Chapter 2233

That very day, Lucille said goodbye to Madeline, packed her things, and transferred to Jamieson Group.

The moment she arrived, Cecilia ditched Nathaniel and dragged her out for a shopping spree.

Concerned, Nathaniel offered, “I’ll come with you.”

Cecilia shook her head immediately. “It’s girls’ shopping time. A grown man tagging along would just make things awkward. Lucy wouldn’t be able to relax—she’d feel like a third wheel.”

Nathaniel sighed softly. “Then I’ll have Mason come over.”

“Mason still has work to do,” Cecilia replied with a playful smile. “And you promised to help with my tasks so I could actually take a break and have some fun, remember?”

The longer Nathaniel looked at her bright smile, the more uneasy he felt.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was forcing herself to appear strong. Still, letting her go out and unwind with Lucille might help.

“All right,” he said at last. “Have fun. If you need anything, call me.”

“Thanks.” Cecilia leaned in and brushed a quick kiss across his cheek.

Nathaniel watched her leave, his gaze lingering with quiet concern.

Cecilia had noticed something off about him over the past couple of days, but she chalked it up to the trouble with Nicholas and her own injury—never realizing he had come to the wrong conclusion entirely.

Outside, Lucille had just finished packing. She looked at Cecilia. “President Xia, are we heading out now?”

At work, she naturally addressed her that way.

“Of course. Why else would I call you over?” Cecilia figured that with Nathaniel handling the paperwork, she might as well relax.

After everything with Nicholas, her nerves had been stretched thin. She’d been on edge for days, constantly afraid the nightmare would repeat.

Lucille grinned. “Having your best friend as your boss is seriously the best.”

Cecilia laughed. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Mm-hmm!” Lucille nodded eagerly.

The two headed to the mall in high spirits—completely unaware that Nathaniel was following them at a distance.

He had intended to assign bodyguards, but a lingering unease made him trail them personally.

Hours passed as they shopped, picked out clothes, and got manicures. By the time they finished, dusk had already settled in.

“Ugh, time to head back,” Lucille said, glancing at the time.

Cecilia was about to agree when Lucille’s phone rang again.

The caller ID showed Mason.

“Honey, are you and President Xia still shopping? I’m about to freeze into an ice cube out here,” Mason complained.

The last time Cecilia and Lucille flew back, Mason had been the last to arrive at the airport.

Lucille hadn’t been upset at first—but Nathaniel had mentioned that Mason left work early that day and still arrived later than he did.

That comment had annoyed her, and she hadn’t quite let it go.

Tonight, she had deliberately told Mason to come early—just so he’d have to wait.

What she didn’t know was that Nathaniel had exaggerated things, giving her a reason to mess with Mason.

Now Mason stood outside in the cold, feeling completely wronged.

Seriously, Mr. Nathaniel was unbelievable—over one small joke, he’d gotten his payback by setting this up.

“Can’t handle a little wait?” Lucille said sweetly, her tone laced with mockery. “Remember how long I waited for you last time? Compared to that, this is nothing.”

Cecilia overheard and couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for Mason.

She silently blamed Nathaniel—if he hadn’t said anything, Mason wouldn’t be suffering like this.

Lucille hung up and turned back to Cecilia. “Ceci, let’s not rush. We’ll head out slowly.”