Chapter 48

They were already uncovering other clues.

What had seemed like a possible setup was now almost certainly a fraud case. A wave of excitement washed over Liliana. Hale's case would be resolved soon, and once it was... she could finally get her divorce.

To avoid arousing Cedric's suspicion, she texted him a reminder about their visit to the Forrest Estate, just as she always did. At noon, she sent another message, telling him to eat lunch on time.

As usual, he didn't reply.

When he saw her messages, Cedric opened their chat window.

Only then did he notice that his text from the other night-the one saying he was working late—had never gone through. But seeing as Liliana hadn't mentioned it and had just texted him with her usual tone, he simply closed his phone.

There was nothing to explain. Whether he explained or not, she was acting just the same as always. A scornful smile touched his lips.

That evening, at the Forrest Estate, Liliana arrived in the afternoon as she usually did. She helped Dowager Forrest with her gardening for a while before Stoddard called her over for a game of chess.

"Liliana, how is your brother's situation?"

Liliana, holding a black chess piece, nodded. "I spoke to Timothy this morning. They've made significant progress. It should be resolved soon. Thank you, Dad." Stoddard placed a white piece on the board, then paused. "Timothy is handling it?" "Yes," she replied, then frowned. She remembered Cedric's accusation that she'd come here to complain.

"Cedric is busy," she added quickly. "It doesn't matter who handles it."

Hearing this, Stoddard's expression softened. "The kitchen is making your favorite roast chicken tonight. Be sure to eat plenty."

"I will," Liliana said, a warmth spreading through her chest.

Cedric resembled his father in looks, but if he had inherited Stoddard's gentle demeanor, the similarity would be uncanny. As it was, with his striking features, he was a magnet for attention despite his icy personality. Countless women wanted to marry him. His coldness came from his mother; the two of them were cut from the same clotti. It was impossible to read the true feelings of a man who was naturally so reserved. After all, Cedric's mother had been married to

Stoddard for decades and still wore the same stern expression, yet everyone said they were deeply in love.

After the chess game, Dowager Forrest called her up to the rooftop greenhouse to cut some flowers.

She had planted Liliana's favoritet

dwarf sunflowers, which were in perfect bloom. Cut and placed in a vase, they would last for a week. If she dried them before they wilted, they would last even longer.

Liliana loved flowers and happily followed her grandmother upstairs.

Stoddard was putting the chess pieces away one by one when Cedric arrived, looking tired and carrying the chill of the autumn night with him.

"Dad."

"Come, play a game," Stoddard said, gesturing to the seat opposite him.

Cedric took off his suit jacket but didn't move closer. "Where's Mom?"

Stoddard looked displeased. "Do you need her for something?"

"It's about the overseas-" Cedric began, still standing at the entrance to the living

room, showing no intention of joining his father for chess.

The two men rarely spoke much. Stoddard would usually ask about Cedric's health, but Cedric almost never initiated a conversation.

Stoddard dropped the chess pieces back onto the board. "Don't talk about work after hours. Your mother isht made of iron! First, tell me why you passed Liliana's brother's case off to Timothy."

Instantly, Cedric's face darkened.