Chapter 175 - 174: Julian Fletcher Gets Injured to Save Cecilia Caldwell

Chapter 175: Chapter 174: Julian Fletcher Gets Injured to Save Cecilia Caldwell

"Good." Julian Fletcher nodded, reaching for my hand.

I avoided his hand and stood my ground, impassive.

Julian Fletcher lowered his gaze, then turned and walked downstairs.

"Julian Fletcher," I said, following him. "Why do you think I’m Cecilia Caldwell?"

Julian’s footsteps halted on the stairs. He turned back to look at me. "Because you are..."

"What if someone else shows up tomorrow and tells you she’s Cecilia Caldwell? What will you do then?" I sneered.

Julian looked stunned. "That won’t happen... I’d be able to recognize you."

I laughed.

’Really?’

’Asher recognized me almost as soon as he saw me.’

’But Julian? I didn’t believe him.’

’If Erin Whittaker and Victor Quinn’s plan actually succeeded...’

’...would Asher and Julian still be able to recognize me?’

’Would they still trust me?’

Julian opened his mouth as if to say something, but then he just lowered his gaze and continued downstairs.

Just as I was about to follow, the housekeeper, Mrs. Wright, grabbed my arm and looked at me, as if testing me.

"Cece... the cherry tree on Quentin Road has blossomed..."

I looked at Mrs. Wright blankly.

’What does that mean?’

Seeing my confused expression, Mrs. Wright abruptly let go of my arm. Her expression became guarded as she said flatly, "Miss, it’s time to eat."

As Mrs. Wright turned and went downstairs, my legs felt stiff.

’The cherry tree on Quentin Road has blossomed?’

’It sounded like a code phrase.’

’Was she giving the code to Cecilia Caldwell, or to Silvia Lynch?’

’Is this housekeeper a double agent?’

"Miss, have some of this sea bass. It’s your favorite," Mrs. Wright said during dinner, placing a dish of steamed sea bass in front of me.

I frowned, watching her...

’She knows perfectly well I don’t eat sea bass...’

When she saw I wasn’t eating, Mrs. Wright spoke again. "Miss, the weather is getting warmer. You and the young master should go out for a change of scenery. Go see the tulips; they’ve bloomed beautifully."

Julian cut in, his voice low. "Cece is allergic to large fields of tulips. A severe reaction makes it hard for her to breathe."

"Oh, I seem to have forgotten..." Mrs. Wright nodded and turned away.

Julian put some food in my bowl, then picked up a napkin to wipe my hands.

I instinctively pulled my hand back. Deep down, my aversion to him was still strong.

Julian fell silent and simply continued to ladle soup for me instead.

Across the table, Erin Whittaker stared at me, her eyes practically popping out of their sockets with jealousy.

I glanced over at Erin Whittaker and said in a soft voice, "Julian... I’d like an egg. Could you peel one for me?"

Julian reached for an egg, peeled it with great care, and placed it in my bowl.

"Julian, I can’t eat with her staring at me..." I said, propping my head on my hand, a smirk playing on my lips.

’I was determined to cause a scene.’

’To stir up trouble.’

’She wants to take my place, doesn’t she? Well, before she gets the chance, I’m going to make things as difficult as possible.’

Julian sighed. He knew I was making trouble, but he indulged me anyway.

He seemed resigned to my whims. "Erin, I’m sorry, but from now on, please try to eat in your room. I’ll have the housekeeper bring your meals to you."

Erin clenched her fists in anger, her eyes turning red. "Julian... do you hate me that much?"

"He’s not the one who hates you; I am." I set down my chopsticks and looked at Erin. "The sight of you makes me nauseous. I can’t eat."

"Silvia Lynch!" Erin shot up from her chair, furious.

"Julian, she’s scaring me..." I said, my eyes welling up as I clung to Julian’s arm.

Julian froze for a second, looking at me, before speaking. "Erin, Cece is the lady of this house."

Erin took a deep breath, clearly suppressing her anger. "Fine... I’ll leave."

The moment Erin was gone, I instantly let go of Julian and wiped my hands in disgust.

Julian sighed in resignation. He didn’t say a word, just continued to put more food in my bowl.

"Stop it. I don’t want any food you’ve touched," I said. I finished the egg, took two sips of soup, and stood up to leave. "I’m going for a walk. Don’t follow me."

Julian stood up, as if he wanted to say something.

He followed me to the doorway. Only when he saw me glaring at him did he speak, his voice soft. "Put on a jacket... It’s still a bit chilly out."

When I didn’t answer, Julian took off his own jacket and carefully draped it over my shoulders.

’I thought he was pathetic. I used to be so good to him, and he tossed me aside like trash...’

’And now he was so timidly trying to be good to me.’

"I don’t want to look at you," I said, turning to leave.

Julian remained where he was, not following. There was a dejected look to his silhouette.

He said something to the housekeeper, but I couldn’t hear what it was.

’In any case, I was now starting to have my suspicions about the Fletcher family...’

’Mrs. Wright was no simple housekeeper. Julian was constantly being plotted against by Erin Whittaker and Victor Quinn. His mother was rarely in Meridia, and his father seemed to have a mistress... He was practically a non-entity in the Fletcher family.’

’The entire Fletcher family was now resting on Julian’s shoulders alone.’

"Silvia Lynch!" I had just reached the small garden when I heard Erin’s furious voice call out to me.

I tugged on the jacket Julian had given me, deliberately provoking her. "What? Can’t take it anymore? In that case, just tell me what I want to know..."

"And if I tell you, you’ll leave?" Erin watched me warily.

’She was finally caving.’

"Of course." I nodded.

"Fine..." Erin narrowed her eyes, a cunning glint in them. "In a few days, there’s a charity gala. The CEO of the Astraeus Group will be there in person. I have inside info on which hotel and room he’s staying in..."

"And why should I trust you?" I asked calmly.

"You can bring people with you. You’re there to talk business, not do anything shady. If I’m lying to you... well, the worst that can happen is you go back to fighting me for Julian," Erin said through gritted teeth.

"Fine. Give me the address." I held out my hand for the room number.

Erin reluctantly took out her phone, typed something, and held it out for me to take a picture.

I snapped a picture of the room number and smiled at Erin. "I wish you the best of luck... May you and Julian live happily ever after."

Erin gritted her teeth. "I don’t need your snide remarks."

’I ignored her. My objective was complete. I needed to get out of the Fletcher residence and find a way to rescue Asher as soon as possible.’

’Between the knockout drugs and the incense, I had to be careful to protect this life I’d fought so hard for.’

After leaving the Fletcher residence, I called Owen Foster.

Owen told me to find a place to hide and to stay out of sight.

’But I had indeed overlooked one thing... Erin Whittaker.’

’The moment I left the Fletcher residence, she would have told Master Lancaster’s people.’

And so, I hadn’t gotten far before motorcyclists appeared on the road.

I hid behind a dumpster, waiting for the bikers to pass before slowly emerging.

’Master Lancaster was hell-bent on killing me and my child... ’

VROOOM! Suddenly, I heard the roar of a motorcycle from behind.

A biker suddenly accelerated, charging right at me.

I dodged behind a lamppost, and the man crashed right into it.

The other bikers realized what had happened and turned back.

’I stood my ground, counting the seconds. Julian should be coming after me any moment now.’

"Three... two... one..."

A black car sped onto the scene. Julian swerved, knocking the bikers aside, and threw open the passenger door. "Cece! Get in!"

One of the bikers smashed at the car with a club, shattering the driver’s side window. Julian raised his arm to block it, and the club slammed into his forearm. Then the man pulled a knife and lunged at Julian.

"Julian Fletcher!"

Julian grabbed the blade of the knife, his hand getting sliced open in the process. He shoved the man away, slammed on the gas, and sped off with me.

"Didn’t I tell you not to leave the Fletcher residence? Master Lancaster’s men won’t let you go..." Julian said, his voice tense as he looked at me. "Are you hurt?"

I ignored him, just staring down without a word.

Julian sighed and tried again. "Have you finished reading your parents’ journals?"

I shook my head. ’There were so many entries; there was no way I could have finished them that quickly.’

"I saw on the news this morning that there was another murder at the auto repair shop. Someone was stabbed, doused in perfume, and gnawed on by stray dogs."

I stared at Julian in shock.

’The suspect in the Street Alley murder had already jumped to his death... and now there was a similar case.’

’Was this a copycat, or a serial killer?’

"But this one is different. Miraculously, the victim didn’t die. Even though they’d been mauled by stray dogs, they were still breathing when the police found them. It’s unclear if they’ll survive."

(We’ll get to see Asher tomorrow!)