Cedar Ridge’s media, always quick to stir the pot, seized the opportunity with exaggerated headlines. By the time Dione had gathered the courage to confront him, Cedric had already instructed her to handle the media.
For the sake of Cedric’s reputation, Dione accepted his new apprentice, putting on a gracious front for the cameras.
Watching Cedric go to great lengths to protect Ophelia, Dione’s heart broke. All the questions she had, the ones she couldn’t voice, were swallowed by the pain. As time passed, the resentment festered, becoming a wound that never healed.
Dione transferred a large sum to Dr. Pierce for the euthanasia arrangements and also donated generously to a lupus research foundation.
Her bank card was linked to Cedric’s, so he received notifications of these transactions. After a quick glance, he tossed his phone aside, assuming Dione was simply splurging on another new handbag.
Ophelia’s teeth ground together as she watched, her gaze burning with resentment. To her, the money Dione spent so freely seemed like a wound, a piece of flesh she would eventually claim for herself.
Dione hadn’t expected Ophelia to show up at her doorstep, and certainly not with such audacity. She was flipping through old photos when the doorbell rang. Thinking it was the takeout she had ordered, she opened the door only to find Ophelia standing there, a smirk playing on her lips.
“Dione, long time no see. Why do you look so pale? Could it be menopause?” Ophelia sneered, her smile sickly sweet.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Dione slapped her hard across the face.
“You’ve got some nerve! A dog like you dares to bark at my door?”
Though Dione’s health had taken a toll, she still made sure to keep fit when she could, and the slap was delivered with force, a clear sign of her strength.
“But Cedric likes this dog of his,” Ophelia smirked, her voice dripping with malicious amusement as she played a recording from her phone.
First came Ophelia's coy voice. “Cedric, I’m going to drain you dry so you won’t touch her when you go home.”
Then came Cedric's unsatisfied voice. “I haven’t touched her in half a year. She’s too skinny. Hugging her is like hugging a dried corpse…”
Hearing Cedric say those words was like a slap to Dione’s face. She stood frozen, unable to comprehend what she was hearing.