Chapter 96: Chapter 96: The Man Who Wouldn’t Marry Anyone But Her Is Getting Married

When Ruby Croft came out with the other guests, Cecilia Croft was still standing there, lost in thought.

One of them teased.

"Miss Croft and Mr. Hawthorne seem to be on such good terms. Mr. Hawthorne’s car has already left, but Miss Croft is still here, unable to part."

"It looks like the Croft and Hawthorne families are about to enter a honeymoon period, all thanks to Miss Croft and Mr. Hawthorne."

A faint smile touched Ruby Croft’s lips. She didn’t refute their words, but said with a helpless tone.

"My sister is thin-skinned. Please, go easy on her, or she might be too embarrassed to leave the house."

Everyone couldn’t help but chuckle at Ruby Croft’s words.

Cecilia Croft moved back to Ruby Croft’s side and helped see the last group of guests into their cars.

After everyone had left, Cecilia finally looked up at Ruby, trying to see some other emotion on her face.

But there was none.

Ruby’s expression remained placid. The faint smile on her lips was a sign of her victory.

"Sister..."

Cecilia began to speak.

Ruby glanced down at her. "What is it?"

Cecilia bit her lip slightly and said in a low voice.

"Have you ever considered that the reason Mr. Hawthorne was so cooperative today was actually... because of you?"

Her voice was very quiet, as if afraid that Ruby would get angry hearing it.

Cecilia knew that while the Silvercrest proposal she presented was enough to pique Sebastian Hawthorne’s interest, it wasn’t enough to make him this cooperative.

She still clearly remembered what Sebastian Hawthorne had said before she broke off her engagement.

Ruby Croft raised an eyebrow and said calmly.

"Sebastian Hawthorne’s feelings for me as a former classmate aren’t that deep. If there wasn’t a profit to be made, he probably wouldn’t have even shown up at the Croft family’s banquet today."

As she spoke, she started walking towards the house. Cecilia hurried to follow, saying softly.

"Maybe it was never about being classmates to begin with?"

Ruby Croft stopped in her tracks.

Cecilia’s heart leaped into her throat. She hardly dared to meet Ruby’s gaze.

The next second, a gentle hand rested on her head and ruffled her hair.

"Cecilia, you’re exceptional. You need to have more confidence in yourself, understand?"

Cecilia looked up at her sister, her eyes inexplicably welling up.

"Sis..."

Just as she started to speak, Ruby Croft’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, swiped to answer, and put the phone to her ear.

"Mr. Quillan..."

She walked into the house while on the phone, crossing the courtyard and heading straight for the study.

Cecilia watched her sister’s capable and commanding figure retreat and sighed softly.

’My sister has nothing but work in her eyes right now.’

The banquet was over, but staff members were still cleaning the courtyard. Auntie Zane was still busy, and Cecilia joined in to help.

Seeing this, Auntie Zane hurried over to stop her.

"Miss Cecilia, how can you be doing this sort of work? Hurry inside and get some rest. I’ve got this."

Cecilia smiled. "I did this sort of thing all the time back in Silvercrest. It’s no big deal. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we can all get some rest."

When her mother left the Croft family back then, she took nothing with her—only Cecilia.

During the initial period after returning to Silvercrest, she, who had been used to being cared for by nannies since childhood, really struggled to adapt.

But over time, she got used to it.

Her mother had told her that no one would pamper her forever, and no one could live a life free of worries. As a girl, it was even more important for her to be independent and strong. She had to have the strength to fight her way out, even if she found herself trapped in a quagmire.

She had long since gotten used to the fact that she was no longer a pampered young lady.

Seeing Cecilia like this, a gratified smile appeared on Auntie Zane’s face.

’She has the ability to support herself. If she’s the only one left in the Croft family one day, she won’t be too badly off.’

"Miss Cecilia, I’ve been thinking. I’ll wait until Miss Ruby has recovered from her illness before I go back to my hometown. I’ve already discussed it with my son and daughter-in-law."

Cecilia had been worried that a new person wouldn’t be able to take good care of her sister after she left for Silvercrest. Now, hearing that Auntie Zane wasn’t leaving, a flicker of emotion showed in her eyes.

"Auntie Zane, don’t worry. The two of us sisters will definitely make sure you’re well taken care of."

Auntie Zane patted Cecilia’s hand, her tone gentle.

"I watched both you and Miss Ruby grow up. With her in her current condition, I honestly couldn’t bear to leave."

Hearing this, Cecilia’s eyes grew red. She was deeply grateful for Auntie Zane’s decision to stay with the Croft family. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

After they finished cleaning up, Auntie Zane went to her room to rest.

Ruby Croft still hadn’t come out of the study. Cecilia carefully pushed the study door open and peeked her head in, only to see her sister sitting in her chair, staring into space.

"Sister..."

Cecilia called out, and only then did Ruby snap back to reality and look at her.

The dazed look in her eyes was completely gone, as if she wasn’t the person who had just been staring blankly a moment ago.

"You haven’t gone to rest yet?"

Cecilia looked at her calm and composed appearance and said.

"You’re the one who should be resting. The doctor said you shouldn’t overwork yourself during this time. Your sleep and diet need to be regular. You have to follow his orders."

Ruby Croft nodded and rose from her chair. She picked up her phone, turned off the screen, and said in a calm voice.

"I’m going to rest now."

Cecilia followed her out of the study. As they went upstairs, she took her arm and said,

"I’m leaving for Silvercrest on a business trip tomorrow."

"During this time, you have to stick to our agreement. Go for your IV drip on schedule tomorrow. When it’s time for chemotherapy, I’ll take time off to come back and be with you. You..."

As Cecilia rambled on, Ruby reached up and pinched her lips together.

"Alright, I know."

"You’re a young woman in your twenties. Don’t be such a nag, like a little old lady."

Cecilia’s pretty face fell.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Ruby Croft’s lips. She replied earnestly, "I’ll remember."

With that, she let go of her hand.

Cecilia stopped nagging. But noticing a hint of melancholy in her sister’s eyes, she couldn’t help but ask.

"Sister, is there something else at the company that’s bothering you? You can tell me. I can help you shoulder the burden."

Ruby Croft froze for a moment, then murmured under her breath.

"Is my anxiety that obvious?"

Cecilia nodded. "Very."

Ruby fell silent, her eyes downcast. After a few seconds, she let out a soft laugh that was part self-deprecation, part helplessness.

When she looked up again, her usual calm and decisiveness had returned to the depths of her eyes.

"It has nothing to do with the company. It’s just some of my own issues."

Her tone was nonchalant, and the melancholy that had been in her eyes just moments before was gone.

Cecilia froze. She could clearly sense Ruby’s sadness, and she quickly reached out to hug her.

"Sister, I’m not a child anymore. No matter what you’re going through, you should tell me. We’re the only family we have left. You have to respect me."

Ruby Croft gently rubbed Cecilia’s head. Her voice was faint, her tone calm.

"It’s nothing. It’s just that the man who once said he’d marry no one but me is getting married."