Chapter 114

He had the classic broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted physique that could make any woman's heart race. And he had just protected her.

*This has to mean he has feelings for me!*

Her earlier humiliation vanished, replaced by a giddy sense of triumph.

Timothy held open the office door. Cedric strode in, loosened his tie, and sat down at the head of the long conference table.

"Cedric, I knew you cared..." Sylvia began as she followed him in, her joy spilling

out.

"This wasn't your fault," Cedric said, oblivious to her feelings. "If I hadn't wanted to teach Liliana a lesson by making her come to you, I would have rejected your resignation on the spot. It never would have blown up like this."

Sylvia's words died in her throat. It felt like she had been struck by lightning, the smile freezing on her face.

Noticing her expression, Timothy tried to smooth things over. "Vice President Woods, we're Mr. Forrest's right and left hands. No matter what happens, he'll always have our backs. You don't need to be afraid of those old guys. If they give you trouble again, just ignore them and send them to him."

Those shareholders had spent the last two years looking for a way to undermine Cedric, and when that failed, they had often taken it out on Timothy. In the beginning, he too had been forced to run to Cedric for help. Eventually, he learned to just pass the problem up the chain. They were Cedric's people, and Cedric would handle it.

"Right and left hands?" Sylvia repeated, the words tasting like ash.

Cedric lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around him as he looked at her. Her dazed expression reminded him of Liliana—the lost, broken look she'd had when he picked her up from the hospital. The memory brought an unwelcome tightness to his chest.

"Timothy," he said abruptly, "contact the butler at the estate. Arrange for a housekeeper to be sent over to take care of my wife and me."

The words were out before he could stop them. He realized he was taking Liliana's request to heart more than he'd intended. Just as he had arranged for the best lawyer for Hale, despite his anger at the time.

Now he was arranging for a housekeeper.

*It's just because I want to restore order,* he told himself. *To get back to a peaceful, predictable life.* Once things were settled, he could focus all his energy on work again

The justification sat well with him, easing his discomfort.

"Right away, sir," Timothy said, pulling out his phone to contact the Forrest Estate. Sylvia, however, couldn't hold back any longer. "So you're not getting... divorced?"

"When did ever say I was getting divorce?" Cedric replied without a seconds hesitation. "She was just acting out his doesn't concern you. can go back to work now."

He tapped his cigarette against the ashtray.

"Why did you suddenly get married?" Sylvia pressed, clinging to a final sliver of

hope. "Do you love her?"

*Love?* Cedric's hand paused. He fell into a thoughtful silence.

Before he could answer, Timothy finished his call and walked back over. "Mr.

Forrest, it's all arranged. Is there anything else?"

Cedric roused himself. "No, that's all. Both of you can go."

He hadn't answered. That meant he didn't love her!

Sylvia's expression softened. She turned and walked out. Cedric protected Timothy because Timothy was his assistant But she was different She was a woman He had promoted her and protected her, and while part of that was professional, another part *had* to be because he liked her.

A man like Cedric probably didn't even understand what love was. As long as he wasn't in love with Liliana, she still had a chance.

Alone in his office, Cedric found himself lost in Sylvia's question, unable to shake it.