Chapter 10
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have successfully landed at Silver Frost Capital International Airport. Thank you for flying with us. We hope to see you again on your next journey!"
The flight attendant's practiced announcement filled the cabin. Cecily's eyes fluttered open, and she pushed aside the blanket, then slowly turned to look out the window.
Five years had passed, and yet here she was, back in this place.
In the terminal, Cecily cut a striking figure in a deep coffee-colored trench coat. Her raven hair cascaded down her silhouette, accentuated by a pair of black heels. With one hand pulling her suitcase and the other tucked in her coat pocket, she strode purposefully forward.
Her refined and elegant demeanor inevitably drew the attention of many bystanders.
Aurelie, having waited for some time, took off her sunglasses. A smile was brightening her rouged lips as she walked up to Cecily and shared a knowing smile with her.
Aurelie stepped forward and enveloped Cecily in a hug, "Cecily, welcome back."
"Miss me?"
"Of course, but it's a pity Griffin couldn't come back with you. I've missed that little guy."
Cecily’s gaze darkened briefly, "Once things are settled here, we'll bring Griffin over."
"Alright, let's go. I've got your house all arranged. Do you want to stop by Star Rise Group first?"
Star Rise Group was the perfume company her mother left her before disappearing.
She left it in Aurelie's care over the years.
Cecily shook her head slightly, "There's no rush; let's grab some lunch first."
"Aren't you curious about how Star Rise Group, your own company, has been doing?"
Cecily flashed a smile, "I trust you with it."
Arm in arm, Aurelie laughed, "I haven't done much really; it's all due to your nose. Those new perfume lines you've launched in recent years have been bestsellers. Lots of major companies want to partner with us now. Everyone's so curious about the master perfumer at Star Rise Group. Are you sure you don’t want to reveal yourself?"
Aurelie looked at Cecily with a questioning gaze in her eyes.
Cecily's finely arched eyebrows twitched slightly, a hint of bitterness shadowing her gaze.
"Aurelie, you know what I've been through, and the kind of people the Watson family are; it's just not the right time yet."
"The year they smeared you with plagiarism accusations..." Aurelie began, but knowing this was a painful topic for Cecily, she immediately stopped. She hated how much her best friend had to suffer.
If the Watsons found out that Cecily owned such a successful company, they would undoubtedly plot to take it from her, especially her sister.
Aurelie looked at Cecily with sympathy. Noticing her friend's lowered spirits, she quickly shifted the conversation. "Let's not talk about this now; come on, let's go. I've got us a reservation at Dragon's Wok Restaurant... What's wrong?"
She followed Cecily's gaze to a spot nearby.
There stood a man in a bespoke black suit, tall and lean, his icy stare fixed intently on Cecily.
His brows were sharp like swords; his nose was prominent, and his thin lips were slightly pursed with a hint of a smile, making him look cold and dangerous.
No one else fit this description better than Darian.
Aurelie crossed her arms and scoffed, "Just our luck."
Cecily's eyes flickered, and the corners of her lips turned up in a smile, seeming as cold as it was bitter.
Indeed, being targeted by Darian meant escape was futile with his influence.
Even if she had boarded a flight to Mamary last night, she probably would not have made it past the airport.
The reason she returned to the country smoothly was that he knew of her return, and thus he realized she couldn't escape his grasp, so he let her come back.
He was indulging in the thrill of the hunt, slowly cornering his prey.
But now, Cecily was undaunted and unafraid.
If he wanted to play, she was ready.
Darian's cold gaze stayed locked on her, filled with warnings and threats. Then, a woman approached his side, her slender arm linking with his.
Ophelia, dressed in the latest Chanel dress, turned towards Darian with a soft smile. Her red lips were slightly upturned, and her eyes were sparkling with interest. "Darian, what are you looking at?"
Following Darian's gaze, Ophelia caught sight of the very person she hoped to avoid - Cecily!
Ophelia's expression stiffened, and her complexion turned sour, "Isn't that... Miss Cecily? Didn’t she run off last night, Darian..."
Darian cast another cold glance at Cecily, stating flatly, "She can't run away."
Hearing this, Ophelia smirked mockingly at Cecily.
Darian's eyes swept to the side. "Where's Rowan?"
"He just went to the restroom... Look, isn't that him coming back?"
The small figure returned to Darian's side, led by a bodyguard, his young face set in a cool, indifferent expression.
Darian glanced at Rowan, then dismissively at Cecily.
Rowan’s eyes instantly lit up when he saw Cecily.
It was his mom.
Blinking, he remembered the phone call with Griffin before coming back to Silver Frost Capital. Griffin had told him mom was back in town too.
So, seeing Cecily wasn’t a surprise to him.
Rowan glanced at his dad and the nasty woman beside him; his little fists then clenched tightly. He was determined to protect his mom; he wouldn't let them bully her.
"Let's go," Darian said emotionlessly.
Rowan pulled his gaze away and followed Darian.
Cecily's usually icy eyes paused.
She had just seen Darian holding a child's hand.
From a distance, she caught a glimpse of the kid for only a second before the figure was obscured. When she looked again, they were gone.
But in that brief moment, Cecily had also seen the child's face.
Griffin?!
Cecily's heart skipped a beat in panic.
But Griffin was supposed to be safe in Thornfield.
Overwhelmed, Cecily hurriedly chased after the figure, eager to get to the bottom of things.
Aurelie, taken aback by Cecily's reaction, reached out and clutched her tightly, a wave of concern washing over her face.
"Cecily, what's the matter?"
"I saw Griffin with Darian."
"What?"
Aurelie's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way, Griffin's in Thornfield. You might've mistaken someone else in the crowd. Plus, Darian already has a son; you must be confused."
It was common knowledge that Darian had a son, though his mother's identity remained a mystery. The Fitzgerald family kept his son well-protected, keeping him away from the media spotlight.
"No, I'd know Griffin's face anywhere, just now..."
Cecily's mind was in turmoil, haunted by images of Griffin being whisked away by Darian.
Then, collecting herself, she remembered to call Griffin's cell.
Before she could dial, Blaise's call came through.
Without hesitation, Cecily answered, "Hey, Blaise, is Griffin with you?"
"No, he isn't. What's up?"
Clenching her phone tighter, her anxiety grew, "Where is he then?"
"I'm out; he should be at home. Why are you freaking out? You think I'd do something to your son?"
Cecily didn't have time to explain further, she hung up and immediately tried calling Griffin.
Griffin had a smartwatch and usually answered calls right away.
But after a long wait, there was no answer.
She tried twice more, to no avail.
Cecily was completely in distress.
If Darian took Griffin away, she'd fight with everything she had to take him back.
"Any luck? Still no answer?" Aurelie's anxiety mounted as well.
Cecily shook her head.
Aurelie squeezed Cecily 's hand. "Don't panic, if he really took Griffin, we'll call the cops."
Cecily handed her luggage over to Aurelie. "You call them."
"Where are you headed?"
"Griffin is my life; I can't let Darian get his hands on him." Cecily's eyes were resolute as she dashed off in the direction Darian had left.
Frantic, Aurelie whipped out her cell phone to dial 911. "Hello, I need to report a kidnapping. My friend’s child has been taken..."
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