Chapter 226 - 224: Old Classmate

"Did your boyfriend buy it?"

Vivian Sheridan immediately got that gossipy look in her eye. After all, from what she knew of Cecilia Sterling, there was no way she could afford such an expensive bracelet on her own.

Cecilia Sterling shook her head, but Vivian Sheridan didn’t buy it. "Don’t be shy with me! You’re so beautiful, and Lorcain is full of rich people. I’m sure you have tons of guys chasing after you!"

"I am dating someone," Cecilia Sterling said truthfully, "but my boyfriend didn’t buy this bracelet. I bought it myself."

At that, Vivian Sheridan’s expression finally turned to shock, and a sordid thought subconsciously surfaced in her mind.

"Cecilia, you..."

Cecilia Sterling’s brow furrowed slightly. "Don’t get the wrong idea. I made a bit of money from investments in Lorcain."

’A bit of money?’

’How can "a bit of money" buy such an expensive bracelet?’

She slowly released Cecilia Sterling’s hand, pursing her lips. "You have to take good care of yourself, being all alone in Lorcain."

The comment seemed a bit out of place, but Cecilia Sterling knew Vivian Sheridan’s mind was running wild, imagining all sorts of scandalous things.

’After all, they hadn’t seen each other in two years. The change in me must be a pretty big shock for her.’

"You know me. I’m not that kind of person," Cecilia Sterling said, patting Vivian’s shoulder reassuringly.

Vivian Sheridan looked at her and gave a small nod.

"Well then, show me what your boyfriend looks like. I’ll see if he’s good enough for you." Vivian Sheridan’s expression shifted, but she quickly composed herself.

Cecilia Sterling gave a helpless smile, taking out her phone to pull up a picture of Saul Thorne. "Here, take a look. He’s a police officer."

"Wow, he’s so handsome! How tall is he?"

"About six-one."

"Where’s he from?"

"He’s a Lorcain local."

Vivian Sheridan’s eyes were glued to the phone. "Wow, Cecilia, he’s a real catch! You two are a perfect match—the handsome man and the beautiful woman. And if he’s a Lorcain native, his family must be well-off."

Cecilia Sterling laughed. "I wasn’t thinking about all that. I just fell for his face and his physique."

Hearing this, Vivian Sheridan shot Cecilia Sterling a knowing look and tutted twice. "TSK TSK. You’re the same as ever—a total sucker for a pretty face!"

Cecilia Sterling raised an eyebrow, not denying it.

Then, Vivian Sheridan abruptly changed the subject. "Hector Mason and Lisa Upton are together now."

The two names, popping up so suddenly, made Cecilia Sterling pause. It took her a moment to remember who they were.

They were both high school classmates of hers. Hector Mason had been the class heartthrob, and he’d pursued her from their sophomore year all the way until graduation. Back then, Cecilia Sterling was focused only on her studies and paid him no mind.

Lisa Upton, on the other hand, was one of Hector Mason’s admirers. She was a rich girl from a wealthy family, known for her high-profile antics during their school days. The fact that she was chasing Hector was something the entire school knew about.

And, of course, because Hector Mason was interested in Cecilia Sterling, Lisa Upton had always treated Cecilia as a rival. The two of them did not get along.

"Why didn’t you just give in and say yes to Hector Mason back then? He was so handsome!"

"I may be a sucker for a pretty face, but I’m a rational one. In high school, studying was obviously more important."

Vivian Sheridan pouted. "But then again, your current boyfriend is definitely a keeper. He’s way more handsome than Hector Mason."

"I’ve always felt he’s not just handsome—he’s dashing!"

"Is there a difference?"

"Of course! Handsome is about looks, but dashing is about presence and looks combined. It’s like the difference between ’pretty’ and ’beautiful.’"

Vivian Sheridan laughed. "You’re still so particular. But I guess you have a point. Just from the picture, you can feel this air of stern righteousness about your boyfriend. Hector Mason doesn’t have that."

"Oh, by the way, Lisa Upton is trying to organize a class reunion again. She’s the one who put it together last year, too. She asked me this morning if I was going. You should come, too!"

Cecilia Sterling refused without a second thought. "I’ll pass. You know she’s always seen me as a rival. Why would she possibly invite me? Besides, you’re the only person from high school I’m still in touch with. I don’t see any reason to meet up with the others."

But Vivian Sheridan disagreed. "She just doesn’t know you’re back. If she did, she’d definitely invite you. Think about it! In high school, she saw you as her rival because of Hector Mason. Now that she’s finally with him, she’ll want to rub it in your face from her winner’s pedestal. She’ll definitely want you to be there."

"Heh." Cecilia Sterling scoffed. "Whoever wants to go can go. I have no time to go witness their epic love story."

"It’s so boring being home for the New Year. Class reunions can actually be a lot of fun." Vivian Sheridan really wanted Cecilia to go. "Seriously, think about it. The moment I let it slip that you’re back, Lisa Upton will absolutely find a way to contact you. I’m just going to use the restroom."

With that, she got up and left.

Cecilia Sterling shook her head with a helpless smile, finally finding a moment to scan the QR code and order herself a black tea latte.

But when she casually glanced up, a familiar figure swept past the doorway not far away.

Cecilia Sterling froze. By the time she tried to get a clearer look, the figure was already gone.

’Did I see that wrong?’

’I think I saw Beatrice Lynn. The side profile looked just like her, but her belly was slightly swollen... she was pregnant!’

Cecilia Sterling blinked. She almost instinctively guessed that Beatrice Lynn hadn’t gotten rid of Shawn Lane’s baby after all, and Shawn Lane had already left the country.

’This...’

’So much drama!’

Inside the restroom, Vivian Sheridan was hidden in a stall, frantically searching for Cartier bracelets on her phone until she found the exact one Cecilia Sterling was wearing.

’Global limited edition!’

Price tag: nearly a million Dollars!

Her eyes widened in shock. She stared at the price tag, unable to process it for a long time. What’s more, the bracelet was already sold out; you couldn’t get it even if you had the money.

Even though Cecilia Sterling had said she bought it herself, Vivian Sheridan hadn’t fully believed her. Now, seeing the price, she was even more convinced it was a lie.

’What kind of investment makes that much money?’

’And her boyfriend is a cop. Do cops make that kind of money?’

Vivian Sheridan didn’t believe it for a second. Cecilia Sterling was definitely not being completely honest with her.

’And what kind of things would someone refuse to be honest about? Definitely nothing respectable...’

About twenty minutes later, Vivian Sheridan emerged from the restroom, her expression perfectly natural. "So, what do you think? Are you going?"

"I don’t want to go," Cecilia Sterling said, still shaking her head in refusal.

But now, Vivian Sheridan was convinced that Cecilia was refusing because she was afraid of everyone’s prying questions. If they saw her now, dressed in expensive clothes and jewelry, they would certainly grow suspicious.

’Then the jig would be up.’

"Alright, then. I won’t force you. I already promised I’d go, anyway. If you change your mind, just let me know. We only get to see our old classmates once a year, and each reunion is one less we’ll have. Think about it."

Cecilia Sterling nodded, but she had no intention of changing her mind.

As it turned out, that very evening, she received a friend request on WhatsApp. Tapping on the profile picture, she instantly recognized Lisa Upton.

The other person had already sent the first message: "Hey, Cecilia! Long time no see. Vivian told me you were back for the holiday. Why don’t you come out and join the get-together?"