Chapter 675 No Choice
Alaric shot Gideon a frosty glare.
Gideon could feel the sudden chill in the air from Alaric's hostility.
The more Alaric acted like this, the better it was for Gideon.
At least now, Gideon had found Alaric's Achilles' heel.
Once Gideon had Cecilia, he'd have Alaric right where he wanted him.
"Alaric, I think you know what I'm getting at," Gideon said.
"I don't get it," Alaric snapped back. "Why drag Cecilia into this?"
Gideon smirked. "If you stay loyal, Cecilia will just be hanging out in Astralton City for a bit, like a little vacation. No harm done. The real trouble starts if you betray me."
Alaric's fists clenched tight.
His anger was so intense, his body started to shake.
"And remember, when Cecilia begged me to save you back then, I doubt she'll refuse to help me now," Gideon added smugly.
Alaric's face darkened.
"Take your time; think it over," Gideon said, not pushing for an immediate answer. "Tomorrow at 4 PM, I'm heading to Astralton City. You can find me before then."
Alaric's icy stare didn't waver.
Gideon, unfazed by Alaric's fury, said calmly, "It's late, and I'm beat. You should go."
Alaric's throat tightened.
He turned to leave.
"Alaric, before you decide, think about the fallout. You know I've got records of our dealings," Gideon said, glancing at the cameras around them. "If those records get out to the Monroe family, do you think you'll last in Astralton City?"
Alaric's voice was cold and harsh. "If you have these threats, why drag Cecilia into it?"
"Those threats only make you scared to betray me. Cecilia will make you genuinely help me," Gideon said, enunciating each word.
Alaric gritted his teeth and walked out.
Noble families were never kind.
Back in the car, Augustus saw Alaric's expression and stayed silent, driving him home.
At the Whitaker Villa, Alaric didn't get out of the car for a long time.
He lit a cigarette.
Then another.
The ground was littered with cigarette butts.
Finally, Augustus spoke up. "Mr. Whitaker, what happened?"
Alaric's eyes flickered.
He was in deep trouble.
"Mrs. Whitaker is probably still waiting for you. The lights are still on," Augustus reminded him.
He figured no matter how bad things were, Cecilia could comfort Alaric.
Alaric looked up at the large window, where a faint light shone.
Cecilia would definitely wait up for him.
Even if she hadn't called to check on him.
Alaric felt a pang in his chest.
He stubbed out his cigarette, opened the car door, and got out.
Augustus watched him go.
He rarely saw Alaric so rattled. No matter how bad things got, Alaric never seemed as shaken as he did tonight.
Alaric walked into the bedroom.
He pushed open the door, and sure enough, Cecilia was still awake.
She was sitting up in bed, reading a book.Alaric noticed it was a parenting book she was reading.
His heart felt like it had been hit again, stirring up emotions he couldn't quite name.
Seeing him return, Cecilia quickly closed the book, smiled, and got out of bed to meet him.
As she got closer, she caught a strong whiff of smoke.
She wrinkled her nose and asked, "Why'd you smoke so much? You know that's bad for you, right?"
Alaric seemed to snap back to reality.
He sniffed his clothes and quickly said, "I'll go take a shower."
Cecilia watched him walk away.
She knew something was wrong.
And it wasn't just a small problem.
Alaric never showed his emotions like this unless it was serious.
Cecilia waited for him on the bed.
When he came out, his hair was still wet.
She frowned. "Why didn't you dry your hair? The AC is on, you'll catch a cold."
Alaric quickly went back to the bathroom.
He seemed really out of it.
After drying his hair, he returned to bed.
Just as he was about to turn off the light, Cecilia grabbed his arm and asked, "What's going on?"
She didn't know if she could help, but she figured talking about it might make him feel better.
Alaric stayed silent.
"Alaric!" Cecilia was getting frustrated.
He looked at her but still didn't say anything.
"Did you cheat on me?" she asked bluntly.
"No!" Alaric denied immediately, looking a bit agitated.
"Then why do you look so miserable?" she pressed.
Alaric looked at her and said, "Maybe it's worse than cheating."
"Nothing's worse than cheating, Alaric," Cecilia said firmly. "To me, that's the worst thing, and it's something I could never forgive."
"I won't cheat," Alaric promised.
"Then tell me, what's the problem?" she insisted.
Alaric's throat tightened.
"Is it about me?" Cecilia asked.
If it wasn't, he wouldn't be acting like this in front of her.
She knew him too well; no matter how bad things got, he'd usually handle it alone.
Alaric nodded.
He knew Cecilia was smart.
She could figure out a lot on her own.
"What did Gideon say to you?" Cecilia was getting more agitated.
She could guess it was about her, but she couldn't guess what exactly.
Alaric pressed his lips together and said, "Gideon is using you to threaten me."
Cecilia's heart skipped a beat, and her pulse quickened.
Alaric could feel her tension.
She wasn't fearless; she just wanted to share his burden.
"I never wanted to involve you," Alaric said.
"Tell me," Cecilia said, looking him in the eye. "How is he threatening you?"
Alaric finally spoke, "Gideon wants to take you to Astralton City."
Cecilia just stared at him.
Alaric's eyes dropped.
The room fell silent.
Cecilia knew Gideon might use any means necessary, but she didn't expect this.
And she wasn't as selfless as she thought.
She knew she was rejecting, fearing, and refusing.
She didn't want to go to Astralton City with Gideon.
She knew too well what his intentions were.
It was very likely she wouldn't come back alive.
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