Chapter 132 Out to Get You
Ophelia couldn't wait to call Elysia to join her in picking out a dress.
As soon as she hung up, Elysia threw her phone across the room in frustration.
"Damn it," Elysia hissed venomously. "She treats me like a servant, making me suffer while she reaps all the benefits. Wants me to go shopping with her? Dream on."
Liora hurriedly picked up the phone, looking at Elysia with a mix of concern and affection.
The events of the previous night had driven Elysia to a deep-seated hatred for Cecily and Ophelia.
"Elysia, don't be like this," Liora pleaded. "Our family business still relies on the support of Flores Group."
Raphael didn't really have a business sense. The Watson Family's ventures often depended on Flores Group, so they couldn't afford to upset Ophelia.
Even after what happened the night before, they had to repeat Ophelia's line, no matter how bitter it tasted.
"I just found out there's a party tonight, the kind of event the Watson family could never get you into. You really need to go with her, you know?"
Elysia glared at Liora, her eyes red with anger. "Am I just a tool for you? To be used one after another?"
"No, Elysia, mom's also thinking of your future," Liora tried to reason. "Think about it. If you attend such high-class events, the people you meet will be of an entirely different caliber. If Ophelia uses you, you have to make good use of her, understand?"
"Make good use of her?" Elysia bit her lower lip, a fierce look crossing her eyes. "Yeah, I have to make good use of her, too."
Cecily had spent an entire morning at the hospital and couldn't bear to stay there any longer. When she left the hospital, a white Audi pulled up in front of her.
The window rolled down, and Aurelie lowered her sunglasses, smiling warmly at Cecily, "Darling, I've come to pick you up myself."
Cecily opened the car door and got in, "I was just about to call a cab."
"How are you feeling? Are you any better?"
"I'm good, all spry and active again."
Aurelie took a turn, and the car smoothly drove away, "Then tell me, what happened last night that you ended up with a fever in the hospital, and the key point here is that Darian was with you?"
Cecily turned her head and propped her chin, eyeing Aurelie, "Why do I have the feeling that the main reason you came to pick me up is to fish for gossip?"
"Be confident and drop the 'feeling'," Aurelie responded.
Cecily was speechless for a moment, "..."
"Come on, spill the beans."
"It's a long story."
"Then give me the short version."
"I fainted, and Darian was nearby, so he took me to the hospital."
"That's it?" Aurelie couldn't quite believe it. It seemed too coincidental that Darian was right there when Cecily passed out.
"What else would it be?"
"You're definitely hiding something from me. Spill it, or I'll annoy you until you do."
Unable to resist a laugh, Cecily finally caved in after Aurelie's persistent coaxing and explained what happened.
Aurelie's face showed complete surprise as she looked at Cecily, "Holy moly, what did I miss? You're lucky to be okay. I've been telling you that you can't go back to that house; it's full of people ready to plot against you."
Cecily corrected her, "That's not fair. Grandma's not like that."
Aurelie shook her head, speaking earnestly, "That's not necessarily true, dear. Haven't you noticed something very strange about Matilda? She watched Elysia grow up; how could she not know Elysia's true nature? And at her age, she's seen more of the world than we have—could she really not see through Elysia's little tricks?"
"Are you suggesting that Grandma knew all along, and despite that, she allowed it, silently approving?"
"That's my hunch. It's always easier to see things clearly from the outside looking in. I can't help but feel like Matilda might be helping Elysia against you. In that family, she could be the hidden mastermind, appearing caring but harboring hidden motives."
Cecily furrowed her brow lightly, thinking back on her family's history. She felt that Matilda was not that kind of person.
And why would she do such a thing, anyway?
Her mother's possessions had all been taken by Raphael when Cecily was too young to claim them, and there was nothing else they wanted from her now.
"Have you been watching too many TV dramas lately, thinking there’s some hidden big boss?" she teased.
Aurelie clicked her tongue twice, "I also hope I'm just overthinking."
After all, in that household, Matilda was the only person Cecily truly cared about, and she did not want Matilda to be like the rest of the Watson family.
"But Cecily, whether you trust Matilda or not, don't tell her your business, like about the child. It's always good to be cautious."
"I know, I get it," Cecily replied. She indeed had no intention of sharing such personal matters with that side of the family.
Cecily knew all too well that, good intentions aside, people can still have their biases.
"By the way, there's a cocktail party tomorrow night. Let's go together. Networking is essential since you’ve come back to run the company; you've got to get known," Aurelie suggested.
"Sure," Cecily agreed.
"How about we pick out a dress on the way now?"
Cecily glanced at her watch. She had a slew of things on her agenda today – she had to pick up Rowan from school at four thirty, at eight she had an appointment to treat Darian, and the company had a pile of work waiting.
Cecily held her face in her hands and sighed, "Let’s make it quick. I've got so much company work, and I've had to ask Aunt Mary to pick up Rowan."
"It'll be quick," Aurelie promised, taking the next turn towards the mall.
With a clear goal in mind, they headed straight to the designer dress section at the mall. Knowing Cecily was busy, Aurelie didn’t dally. Her practiced eye quickly scanned the dresses, selecting the right one for herself in no time.
Cecily chose a champagne-colored, off-the-shoulder dress. They made their selections and tried them on simultaneously.
Both women had an excellent eye for style, and with their natural beauty and figures, even simple dresses looked stunning on them.
Looking at themselves in the mirror, the sales associate behind them couldn't hide her amazement, "You both look beautiful, and these dresses are absolutely gorgeous on you."
Cecily and Aurelie exchanged a smile and immediately decided, "We'll take these."
After changing clothes and swiftly settling the bill, Ophelia and her friend Elysia passed by a boutique window and spotted Cecily and Aurelie shopping in the dress department. Ophelia raised an eyebrow in surprise; if they were shopping for dresses, it almost certainly meant they'd also be attending tomorrow night's party.
A smirk flickered across Ophelia's face. "Let's go in," she said, leading the way.
Elysia followed her into the shop; she had put on heavy makeup today to barely conceal the weariness on her face. Now seeing Cecily up close, she felt an overwhelming urge to lunge at her.
Cecily and Aurelie stepped out of the store just as Ophelia and Elysia reached the entrance. Ophelia, with a friendly smile plastered on her face as usual, greeted them, "Cecily, Aurelie, are you two picking out dresses?"
"In a dress shop, what do you think we'd be shopping for, pork chops?" Aurelie retorted irritably.
"I was just asking a question, Aurelie; no need for hostility," Ophelia replied, grinding her molars as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"I just casually asked, why is Miss Aurelie so on edge?"
"I always have this attitude towards bad women."
Ophelia gritted her teeth and struggled to maintain a smile on her face.
"And why are you fixating on Cecily? You've never seen a beautiful woman before?" Aurelie observed Elysia's glare toward Cecily, a look that was indeed quite unsettling.
Cecily, with a slight smile, said to Elysia, "You also seem to be in high spirits."
She knew Elysia despised her. Not only had Elysia's schemes backfired, but she had also suffered the consequences herself. How could she not harbor resentment?
What surprised her was that, after being the victim of Ophelia's plans last night, Elysia had managed to accompany Ophelia on a shopping trip today. That was something Cecily hadn't expected.
With a forced sneer, Elysia replied, "Thanks to my dear sister, I'm just splendid."
Cecily raised her eyebrows. "I can see that."
Elysia was fuming inside, her palms nearly bleeding from the pressure. Cecily's tone was clearly mocking her.
This wretch dared to laugh at her.
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