Chapter 88

His lips tightened. The hands in his pockets curled into fists, and he fought the urge to grab her and teach her a lesson right then and there. After a moment, he reined in his anger, deciding to grant Sylvia this small favor.

"You're the client."

Sylvia smiled and gestured to Nina. "Let's start taking measurements upstairs."

Nina quickly followed her. Liliana turned to go with them, doing her best to appear unfazed.

"Sylvia, I think the current design is fantastic!" Nina exclaimed as they ascended the stairs. The style had caught her eye the moment she walked in. It wasn't the common European or rustic style you saw everywhere; it had a unique, personal flair. In the design world, it could set a new trend.

"I don't like it," Sylvia replied flatly.

Everyone has different tastes, so Nina didn't press the issue. Besides, Cedric was rich. Tearing it all down to make Sylvia happy was perfectly normal. Still, she asked, "Did your boyfriend have someone design this before?"

Sylvia nodded. "I suppose so."

"Which design firm did he use? Do you know the designer?" Nina was a design enthusiast and wanted to discuss the color palette with them.

"Some obscure designer, I think," Sylvia said, glancing at Liliana, who was trailing behind them. She genuinely didn't know who had designed the house, but she was certain that many of the small, thoughtful details were Liliana's work. They reflected a deep sense of hope and love for this home-a hope she was now about to personally demolish.

"Could you ask your boyfriend for me when you have a chance?" Nina pleaded.

"I'll ask when I have time," Sylvia said dismissively.

The villa had three floors, plus a sunroom on the roof. The third floor was a recreational area with a home theater and a gym. The second floor housed the bedrooms and a study the main living quarters. The ground floor contained the dining room, kitchen, living room, and several guest rooms.

They started taking measurements on the third floor. Liliana worked in silence, meticulously recording every dimension. Burying herself in her work was the only way to shut everything else out. But Sylvia kept

finding ways to casually mention

her boyfriend to Nina, filling the air with details of their life together.

The atmosphere in the villa was suffocating, and Liliana desperately needed to escape. The moment her phone rang, she handed the notepad and pen to Nina. "I need to take this call."

She stepped out of the gym and into the home theater next door.

"Douglas?" she said, surprised. The call was from Juniper, but it was Douglas's voice on the other end.

"Liliana, are you still at work?"

The room was soundproof and quiet, making the gentle, familiar tone of his voice perfectly clear.

"I'm out with Designer Shepherd. It might be a while longer," she answered honestly.

"We're at your apartment. Juniper

bought a ton of groceries, but you're not here." Douglas had been waiting with J

Juniper for some time. Juniper, ured on waiting was now sitting on the floor sipping a drink. She had been too exhausted to even speak, simply handing the phone to Douglas.

Every time Juniper visited, she brought bags of food, and Liliana felt bad making them take it all back. "The passcode to my door is my birthday. You guys can go in and wait."

"Okay," Douglas agreed readily, knowing Juniper was with him.

After hanging up, Liliana fumbled in the dark for the long bench she had placed against the right wall, intending to rest for a moment. before going back out But when she sat down instead of a soft cushion, she landed on something hard and searingly hot.

A jolt went through her. She tried to leap up, but a pair of strong hands clamped around her waist, holding her in place.

"It's only been a few days, and you're already shacking up with another man? Giving him the passcode to your home?"

Cedric's lips were pressed against her ear, his grip tightening with every word.