I Left With My Daughter

Cecilia gave Lyon no chance to argue.

She sent the auction house’s accountability letter, the insurance company’s estimated losses, and the restoration team’s written report straight to his email. She also copied the two Melville family Consiglieri in charge of finance and legal affairs. Each loss was documented clearly, like she was handling a business claim with no emotion.

Lyon glanced at the emails. His face darkened. “I said I’ll cover the costs. You didn’t need to send these to the family Consiglieri.”

“This is my project, not a training ground for your mistress.”

Cecilia looked at him. “You used the Melville name to boost her fame. When something goes wrong, it naturally has to follow the Melville family’s process.”

Lyon frowned and turned toward the small terrace to make a phone call.

Gianna lifted her head and looked at Cecilia. She had no fear or remorse on her face, only smugness.

“See?” Gianna said in a low voice. Her eyes shone with triumph. “All I need to do is say just one word, and Don Melville will take your firm and put it under my name. Everything you built, your connections, collectors, and reputation, is worth less to him than the dress I’m wearing tonight. Cecilia, you’re insane. You held Donna’s position for too long, and yet, in the end, you still lost.”

Cecilia looked at her arrogant, triumphant face and smiled.

“Yeah, I guess I lost my mind before. Since you know I’m insane, why do you challenge me like this?”

Cecilia raised her hand and slapped Gianna squarely in the face.

The sharp smack echoed through the lounge.

Gianna stumbled back. She covered her face and stared in shock. She clearly did not expect Cecilia to hit her.

At almost the same moment, Lyon finished his phone call and turned around.

He saw Cecilia’s hand strike Gianna, and then Gianna fell to the floor.

“Cecilia!”

Lyon’s expression darkened. He pushed Cecilia aside with all his strength and caught Gianna in his arms.

Cecilia was caught completely off guard. The force sent her stumbling backward. Her side hit the sharp corner of a display table. Pain shot through her waist, and cold sweat soaked her back instantly.

Lyon did not look at her pale, hurt face. He checked to see if Gianna was hurt.

Then, he looked up at Cecilia. His voice was icy and terrifying. “Cecilia, enough!”

Cecilia gripped the edge of the table and endured the pain. She said coldly, “Enough? You used my daughter’s trust fund to fill her gaps. You used my preview to prop her up. You covered for her on my own project. Lyon, do you know what you look like right now? You look like a dog on a leash being led around by Gianna!”

Lyon’s chest heaved with rage. He swung and slapped Cecilia hard across the face.

“Don’t cross the line!”

After that, he pulled Gianna close and walked out in long strides.

Cecilia pressed her hand to her face. The burning pain grew stronger. She suddenly laughed.

She laughed bitterly at herself for being so naive and for ever believing this man’s promises.

She laughed at herself for acting like a madwoman all those years, just to repay a favor.

Some time later, the phone rang, breaking the silence. It was Margaret.

Cecilia took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound normal. “Madre.”

“Cecilia,” Margaret said apologetically, “the paperwork will be fully completed in five days. You can rest assured. I know Lyon betrayed you. The assets that belong to you have already been sorted out by the lawyers. I’ll never let you or Isabella lose anything.”

“Thank you.”

“There’s one more thing,” Margaret continued after a pause. “In a few days, there’ll be a memorial mass for the old Don. By family tradition, there’ll also be an afternoon luncheon. The old Don liked you very much while he was alive. Would you help me one last time and make sure both the mass and the luncheon are organized properly?”

Cecilia was silent for a few seconds. The old Don had indeed treated her kindly. This would be her final farewell to the family.

“All right. I’ll take care of everything.”