cecilia Croft stared at the palm in front of her, stunned for a moment, but placed her hand on it anyway.

The man’s broad, warm palm immediately enveloped her hand, pulling her to her feet and leading her out of the backyard.

He was still holding his phone, the call not yet over, his voice low and serious.

"Grandfather, I’ll make my own decisions about my own affairs."

Led by the hand, Cecilia Croft had no choice but to keep up with his pace.

The people around them just watched, wide-eyed, as Sebastian Hawthorne led Cecilia Croft by the hand toward the front hall.

Judging by his attitude, it didn’t seem at all like he was just looking after Cecilia Croft as a favor to an old classmate.

It seemed more like an instinctual act.

Wendy Rhodes gritted her teeth. ’Cecilia Croft is so scheming!’

’Everyone knows that when someone’s on the phone, they’ll instinctively take anything that’s handed to them.’

’Cecilia Croft must have seen that Sebastian was on the phone and decided to take advantage of the opening.’

Wendy Rhodes stomped her foot, turned to Jade Golding, and said in frustration.

"Cousin, look at her! Why didn’t you do anything? You’re the one who’s supposed to..."

A sharp glint entered Jade Golding’s eyes, and she cut her off. "Let’s go over as well."

She gave Wendy Rhodes no chance to finish her sentence and took Giselle Grant’s arm.

Seeing Jade’s displeased expression, Giselle Grant could only think to herself, ’Wendy Rhodes truly is an absolute fool.’

’The marriage between the Golding and Hawthorne Families isn’t even official yet. It’s one thing to discuss it in private, but to blurt it out in front of everyone... Isn’t she afraid Sebastian Hawthorne will deny it on the spot, leaving Jade Golding completely humiliated?’

Wendy Rhodes followed behind Jade Golding, feeling utterly stifled. There was nothing she could do but swallow her frustration.

When Cecilia Croft entered the front hall, she saw Ruby Croft walking in through the doorway, chatting with a well-known female entrepreneur.

They were both wearing business suits, likely having just come straight from their companies.

The other woman looked at Ruby Croft with an appreciative gaze, nodding frequently in agreement.

Cecilia Croft watched from a distance, not wanting to interrupt. However, Ruby Croft noticed her first and gave her a slight smile.

Her expression was natural, and the emotion in her eyes was no different from usual.

She didn’t seem the least bit affected by the fact that today was Ash Quillan and Minnie Rhodes’s engagement party. It was as if she were just attending a routine social engagement.

Cecilia Croft felt a little relieved.

Just then, Minnie Rhodes, arm in arm with Ash Quillan, walked toward Ruby Croft.

Cecilia Croft’s hands immediately balled into tense fists.

Sebastian Hawthorne sensed the shift in her emotions. Coupled with the growing noise around them, he said a quick word to his grandfather and ended the call.

He glanced down at her, saw that her gaze was fixed in Ruby Croft’s direction, and said lightly.

"A scene like this is nothing for your sister. She’s a lot sharper than you are."

Although he said that, he still led Cecilia Croft by the hand toward Ruby Croft.

Minnie Rhodes stood before Ruby Croft, still holding Ash Quillan’s arm. Her face beamed with a happy smile, and her voice was soft and sickeningly sweet.

"Ruby, I was just looking all over for you. I didn’t see you, so I thought you weren’t coming."

Ruby Croft’s expression was neutral, her smile polite yet distant.

"It’s your engagement. How could I not come? Congratulations on your engagement. I wish you happiness."

Hearing this, Minnie Rhodes’s eyes reddened slightly. She let go of Ash Quillan’s arm and reached for Ruby Croft’s hand.

"Ruby, thank you for coming to my engagement to Ash. Your blessing truly means a lot to me."

Ruby Croft discreetly pulled her hand from Minnie Rhodes’s grasp and said flatly.

"The ceremony is about to begin. You two must be busy, don’t mind me."

Minnie Rhodes didn’t seem embarrassed at all. She naturally drew her hand back and took Ash Quillan’s arm again.

"Actually, most of the entrepreneurs in Karthus are here today. Feel free to network. If there’s anyone you need me or Ash to introduce you to, don’t hesitate to ask."

"If it can help the Croft Group, I’d be happy to help."

Ruby Croft nodded slightly, looking at her.

"That won’t be necessary. Old Master Quillan has already helped the Croft Group a great deal. The Croft family’s crisis is now resolved, so I won’t trouble you two."

Minnie Rhodes’s lips twitched, her smile becoming slightly strained.

Ash Quillan’s gaze fell on Ruby Croft’s face. Seeing her beautiful eyes filled with indifference and distance, without a trace of sadness or grief, a flicker of inexplicable irritation flashed in his own eyes.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.

’She’d already readily accepted the "breakup fee" the Quillan Family gave her, making no fuss at all. Most people in their circle didn’t even know they had been secretly dating for five years.’

’He was the one who broke up with her. If he said anything now, he’d lose face.’ So, he suppressed the strange surge of resentment and said in a calm, low voice.

"Then do as you please."

Ruby Croft nodded politely. "Alright. Congratulations."

Her "Congratulations" made Ash Quillan’s eyes instantly turn cold, the composure he was maintaining nearly shattering.

’All these years, she’d always been so cold and distant, as if she’d never loved him. Even when his grandfather brought him to her door to talk about breaking up, her agreement had been swift and decisive.’

’It was as if she had no heart.’