Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Go to Hell
Cecilia Sterling’s tone was calm, but there wasn’t a hint of a joke in it.
"Miss Sterling, there’s really no need to call the police." Seeing this, James Lockwood quickly put a hand on Cecilia Sterling’s to stop her. He spoke with such urgency that he accidentally pulled on a muscle in his cheek, making him hiss in pain.
Although Amanda Shawcross felt for her husband, she knew they had to consider the bigger picture at a time like this. She, too, shook her head gently, signaling for Cecilia Sterling to let it go.
Just then, someone seemed to recognize Shawn Lane. They quickly walked over to James Lockwood and whispered a few words in his ear.
James Lockwood’s expression changed drastically at the words, and he subconsciously glanced at Shawn Lane.
’The son of the Lane Group?’
’He’s someone I can’t afford to offend, let alone blame!’
A waiter brought over an ice pack, and James Lockwood used it as an excuse to address the onlookers. "It’s nothing, everyone. Please head back inside. I’m just going to ice this quickly."
With that, he looked at Cecilia Sterling and sighed softly. "Miss Sterling, perhaps you should handle your friend."
Cecilia Sterling naturally felt apologetic. ’Mr. Lockwood clearly took that punch out of nowhere because of me. We’re all successful people with a certain social standing, and at an event like this, an incident like that is bound to cost him some face, one way or another.’
"Uh... I’m sorry, sir. I was being impulsive. I’m willing to compensate you."
Shawn Lane’s senses seemed to have finally returned. Seeing James Lockwood about to leave, he rushed forward to apologize, trying to salvage the situation.
But James Lockwood just looked at him and shook his head. Without another word, he allowed Amanda Shawcross to escort him back into the banquet hall.
Seeing this, the others also pretended nothing was amiss and returned to the party. At least no one would stay behind to gawk at James Lockwood’s expense.
Soon, the banquet hall doors closed once more, leaving only Cecilia Sterling, Shawn Lane, and Beatrice Lynn—who was glaring defiantly at Cecilia—outside with two security guards.
Cecilia Sterling took a deep breath and turned to face Shawn Lane.
Her gaze was so bone-chilling that a shiver ran down Shawn Lane’s spine.
"Cecilia... I..."
Shawn Lane started to speak but trailed off, his handsome face filled with panic and guilt. His jaw worked for a moment before he managed to say, "I’m sorry."
"Shawn, you don’t need to apologize to her. Just because that man’s wife was here doesn’t prove their relationship was completely innocent."
Even now, Beatrice Lynn was still trying to seize the opportunity to sling mud at Cecilia Sterling.
"Get lost!"
Shawn Lane roared. Startled, Beatrice Lynn’s lip quivered, her face a mask of wounded fright as large tears began to roll down her cheeks.
"Shawn..."
"I told you to get lost!"
Beatrice Lynn burst into louder sobs, but she didn’t dare provoke Shawn Lane further. Instead, she shot Cecilia Sterling a venomous glare before turning to leave, her eyes filled with bitter resentment.
Cecilia Sterling watched their little performance, letting out a cold scoff only after Beatrice Lynn had made her exit.
The disgust in her eyes for Shawn Lane was palpable; she didn’t want to waste another word on him. But it was clear he wasn’t going to let her leave so easily.
He sidestepped to block Cecilia’s path and, before she could react, abruptly pulled her into his arms.
His embrace was broad, and she could feel his powerful heartbeat and smell his pleasant, woody cologne, but to Cecilia, it was all just nauseating.
"Shawn Lane! Let go of me!"
Cecilia struggled furiously, but the difference in their strength was too great. His arms were like steel clamps, holding her fast.
"I’m not letting go. I’ll never let you go." At that moment, Shawn Lane felt his manliness was off the charts. ’Sometimes, girls like this forceful, dominant kind of love,’ he thought.
He didn’t forget to spout some self-pitying sweet nothings. "Cecilia, come back to me, please? I really can’t live without you. I’ve been going crazy these last few days. I was crazy today, that’s why I did something so absurd. Please, save me!"
’Save you? My ass! You can go to hell!’
The next second, Cecilia viciously struck out with all her might. Channeling all her strength into her hand, she went straight for Shawn’s most vulnerable point with a vicious grab.
The force of the motion was so great that Cecilia instinctively gritted her teeth. And from the fleshy contact, it was obvious Shawn was going commando.
It was September, and Shawn Lane was only wearing a pair of thin sweatpants. Cecilia’s attack caught him completely off guard; he never would have imagined she’d do something like this.
A howl of agony echoed through the empty corridor, and all the strength instantly drained from Shawn Lane’s body.
The two security guards behind them, who had been hesitating about whether to step in and help Cecilia, instinctively clamped their legs together and froze in utter shock.
’That was brutal!’
Shawn Lane clutched his groin and stumbled backward, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead from the pain. The six-foot-one man was doubled over like a cooked shrimp.
"Ce..."
Cecilia Sterling watched him, speechless with pain. She emotionlessly smoothed out her hair, which had been messed up during the struggle, before saying, "You haven’t been to the urologist yet, have you? This is a good time to get that checked out, too. It’ll save you a trip."
With that, she walked past Shawn Lane and left without a backward glance.
Tears streamed uncontrollably from Shawn Lane’s eyes. The combination of emotional and physical agony brought him to the brink of collapse, and he let out a sudden, guttural roar of "AHHH—!"
On the way back, Cecilia Sterling sent a message to James Lockwood: "Mr. Lockwood, I’m truly sorry about today. No matter how you look at it, you suffered needlessly because of me."
James Lockwood replied quickly: "Miss Sterling, please don’t blame yourself. It was all a misunderstanding."
Cecilia Sterling typed out a longer reply, but after a moment of hesitation, she deleted it. She knew there was only one thing that could truly appease him.
"Mr. Lockwood, you can send the contract over tonight. I’ll wire the investment funds within three days."
Sure enough, James Lockwood replied, "Miss Sterling, you don’t mess around. My face is feeling better already."
Cecilia Sterling read the message and gave a wry smile.
The next day, while undergoing military training on the field under the hot sun, Lily Sterling was suddenly called aside by a teacher.
"Mr. Young, you were looking for me?"
In a shady spot on the field, Mr. Young looked at Lily Sterling. Strands of hair were stuck to her pretty, sweat-glistened face, and even when she casually brushed them aside, it couldn’t hide the girl’s vibrant spirit.
’No wonder the film crew chose her,’ he thought. ’And after all the twists and turns, they even gave her a key supporting role.’
"Lily Sterling, the production crew contacted me unexpectedly last night. They said you have a wonderful quality about you and aren’t suited to play a maid, so they’ve decided to have you play the fourth female lead, Flora."
’Those were Sam Fletcher’s exact words.’
Lily Sterling was completely stunned. For a long moment, she forgot to react.
Seeing her reaction, Mr. Young smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "It’s rare for a freshman to get such a great opportunity. You have to be sure to seize it."
"Mr. Young, I’m playing Flora?" The reality slowly dawned on Lily Sterling, and she asked for confirmation in disbelief. "The Second Miss, Flora?"
"That’s right. You," Mr. Young affirmed emphatically.
In an instant, tears burst from Lily Sterling’s eyes. They were tears of joy, tears for something lost and now regained, tears for hitting the jackpot out of the blue.
She remembered her sister’s words. ’Don’t be so quick to feel wronged. Maybe before you even have a chance to wipe away your tears, a better opportunity will find you.’
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