Chapter 133:
Noticing Cecily’s stunned look, Sylvia quickly switched to a more innocent expression. Tears started to form in her eyes as she said, “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m just really stressed. Elena, she…” Sylvia trailed off, leaving her sentence unfinished.
As expected, Cecily immediately moved past the discomfort and asked, “What did that woman do now?”
Cecily had hated Elena ever since she endured embarrassment at the Harper family banquet. Just the mention of Elena’s name was enough to make her fume with anger—she wished she could strangle Elena herself. If she had known twenty years ago, she would have made sure Elena never saw the light of day. An ungrateful backstabber. Not only had Elena refused to help the Reed family after reconnecting with the wealthy Harper family, but she had also sabotaged the business deal between the Harper and Reed families, pushing the Reed Group to the brink of collapse.
Sylvia subtly tarnished Elena’s reputation, saying, “Darren is in Klathe for business and happened to run into her. It seems she couldn’t resist him and tried to seduce him… Mom, now that Elena is the Harper family’s daughter, if she lures Darren away, what will happen to me?”
Tears streamed down Sylvia’s face, making her appear heartbreakingly vulnerable and helpless.
Cecily was immediately incensed, slamming her hand on the table. “She wouldn’t dare! That wretch, living in luxury and trying to steal your fiancé. How shameless! Does she really think that just because she’s connected to the Harper family, she can do whatever she wants? The old woman she cares about is still living with us…”
Knowing that Sheila was ill, Cecily was certain Elena would return, and she planned to exploit that opportunity to squeeze money from her. After all, Sylvia’s engagement party was fast approaching, and they needed funds to make it grand enough.
Although the Reed family’s recent partnership with the Griffiths had helped stabilize their finances, most of their assets were tied up in ongoing projects, leaving little cash for Sylvia’s engagement celebration. If the Reeds didn’t host an impressive party, the Griffiths might reconsider Sylvia’s status after she married Darren.
Despite her distress, Cecily felt trapped. Suddenly, an idea struck her. The Reeds might be short on cash, but the Harper family certainly wasn’t. After raising Elena for over twenty years, wasn’t it only fair that she contribute a few million to Sylvia’s engagement?
“Mom, what are you suggesting?” Sylvia asked, genuinely confused. “Who is the old woman Elena cares about?”
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Sheila didn’t live with the Reed family; she stayed alone in the old Reed family house. Cecily had always been dismissive of the elderly, rarely showing any concern for Sheila’s wellbeing. Since Sylvia had returned to the Reed family, no one had ever mentioned Sheila in her presence, so she remained unaware that Sheila was actually her grandmother.
“Don’t concern yourself with that,” Cecily replied firmly. “Sylvia, trust me, not only will you marry Darren, but your wedding will be an extravagant affair. I’ll make sure the ceremony is absolutely grand.”
An extravagant celebration? Sylvia’s eyes shone with curiosity. The Reed family was facing financial difficulties—how could Cecily promise such a lavish event? Only a few days ago, Cecily had regretfully admitted their accounts were empty.
“Mom, didn’t you recently say we had no money?” Sylvia asked softly. “It’s fine, really. You and Dad have done so much for me already. I know the business is struggling, and I don’t want to put more pressure on you.” Her gentle words moved Cecily deeply. Sylvia was so thoughtful and caring—so different from Elena, who seemed ungrateful and self-absorbed, living comfortably in Klathe and never offering any support. Someone like Elena deserved nothing.
