Chapter 51

SYBIL didn’t join the Whitewoods for breakfast. Chase couldn’t join as well anyway because he had to go to work early that morning. Joining his family without him was like walking into the lion’s den, and she wasn’t sure if she would come out alive.
“Here is the full American breakfast you requested, My Lady.” The servant smiled at her after putting her plate down.
“Thank you so much, Agatha.”
“And your smoothie is being prepared.”
“No problem. I can wait.”
Sybil closed her eyes for a moment and sniffed the aroma of her breakfast meal. She missed that so suddenly, that was why she couldn’t stop herself and finally made a request. Perhaps she should visit Mrs. Collin’s diner as soon as she got home. When would that be? She didn’t know. But somehow, Sybil could feel that her stay in the Whitewood’s estate would take long.
She started eating her meal in peace as she admired the beautiful scenery of the garden. It was her favorite place, and talking to the flowers there was her new-found hobby. However, in the middle of her meal, her phone rang.
Sybil abruptly stood up upon seeing Sonja’s name on the screen. It had been a while since she had last heard from her.
“Sonja, what happened? I’ve been waiting for—”
“I should be asking you the same question,” Sonja said, cutting her off. “What happened while I was away, Sybil? Where the hell are you now?”
“A-are you finally back in Tennessee?” She swallowed hard.
Sybil wanted to tell her everything, but she couldn’t find the right words to say at that moment. Explaining and bargaining with Sonja would talk very, very long, and talking over the phone wasn’t the best choice.
“I came home to check on you. Unfortunately, you weren’t home. The neighbors said it had been a while since they last saw you. I only heard from the Petersons that…” Sonja paused and heaved a deep sigh. “You left with Ace. Really, Sybil? You left home just to be with someone you barely know—”
“I barely know everyone,” she countered. “I don’t even know who I really am….” She said the last words almost in a whisper.
She heard Sonja scoff.
“That is the very reason why I’m protecting you—”
“You don’t have to protect me.” She bit her lower lip. “I’m old enough to take care of myself. Thanks for the concern anyway.”
“I don’t like how you sound right now,” Sonja said firmly. “Come on, tell me if you’re holding a grudge against me.”
“There is something I want to talk about, but then you and I should settle that once we meet again.”
“That could have been settled now, but you are not home, Sybil.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Cynthia walking toward her.
“I need to hang up. I will tell you once I’m about to go home. Or should I just come to your mother’s place?”
“No need. I will go home as well.”
The call ended.
Sybil pocketed her phone immediately and sauntered back to the table to finish her breakfast. After a few moments, Chase’s mother sat on the chair across from her.
“You miss home, don’t you?” Cynthia said, staring at her almost empty plate. “I heard from the kitchen staff that you requested the breakfast you like.”
She met Cynthia’s gaze when she raised her head to look at her.
“It’s just that I suddenly had the craving.” She wouldn’t tell her the truth. Despite knowing that she was likely to be kicked out, she wanted to spend more time with Chase so that she would make the most of it.
The servant arrived at the garden with her smoothie.
“Would you like some coffee, madam?” the servant asked Chase’s mother afterward.
“No, thanks.”
The servant left immediately.
Sybil took a sip of her smoothie awkwardly. She could’ve enjoyed it if only she weren’t being watched by someone like Cynthia. Suddenly, her appetite was gone. She could only finish half of her smoothie.
“Is there something you—”
“You said you would paint a portrait of me. Why don’t we do it now?”
“Oh. Yeah.” She rose from her seat. “I will go get the materials then.”
“Let’s do it here in the garden. The flowers are in full bloom. It will make a perfect background. What do you think?”
“Yes. It’s a good idea.”
She strode to the mansion and headed straight to the drawing room to get her materials. On her way back to the garden, she overheard Chase’s father’s voice inside the study room. From what she heard, it seemed that he was talking to someone on the phone. But what really caught her attention was the topic of the conversation. She heard it was about Chase and Prudence’s engagement.
Francis wanted it to be announced in public through papers and interviews. The Whitewood name was one of the prominent families, and everybody would be interested in gossiping about how it had been a roller coaster ride.
Sybil heaved a sigh and silently reprimanded herself for eavesdropping. But even before she could walk away from the study’s door, her canvas fell on the floor, making a noise. She was picking it up when she heard the hinges creak. Sybil immediately bit her lower lip upon seeing a pair of shoes emerging from the study. She was busted.
“What are you doing here?” Francis Whitewood’s baritone voice echoed in the hallway.
She let out a sigh as she straightened her back.
“I was just picking this up—”
“You were eavesdropping.” It was clearly a statement.
Sybil pressed her lips together. He knew what she was doing, whether she denied it because Francis would only believe in the things he wanted to believe in. That was the kind of person he was, according to her assessment. Sybil decided to walk away without a word, but he blocked her way.
“Are you really that dense, Sybil?” he asked with an arched brow. “I’m quite amazed that you’re still here despite knowing that my son is already engaged with someone else. Let me give you a piece of advice… This is not a fairytale with a happy-ever-after theme, Sybil. If I were you, I would open my eyes from your daydream and leave immediately—”
“Chase brought me here and asked me to stay, so I’m staying. I will only leave once he tells me to.”
She wanted to laugh triumphantly when she saw Francis’ eyes grow wider. He must be utterly shocked that she talked back. Sybil took that opportunity to walk away.