Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Full of Sincerity
Mrs. Sheridan completely ignored Jessica Keller’s feelings, shooting her an arrogant glance before walking ahead.
After a few steps, she stopped. Turning to see Jessica Keller hadn’t followed, her expression grew harsh.
"Are you coming or what? What are you just standing there for? You don’t expect me to carry you, do you?"
Jessica Keller bit her lip. ’I’m starting to regret asking Mrs. Sheridan to come take care of me.’
The last time Jude Sheridan had taken her to the countryside to visit his mother, Mrs. Sheridan had acted so fond of her, so caring.
It was also from Mrs. Sheridan that she’d learned of the long-standing animosity between her and Cecilia Croft.
She had thought Mrs. Sheridan would be a strong ally, but she never expected the woman to be so opportunistic, tailoring her attitude to whoever held the advantage.
She seethed with hatred but was utterly helpless.
"Mrs. Sheridan, this is an upscale neighborhood. Almost every household has its own car and driver, so taxis rarely come around here for fares. I’ll just book a car on my phone."
Mrs. Sheridan said, dissatisfied, "Why didn’t you say so earlier?"
Jessica remained silent, her head bowed as she ordered a car on her phone.
While she did, Mrs. Sheridan stood beside her and began to lecture.
"You heard what Jude said loud and clear when he left. You are not to contact him during this period. As for you faking a stomachache last night and putting me and Jude through all that trouble... I’ll let it slide this time."
’Jude is about to use Cecilia Croft to climb to a whole new level. I absolutely will not let anyone jeopardize my son’s future.’
’Jessica Keller is, at best, just a tool for bearing children.’
"Women like you are only after our Jude’s money. When he becomes the richest man in Silvercrest, do you think he’ll mistreat you? You’d better watch yourself and not let anything slip in front of Cecilia Croft. If she finds out, you’ll be sorry."
Jessica Keller’s hand, clutching her phone, trembled. She suddenly felt as if she’d invited a wolf into her own home.
When she didn’t respond, Mrs. Sheridan jabbed her with her elbow.
"Did you hear me?"
Jessica bit her lip, her heart filled with resentment. "Mrs. Sheridan, I’m pregnant with Jude’s child! Why did you push me?"
Mrs. Sheridan glanced at her belly. "When I was pregnant with Jude, I was still working in the fields! What’s with you being so delicate?"
Jessica was speechless.
Mrs. Sheridan looked at her meek, submissive expression and felt a surge of satisfaction.
’This Jessica Keller is so much easier to handle than Cecilia Croft.’
’Cecilia Croft was never one to take things lying down. Back when she lived with them, Cecilia never yielded to her, always fighting to have the last word on everything.’
’She didn’t like Cecilia Croft, but when self-interest was at stake, dislike could easily turn into affection.’
’Even though Mrs. Sheridan had spent her entire life in a village, she knew what mattered most.’
’When Cecilia Croft was unemployed for half a year, unable to help Jude’s career and unable to get pregnant, the child in Jessica Keller’s belly was what seemed important.’
’Now that Cecilia Croft could help Jude reach new heights in his career, Cecilia herself was the important one.’
’The richest man in Silvercrest... just how much money would that be?’
’The construction foreman back in their village didn’t have that much money, and even he had two or three mistresses.’
’Once they had money, her Jude would never lack for women, and she would never have to worry about not having grandchildren.’
Since Cecilia Croft refused to answer his calls, Jude Sheridan had to pull some strings to find out which private room Sebastian Hawthorne was in.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, he first straightened up his car, spraying a bit of the perfume Cecilia Croft liked to mask any lingering scent of Jessica Keller and his mother. Only then did he head inside.
Inside the private room, the atmosphere was congenial.
Several CEOs were taking turns toasting Sebastian Hawthorne.
Meanwhile, Cecilia Croft was sitting off to the side, chatting with Giselle Sullivan.
The moment Jude Sheridan pushed the door open and walked in, the air seemed to freeze.
Nearly everyone’s gaze fell on Cecilia Croft in an instant.
Cecilia Croft glanced toward the door, her face calm and her expression neutral, betraying no emotion.
"Well now, what brings President Sheridan here?"
Giselle Sullivan was the first to break the silence.
The moment Jude Sheridan saw her, a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.
He glanced at the others at the table. They were nearly all presidents of companies with long-standing partnerships with Vantage.
Among them was Mr. Fisher of Apex Industries.
Jude Sheridan suppressed his confusion and turned to Sebastian Hawthorne, a calm, natural smile spreading across his face.
"My apologies, something came up, so I’m late. Mr. Hawthorne, please forgive my poor hospitality."
Sebastian Hawthorne remained seated, chopsticks in hand. Upon hearing Jude Sheridan’s words, he didn’t put them down. Instead, he calmly picked up another piece of food, placed it in his bowl, and didn’t spare Jude Sheridan a single glance.
"President Sheridan is a busy man. It’s understandable that you couldn’t make it."
Jude Sheridan caught the mocking tone in Sebastian Hawthorne’s voice. He glanced at Cecilia Croft, confused.
’Sebastian Hawthorne is hostile toward me.’
Jude Sheridan couldn’t understand the source of this hostility.
But then he remembered their unpleasant encounter at the auction, and it clicked.
’Those friends of his were an unreliable, uncouth bunch. They certainly weren’t fit for such company.’
’Sebastian Hawthorne probably formed a poor opinion of me because of them.’
But now wasn’t the time to worry about that.
With an expression of magnanimous apology, Jude Sheridan said, "This is my fault. As an apology, I’ll drink three glasses in front of everyone."
He reached for the wine glass Cecilia Croft had been using.
Sebastian Hawthorne’s eyes narrowed. He spoke to a nearby waiter.
"Bring another set of tableware."
The waiter quickly produced a spare set of tableware, handed it to Jude Sheridan, and pulled up a chair for him.
Jude Sheridan smiled. "Cecilia and I are close enough that sharing tableware is hardly an issue."
He gave Cecilia Croft an intimate look, but she didn’t respond. She simply took back her wine glass and shifted her seat slightly, putting a little more distance between herself and Jude.
A sharp glint flashed in Jude Sheridan’s eyes. He started to reach for her arm, but Sebastian Hawthorne was already pouring liquor into his glass.
He had no choice but to hold the glass and deal politely with Sebastian.
Sebastian didn’t pour the liquor into the small shot glass meant for it, but directly into the larger teacup.
He filled the large cup to the brim, the liquor nearly overflowing.
"President Sheridan is clearly full of sincerity," Sebastian said. "After these three glasses, I’m sure any lingering resentment will be washed away."
With Sebastian Hawthorne having spoken, the other executives had no choice but to chime in with their agreement.
Jude Sheridan was trapped by his own words and could only brace himself and drink.
Sebastian poured the drinks for him personally, filling the cup to the very brim each time before stopping.
After three full glasses, Jude Sheridan felt a burning sensation in his stomach.
His cold hadn’t yet cleared up, and he had spent the afternoon staking out the underground garage for Cecilia Croft without eating a thing.
At any other dinner, Cecilia Croft would have already ladled him some soup by now. Today, however, she remained perfectly still in her seat, a smile on her face as she whispered with Giselle Sullivan, not sparing him so much as a single glance.
Jude Sheridan felt a surge of frustration, but he controlled his temper and spoke to Cecilia Croft in a soft tone.
"Cecilia, get me a bowl of soup."
