"Is this how badly you’ve been bullied?" Julian Keaton’s tone was harsh. "You ended up like this because of your own incompetence, failing to harm others!"

"I..."

"Eleanor," Julian’s voice squeezed out through clenched teeth, "If you dare to provoke Evelyn Morgan, or anyone around her again, I guarantee, no one else will need to deal with you. I, your brother, will take care of you myself!" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Someone around Evelyn?" Eleanor’s brow furrowed, "Cecilia Lynch?"

Eleanor suddenly realized, "Is it Cecilia who did this to me? Is that why you forbid me from investigating, from seeking revenge? Because you want to protect her, so you disregard my life?"

Seeing Julian’s livid face, Eleanor continued to shout, "Brother! Have you been bewitched by that cheap woman? She’s just a poor girl, and you already have a fiancée, yet you treat her so well? She just wants your money; I’ve seen women like that plenty. Give them money, and they’re all yours. How is that any different from those girls in the red light district? They’re all a bunch of bit..."

"Slap—"

Before Eleanor could finish her words, a slap landed on her face.

Eleanor was left stunned by the hit, her cheek burning painfully.

Seeing the cold, fierce aura rising from Julian, Eleanor trembled all over in fear.

Julian’s hands were clenched into fists, his face livid, his sharp gaze roaming over Eleanor’s face.

Julian parted his thin lips, speaking coldly and deliberately, "If I find out you bother Cece again, I have plenty of ways to make you regret it for life!"

Hearing Julian’s words, Eleanor’s face turned pale with fright, the crimson mark from the slap even more glaring.

"The driver’s outside waiting. Go home and deal with that filthy thing in your hand!" Julian’s tone was harsh. "Eleanor, you received a top-tier education from childhood, and yet you do such squalid things? I’m warning you, don’t embarrass The Keaton Family anymore!"

"Brother..."

"I gave up my interests and my loved one to protect that company. I don’t want to make money for someone like you to spend!"

With that, Julian turned and left in anger.

After leaving the restroom, Julian glanced around but couldn’t find any trace of Cecilia Lynch.

Did she leave?

Of course!

Seeing him, she would hide as quickly as possible!

She always wanted to sever ties with him!

The only one who couldn’t let go was him.

"Cece..." Julian’s voice was very soft, "I regret it... I don’t want to be strangers with you... Cece..."

His face was full of deep sorrow as he walked away, leaving behind a lonely silhouette.

After Julian and Eleanor both left, Cecilia Lynch, who had been hiding behind a large tree, finally emerged.

She covered her mouth, trying hard not to cry out loud.

She had heard everything Julian and Eleanor said earlier.

Including what Julian had said outside the restroom, Cecilia heard it all.

What to do?

She didn’t want to be strangers with him either!

She even... wanted to be the despised other woman, staying by his side, even if it meant only getting his occasional pity.

These thoughts flashed through her mind countless times a day, torturing her to the brink of madness.

But she couldn’t.

No matter how lowly she might be, she couldn’t drag Julian down with her.

He had to become a good husband, a good father, a good man, and couldn’t fall with her into degradation.

Cecilia took a deep breath, deciding not to linger, left the banquet, returned home, and hid away to cry her heart out in sorrow.