Chapter 494 - 490: Want to Come in and Sit Down?

The recognition system at the villa’s main gate accurately identified their car, and the automatic gates slowly opened to the sides.

Wyatt Sherman only started to come back to his senses after the car had pulled into the garden and stopped.

Cecilia Sterling glanced at him and noticed his dazed expression. She couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing." Wyatt Sherman smiled and admitted frankly, "I just didn’t expect this neighborhood to be even more luxurious than I thought."

Cecilia could understand. Anyone who suddenly steps into a world beyond their own experience is bound to be shocked. This wasn’t limited to luxurious neighborhoods; it was true in many areas and situations.

"Feeling the pressure?" Cecilia asked half-jokingly, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she looked at him.

"A-A little," Wyatt admitted, licking his lips in embarrassment. But he remained honest.

This was a trait Cecilia had noticed the last time they met.

"What? When you pursue a girl, do you care about being from the same social standing?"

"That’s not it." Wyatt quickly shook his head to explain. "It’s just an involuntary feeling. I don’t want to deny it, and I don’t want to put on a brave face and pretend to be unfazed in front of you."

Cecilia smiled and nodded, then invited him, "So, would you like to come in for a bit?"

"Is this a good time?"

"No, it’s not."

Wyatt: "...Oh, uh, never mind then. Maybe next time."

Seeing his foolish expression made Cecilia laugh even harder. She quickly urged him, "I’m just teasing you. Hurry and get out. No one’s home."

With that, she opened her door and got out of the car.

Wyatt caught on and quickly got out to follow her.

"Cecilia!"

But just then, a voice called out from the main gate, shouting her name.

Wyatt jumped, instinctively ducking into the car’s shadow as if he’d been caught having an affair.

"Is your family home?"

Seeing his reaction, Cecilia couldn’t help but laugh. "What are you so nervous about? It’s not like we’re having some illicit affair."

Wyatt blinked. ’Right, what am I so nervous about?’

He confidently walked back to Cecilia’s side, and they went to the gate together. Outside stood Zelda Warner, her pregnant belly prominent, with Mrs. Lynn beside her holding a large porcelain bowl.

Cecilia opened the gate. "Zelda, I told you to just message me if you needed anything. I would’ve come over."

"It’s fine, a short walk won’t hurt," Zelda Warner said, glancing at Mrs. Lynn. Mrs. Lynn handed over the bowl as Zelda explained, "We made some dumplings and thought we’d bring some over for you. They’re your favorite—corn filling."

Wyatt Sherman took the initiative to take the bowl, and Zelda couldn’t help but give the young man a second look.

"You made these? You shouldn’t be doing things like this when you’re so far along. You have to be careful."

"Mrs. Lynn and I made them together. Don’t be so worried. I’m not that delicate, and Mrs. Lynn takes very good care of me." Zelda’s tone then shifted. "There’s something else I need to tell you."

The moment Cecilia heard that, she knew it had to be about her brother.

She turned to Wyatt Sherman. "Why don’t you take the dumplings inside first?"

Wyatt took the hint and nodded obediently.

Once Wyatt had left, Zelda said, "Lawyer Quincy called me this afternoon. He said your brother’s case is set for the end of October, but it will be a closed hearing."

At this, Zelda nervously took Cecilia’s hand. "Cecilia, the leader of another gang was sentenced last month. He got seventeen years. Do you think your brother... will he..."

"Zelda, don’t overthink it. My brother said he’s not involved in any murders or drug trafficking. His sentence won’t be too harsh." In reality, Cecilia had no idea what would happen. Wesley Yates was forbidden from having visitors before the verdict, so she didn’t know how much evidence the police had uncovered. But for now, her priority was to comfort her sister-in-law. "Lawyer Quincy is one of the best in the country, and he’s been a close friend of my brother’s for years. He’ll do everything he can. Your job right now is to take care of yourself and have a safe delivery. Otherwise, my brother will be worried about you in there."

Mrs. Lynn nodded in agreement from the side. "That’s right, Madam. You’re pregnant now, you can’t spend every day consumed with groundless fears. You have to put your own health first."

Zelda knew that worrying wouldn’t solve anything, but how could she not be anxious?

"Mrs. Lynn, have you heard anything from Tony Yates recently?" Cecilia suddenly asked, looking at her.

At the question, Mrs. Lynn clapped her hands in agitation. "Oh, Miss Sterling, it’s been more than just ’anything’! He’s been harassing Madam with endless phone calls and threatening text messages every day."

"Zelda, don’t be afraid. I’m here. Nothing will go wrong."

Zelda nodded gently. "Of course I’m not afraid of him. Besides, you moved me here and transferred Alex to a new school. He’s only getting frantic because he can’t find me. I don’t read his texts or answer his calls, so they can’t affect me."

"And I know what he’s so desperate for. Your brother made proper arrangements for all his assets a long time ago because he knew this day would come eventually. So when everything happened, there was very little the court could actually seize. He already took care of the rest, including his company shares. Tony Yates knows how important all of that is, and he knows your brother would have hidden the relevant documents somewhere safe."

"I didn’t know at first, but I think I’ve figured it out now." Zelda squeezed Cecilia’s hand and smiled faintly. "All those things... your brother left them with you, didn’t he?"

Cecilia nodded gently.

"He trusts you so much. I didn’t understand it before, but after all the care you’ve shown me these past days, I’m starting to get it." As she spoke, Zelda glanced over at Wyatt, who was still standing by the front door holding the bowl of dumplings. Then she asked conspiratorially, "Is he your new boyfriend?"

Cecilia instinctively glanced back at Wyatt. He grinned at her—handsome and easy on the eyes.

"He’s still on probation," Cecilia said.

Zelda nodded. "Your brother has always felt guilty about you and your ex breaking up. Seeing that you’re moving on will make him feel a little better when he finds out."

"Zelda, that was my choice. It had nothing to do with my brother. Besides, it’s all in the past, so let’s not talk about it anymore."

"Alright, not another word. You should get inside. I packed plenty, so there’s enough for you and that young man to share." Zelda smiled, waved, and turned to leave, supporting her belly with one hand.

Cecilia called after her to walk slowly.

Once Zelda was a safe distance away, Cecilia closed the gate and headed back.

Wyatt asked, still holding the bowl of dumplings, "Does your brother live in this neighborhood, too?"

Cecilia shook her head. "The place my brother is staying now is much bigger than this."

Wyatt’s eyes widened in shock. ’Bigger than this? What kind of place could that possibly be?’

The door unlocked with a facial scan, and Cecilia stepped aside, inviting Wyatt in. "Please, come in!"