chapter2197

Cecilia was shocked. Elena's calm confession hovered between them like cold smoke she could not wave away. So every utility bill, every leaking roof, every servant's wage at Rainsworth Manor had been shouldered by Elena alone. This was beyond unfair.

"Aunt Elena, I was wrong. Please, don't be mad at me."

Miranda was no fool. If they really split, the entire weight of running the manor would drop onto her narrow shoulders. Money, decisions, endless complaints-she could almost feel the coffers draining already.

Elena's lips curved in a smile that never touched her eyes. "Miranda, you should speak with your father-in-law. If you stay silent, I will find a time to bring it up myself."

Cornered, Miranda had no choice except to nod. "All right."

Only then did Elena turn toward Cecilia. "Ceci, let's head back."

"All right," Cecilia answered and dipped her chin, her ponytail brushing the collar of her coat.

As the two women walked away side by side, Miranda stared at their retreating backs, a fizzing mix of anger and envy knotting her chest.

Why does Cecilia get such a considerate mother-in-law while mine guards against me day and night? Now there's another expense, and he will surely vent his fury on

me.

Felix tugged at her sleeve, sensing the storm beneath her silence. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." She lowered her gaze to the small boy. "Felix, grow up quickly, will you? When you're big, you can protect me so no one dares bully me."

"I will, Mom. You can count on me." The boy nodded with solemn force, and only then did relief flicker across Miranda's face.

Elsewhere, Cecilia kept pace beside Elena on the walk back toward the main house.

They walked in silence until Elena spoke. "Tell me, do you think I was too harsh today?"

Cecilia answered without hesitation, shaking her head. "Not at all. In fact, you were right, and the separation should have happened long ago."

Elena halted mid-step and faced her daughter-in-law. A small, grateful smile eased the tight line of her mouth.

"You see things more clearly than I do. I once believed we shouldn't be

too stingy since we're family

ow

finally see that some people arent

worth of being family. Even blood brothers should keep separate accounts."

Elena was only that magnanimous in the past because her older brothers had adored her. Among the Griffiths children, love flowed so freely that no one ever mentioned money.

So when she married into the Rainsworths, she assumed Robert and Wren would share that same brotherly bond. At first, everything looked perfect.

But once Wren left town to chase amusement, Robert's true nature crept out.

He was a wolf in sheep's clothing, dressing greed in sweet words while taking advantage wherever he could, and their father favored Robert's branch at every turn.

For the sake of fragile peace, Elena had bitten back her anger and endured.

As the months slipped into years, she stopped caring.

That very indifference only emboldened the people in the main house. Take what had just happened, for example. Miranda enjoyed the comfort Elena's money had provided, but actually dared drop a snide remark about her favoritism. Did the woman lose her mind, or is she simply still half-asleep?

"That family runs on pure cunning-every one of them. They sniff out unguarded wallets the way wolves scent blood. Promise me you'll keep a safe distance from now on " Elena's voice was soft but it rang with steel.

She knew Cecilia was a kind woman.

Despite the coldness Elena had once subjected Cecilia to, the latter had chosen forgiveness.

With a firm nod, Cecilia answered, "All right."

They chatted a while longer after that. From Elena, Cecilia gleaned another fistful of hard-won business tricks. When the driver called, she gathered her files, straightened her jacket, and headed for the office.

Months at the company had honed her instincts: by the time the elevator doors parted, every pending report was already mapped inside her mind, each slot clicking neatly into place.

In only a few days, Charlotte would travel to Sven's remote hometown for the wedding that would anchor their years of love.

Determined to clear the decks, Cecilia plunged into the week's workload, aiming to finish early so she could personally escort Charlotte to the ceremony.