Chapter 45 One Treatment, Three Hundred Million
"Hmm," was all Darian muttered.
Larkin then turned to Cecily, "Miss Cecily, I've bought two breakfasts, one's for you."
Cecily didn't know quite what face to make at Larkin's work ethic.
It became clear why anyone who managed to stay by Darian's side was sharp as a tack. Not only punctual but also thoroughly considerate.
But still...
Since when had she agreed to let Darian freshen up, change, and have breakfast at her place?
Darian was already standing and looking at Cecily. "Mind if I use your bathroom?"
Cecily looked at Larkin who had come fully prepared for Darian. What could she say?
"Would it matter if I did?"
Darian gave a nod, "Good to know you don't."
Cecily’s fists were clenched tight. Why couldn't guys ever understand plain English?
Darian effortlessly located the bathroom, following the direction from which Cecily had come.
A few minutes after Darian entered, something struck Cecily. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she rushed in, only to find Darian with his shirt off.
Beneath the bright bathroom lights, the man's tanned skin glowed. His muscular form stood tall and firm, with every muscle sculpted to perfection, exuding a potent masculine charm.
Darian, eyebrows knitted in confusion, squinted at Cecily's sudden intrusion. "Cecily? What's with the weird hobby?"
Embarrassed, Cecily immediately covered her eyes and turned beet red, "I'm sorry."
Fumbling, she reached for a towel and quickly covered up the underwear she had discarded in the basket the night before.
Darian gave her a brief glance. A flicker of understanding flashed in his eyes, yet his expression remained unaffected.
"Why so anxious?"
His voice came from behind her at the very moment Cecily felt truly mortified. As she spun around, her forehead unexpectedly collided with Darian's broad chest.
Startled, she stepped back only to slip.
Darian swiftly caught her waist with his hand.
The instant his hand touched her, Cecily tensed up. She pushed him away, retreating several steps to put distance between them.
Darian, observing her guarded posture, frowned. "Are you really that afraid of me?"
Cecily's face paused. Her other hand instinctively guarded her waist, then she quickly let go as she defensively retorted, "Do you think you're not intimidating?"
His frown deepened. "I'm not a monster."
"You're scarier than a monster."
Darian was speechless.
Cecily picked up her basket, brushed past Darian, and made a beeline for the door.
As he watched her leave, Darian felt an even deeper sulk settle in.
What was so frightening about him?
Ridiculous!
Cecily left the basket on the porch. She then glanced at the time; Griffin would usually be up by six.
It was now half-past five.
Last night, Cecily tidied away all of Griffin’s things from around the house, so the only traces of life Darian could see were hers and hers alone.
When Cecily stepped into the dining room, Larkin had thoughtfully set up the breakfast he'd brought over. "Miss Cecily, please have some breakfast."
She arched an eyebrow, "You go ahead; I'm not hungry."
"I've already eaten, Miss Cecily," Larkin insisted, "I bought this especially for you. It's wasteful not to eat it, or would you like to wait and have it with Mr. Fitzgerald."
"Who says I want to eat with him?!" Cecily pulled out a chair, plopped down, and began to devour the bowl of oatmeal before her.
Larkin could only manage a helpless half-smile.
Mr. Fitzgerald was seemingly less welcome than a cold draft.
She claimed she had no appetite, but the mere mention of him joining her for breakfast seemed to revive it.
Before long, Darian emerged from the bathroom, fastidiously adjusting his immaculate shirt.
His entire manner exuding innate confidence and aristocracy.
Cecily didn't spare him a glance as she quickly finished her oatmeal. Just as Darian took his seat, she promptly stood up.
His brow knitted tightly, "Do you really dislike me that much?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"If you dislike me so, why save me last night?"
"Because having you die in my house would mean I'd have to move. Not worth it."
Larkin's heart skipped a beat at her frank remark.
Darian was so infuriated he nearly flipped the table.
This woman had a remarkable knack for getting under his skin.
Cecily lifted her wrist and checked her watch, "It's five-forty now. You have until five-fifty to clear out."
"Ten minutes is hardly enough time to finish."
"That's your call," Cecily said, arms folded across her chest. "If you take more than a minute, it's a million dollars a minute. Your move."
Darian's expression grew even sharper. "Larkin."
The man who had hoped to be invisible, Larkin, stepped forward nervously, "Mr. Fitzgerald?"
"Give her ten million!"
A sharp twitch crossed Cecily’s brow.
Larkin glanced at their expressions and replied, "Yes."
Larkin pulled out a check and a pen, handing them to Darian, who didn't hesitate to sign for ten million and laid it on the table.
Cecily just wanted him gone. Griffin had to get up at six and be at school by seven. If there was any noise in the room, she feared he would become suspicious. She never expected him to actually give her the money.
"I'll give you anything, can I stay now?"
Cecily raised an eyebrow, pulled up a chair, sat down, and tucked the check into her pocket.
She casually took out her phone and sent a message to Griffin, telling him to stay in bed a little longer.
After finishing, Cecily said comfortably, "Fine, have a seat."
Ten million for ten minutes? If he could afford it, she would accept it.
Darian watched Cecily set a twenty-minute countdown, and he seethed with frustration.
Without touching his food, Darian locked eyes with her and said slowly, "Keep treating me."
Cecily’s eyebrows twitched. If she continued his treatment, she could visit the Fitzgerald family home and see that child.
Cecily was about to reply.
Reading her thoughts, Darian said plainly, "I'll come to you."
The expression on Cecily’s face shifted slightly, and she smiled slyly, "Sure, a million a minute, just like last night. For five hours, that's three hundred million."
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