Chapter 2197
Cecilia was stunned. Elena’s calm confession lingered between them like cold smoke she couldn’t brush aside. So every utility bill, every leaking roof, every servant’s wage at Rainsworth Manor had been borne by Elena alone. It was profoundly unfair.
“Aunt Elena, I was wrong. Please don’t be angry with me.”
Miranda was no fool. If the accounts truly split, the full burden of running the manor would fall squarely on her shoulders—money, decisions, endless complaints. She could almost feel the coffers draining already.
Elena’s lips curved into a smile that never reached her eyes. “Miranda, you should speak with your father-in-law. If you don’t, I’ll find the time to raise it myself.”
Cornered, Miranda had no choice but to nod. “All right.”
Only then did Elena turn to Cecilia. “Ceci, let’s go back.”
“All right,” Cecilia replied, dipping her chin as her ponytail brushed the collar of her coat.
As the two women walked away side by side, Miranda stared after them, a volatile mix of anger and envy tightening her chest.
Why does Cecilia get such a considerate mother-in-law, while mine guards against me day and night? And now there’s another expense—he’ll surely take it out on me.
Felix tugged at her sleeve, sensing the storm beneath her silence. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She looked down at him. “Felix, grow up quickly, will you? When you’re big, you can protect me—so no one dares bully me.”
“I will, Mom. You can count on me.” He nodded with solemn determination, and only then did a flicker of relief cross Miranda’s face.
Elsewhere, Cecilia walked beside Elena toward the main house.
They remained silent until Elena spoke. “Tell me—do you think I was too harsh today?”
Cecilia answered without hesitation, shaking her head. “Not at all. You were right. Honestly, this separation should have happened long ago.”
Elena stopped and turned to her daughter-in-law. A small, grateful smile softened the tight line of her mouth.
“You see things more clearly than I do. I used to believe family meant never being too careful about money. Only now do I see that some people aren’t worth calling family. Even blood brothers should keep separate accounts.”
Elena had once been so generous because her older brothers adored her. Among the Griffiths siblings, affection flowed freely; money was never discussed.
So when she married into the Rainsworths, she assumed Robert and Wren shared that same bond. At first, everything appeared perfect.
But when Wren left town in pursuit of pleasure, Robert’s true nature emerged.
He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, cloaking greed in honeyed words, taking advantage wherever he could—while their father favored Robert’s branch at every turn.
For the sake of a fragile peace, Elena swallowed her anger and endured.
As months stretched into years, she stopped caring.
That indifference only emboldened those in the main house. Take today, for instance: Miranda enjoyed the comfort Elena’s money provided, yet still dared to mock her supposed favoritism. Had the woman lost her mind—or was she simply half-asleep?
“That family survives on pure cunning—every last one of them. They scent unguarded wallets the way wolves smell blood. Promise me you’ll keep your distance from now on.” Elena’s voice was gentle, but steel rang beneath it.
She knew Cecilia was kind.
Despite the coldness Elena had once shown her, Cecilia had chosen forgiveness.
With a firm nod, Cecilia replied, “All right.”
They spoke a while longer after that. From Elena, Cecilia gathered another set of hard-earned business insights. When the driver called, she collected her files, straightened her jacket, and headed for the office.
Months at the company had sharpened her instincts. By the time the elevator doors opened, every pending report was already mapped out in her mind, each one clicking neatly into place.
In just a few days, Charlotte would travel to Sven’s remote hometown for the wedding that would seal their years of love.
Determined to clear her schedule, Cecilia threw herself into the week’s workload, intent on finishing early so she could personally escort Charlotte to the ceremony.