Chapter 90: Chapter 90: He Seems to Be Very Angry

The moment she sent the message, Cecilia Croft regretted it.

’Who did she think she was, trying to dictate his schedule?’

She quickly unsent the message.

Just as Cecilia Croft retracted the message, a single word appeared in the chat box.

Sebastian Hawthorne: [Okay.]

He had replied to her message.

Cecilia Croft stared at the system notification confirming her message was successfully retracted, then at Sebastian Hawthorne’s single word, "Okay." The whole situation felt awkward and surreal.

’She thought that even if Sebastian Hawthorne saw it, he probably wouldn’t respond.’

She never expected him to reply instantly.

She deliberated for a long time, typing and deleting several lines on the screen, but nothing felt right.

Finally, she settled on a more appropriate response.

Cecilia Croft: [Great. I have some business matters to discuss with you, Mr. Hawthorne.]

There was no further reply from Sebastian Hawthorne.

Cecilia Croft held her phone, waiting for a while. Only after confirming that no other message was coming did she put it down.

In the elevator.

Jade Golding glanced sideways at the man standing next to her. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

He had been looking at his phone ever since he stepped into the elevator, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

She discreetly looked away and stared straight ahead.

That afternoon, even when it was time to start work again, Sebastian Hawthorne still hadn’t returned.

At first, Cecilia Croft managed to maintain her composure, calmly reviewing documents.

But as time ticked by and closing time approached with still no sign of Sebastian Hawthorne, she couldn’t help but panic.

’If Sebastian Hawthorne couldn’t go to the site with her, the plan would fail, and the Croft Group’s land wouldn’t be sold.’

She bit her lip, picking up her phone. She wanted to message Sebastian Hawthorne again but was afraid of being too forward.

In the chat history, Sebastian Hawthorne’s single word, "Okay," still sat quietly in the chat box.

Cecilia Croft forced herself to calm down and work, taking several deep breaths to steady her nerves.

When the end of the workday arrived, Sebastian Hawthorne had still not appeared.

Cecilia Croft took a deep breath and closed her eyes in resignation.

’Sebastian Hawthorne wasn’t in the office. Even if she could somehow kidnap him and drag him there, it wouldn’t achieve the desired effect.’

She bit her lip hard and rose from her chair.

’No matter what, she had to deal with the guests currently at the Croft family home.’

As Cecilia Croft walked out of her office, she pulled out her phone to call Ruby Croft.

The plan had changed, so she naturally had to inform her sister.

The moment the call connected, the office door was pushed open from the outside.

"Cecilia, what’s up?"

Cecilia Croft stood frozen, phone in hand, staring blankly at Sebastian Hawthorne standing in the doorway.

He had clearly had a lot to drink. His cheeks were flushed an unusual red. Seeing her standing there, he frowned for a second, then his expression relaxed when he confirmed she hadn’t been hit by the door. He beckoned to her.

"It’s nothing now, sister,"

Cecilia Croft quickly hung up and walked toward Sebastian Hawthorne.

"Why did you drink so much at lunch?"

Feeling hot, Sebastian Hawthorne tugged at his tie. "You think it’s that easy to ditch those guys?"

To get away, he’d been forced to down half a bottle of liquor that Zachary Grant handed him as a penalty.

If Jade Golding hadn’t pleaded on his behalf at the end, he probably would have been unconscious after drinking the other half.

Hearing this, a flash of gratitude appeared in Cecilia Croft’s eyes.

"Thank you, Mr. Hawthorne."

Sebastian Hawthorne glanced at her but didn’t say anything, simply turning to walk toward the elevators.

His steps were clearly unsteady, and Cecilia Croft hurried over to support him.

She looped her hand through Sebastian Hawthorne’s arm, holding him lightly. She just hoped he wouldn’t collapse before they reached the Croft family home.

The moment her hand touched his arm, Sebastian Hawthorne stiffened for an instant. He glanced down at the woman beside him, her eyes filled with a hint of worry, and the corners of his lips curved up imperceptibly.

Assistant Scott had just returned from the infirmary with glucose for Sebastian Hawthorne and was waiting downstairs when he saw Cecilia Croft helping him out of the elevator.

The man who had been walking perfectly fine just moments ago now looked so drunk he needed someone to hold him up.

Assistant Scott couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. As Cecilia Croft helped Sebastian Hawthorne to the car, he let out a low sneer.

"Such a poser."

Sebastian Hawthorne didn’t respond. With Cecilia Croft’s help, he ducked into the car.

But after he sat down, he shot a subtle, sidelong glance in Assistant Scott’s direction.

While helping Sebastian Hawthorne, Cecilia Croft had already smelled the strong scent of alcohol on him. She felt like she was about to get drunk just from being near him.

After Sebastian Hawthorne was in the car, Cecilia Croft turned to ask Assistant Scott.

"Assistant Scott, I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch what you said just now."

Assistant Scott smiled and handed the glucose vials to Cecilia Croft.

"I said, could you please help Mr. Hawthorne drink this glucose, Miss Croft?"

Cecilia Croft took the glucose from Assistant Scott with both hands. "Of course."

Assistant Scott raised a hand slightly, gesturing for Cecilia Croft to get in the car.

Cecilia Croft quickly ducked into the car.

’This morning, she had concocted so many excuses in her head just to hitch a ride in Sebastian Hawthorne’s car, but now she was getting in so naturally.’

After she got in, Assistant Scott closed the door for her and then got into the driver’s seat.

Cecilia Croft bit her lip lightly and said in a low voice,

"We’re heading straight to the Croft family home, right?"

Assistant Scott didn’t answer Cecilia Croft, instead glancing at Sebastian Hawthorne in the rearview mirror.

Cecilia Croft’s gaze also shifted from Assistant Scott to the man beside her.

Sebastian Hawthorne was rubbing the space between his eyebrows.

Although he wasn’t drunk, he had consumed a lot of alcohol, and he genuinely felt uncomfortable.

"No, back to Pear Blossom Villa."

Hearing this, a look of astonishment flashed in Cecilia Croft’s eyes.

"Mr. Hawthorne, today is..."

Sebastian Hawthorne cut her off before she could finish.

"I stink."

Only then did Cecilia Croft understand.

Sebastian Hawthorne glanced sideways at her, a complex emotion in his eyes.

Cecilia Croft quickly took out the glucose, broke open a vial with her bare hands, and offered it to Sebastian Hawthorne.

"Mr. Hawthorne, drink some of this glucose first."

Sebastian Hawthorne watched her, frowning. His voice was muffled as he spoke.

"So skilled at that?"

Cecilia Croft explained, "Back then... I was a lightweight, so I was always in charge of taking care of my colleagues who were on the front lines, so to speak. I got skilled at opening these glucose vials after doing it so many times."

Back when Vantage was just starting out, Jude Sheridan had to drink a lot with investors to secure funding.

He would come back dead drunk almost every time.

She couldn’t hold her liquor, so she couldn’t help share Jude Sheridan’s burden. Even when an investor tried to pressure her into drinking, Jude would always step in front of her and drink in her place.

He was drinking for two, and his body naturally couldn’t take it.

Eventually, she stopped attending the engagements altogether and would just wait in the car to handle the aftermath.

Her technique for snapping open glucose vials was probably honed during those years.

Sebastian Hawthorne silently took the glucose from her. Just as Cecilia Croft was about to break open a second vial for him, he reached out, pressed her hand down, and took the unopened vial from her palm. He snapped it open himself and drank it in one go.

Cecilia Croft froze, clearly sensing his displeasure. Just as she was trying to figure out how to break the awkward silence, Sebastian Hawthorne closed his eyes to rest, refusing to look at her anymore.

His face was expressionless, but Cecilia Croft had a nagging feeling that he was furious.