Chapter 37: Beautiful Sister

When they arrived at the Grant Group’s building, Cecilia Reed suddenly let her hair down to cover the scar on her face. Noticing Amanda Vance looking at her, she explained sheepishly, "I’m worried I’ll scare Jean. It’s better to cover it."

"Cecilia," Amanda Vance said, looking at her. "I can heal the scar on your face."

"No, it’s fine." Cecilia Reed touched her face, her gaze resolute. "I want to keep it, to stop myself from being so stupid again."

To her, it was pain, shame, and most of all, a warning. It was the driving force behind her desperate climb, a constant reminder of the hatred she must never forget.

"Okay." Amanda wasn’t surprised she’d say that. She took Cecilia’s hand and led her inside. "Don’t be afraid. You’re still the most beautiful girl, and Jean will love you."

The warmth traveled from her hand straight to her heart. A smile slowly blossomed on Cecilia Reed’s face. ’Who said Megan was cold? She couldn’t be more gentle.’

Hayden Grant followed behind them. He glanced at their clasped hands and pursed his lips, but ultimately said nothing.

"Mommy!" The moment the door opened, Felix Ford’s head snapped in their direction. When he saw it was her, his eyes instantly lit up. He jumped off the sofa, ran over to hug her legs, and looked up at her with his pale little face. "Mommy, you’re here," he said softly.

"Yes." Amanda patted his head. Her mood, which had been soured by Shirley Vance, instantly brightened at the sight of his smile. She bent down, picked him up, and pinched his cheek. "Did you miss me?"

"I did!" Felix Ford declared loudly and clearly. He then wrapped his arms around her neck and snuggled against her, full of dependence.

His soft little body nearly melted Amanda’s heart, and she couldn’t help but laugh.

Cecilia Reed watched them with curiosity. This was the first time she had seen Megan’s son. She had only ever heard that he was very smart, a little genius, but she never expected him to be so adorable and sweet with his mother.

Felix Ford noticed her too. Cradled in Amanda’s arms, he was now much taller, his eyes level with hers. Seeing the kindness in her gaze, his eyes crinkled into a smile. "Pretty lady, who are you?" he asked.

’Pretty lady?’

Cecilia Reed couldn’t help but smile. ’This little guy is quite the charmer.’

No woman could resist those two words, and Cecilia Reed was no exception. She looked at him with a grin and asked, "Do you really think I’m a pretty lady?"

"Of course. You’re so beautiful and so young, so ’pretty lady’ is exactly right."

The scar on her face was too large for her hair to hide completely, and some of it had become visible as she walked. Felix Ford saw it clearly, but he didn’t think anything of it. He could tell she was a very good person; the way she looked at his mom was so gentle, and her gaze toward him was full of warmth. He liked her.

After a moment’s thought, he held his arms out to her.

Cecilia Reed was taken aback, deeply flattered. This was the first time since her injury that a child had willingly asked to be held by her. Usually, children on the street would burst into tears at the sight of her.

Seeing this, Amanda passed him over to her. Cecilia dazedly reached out. The weight in her arms slowly brought her back to her senses. She instinctively pursed her lips, looking at him nervously and tightening her grip, afraid she might drop him.

Sensing her nervousness, it was Felix who reassured her. "Don’t be nervous, pretty lady. I’m already five years old. I won’t let myself fall."

With that, he wrapped one arm around her neck and smiled at her. "See? Now we’re steady."

Amanda’s lips curled into a smile. ’I never knew Jean was such a smooth-talker.’

Hayden Grant rolled his eyes and tutted. ’Tsk, this kid is so two-faced. Unbelievable.’

Felix Ford couldn’t care less what he thought. He was completely focused on cheering up Cecilia Reed. ’She’s close with Mom, so if she’s happy, Mom will definitely be happy too.’

With this in mind, his words became even sweeter. Of course, he also genuinely thought she was a good person, which was why he wanted to be close to her.

He reached out and touched the scarred side of her face, saying earnestly, "Looks are just skin-deep. True beauty is what’s in your heart."

Cecilia Reed let out a laugh. She knew he was intentionally trying to cheer her up, but his words still warmed her. More importantly, there was truly not a single trace of fear or disgust in his eyes. That in itself was the greatest kindness he could show her.

She couldn’t resist reaching out and giving his cheek a pinch. Her hand had been itching to do it ever since she saw Megan do the same. Now that she had her chance, she found his cheeks were indeed incredibly soft.

She laughed. "Thank you, Jean. You’ve made me very happy. But you should probably just call me ’Auntie.’ I’m even a few years older than your mom."

"Okay, pretty Auntie." Felix Ford readily switched, not forgetting to pile on another compliment, which made Cecilia Reed’s smile grow even wider.

She was quite attractive to begin with, and with her gentle smile and soft eyes, it made one unconsciously overlook the scar on her face.

Harrison Grant walked in just in time to see this scene, and his steps faltered for a moment.

"Harrison," Amanda said, seeing him first. She stood up. "Thank you again for helping me look after Jean."

"You’re welcome. Jean is very well-behaved; I barely had to do anything."

Hearing this, Felix Ford couldn’t help but grin smugly. ’See? I’m a good boy.’

Amanda looked at his proud little expression and took him back into her arms. "Well, we’ll be heading home now."

"Okay. Be careful on the way."

"Okay."

Hayden Grant also rose slowly, hands in his pockets, and lazily followed them out. Seeing him act like this, Harrison Grant frowned. With other people around, he didn’t say much, but he couldn’t help sighing to himself.

’This foolish little brother of mine... when he gets stubborn, there’s really nothing I can do. He won’t listen to anyone. I just hope he figures it out soon.’

Hayden freeloaded a dinner at Amanda Vance’s home and only left reluctantly after Felix Ford started trying to kick him out.

When Cecilia Reed came out, she saw his car was still there. The lights were off; all she could see was the faint glow of a cigarette tip.

She walked over, shot him a sidelong glance, and scoffed. "What, still haven’t given up?"

Hayden Grant glanced at her but said nothing.

It was rare to see him like this, and Cecilia found she couldn’t bring herself to say more. Finally, she just offered, "Want to get a drink?"

This time, Hayden Grant responded. "Sure. You think I’m scared of you?"

She wasn’t afraid of him, either.

The car started up and quickly disappeared.

"Mommy," Felix Ford said, snuggling in Amanda Vance’s arms after his bath. "Was Miss Reed bullied by someone?"

"Yes." Amanda didn’t say more. The incident still disgusted her even now when she recalled it, and she didn’t want to sully his ears with it.

Felix didn’t press for details. He clenched his little fists and said, "When I grow up, I’ll help Miss Reed beat the crap out of the people who bullied her and make them apologize."

Hearing his childish words, Amanda couldn’t help but smile. "Your Miss Reed will get her own revenge. She doesn’t want their apologies. They’re not even human, so how can you expect them to ever feel true remorse? But it’s okay. Your Miss Reed doesn’t need them to say sorry."

’She only wants to see them on their knees, begging for mercy as they cling to life.’

’And she, too, was waiting for that day.’

Sensing the sudden drop in her mood, Felix hugged her and said, "Mommy, I’ll never let anyone bully you like that."

’Mommy must be thinking about those people from the Vance family. I’ll definitely help her.’

Seeing the sudden determination in his little eyes, Amanda raised an eyebrow and patted him gently on the back. "Go to sleep. You only have a few more days to play before school starts."

’School?!’

Felix Ford was jolted wide awake, and his little face fell.

’He didn’t want to go to school.’