chapter2173

Cecilia learned of the arrest from Norman, the news hitting her like a splash of ice water.

For now, posting bail would be impossible.

"Mr. Jenkins, please investigate this," Cecilia said, steady but strained. "Charlotte really never hurt Felix."

Norman eased the briefcase against his side, straightened the knot of his tie, and met Cecilia's eyes with a measured calm. "Ceci, rest easy. I'll dig until every shred of evidence is laid bare-count on it."

Cecilia lowered her head in quiet gratitude. "Mm."

Even after giving that small nod, unease still pressed against her ribs.

Cecilia knew exactly how relentless Miranda could be. Given an opening, the

woman would hound Charlotte without mercy.

Soon, Cecilia went to see Charlotte personally.

Charlotte, on the other hand, seemed rather unconcerned. "Boss, don't worry about me. Two days in here is nothing. I'm tougher than I look."

Cecilia bit back the truth she carried.

According to the medical report Miranda had commissioned, Charlotte faced at least six months behind bars.

"Mm. In any case, I'll do everything I can to get you out," Cecilia said, words clipped with resolve.

Charlotte nodded, then hesitated. "Oh, one more thing-please don't mention any of this to Sven, Boss."

"Why not?"

Charlotte shook her head. "He's already very busy. I don't want him to worry about me and add to his stress. Promise me, Boss."

Cecilia exhaled, surrendering to the plea. "All right. I won't breathe a word."

Charlotte's smile softened. "Thank you, Boss. I keep giving you so much trouble." Cecilia rested a hand against the glass partition, willing her own smile to form. "You silly thing. After everything we've been through, you're hardly a burden."

When a guard announced the end of visiting hours, Cecilia's gaze lingered on Charlotte, reluctant to turn away.

"Wait for me," she whispered through the phone receiver.

Charlotte nodded once more. There was no fear in her eyes—only unwavering faith in Cecilia.

That trust felt like a weight on Cecilia's shoulders as she stepped into the corridor and let the doors lock behind her.

She hadn't walked far when two silhouettes emerged beneath a streetlamp, light carving silver edges along their coats.

Nathaniel led the way, every step purposeful. Beside him walked Ernest Jaeger, impeccably pressed suit, leather briefcase tucked beneath one arm, hair slicked into orderly lines.

Ernest-Vivian's first love-had been working under Nathaniel the entire time.

When Vivian married two years ago, Ernest quietly requested a transfer out of Tudela, choosing to be stationed in one of the branch companies.

As such, this was the first time Cecilia had seen him since that transfer.

Gone was the bright-eyed prodigy; in his place stood a man hollowed by time, shoulders slumped, eyes carrying a slow, private ache.

Cecilia's pulse quickened. Why are they both here?

Within moments, the pair stopped directly in front of her, frost-cold lamp light settling over all three like a spotlight.

Nathaniel's voice carried the weight of command. "Is Charlotte's situation handled?" Cecilia, startled that even knew, shook her head. "Not yet."

Ernest stepped forward, eyes clearing with quiet purpose-as though, at last, he had found something worth fighting for.

His voice cut through the air-low, brisk, and edged with a determination that dared anyone to argue. "I'll bail her out."

Cecilia wanted to tell him Norman

had already tried and failed, yet the warning never found an Ernest long legs devoured the ground, and in two swift strides, he vanished beyond the security doors.

Cecilia stepped aside, offering no resistance. She prayed Ernest might find a way to pull Charlotte from the jaws of jail.

When his silhouette disappeared, the woman turned to Nathaniel, worry tightening her brow. "Why has he come back all of a sudden?" she asked.

A raw winter gust howled along the concrete facade. Nathaniel caught her fingers, slipped them into the warmth of his overcoat pocket, and shielded them as though they were the only flame left in the wind.

"His wife, Jennifer Hughes, has passed away. That's why he returned," Nathaniel said, each word falling like frost.

Needless to say, Cecilia was shocked. "Passed away? How could that happen?"

"Jennifer was already gravely ill," Nathaniel explained, voice low with regret. "She ignored every doctor's plea just to carry their baby to term The child was born healthy, but she hemorrhaged afterward. They couldn't save her."

Cecilia listened, emotion swirling until no single feeling could settle long enough to name itself.

Oh dear... No wonder Ernest looked like a man carved from grief, hollow and hauntingly alone.