Chapter 684 - 680: Used It, Not Very Effective

Soon, the emotions swirling in Cecilia Sterling’s heart began to show on her face and in her eyes.

Disdain and contempt, with a hint of mockery curling her lips.

Shawn Lane saw it all clearly, and his heart gave a painful lurch.

He’d never imagined that upon seeing Cecilia Sterling again, her reaction would be exactly the same as it once was.

What he didn’t know, however, was that Cecilia had seen this pretentious act of his many times before in her past life.

In their past life, Shawn Lane had shot to fame by plagiarizing an academic paper from Cecilia Sterling, then unceremoniously dumped her without a word of explanation.

Three years later, when Cecilia got into a research institution through her own talent and hard work and became Shawn Lane’s direct subordinate, he had stood before her looking just as deceptively dapper.

No, that scene was etched into Cecilia’s memory, and it had been even more ridiculous than today’s.

On the surface, he had appeared triumphant and full of vigor, looking down on her with a condescending gaze. But only Cecilia knew that on the inside, Shawn Lane was nothing but fluff and filler. All the fame he’d acquired came from that one paper—the paper she had written with her own two hands.

And how could Shawn Lane not know it himself?

So, from the moment Cecilia joined the institution, he was paranoid, seeing enemies at every turn. In the end, he resorted to dirty tricks once again to kick her out.

A guilty conscience creates a paranoid mind. Naturally, he wasn’t about to keep a ticking time bomb by his side.

But this time, the time, place, and circumstances of their reunion were worlds apart. Most importantly, Cecilia’s own state of mind was completely different from her past life.

And so, she looked at Shawn Lane and said nonchalantly, "You’ve gotten uglier."

Shawn Lane’s brow furrowed, as if he’d misheard. But before he could speak, a delicate, fair hand slipped naturally into the crook of his arm.

"Shawn, is this a friend of yours?"

A pretty girl appeared at Shawn’s side. Though she spoke to him, her eyes were fixed on Cecilia Sterling.

Seeing Cecilia Sterling’s casual attire, so out of place for such an event, the girl couldn’t hide the disdain in her expression. But when her gaze shifted to Cecilia’s face, she instantly grew wary.

Shawn gave the girl a small smile and explained with an air of nonchalance, "An old classmate."

He didn’t say she was an ex-girlfriend, or even a friend. He defined her as an "old classmate," as if to deliberately show Cecilia that he no longer cared.

Cecilia couldn’t help but snort with laughter when she heard that. As she glanced up, Julian Summers was walking over.

"You know him?"

Julian Summers asked, sizing up Shawn Lane with a curious gaze.

Cecilia pursed her lips. "Don’t know him. But I’ve used him."

Julian’s eyes widened in shock as he looked at Cecilia. Hearing her words, both Shawn Lane and the girl stared, their pupils dilating in unison.

Then Cecilia shook her head with a look of disdain. "Didn’t work very well!"

"Cecilia Sterling!" The sophisticated, profound persona Shawn Lane had carefully constructed immediately cracked. He glared at Cecilia, his eyes filled with thinly veiled fury.

It was ancient history! Just because of that one time he couldn’t perform, Cecilia was dragging it out to publicly humiliate him over and over!

Julian immediately shot Shawn a sympathetic look.

As a fellow man, he knew what it meant to be told by a woman that you couldn’t perform.

Cecilia, however, just gave him a provocative shrug, too lazy to waste any more words on him before turning to walk further into the exhibition.

Julian quickly followed her. "What was that all about? A one-night stand?"

Cecilia gave him a dismissive glance. "Why don’t you ask about what you’re supposed to be asking about?"

"Oh, right." Julian caught on. "I just asked around. An expert told me that at an exhibition of this level, people don’t usually offer their pieces for sale outright. But if you see something you like, you can approach them to negotiate."

"I have to approach them?"

"If you’re interested, just give it a shot. You never know, someone might be willing to sell!"

Cecilia thought it sounded like a hassle. "Let’s just look around first."

Meanwhile, Shawn Lane’s eyes narrowed as he watched Cecilia from afar, his expression unreadable.

’I thought that when she saw the new and improved me, she’d at least be a little moved. I never expected...’

"Shawn, was what she just said true?" the girl beside him asked, covering her mouth. Her tone was filled with unconcealed shock. "You two..."

"Of course not."

Shawn patted the girl’s hand, his expression gentle as he soothed her. "She was a college classmate of mine before I went abroad. We haven’t seen each other in over a year. Before I left the country, she had a crush on me and was pursuing me, but I turned her down."

"Turned her down?" The girl thought of Cecilia’s face—the kind of face a man simply couldn’t refuse. Puzzled, she asked, "Why not?"

Shawn explained without a second thought, "Our family backgrounds were too different. She might have genuinely liked me, but I always had my doubts and felt her motives weren’t pure."

"Oh, I see..."

Seeing how naturally and confidently Shawn spoke, the girl believed him.

Besides, the fact that the girl had shown up in casual clothes really made her seem out of place in such an upper-class setting. That made her believe Shawn’s words even more.

"That explains it. Who comes to a place like this dressed like that?" the girl sneered. "That guy with her is probably her new boyfriend. He looks pretty rich, too."

Shawn seized the opportunity. "That just confirms what I thought about her. She only dates guys for their money. Good thing I was smart enough to see it back then. And just now? She only said that because she’s still holding a grudge that I rejected her. Don’t take it to heart."

"I won’t. You’re so young, how could you... you know?" The girl blushed prettily. "I didn’t believe a single word of it."

Shawn Lane smiled and smoothly took the girl’s hand in his. "Take me to say hello to Mr. Churchill first."

Meanwhile, Cecilia Sterling had already zeroed in on a pair of White Jade Bracelets.

"I want these!"

She fell in love with them at first sight, and could already picture her mother and her aunt wearing them. Her one and only shopping philosophy was simple: if you hesitate, don’t buy. If you love it at first sight, it’s a must-buy.

"White jade?" Julian Summers glanced at Cecilia. "Imperial Green is so much nicer."

"The color is gentle and elegant. It’s perfect for my mom."

Seeing she was picking them out for Miss Sterling, Julian didn’t press the issue. "Why don’t you go sit over there for a bit? I’ll go ask about them for you."

Cecilia followed his gaze and saw a lounge area with sofas further inside the exhibition hall. People were scattered about in small groups, chatting, but she didn’t recognize a single familiar face.

’There really are a lot of rich people in Lorcain,’ she mused.

She walked over and found an empty seat, but a moment later, a man in a suit accompanied by a staff member sat down in the spot next to hers.

The staff member was holding an ebony tray lined with a piece of red silk. Resting on the silk was an exquisite wooden box.

The box was open, and nestled inside lay a celadon-colored, oval-shaped piece of jadeite.

A piece of this size was known in the industry as a "pigeon’s egg"!