Chapter 612 A Precious Meeting Gift
Cecilia stared at the bracelet in Francis's hand, feeling a bit lost.
It was such a valuable item, she had no idea how to accept it.
If it were from Alaric, it would be fine.
But from Francis? Could she really take it?
"Do you think it's too plain?" Francis looked a bit hurt.
"No, it's just... it's too precious. I mean, it was Mrs. Whitaker's before she passed away, and I..." Cecilia was torn. She didn't know how to refuse, or if she even should, but she was definitely moved.
In her past life, married to Dominic, she never felt any warmth from the Kingsley family; she was always in a miserable state.
In this life, married to Alaric, she felt the warmth and hospitality from the Whitaker family in Serenovia City, and now Francis was being so kind to her.
She was really overwhelmed.
"It's because it's precious that I'm giving it to you," Francis said, taking Cecilia's hand and fastening the bracelet onto her wrist. As the cool, delicate touch settled against her skin, Cecilia felt an unexpected urge to cry for just a second.
It was like she felt an inexplicable emotion.
As if she sensed the warmth of the late Mrs. Whitaker.
"When my parents passed away, no one dared to go to the sea to retrieve their bodies. Later, Aunt Magnolia made a tombstone for them in a hidden place on this island. There are no bodies inside, but all their belongings were buried there. The only thing left was this bracelet. Alaric said it was to be kept for my future wife. Because this bracelet has been passed down through generations of the Whitaker Royal Family," Francis explained.
Hearing this, Cecilia hurriedly tried to return the bracelet to Francis.
Since it was meant for Francis's future wife, she definitely couldn't accept it.
"Don't give it back to me. I have my reasons for giving it to you. My girlfriend and I don't have any real feelings for each other; it's just a business arrangement. I can give her many valuable things. You should have noticed that I'm actually quite wealthy," Francis suddenly boasted.
Cecilia nodded.
She had to admit that Francis did look very wealthy.
"When the Whitaker Royal Family was massacred, my grandfather secretly took away many priceless antiques and gold bars. After several generations of development in various fields, it led to my current wealth," Francis said. "By the way, you probably don't know that half of the Whitaker family's wealth in Serenovia City belongs to Alaric."
Hearing this, Cecilia was surprised.
She really didn't know.
Wasn't Alaric just an adopted son of the Whitaker family?
"The Whitaker family didn't have this much wealth before. It was only after my parents sent Alaric there and secretly helped the Whitaker family that it developed to its current glory. You know Christopher and Jasper, right? Most of them are actually working for Alaric. Don't feel burdened; they are all willing. Without Alaric, the Whitaker family would have declined long ago," Francis said matter-of-factly.
Cecilia nodded and didn't doubt Francis.
After all, the Whitaker family's attitude towards Alaric showed their genuine acceptance of him.
Suddenly, Cecilia thought of Emily.
No wonder Emily was so fixated on Alaric; it turned out he wasn't their biological son."I seem to have gone off-topic again," Francis said, a bit annoyed, then continued, "My mom actually loved Alaric a lot. Even though he was distant for a while, since they didn't give him much affection, the only times they saw him were when he was sent for training. But I know my parents felt really guilty towards Alaric. My mom couldn't bear to watch his training, but every time he left, she would silently watch the boat carrying him for a long time. I'll never forget the image of my mom standing in the rain, looking at that boat, with sadness, pain, restraint, and silent compromise..."
Hearing this, Cecilia could totally imagine Mrs. Whitaker's feelings back then.
"Just take good care of the bracelet. My mom would definitely want to give it to the woman who truly loves me and Alaric," Francis concluded, not giving Cecilia a chance to refuse.
At this, Cecilia accepted it.
She decided to keep it for now, thinking that if Francis didn't want to pass it on to his future wife, she would eventually give it to his daughter or daughter-in-law. That way, it would remain a part of Francis's family for generations.
"By the way, do you have a girlfriend?" Cecilia couldn't help but ask.
But she had never seen him with one.
"Yeah, I do. At my age, why wouldn't I have a girlfriend?" Francis said with a straight face.
Cecilia smiled, feeling that talking with Francis was never awkward.
"I mean, I've never seen her. By the way, you're only 22?" Cecilia asked.
He was four years younger than Alaric, so that made sense. He was even a year younger than her.
"22 is still many years into adulthood! Didn't you marry Alaric when you were 22?" Francis retorted.
Alright.
Cecilia couldn't argue with him.
"As for my girlfriend, she doesn't come around often," Francis replied. "Our relationship is more about mutual benefits, and we don't have much emotional connection. When we're together, it's just to satisfy each other's physical needs..."
Hearing this, Cecilia choked on her saliva.
Did Francis always speak so directly?
"Sorry about that," Francis said with a bright smile. "I guess spending too much time with Cassius has rubbed off on me a bit."
Cecilia pursed her lips and said, "Go on."
"And she doesn't know about our complicated family situation yet, so I can't introduce her to you for now," Francis said frankly.
Cecilia responded, "No need; I was just asking casually."
"I didn't expect Alaric to come clean with you so quickly. I thought he would at least wait until the Whitaker Royal Family's plan was completed before telling you. After all, the process is quite bloody. Isn't Alaric afraid you won't be able to handle it? More importantly, what if you were a spy? Wouldn't the Whitaker Royal Family's efforts over the past century be ruined?" Francis said.
Hearing this, Cecilia felt a bit ashamed.
When she wanted to know who Alaric really was, she never thought he had such a significant background. At most, she thought he was from a noble family. She never imagined he was a descendant of the Whitaker Royal Family.
If she had known earlier, she wouldn't have pressured him.
She wondered how much Alaric trusted her to tell her all his secrets!
Yet she had been resentful because he was unwilling to reveal them.
In comparison, she felt she was really petty.
"It only shows that Alaric has fallen in love with you," Francis concluded on his own. "Anyway, what Alaric likes, I like too. What Alaric trusts, I trust too. So, Cecilia..."
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