Chapter 678 Striving for a Deal for Oneself
Cecilia woke up to find it was already 8 PM.
She admitted that it was hunger that woke her up.
What she didn't expect was that she had fallen asleep so easily.
Should she admire her own strong psychological resilience?
She quickly freshened up, and when she opened the door, she saw Augustus respectfully waiting at the door, with a servant standing beside him.
The servant, seeing Cecilia awake, quickly and respectfully said, "Ms. Lockhart, Mr. Hotchner instructed that if you wake up, you should join him for dinner."
Cecilia nodded. The servant led the way.
"What's your name?" Cecilia asked the servant.
"You can call me Thalia."
"Thalia."
"Yes, Ms. Lockhart."
"How long have you been working here?" Cecilia asked, as if making casual conversation.
"I've been here since I was a child," Thalia Penrose replied, "I used to serve Mrs. Hotchner, but later Mr. Hotchner brought me here."
"Okay," Cecilia responded.
She thought that someone like Gideon would always place his most trusted people around her, and sure enough, he did.
Of course, she didn't have any other thoughts. She just liked to think things through.
Cecilia followed the servant into Gideon's mansion.
Gideon's mansion was slightly larger than hers, with a more expansive view. The decor and furnishings were different, giving it a more masculine feel.
But ultimately, the entire mansion gave off a strong sense of history, as if it had been left by ancient people and only repaired and cleaned by later generations.
"You really can sleep." Gideon said lightly as he saw Cecilia appear.
Cecilia chuckled, "I didn't know Mr. Hotchner was waiting for me to have dinner. My apologies."
"You're pregnant, it's understandable. Sit." Gideon invited Cecilia to sit down.
Cecilia sat at the dining table.
The servant opened the already prepared dinner.
They began to eat, with others standing behind them, including Augustus.
"Not knowing what you like, I had the servants prepare a variety of dishes, all avoiding foods that pregnant women shouldn't eat. You can eat with peace of mind." Gideon said.
"Thank you, Mr. Hotchner." Gideon nodded slightly.
They didn't say much more.
After dinner, Gideon led Cecilia to the living room and turned on the TV, "Watch whatever you like."
Cecilia took the remote and switched to her favorite entertainment program.
Gideon sat on the sofa beside her, accompanying her to watch the show.
Cecilia actually didn't know what Gideon's purpose was.
But she was very clear that Gideon didn't intend to let her leave at this moment. Otherwise, she remembered that there was also a TV in the small courtyard where she lived, and she could have gone back to watch it.
"Mr. Hotchner, are you busy?" Cecilia took the initiative to speak.
Since Gideon didn't want her to return to her room so early, she didn't want to miss the opportunity.
"Not busy." Gideon replied directly.
"I have something I want to talk to you about."
"Go ahead."
"I am very clear about my situation. I know my life is in Alaric's hands." Cecilia said bluntly.
Gideon seemed to smile. He found Cecilia to be even more calm than he had thought.
Tonight, Gideon had waited for her to have dinner as well.
He hadn't expected to wait until 8 PM.
Most people wouldn't be able to sleep so comfortably.
"In other words, if Alaric betrays you in any way, or even if he fails at something, I will die with him."
"Yes," Gideon nodded, giving her a definite reply.
"So, I want to ask you, Mr. Hotchner, can my existence be independent of Alaric's?" Cecilia said directly.
Gideon's brow furrowed, "You can be more straightforward."
"You use me to control Alaric, but if something happens to Alaric, you let me go." Cecilia didn't mince words.
Gideon chuckled, clearly somewahat disdainful of her request.
He asked, "Do you distrust Alaric that much? Or do you think Alaric will eventually betray me?"
Cecilia shook her head, "I don't know the matters between Alaric and you, and the Monroe family. Alaric hasn't told me much, only that he has many dilemmas. As for whether Alaric will betray you, that's Alaric's business. Even if I say he never will, Mr. Hotchner, you wouldn't necessarily believe me. If you did, I wouldn't be here at The Hotchner Mansion."
Gideon didn't speak, naturally agreeing with Cecilia's statement.
"My concern is, if Alaric isn't capable enough and dies at the hands of the Monroe family, will I die with him?" Cecilia asked Gideon.
Gideon was clearly taken aback by Cecilia's question, so he paused for a second.
Cecilia understand it as his tacit agreement, so she said, "So I'm thinking, is there any way I can get you to let me go?"
Gideon stared at Cecilia, scrutinizing her.
At this point, she could still think so much.
She wasn't just calm and composed; she was also very smart.
He said, "I always thought you and Alaric had a good relationship."
He hadn't expected Cecilia to have such doubts about Alaric.
"My relationship with him is really good," Cecilia admitted. "But no relationship can withstand all tests. Mr. Hotchner, you might have heard that I used to have a good relationship with Dominic."
Gideon nodded slightly.
"So, no one will truly love someone unconditionally for a lifetime. It's just that their interests align. Once interests conflict, any relationship can break. Alaric and I will eventually face that too."
Gideon didn't express his opinion.
He never easily revealed his emotions.
Cecilia said, "Rather than waiting to be hurt by Alaric, it's better to think ahead about what I really want and how to protect myself!"
"I'll consider it." Gideon said directly.
He could consider Cecilia's proposal.
"Mr. Hotchner, I'll wait for your response." Cecilia smiled.
She wore a grateful smile.
Gideon certainly wouldn't change his mind because of her gratitude.
He would only weigh Cecilia's value.
What value did Cecilia have that he could repeatedly use?
"It's getting late, Mr. Hotchner. I'll go back to my room to rest. After all, I'm pregnant and need more sleep." Cecilia stood up.
Gideon nodded slightly.
Cecilia left Gideon's sight.
She returned to her room with Augustus, and the smile on her face gradually faded.
She actually thought very clearly.
Regarding Alaric, she hadn't lost hope.
But she felt she should rely on herself to gain more chances to live.
As for Alaric, she told herself she still trusted him and wouldn't give up on him.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
