Chapter 172
If not, she would find another time to ask tomorrow.
“You’ve already sent Erma away. Wouldn’t I be disappointing you if I went to the office p>
Cedric’s gaze, filled with playful mockery, landed on her face.
His expression held a hint of amusement, as if he could see right through her little games of push-and-pull.
“When did I send Erma away?” Liliana’s delicate eyebrows furrowed.
Her clear, dark eyes reflected the man’s handsome, well-defined features.
Seeing her denial, Cedric didn’t press the issue. He simply said, “I’m not going to the office tomorrow, but I have online meetings. I’ll be busy p>
“I see p>
He never listened to explanations, so Liliana didn’t bother offering one.
That night, with a blizzard hitting Riverbend City, a notice went out in the Cyan Ltd. group chat announcing that everyone would be working from home.
Cedric was in international meetings all night.
When Liliana woke up the next morning, the space beside her was cold. He was still busy in the study.
She got up, washed, and went downstairs to make breakfast.
She finished cooking, but after a while, Cedric still hadn’t come out of the study.
He was probably still busy, but after working all night, he had to be hungry.
She worried he was pushing himself too hard. If he felt unwell, it would sour his mood.
And his mood would directly affect her chances of getting the money she needed. Liliana brought a tray of breakfast upstairs. She gave a very light knock on the study door before letting herself in.
In their two years of marriage, the number of times Cedric had worked from home could be counted on one hand.
Each time he did, Liliana would be especially happy, because she rarely got to see him in work mode.
A focused Cedric was even more captivating.
She would always use any excuse-bringing him coffee, fruit, a glass of milk-to come into the study.
Afraid of interrupting his meetings
ně
she would always knock very softly just enough to let him know she was there without disrupting him-before entering.
Cedric never seemed to like her coming in; he’d always have a stern look on his face.
But she couldn’t help herself and enjoyed doing it anyway.
But that was before. Today, if she weren’t asking him for something, she wouldn’t have come to bother him.
The curtains in the study were drawn. A single desk lamp cast its glow over the man sitting there.
The gold-rimmed glasses on his nose reflected the light, obscuring the expression in his eyes.
Before Liliana could even set the
breakfa
on his desk, he suddenet
looked up, his voice sharp as p>
“Get out p>
Liliana froze for a moment, but then resolutely placed the breakfast tray down before turning to leave.
As she closed the door, his voice echoed in her ears. His attitude was even harsher than usual.
She took a deep breath and went downstairs to have her own breakfast.
After eating, she set up a small table by the floor-to-ceiling window and sat with her laptop, studying award-winning designs from the past.
MS
Suddenly, her phone, which was on the floor beside her, chimed. A photo had arrived from an unknown number.
It was a series of screenshots from a video call between Cedric and Sylvia Woods.
In the images, Sylvia was smiling charmingly while Cedric looked down, a slight curve to his lips.
Two other screenshots showed Cedric focused on his work while Sylvia, holding a cat, gazed at him affectionately.
He was just as busy, yet he could find time to flirt with Sylvia.
Even while working, he would have a video call open to keep her company.
But he couldn’t tolerate his own wife bringing him breakfast.
Perhaps he didn’t want to eat her cooking in front of Sylvia.
Or maybe he was afraid Liliana’s presence would upset Sylvia.
Liliana figured Cedric had no idea Sylvia was secretly sending her these photos.
She immediately called the number back. The call was answered almost instantly.
“Sylvia, let’s talk. Give the Expo Manor design to Nina Shepherd, or I’m showing these photos to Cedric p>