Ignored When Chasing: Why Cry After I Got Engaged-Chapter 111: You Knew She Was an Impostor

Frances Bennett’s expression soured. "I know you know each other, but I know Cecilia, too. We just happened to meet, so what’s wrong with saying hello and catching up? Is that any of your business?"

"If I hadn’t put a stop to it, do you think Cecilia would have anything to do with you?" Frances Bennett said, filled with righteous indignation. "Let me tell you, if I hadn’t stepped aside, Cecilia would be my daughter-in-law by now!"

Aria Miller let out a snort. "Ma’am, you’re being a little dramatic. Even if you wanted my junior to be your daughter-in-law now, it’s not like she would necessarily agree."

Frances Bennett’s lips trembled as she was about to say something, but Mrs. Grant sighed and cut in:

"Sometimes, I really don’t get it. Damian Hawthorne is such a smart and sensible boy. How did he end up with a mother like you? I’m starting to wonder if he’s even your biological son."

At these words, Frances Bennett flew into a rage. "What’s wrong with me? Am I not even allowed to talk to an acquaintance? Do you own this restaurant?"

Mrs. Grant rolled her eyes, clearly not wanting to argue with her any longer. She took Cecilia’s hand and said, "Let’s go to our private room. I booked a small one; it’s quieter over there."

Cecilia nodded, but suddenly, someone grabbed her other hand.

"Perfect timing. I have something to say to Cecilia, too." Frances Bennett said, holding firmly onto Cecilia’s arm. "Cecilia, dear, there’s something I need to ask you. Do you have a moment?"

Frances Bennett was sure Cecilia wouldn’t dare to defy her.

In the past, Cecilia had done countless things to get on her good side. And while their relationship wasn’t what it once was, Frances was confident Cecilia would still agree to her requests.

Because she was Damian Hawthorne’s mother.

And Cecilia was in love with Damian Hawthorne.

"Cecilia, I truly have something important to discuss with you. You’re in love with Damian, aren’t you? I’ve given it some thought, and it wouldn’t be out of the question for you two to get married, as long as..."

"You’re dreaming again, Frances Bennett." Mrs. Grant immediately poured cold water on her plans. "That Selina Nathan turned out to be an imposter. Now that you’ve lost your chance to connect with the prominent Nathan Family of Aethelgard, you’ve suddenly realized Cecilia’s worth? Well, let me tell you—it’s too late!"

"It’s not your place to decide!" Frances Bennett stared intently at Cecilia and asked, "Cecilia, I want to hear it from you. Are you free or not?"

"I’m not free." Cecilia said coolly, pulling her hand away. "If you have something to say, Mrs. Bennett, you can send me a text. I’ll reply when I see it."

With that, she followed Mrs. Grant into the private room.

Frances Bennett watched Cecilia walk away without a single glance back, her face turning deathly pale.

Aria Miller glanced at her, covering her mouth with a hand to hide a smile. "You know, Ma’am, I’m really starting to doubt Damian Hawthorne is your biological son. Come to think of it, he doesn’t really look like you, and your personalities are night and day."

Frances Bennett’s face went a shade paler. "What nonsense are you spouting? Of course he’s my biological son."

"Ohh~" Aria Miller’s lips curled into a subtle smile, her stunning features holding a mischievous expression. "I was just making an offhand comment. After all, if I were Damian Hawthorne, having a mother like you would be a permanent black mark on my life."

She’d heard about Damian Hawthorne from her cousin, Hugo Grant.

Even though she was a woman, she had a good read on men.

’This Damian Hawthorne character... he’s definitely into Cecilia, but because he’s still hung up on some old flame, he refuses to admit it.’

’He wants both the white rose and the red rose.’

She was personally very fond of Cecilia, so of course she hoped her cousin Hugo could get together with her.

"I know you all think I’m a snob," Frances Bennett said, suddenly deflating like a popped balloon. "But you haven’t lived through my pain. How could you possibly understand me?"

’That Sharon Quincy... she was obviously crude and plain-looking. If she hadn’t tricked everyone by posing as Selina Nathan, I never would have tried to set her up with Damian.’

’She had known poverty, and she was terrified of the Hawthorne Family falling back into their old circumstances.’

’Only by forging an alliance with another affluent family could the Hawthornes secure their status and prosperity.’

’And the Nathans of Aethelgard were the perfect choice.’

’But she never, ever imagined that the Selina Nathan she knew was a fake.’

’It was the greatest humiliation of her life.’

’Worst of all, she had been thoroughly disgraced in her social circle. Any attempt to arrange a marriage alliance with another family now would be painfully awkward.’

At the thought, a sharp pain pierced Frances Bennett’s heart.

She recalled Damian Hawthorne’s words, telling her not to have any regrets.

’Could Damian have known all along that Sharon Quincy was an imposter?’

She grabbed her phone and hastily dialed Damian Hawthorne’s number.

"Damian, did you know about the Sharon Quincy situation from the start? You knew she was an imposter, didn’t you?"

This son of hers was rebellious and never discussed anything with her.

As Frances Bennett thought back, she realized Damian had tried to warn her subtly, but she had paid it no mind.

"I wouldn’t say I knew, exactly," Damian Hawthorne replied, his tone languid. "You just seemed so enthusiastic about it. I didn’t have the heart to spoil your fun."

Frances Bennett’s breath caught in her throat, and she began to tremble with rage.

"What do you mean, ’enthusiastic’? Who do you think I went through all this trouble planning for?! Damian, I’m your mother! Do you enjoy watching me make a fool of myself that much?"

The memory of the passive-aggressive jabs from Hugo Grant’s mother and sister made Frances so angry her chest ached.

"I remember warning you, but you wouldn’t listen," Damian said, his voice cold. "Just because I’m your son, does that mean I have to put up with all of your ridiculous antics? Sorry, but I can’t."

Frances Bennett closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I know you don’t like me, but we rise and fall together. When people mock your mother, you lose face too. In the future, you must tell me about this kind of thing ahead of time."

"What are your plans for Sharon Quincy? I’ve already told her that the engagement we talked about is canceled."

She seethed at the thought of being led around by the nose by some young upstart.

She had doted on "Selina Nathan" so much, only to find out she was an imposter all along.

Luckily, she’d been clever and kept a tight lid on it, so very few people knew. Otherwise, she would have completely disgraced the entire Hawthorne Family.

"Do whatever you want. The whole ’marrying into their family’ business was just a joke to mess with you all. You were the only one who actually took it seriously."

His sharp retort left Frances Bennett speechless, her mind reeling.

"Fine. Let’s just say I was being foolish before. But your marriage is a serious matter. Since things with ’Selina Nathan’ are impossible, what about Cecilia?"

Silence met her from the other end of the line.

"A ’serious matter’... heh." Damian scoffed. "Why don’t you just give it a rest."

With that, he hung up.

Frances Bennett’s face fell.

’She knew her son didn’t actually dislike Cecilia.’

’She hadn’t appreciated Cecilia’s good qualities before, but recently she’d been eating and sleeping poorly. She’d become so picky that her doctor had diagnosed her with malnutrition.’

’The Cecilia of the past would have made soup for her once a week, paid close attention to her diet, and taken care of her with the utmost consideration.’

’She had to admit, Cecilia was indeed perfect wife material.’

Thinking about how warmly Mrs. Grant treated Cecilia, Frances Bennett felt a knot of resentment tighten in her chest.

For some reason, she had a feeling she would be jealous if Hugo Grant and Cecilia were to get together.

The very thought of Cecilia cooking her delicious food for someone else made her stomach churn with jealousy. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

’That’s just how people are sometimes,’ she thought. ’You don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone.’