Chapter 139

A gust of wind whipped Liliana's hair across her face. Her clear, determined eyes met Cedric's through the strands of hair. Her small hand was held out to him. For a moment, Cedric was lost in thought.

When he didn't move, Liliana took a step forward, reached into his pants pocket, and hooked the keys out with her finger. "I'll be in the car."

She turned and walked away. The fabric of his trousers was smooth against his thigh where her hand had brushed past. He watched her get into the car, his expression unreadable, before turning and heading into the dealership.

The salesman had the contract ready and led him to the VIP lounge. "Sir, are you married?" he asked as Cedric sat down.

Cedric, who had been about to cross his legs, paused. "Yes," he said instinctively.

"Well, then, if I may," the salesman said carefully, "buying the car in your name makes it marital property. For you to give it to this young lady to drive... that might not be a good idea."

The salesman had initially thought Liliana was some young girl who had latched onto a rich man. Now he realized she was a kept woman. And you don't buy things for your mistress in your own name. It wasn't about the money; it was about the risk. What if his wife checked his assets?

"What did you say?" Cedric's eyes narrowed, a chill emanating from him. "What's not a good idea?"

The salesman was new and didn't recognize Cedric, but he knew he was wealthy.

He couldn't understand why his well-intentioned advice had made the man angry. "Of course, it's your business, sir. I was just offering a suggestion. If you don't mind, and the young lady outside doesn't mind, then you can sign here."

Cedric held the pen but didn't sign. He looked out the window. The tinted glass obscured the view, but he could picture Liliana sitting primly in the passenger seat After as moment, he looked down and signed his name. "Did you give her the same advice?"

"In a way," the salesman said with a polite smile. "The young lady is very... discreet."

Discreet? The salesman had mistaken her for his mistress, and she hadn't said a word to correct him?

Cedric's brow furrowed. She was certainly discreet. So discreet it made him feel... unsettled.

He finished the paperwork and arranged for the car to be delivered to their house. As he left the

dealership, he saw Liliana looking at desigoplans for the Expo Manor apartment on her phone. She had to send the final drawings to Sylvia on Monday.

The car door opened suddenly, and Cedric slid into the driver's seat. She quickly put her phone away and buckled her seatbelt. "If you're going to the office, you can just drop me at a bus stop. I can get back to the estate from there."

Cedric started the engine, a noncommittal sound coming from his throat. They fell back into their old rhythm: she, ever so sensible; he, cold and taciturn.

The Maybach pulled over at the nearest bus stop, and Liliana got out. She stood on the curb and watched his car disappear down the street. Ten minutes later, she boarded a bus back to the Forrest estate.

That evening, Cedric returned to the estate as well. They had dinner with the Dowager, and then drove home This time, the Dowager didn't try to make them stay. She had made sure Cedric drank most of the oxtail of the oxtaik soup. The faint, garney smelt had

made Liliana feel ill.

Back at their own house, she was the one who felt ill. The soup had made Cedric even more energetic than usual. What used to be a half-night affair now lasted nearly the entire night.

Afterward, Liliana lay limp on the bed. She could vaguely hear the sound of the shower running. She needed to clean up too, but she was too exhausted and drifted off to sleep.