Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Sebastian Hawthorne Wants Her

The car turned into the narrow alley where Cecilia Croft lived.

The road was quite tight. Anyone unfamiliar with it would probably have a hard time backing out.

"Mr. Hawthorne, you can just drop me off here. I can walk the rest of the way. It’s difficult to turn around up ahead." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Cecilia reached for her seatbelt, but Sebastian Hawthorne drove straight into the alley.

"Don’t you trust my driving skills?"

Seeing that he had already driven in, what else could Cecilia say? She could only force a smile and reply.

"Of course not."

Sebastian Hawthorne glanced at her without a word, quickly pulling up to the gate of her small courtyard home.

"Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to drive me home, Mr. Hawthorne. I’ll wait for you to message me when you get home."

Cecilia said, grabbing her briefcase and preparing to get out of the car.

Sebastian Hawthorne responded with a low "mhm" before speaking slowly.

"In a couple of days, I’m heading back to Karthus for Ash Quillan’s engagement party."

Cecilia’s hand, just about to open the car door, froze. She turned to look at Sebastian Hawthorne and asked cautiously.

"Mr. Hawthorne, could you take me with you? I promise I won’t let it interfere with work."

Ruby Croft would definitely be at Ash Quillan’s engagement party. Cecilia didn’t want her sister to face such a heart-wrenching scene all alone.

The Quillan Family had moved to Karthus from Tarys, but they still adhered to Tarys’s customs for hosting events. The invitations listed the names of the invitee and their family members in detail.

For years, Ruby Croft had been the one struggling to hold the Croft family together.

Cecilia knew her own name had long since faded from those social circles in Karthus, which was why it wasn’t on the invitation the Quillan Family sent to the Croft family.

Her sister had already made it clear she wouldn’t be taking her.

But Cecilia wanted to go. She didn’t want her sister to endure the pain in silence, without anyone by her side.

Given the Hawthorne family’s current status in Karthus, the Quillan Family would certainly have to show them some respect. If he brought an extra person, the Quillans probably wouldn’t even bother to check the invitation list.

Sebastian Hawthorne just looked at her without answering. His handsome face was half-shrouded in darkness, and Cecilia couldn’t make out his expression.

She waited anxiously for a moment, her hand clutching her briefcase tightening instinctively. She quickly composed herself.

"If it’s inconvenient for you, Mr. Hawthorne, then just forget it. Pretend I never asked. Thank you for driving me home."

At the welcome banquet, Sebastian Hawthorne’s attendance had already been a huge favor to the Croft family.

If he also took her to the Quillan Family’s engagement party this time, it would definitely lead people to make other assumptions and start some gossip.

She could understand why Sebastian Hawthorne might have his reservations.

’My request was too abrupt.’

Cecilia turned to get out of the car, but a large, warm hand grabbed her wrist.

"It’s not impossible to take you, but I’m no selfless saint. It all depends on what kind of attractive offer you can make to convince me."

Businessmen are all about profit, and Sebastian Hawthorne was undoubtedly a quintessential businessman.

A flicker of joy appeared in Cecilia’s eyes before her expression grew serious again. She earnestly considered what other value she could possibly offer Sebastian Hawthorne.

’It seems there’s nothing left.’

For the welcome banquet last time, she had already laid all her cards on the table and shown her utmost sincerity.

Sebastian Hawthorne watched her grave, earnest expression and said in a low voice.

"No rush. Go home and think it over."

The Quillan Family’s engagement party was still two days away.

Cecilia really couldn’t think of any condition she could offer that would entice him. Seeing that his tone was mild and that he, for once, wasn’t being sharp-tongued with her, she boldly asked.

"Mr. Hawthorne, why don’t you just tell me directly? What do you need me to do for you? Or what value can I still provide?"

Sebastian Hawthorne looked into her sincere, bright eyes, took a quiet breath, and suppressed the urge to frown.

"Go home and think about it."

Cecilia noticed the slight twitch of his brow. He was probably annoyed by her directness and her unwillingness to think more deeply about it.

’He’s suppressing his temper and still showing me some courtesy.’

"Alright then."

So, Cecilia tactfully got out of the car.

Sebastian Hawthorne’s car didn’t leave right away. The man remained inside, watching her.

Cecilia took two steps, then abruptly spun around, pressing her hands against the car window and looking at Sebastian Hawthorne with a pleading expression.

"Mr. Hawthorne, as long as you’re willing to take me to the Quillan Family’s engagement party, I’ll agree to any condition you name."

Her sister had only just managed to adjust her mindset and was actively cooperating with her doctor’s treatment.

Cecilia was truly desperate to go back and be with her.

She was terrified Ruby would give up on herself.

Even though that possibility was small.

Sebastian Hawthorne’s brows furrowed in exasperation. He said with a look of anger.

"Go kill someone for me."

He said it so seriously that Cecilia’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately shook her head.

"I can’t do that."

Seeing her reaction, the man in the car gave her a contemptuous look.

Eating her words so quickly made her look like she had no integrity. Cecilia gave an awkward laugh.

"Anything except for murder, arson, or anything else illegal."

Sebastian Hawthorne looked at her desperate expression and sneered, "Not very sincere, are you, Miss Croft."

Cecilia said hurriedly, "I really am sincere! Extremely sincere! I’ve all but tattooed the word ’sincere’ on my forehead, Mr. Hawthorne."

Sebastian Hawthorne stopped paying her any mind and slowly rolled up the window.

He didn’t drive away, just sat silently in the car.

Cecilia stood by the car. The window tint was too dark for her to see inside, so she could only cup her hands around her eyes and press her face to the glass.

When she saw Sebastian Hawthorne’s gaze fall on her, Cecilia quickly put her hands together in a pleading gesture.

After a standoff of about a minute, the window rolled down again.

Cecilia was about to speak, but the man inside the car spoke first, his voice low and deep.

"Cecilia Croft, just go home and think about it. You still have two days. There’s no rush."

His voice carried a hint of seriousness, and his handsome, stern face had a naturally imposing air that Cecilia found a little intimidating.

"Okay."

Even if she couldn’t think of anything, she had to go inside. Pestering him further would only annoy Sebastian Hawthorne, and then she wouldn’t even have a chance.

After all, he had already been quite lenient with her today.

Cecilia went back inside and closed the door.

She left a small crack when she closed it, her bright eyes peering out through the gap. She saw Sebastian Hawthorne, still in the car, appear to mouth something.

Although she couldn’t read lips, she still understood the word he said.

"Idiot."

After saying it, he started the car and drove away.

Cecilia sullenly deadbolted the door and went back to her room.

After washing up and lying in bed, she still couldn’t think of a single condition that might appeal to Sebastian Hawthorne.

’What on earth does Sebastian Hawthorne want?’

’He doesn’t want... me, does he?’

’Does he want me to slave away for him for the rest of my life?’

’Aside from some ideas I have for work, it seems I have no other value to offer him.’