Chapter 137

The Dowager continued her lecture, but Cedric was unresponsive.

"Forget it," she finally said with a sigh. "I'd have better luck convincing your father to have another child."

Cedric remained silent.

At lunch, Liliana ate quietly, acutely aware of Cedric's gaze on her. She had no idea what the Dowager had said to him, but his intense stare made her nervous. After the meal, she helped the Dowager to her room for a nap and then went upstairs to their bedroom. She assumed Cedric had left for the office, but he was there, standing by the window. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow on his white shirt, making him look surprisingly gentle and relaxed.

Liliana paused, her hand on the doorknob, his reflection in her eyes.

"Come in." His voice was deep and magnetic.

She closed the door behind her and walked in, her hands twisting the hem of her shirt. She was worried the Dowager had said something to make him misunderstand her, though he already misunderstood so much about her.

She stopped in front of him. He lifted her chin with his fingers, studying her small, delicate face. So innocent, so obedient. And so rebellious.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against her cheek as he spoke. "Don't even think about pulling any tricks on me. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Understand?"

Liliana met his gaze, the coldness in his eyes making her flinch. She had no idea what had set him off this time, but she was more than happy to keep her distance. "Okay."

"Now, go change. We're going to buy you a car." He released her and straightened his shirt cuffs.

Liliana was stunned. "Are you serious?" She thought he had just been saying it. She had already looked up a few models online and was planning to ask him which one to choose.

"I keep my promises," he said, his dark eyes locking onto hers. The intensity of his gaze made her heart skip a beat.

She quickly composed herself. "I don't need to change. This is fine."

Cedric glanced at her outfit but said nothing. He walked out of the room, and Liliana followed.

For the first time in a long while, she found herself in the passenger seat of his Maybach. In the confined space of the car, his presence was overwhelming. His long legs were bent at a slight angle, and his hand, with its clearly defined veins and long, elegant fingers, rested on the steering wheel. The air was filled with the subtle, musky scent of his cologne.

At a red light, he turned his head slightly. She quickly looked away her gaze landing on some indistinct point outside. She knew he didn't love her, but she couldn't help stealing glances at him.

Thankfully, he wasn't looking at her. He was checking his right-side mirror. Her gaze, with nowhere else to go fell on a flash of red in the crevice of the driver's seat. Her hand was small enough to slip into the gap and retrieve it.

It was a lipstick. A luxury brand. The shade... was the same one Sylvia had been

wearing the first time she saw her.

A wave of suffocation washed over her. She took a sharp breath.

Noticing her change in mood, Cedric looked over.

"What is it?" he asked, frowning at the lipstick in her hand. He couldn't understand why she looked like she was about to have a breakdown over a tube of lipstick.