Chapter 285 You Will Definitely Die at Cecilia's Hands
Dominic forced himself to look away.
He thought, 'Compared to Lyra, Cecilia is worthless.
'I don't need to feel sorry.
'I'll never have any attachment to Cecilia.
'When I finally marry Lyra one day, Cecilia would know just how much I despise her.'
In the banquet hall, there were more and more people.
Cecilia kept greeting the guests coming and going.
After a while, Theodore returned with Alaric to Cecilia's side, accompanying her in greeting the guests.
Alaric whispered something in Cecilia's ear.
Alaric said he was going to the back garden to smoke.
But because of his intimate gesture, it made them look incredibly loving.
Alaric walked out to the back garden.
He paused slightly.
Cassius had followed him out.
Seeing the scene before him, he also paused.
"Dashiell, Seraphina really doesn't like you," Penelope said, somewhat agitated.
After all this time, she still couldn't accept the fact that he was married to Seraphina.
She knew Penelope couldn't influence Dashiell, but after just talking with Sebastian, she immediately went to find him.
She found him alone in the back garden, sitting in a wheelchair, looking distinctly lonely.
She thought, 'If Dashiell is so lonely, why wouldn't he let me keep him company?
'So what if he is disabled, I won't mind.
'I will still love him for a lifetime.'
"Even if Seraphina doesn't like me, I won't like you. Don't waste your time and youth on me; it's not worth it," Dashiell advised.
Although his voice was soft, his tone still carried a hint of impatience.
Dashiell was always impatient with her.
But with Seraphina, he was always unconditionally tolerant.
Penelope really didn't understand why Dashiell liked Seraphina so much. She really didn't know what made Seraphina better than her.
She thought, 'Is it just because Seraphina has a better figure?
'Is that so attractive to Dashiell?'
"For you, everything is worth it," Penelope said, somewhat collapsing.
Every time Dashiell rejected her, she actually felt devastated.
"I'd wait for you my whole life, single if need be, and I'd still be worth it! Someday, you'll break up with Seraphina. Someday, Seraphina will get fed up with you. Someday, she'll leave you! I'll be waiting for that day, even if it takes until I die!" Penelope declared with unwavering resolve.
Her determination was palpable.
Anyone else might have been moved a thousand times over.
Dashiell might have felt a pang of emotion, too.
But he wouldn't waver.
After all, he didn't love Penelope.
He'd either spend his life alone or be with the one he truly loved.
That was his principle.
A principle that not even Seraphina could change.
Penelope's heartfelt confession received no response.
Her eyes were red, filled with tears.
"I will never give up, Dashiell!" she declared, her voice breaking.
With those final words, she left, her eyes still brimming with tears.
It seemed she couldn't accept Dashiell's indifference towards her.
No matter what she did, he remained unmoved.
Yet, with just a look from Seraphina, he would abandon everything.
Penelope walked away from Alaric and Cassius, visibly wounded.
Cassius couldn't resist a jab. "If Penelope weren't Dominic's sister, if she weren't part of the Kingsley family, I'd say go for her. She's truly in love with you. Unlike Seraphina, that heartless little girl."
Dashiell didn't respond to Cassius.
Cassius, along with Alaric, then approached Dashiell.
Alaric naturally guided Dashiell to a more secluded corner of the garden.
He then laid out his plans. "I'm considering expanding into the Hotchner family."
"Why?" Cassius asked, stunned.
Dashiell was surprised too, but his expression was far more restrained compared to Cassius's.
"Cecilia suggested I pursue the Hotchner family route," Alaric said bluntly.
"Cecilia again!" Cassius couldn't help but gripe. "I knew one day you'd end up in trouble because of her."
"I think Cecilia's analysis makes a lot of sense," Alaric explained. "We've always suspected that Dominic has some hidden support. We never figured out who it was, but now it seems almost certain that it's the Monroe family."
"Just Cecilia's word?" Cassius asked skeptically.
"Cecilia knows a lot of things we don't, almost like she has a prophetic ability. And she wouldn't lie to me."
"Even if she did lie, you'd probably believe her anyway," Cassius shot back with his usual sarcasm.
Alaric gave Cassius a sharp glance.
Cassius had that familiar look of, "Did I say something wrong?"
"Since Dominic is already involved with the Monroe family, walking the same path won't guarantee success. It'd be tough to win. So, I've decided to take the shortcut through the Hotchner family," Alaric said firmly, addressing Cassius. "You should let your dad know."
Cassius nodded.
No matter how much he might complain, he'd end up going along with it in the end.
"Let's go." With that, Alaric turned and walked away.
Cassius watched him go, sensing that Alaric was in a hurry to meet Cecilia, as if he couldn't stand to be apart from her for even a second.
Turning back to Dashiell, Cassius asked, "Can you manage on your own?"
After all, it was better if their business stayed out of the public eye.
Dashiell nodded. "I'm fine."
"Then I'm heading in too," Cassius said before adding, "Honestly, Penelope would be a better match than Seraphina. You should think about it."
Dashiell smiled faintly.
He didn't answer Cassius, knowing that no matter what he said, it wouldn't change Cassius' mind.
Cassius knew he wouldn't be able to sway Dashiell. If he could, he would have done it centuries ago to make Dashiell stop loving Seraphina.
With a hint of resignation, Cassius left.
Dashiell stayed in the garden for a while longer before heading into the banquet hall.
He rarely attended such events before, and now with his leg injured, he was even less inclined to go.
But he still wheeled himself inside.
The banquet hall was bustling with activity.
"Dashiell." Atticus approached from a distance.
Dashiell offered a faint smile. "Dad."
"Where's Seraphina?" Atticus looked around, seemingly unable to spot her.
Dashiell shrugged. "I'm not sure. She might have gone off with Sebastian."
"I asked her to come with you, not to leave you behind."
"It's fine," Dashiell said with a casual smile. "I'm getting better. I can manage on my own."
"How's your health?" Atticus inquired with concern.
"The surface wounds have healed, and I've regained some feeling in my left leg. The right leg is slowly improving," Dashiell responded, always putting a positive spin on things.
Atticus sometimes felt a pang of sympathy for this son, who wasn't actually his by blood.
He thought the kid was just too passive. If he showed a little more initiative, Atticus would have handed over the House of Everhart Bank to him long ago.
"Good to hear," Atticus said, pausing before asking, "How's your mother doing?"
"She's doing well. Since she lives alone, she's been taking a few trips to clear her mind," Dashiell replied.
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