Chapter 341 - 339: I Have to Be Responsible for My Man

First, he and she weren’t nearly close enough to be taking a photo like that. If it were to leak, it could cause unnecessary trouble.

Second, Cece Desire’s complete lack of boundaries made him extremely uncomfortable. He wasn’t an idiot; he could tell she was doing it on purpose.

So, Gideon Hale looked at Cece Desire seriously and said, "You should delete it. Let’s take another one."

"Huh?" Cece Desire said reluctantly. "You really mind? It’s just one photo, it doesn’t mean anything, right? If you really do, I can promise I won’t send it to anyone or post it on my social media. I’ll just keep it for myself. Think of it as a little fan cherishing her first close photo with her idol. How about it?"

Gideon Hale: "..."

He was annoyed. ’Why isn’t my assistant here right now? He’d definitely step in and handle this for me.’

Just as he was hesitating, Cecilia Sterling and Blair, having had their fill, stood up to leave.

James Lockwood was quick to approach. "Miss Sterling, are you leaving?"

"Yes, we’re about to head back."

James Lockwood still wore an apologetic expression. "I’m so sorry for wasting your time and making you come all this way for nothing."

Cecilia Sterling smiled. "The food was delicious, so it wasn’t a wasted trip at all. Please, President Lockwood, go on and tend to your guests. We can just call a car ourselves."

As she spoke, Cecilia Sterling glanced toward the most crowded area of the room.

Those men were at the center of a fawning crowd of influencers and celebrities, each one wearing a placating smile.

’This is their world,’ she thought. ’My appearance today was just a brief interruption, but it can’t fundamentally change a thing.’

Cecilia Sterling didn’t dwell on it. She left the banquet hall arm-in-arm with Blair.

"Wait!"

They hadn’t gotten far from the entrance when Gideon Hale came chasing after them.

Cecilia Sterling stopped and turned. Gideon Hale hurried over to her, sounding a little surprised. "You’re leaving?"

"That’s right. We’re well-behaved university students. We can’t stay out too late."

Gideon Hale knew she was joking, but he still looked at Cecilia Sterling with a serious expression and asked, "If I said I wanted to add you on WhatsApp, would you think that’s too forward?"

"If you know it’s forward, why are you asking?"

Cecilia Sterling gave a wry smile and shook her head. Waving goodbye, she turned to leave.

She clearly had no intention of adding him on WhatsApp.

Seeing this, Gideon Hale grew anxious. "We’ve met four or five times already. I can’t even get your WhatsApp?"

’He had to admit it to himself: he really liked this girl. Her looks and her personality were incredibly attractive to him. He’d restrained himself during their past few meetings, thinking it was just the normal hormonal surge of a young man. As a celebrity, he had a professional code to uphold, and he figured he could eventually suppress the feeling.’

’But every time he thought he was over it, he would see her again and be irresistibly drawn in.’

’Today, he didn’t want to miss his chance again like all the times before.’

Cecilia Sterling looked into his eyes. The hope in them was almost pleading. Combined with such a handsome face, most other girls probably would have been unable to resist.

But she still explained, "It’s not that I can’t, it’s just not the right time."

Gideon Hale was confused. He didn’t understand what Cecilia Sterling meant.

Blair, however, understood Cecilia and chimed in, "She has a boyfriend!"

Gideon Hale looked at Cecilia Sterling, his expression slightly startled. He saw her nod. "I have a boyfriend. So, other than for work or normal friendships, I don’t add contact information for any guys. You want to add me, but you’re not just trying to be friends, are you?"

Gideon Hale started, "I..."

He could have easily lied just to get her WhatsApp, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

A smile played on Cecilia Sterling’s lips. "If you like me, you like me. What’s so hard about admitting it?"

"Fine, I admit it!"

Gideon Hale finally forced the words out. Besides, there was no one else around.

Blair’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.

Cecilia, however, already knew. ’It’s easy to tell when a guy is interested in you,’ she thought. ’Gideon Hale’s crush on me is probably a simple one, without any complex emotions attached.’

’But there’s a certain charm to that kind of simple attraction between a man and a woman.’

"I’ve already given you my reason. I have to be loyal to my man."

Disappointment clouded Gideon Hale’s eyes. He’d actually had a feeling she already had a boyfriend; with her qualities, it wasn’t surprising news at all.

But hearing the definitive answer still made his chest tighten.

"I get it. And I completely respect your decision. Your boyfriend is a lucky guy," Gideon Hale said in a low voice.

Cecilia Sterling smiled faintly. "He certainly is."

Without another word, Cecilia Sterling pulled the still-dazed Blair along and headed for the elevators.

Gideon Hale watched from a distance as her figure disappeared from view once more, and a wave of bitterness washed over him.

’They’d run into each other by chance so many times. He wondered if he would ever get another opportunity to see her.’

Inside the elevator, it took Blair a long moment to snap out of her daze. She looked at Cecilia Sterling and said, "It wouldn’t have hurt to add him on WhatsApp, would it? He looked like his heart was about to break!"

"Then why don’t you pick up the pieces?"

"I don’t want him! I’m just saying, he’s not that much of a step down from Saul Thorne, is he? They’re just different types! If you and Saul ever break up, he could be an option."

Cecilia Sterling shook her head. "First of all, in my eyes, no one can compare to Saul Thorne. Second, I have no intention of dating a celebrity, especially a top-tier star like him. It’s way too much trouble, and the one thing I hate most is getting into trouble!"

The elevator doors opened, and Cecilia Sterling was the first to step out.

*

Other than a decent Michelin-star dinner, Cecilia Sterling hadn’t particularly enjoyed the gala. On the other hand, Jasmine Sterling’s first foray into the world of high-society wives was an exceptionally happy and successful affair.

Monica Coleman had also invited a private chef to her home to prepare dinner for everyone. Freed from the watchful eyes of men, this group of normally elegant and prim society wives seemed to let their true natures loose, chattering away without a stop.

The atmosphere couldn’t have been more boisterous!

Although it was Jasmine Sterling’s first time at such a gathering, she didn’t feel the least bit out of place. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and women always have plenty to talk about when they get together.

These were topics that held no interest for men, and therefore, topics they all deliberately avoided in their daily lives.

Only in a setting like this could they speak their minds and chat about whatever they pleased.

Over the course of the meal, the group of about ten women managed to drink nearly twenty bottles of fine red wine.

It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that Monica Coleman personally saw everyone to the manor’s entrance.

She held onto a slightly tipsy Jasmine Sterling, not forgetting to remind her, "Jasmine, darling, remember your promise. You absolutely must introduce me to your daughter!"