Chapter 333
Cecilia’s pov
Yvonne’s place was buried in the suburbs, with no neighbors in sight, just grass and a security system ready to scan your eyeballs. It looked like a luxury yacht floating in a sea of lawn.
Classic Yvonne.
For someone who fluttered through Denver’s high society like it was her private runway, she kept her actual home life behind velvet ropes.
Very few people ever made it past these gates.
“Miss Yvonne is in the media room on the third floor,” the butler said, his tone so flat it could’ve been automated.”You can head up yourself, Miss Cecilia p>
I nodded and nudged Tang toward the elevator.
Everything was spotless, like always. It felt more like a showroom than a home.
We opened the media room door.
Yvonne was sprawled across a custom leather couch, looking like a soap opera actress on her break. She wore a shiny silk slip dress with so many cutouts it barely counted as clothing.
A small mountain of snacks surrounded her like temple offerings, and an action movie blared from a theater-sized screen.
Tang’s eyes widened, then darted away so fast you’d think they burned him.
A flush crept up his neck all the way to his ears.
“Tang came too?” Yvonne purred, dragging out the words as she reached for a silky robe tossed on the couch.
She slipped it on with the kind of practiced ease that somehow managed to reveal more than it covered.
“If you’re really sick, maybe skip the junk food,” I said, plucking the bag of chips from her hands.
She snatched it back like I’d tried to steal state secrets.
“It’s precisely because I’m sick that I have no appetite,” she said, pressing a delicate hand to her forehead like she was auditioning for a tragic 1940s film.
“I’ve been nauseous for two days. No energy, weak legs, and I can’t stand the smell of meat or fish without gagging p>
I raised an eyebrow. That… sounded familiar.
She turned her gaze on me, slow and deliberate.
“Cecilia,” she said sweetly, “what do you think could possibly be causing this p>
I flopped down beside her and stole a chip, crunching it like it was the world’s loudest popcorn.
“Hmm,” I said, pretending to think. “Random food aversions, fatigue, mysterious nausea… obviously lingering trauma. From that night at the club p>
Yvonne’s eyes lit up with faux realization.
“Ah, so I’m suffering from shock,” she repeated, dragging out the word like it was dripping in sarcasm.
That mischievous glint in her eye made me want to stuff the entire chip bag in her mouth.
I bit down on another chip, loud and deliberate.
“What’s a girl supposed to do after experiencing such a shock, Cecilia?” she asked, voice oozing implication.”Nighttime is when we’re at our most defenseless. Makes us vulnerable to all kinds of… surprises p>
I stared at her. “Please don’t call it a surprise p>
Her eyes flicked toward mine, reading more than I wanted her to.
She let out a dramatic sigh. “It’s just so troubling p>
She kept tossing these not-so-subtle hints like candy at a parade, and I seriously considered burying my face in the chip bag and never coming back out.
Finally, I handed it back to her.
“Don’t overthink it,” I said evenly. “Eat if you’re hungry. Sleep when you’re tired. Let nature do what it does best p>
“Is that really how this works?” she asked, leaning in, suddenly curious. “When you say let nature take its course… what exactly happens naturally after p>
“Whatever feels right to you,” I replied.
“To me personally p>
“Yes, to you p>
“And that’ll actually work p>
“You won’t know unless you try p>
“Try? Be brave and accept the consequences?” she gasped, clutching her hands together like she was moved to tears. “My God, how inspiring! Who’s been feeding you this motivational wisdom? They should be giving TED Talks p>
She broke into laughter, clapping her hands until her cheeks turned a rosy pink.
I was just about to roll my eyes when a knock interrupted the moment.
“Miss Yvonne,” the butler called from outside the door, voice muffled but polite. “You have a visitor p>
My first thought was Sebastian. I shot Tang a sharp, suspicious look.
[ Had he gone behind my back and called his Alpha? ]
Tang suddenly found the ceiling absolutely fascinating.
“Who is it?” Yvonne called lazily.
“Mr. George, miss. He says you had an appointment to view the new clothing collection p>
“Oh!George,” she said, recognition dawning. Then a frown followed as she checked her phone. “Wait… we scheduled that for the 29th. Today’s only the 28th p>
“Shall I send him away p>
Yvonne pursed her lips, visibly torn. Despite her ‘illness,’ the lure of new designer clothes was clearly winning.
“Well… since he’s already here, let him in. Take him to the east sitting room downstairs p>
“Yes, miss p>
As the butler’s footsteps faded, Yvonne straightened up and ran her fingers through her long hair with effortless grace. Her movements were a practiced blend of seduction and style.
She turned to me with a smile. “Come try clothes with me p>
“I thought you were sick,” I said pointedly. “You got enough energy for a fashion show p>
She swatted my arm playfully. “So mean! A girl needs joy when she’s feeling down. It’s called emotional healing p>
I couldn’t argue with her twisted logic.
We stood up, and I turned to Tang with a smirk. “Tang, could you help our poor, fragile, emotionally healing hostess? We wouldn’t want her collapsing before the first outfit p>
It was meant to tease her back. But Tang took it literally.
Before I could say another word, he stepped forward and scooped Yvonne up like she weighed nothing.
Yvonne let out a startled gasp, eyes wide as she stared up at him.
For a second, I thought she’d scold him. But then… something shifted.She tapped one manicured nail against his chest.
“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” she asked, voice suddenly sweet as honey.
“No worries,” she purred, patting his cheek like she was rewarding a cute but clueless puppy. “I see what you’re doing. Very clever p>
Tang looked completely lost. I was pretty sure he just thought carrying her was more efficient than bending down to offer an arm.
As I watched Tang get flirted with like a contestant on a dating show, I was utterly speechless.