Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Send Her to a Marriage Alliance
On the way back to the Croft Residence, despite Cecilia Croft’s repeated assurances that she never went back on her word, the man beside her didn’t say a thing.
He was channeling Old Arthur with his continued silence, leaving Cecilia Croft feeling helpless.
「At the Croft Residence.」
The driver stopped the car at the Croft Residence Entrance, got out, and opened her door.
"Miss Croft, we’re here."
Cecilia Croft sighed, looking with a rather plaintive gaze at the serenely composed Sebastian Hawthorne in his seat.
’He’s so difficult.’
’This man is just impossible to deal with.’
Seeing he hadn’t reacted at all, she finally got out of the car, feeling discouraged.
"Thank you for the ride home, Mr. Hawthorne."
Sebastian Hawthorne gave a slight nod, calmly accepting her gratitude.
Cecilia Croft felt deflated.
She started to get out, but just as she was ducking through the doorway, a hand shot out from behind and grabbed her wrist.
Cecilia Croft paused in confusion, then a flicker of joy lit up her eyes.
"Mr. Hawthorne, are you willing to—"
"Miss Croft, you don’t even understand my needs, yet you’re approaching me for a partnership. I find it difficult to believe you can offer me any real benefits."
Stunned, Cecilia Croft hurried to respond.
"We’re both businesspeople. In business, you talk business. And what’s more important to a businessperson than profit?"
Sebastian Hawthorne’s long, narrow eyes glinted as he considered her. He didn’t answer, simply releasing her hand.
Cecilia Croft was confused.
Sebastian Hawthorne’s gaze shifted away from her to the front, his voice flat.
"Come back and talk to me when you understand what I need."
Cecilia grew anxious. "Then why not just tell me what you need, Mr. Hawthorne?"
Sebastian Hawthorne ignored her, simply instructing the driver in a cold voice.
"Drive."
The driver quickly ushered Cecilia Croft out, closed the door, returned to the driver’s seat, and started the car, pulling away from the curb.
Cecilia Croft stood rooted to the spot, her eyes filled with bewilderment.
Even after Sebastian Hawthorne’s car had vanished from sight, she still couldn’t figure out what it was he wanted.
She let out a sharp breath and turned around.
As she faced the gates of the old Croft family estate, Cecilia Croft froze for a second, overcome by a sense of unreality.
’I’m really back.’
Cecilia Croft walked to the door, took a shallow breath, and raised her hand to knock.
"Coming!" a voice called from inside.
The door opened quickly, and Auntie Zane peeked out. The moment she saw Cecilia Croft, a look of disbelief flashed across her eyes.
"Second Miss?"
Seeing the familiar face, Cecilia Croft felt her eyes well up.
"Auntie Zane, it’s been a long time."
A delighted expression spread across Auntie Zane’s face as she quickly pulled Cecilia Croft inside.
"I haven’t seen you in so many years, Second Miss. I almost didn’t recognize you."
Cecilia Croft walked beside Auntie Zane, heading toward the main courtyard of the Croft estate.
Auntie Zane was as talkative as ever, chattering nonstop the entire walk from the front to the main courtyard.
On the entire walk to the main courtyard, Cecilia Croft didn’t see a single servant other than Auntie Zane.
Ruby Croft was probably still at a business dinner and hadn’t come home yet.
Upon entering the main house, Cecilia Croft let Auntie Zane lead her to the living room sofa. Seeing no other staff inside, her confusion deepened.
"Auntie Zane, where are Uncle Quinn and the others?"
Uncle Quinn had been the Croft family’s butler.
Auntie Zane sighed. "Quincy already resigned. He went to be a butler for another family. For years now, the Eldest Miss has been so busy with the company she’s rarely home. They never hired any new staff for the estate. Of us old-timers, some left, some retired... In the end, I’m the only one left."
Cecilia Croft was silent for a long while.
Her memories of the Croft estate were still from her grandfather’s time. On evenings like this, the staff would have finished their work and gathered in small groups, chatting about neighborhood gossip.
Her grandfather would be in the courtyard after dinner, practicing his Tai Chi. Her sister would stand beside him, posture ramrod straight, giving a serious report on her day’s work.
Cecilia Croft knew, of course, that the Croft family wasn’t what it used to be.
But feeling the desolation of the grand estate so keenly now, she realized the Croft family’s troubles were far more severe than she had imagined.
"Second Miss, it’s a good thing you’ve returned. Otherwise, when I leave next month, the Eldest Miss would be all alone in this huge estate."
She understood that all good things must come to an end, but hearing that Auntie Zane was also leaving still felt like a sharp jab to her heart.
"Why are you leaving? Did another family offer you more money than the Crofts?"
Auntie Zane shook her head. "No, Second Miss. The Eldest Miss has actually been very good to me over the years, giving me plenty of raises. I’m just getting old. I can’t keep up with the work anymore. My son and daughter-in-law are married now, and they’ve had a son. I should go back and help look after my grandson, do my part for my own family."
Cecilia Croft nodded, a little dazed.
"That makes sense. After working for the Croft family for so many years, you probably haven’t had much time to care for your own."
"Have you told my sister you’re leaving?"
Auntie Zane nodded.
"I have. I told the Eldest Miss last month. She approved my resignation, but since no new staff have been hired, I didn’t feel right just up and leaving."
A bitter smile touched Cecilia Croft’s lips.
"I’ll take care of hiring some new staff tomorrow."
"Wonderful," Auntie Zane replied with a smile. "With you back, Second Miss, the Croft family is sure to get its old liveliness back."
Cecilia Croft pressed her lips together and gestured for Auntie Zane to go rest. She then sat alone on the sofa, silent for a long time, before finally pulling herself together.
’I’ve only just come face-to-face with the state of the Croft family, and it’s already almost too much to bear.’
’My sister has been living through this decline day in and day out. She must feel even more crushed.’
When Ruby Croft returned, it was already late at night. As she entered the foyer to change her shoes, she nearly stumbled.
Cecilia Croft rushed over to steady her. The strong smell of alcohol on her made Cecilia’s brow furrow instantly.
"You drank that much?"
Ruby Croft looked down, her cool, clear eyes gazing faintly at her for a long moment before she gave a slight nod.
"Mm."
She lowered her head and continued changing her shoes.
She had clearly had too much to drink; her body swayed.
Cecilia Croft sighed in resignation, retrieving a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and placing them at her sister’s feet.
Ruby Croft kicked off her high heels and slipped on the slippers. As she passed Cecilia, she reached out and ruffled her hair before heading toward the study.
"Go to bed early."
Seeing this, Cecilia Croft quickly called out.
"You drank so much, and you’re still going to work?"
Ruby Croft didn’t answer, just kept walking toward the study.
Cecilia Croft followed her.
Ruby Croft sat down in the chair at her desk, raising a hand to wearily massage her temples.
Cecilia Croft came up behind her, took over for her hands, and began to gently massage her temples herself.
"You shouldn’t drink so much."
Uncharacteristically docile, Ruby Croft nodded.
"Okay."
Seeing the exhaustion that Ruby couldn’t hide, Cecilia Croft took a deep breath and spoke softly.
"Sis, don’t you think people should know when to bend and when to stand tall?"
Ruby Croft nodded. "Mm."
Cecilia continued, "So, if softening up to Sebastian Hawthorne could temporarily relieve the pressure on the Croft Group, would you do it?"
Ruby Croft’s hand, which was reaching for a file, paused. She tilted her head to stare at Cecilia, and after a moment of serious consideration, she spoke.
"Soften up... and then marry you off to him?"
