Chapter 99: Chapter 99: He Picked Her Up Gently and Carefully

Secretary Summers noticed something unusual in Sebastian Hawthorne’s micro-expressions. She hurried over, entered the password to open his office door, and stood respectfully at the entrance.

’I just hope Mr. Hawthorne doesn’t blame me for this oversight.’

She really hadn’t thought to open the door for Cecilia Croft, nor had she expected Mr. Hawthorne to place so much importance on her.

Cecilia Croft’s gaze was drawn to the approaching Secretary Summers, and she also noticed Sebastian Hawthorne not far away. She quickly straightened up. Seeing Secretary Summers’ solemn expression, she adopted a more formal posture as well.

’What’s going on?’

’The atmosphere seems a little too serious.’

’My workstation is the closest to his. Mr. Hawthorne is in a bad mood today. I’m not going to be the first one to feel his wrath, am I?’

Cecilia was on edge, but Secretary Summers seemed even more anxious than she was.

Fortunately, Sebastian Hawthorne said nothing as he strode into his office.

Cecilia secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then noticed Secretary Summers doing the same.

Their expressions and body language were surprisingly in sync. They both paused for a moment before sharing an awkward smile.

After Sebastian entered the office, Secretary Summers made a respectful "please" gesture toward her.

Cecilia, being modest, quickly gestured for Secretary Summers to go in first.

They remained at a standstill for a few seconds until the man ahead of them suddenly stopped. Secretary Summers quickly grabbed Cecilia’s arm and pulled her into the office.

Sebastian glanced back at them, and the two women immediately stood straight, each to one side, with professional smiles plastered on their faces.

"..."

Cecilia took advantage of the gap in conversation to whisper.

"I still have some files to get familiar with, so I’ll get back to work."

With that, she quickly walked back to her workstation.

Seeing her retreat behind the screen, Secretary Summers had no choice but to bite the bullet and go report to Mr. Hawthorne.

"Mr. Hawthorne, the flight path to Silvercrest for 12:30 this afternoon has been approved. The flight crew just sent a message asking for the passenger list for today’s trip."

Sebastian emotionlessly recited a few names, Cecilia Croft’s among them.

After finishing her report, Secretary Summers left, glancing in Cecilia’s direction as she went.

It was peak tourist season in Silvercrest, so tickets were incredibly hard to come by.

Mr. Hawthorne’s and Assistant Scott’s flight tickets to Silvercrest had been booked a week ago.

The day before yesterday, Sebastian had suddenly added Cecilia’s name.

So she had contacted the airline to request an additional ticket. She finally managed to get one for today, but it wasn’t on the same flight. Because of this, Mr. Hawthorne had her apply for a private flight path directly.

’The private jet, normally reserved only for special occasions, was being deployed simply because Cecilia’s ticket wasn’t for the same flight.’

Although Secretary Summers was puzzled, this only strengthened her belief that Mr. Hawthorne treated Cecilia differently.

’What was I thinking today, leaving Cecilia standing outside Mr. Hawthorne’s office for so long?’

’Thankfully, Mr. Hawthorne didn’t blame me, and Cecilia didn’t seem to mind.’ 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

...

「At the airport.」

Cecilia sat stiffly across from Sebastian Hawthorne, momentarily stunned by the spread of gourmet food and fine wine on the table before her.

Fortunately, the man opposite her was holding a financial newspaper, so he didn’t notice her astonished expression.

Even at the height of the Croft family’s power, Cecilia had never actually experienced what it was like to fly on a private jet.

She had always thought you couldn’t smoke or drink on a plane, but...

Cecilia glanced at the cigarette between Assistant Scott’s fingers, and then at the flight attendant who was smiling as she asked her a question.

"Miss Croft, would you prefer some red wine, or a soft drink?"

’Apparently, some rules only apply to ordinary people.’

’I’ve been too sheltered.’

"I’ll just have a soft drink, thank you."

Although she had never experienced drinking on a plane, she gave up the idea when she remembered her low alcohol tolerance.

Assistant Scott, however, took the bottle from the flight attendant and poured a glass of red wine for her.

"Just a taste won’t hurt. This is a fine wine from my cousin’s private collection. He usually only serves it to honored guests. It’s rare for him to splurge like this, so wouldn’t it be a waste not to try some? I don’t know when I’ll get another chance."

He still had a lit cigarette in his hand as he poured her the wine.

The smell of smoke wafted into Cecilia’s nose, and she couldn’t help but cough.

"Put out your cigarette."

The man whose face was hidden by the newspaper spoke in a low tone, a hint of displeasure in his voice.

Assistant Scott quickly stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray and looked at Cecilia apologetically.

"Sorry, sorry. I’m used to being careless in private spaces."

Cecilia waved her hand. "It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m just not quite used to it yet."

Sebastian Hawthorne neatly folded his newspaper, set it aside, picked up his glass of red wine, and took a small sip.

After the flight attendant had served all the dishes, she respectfully retreated to the service area.

It was Cecilia’s first time drinking on a plane. Her tolerance for alcohol was already low, and combined with the environment, she felt dizzy before she could even finish her glass.

She held on for a few more minutes, eating some food to quell the rising feeling of intoxication.

Sebastian glanced at her, then reached over and poured the remaining red wine from her glass into his. He then looked at the bottle that Assistant Scott had placed to the side.

It was a bottle of high-alcohol red wine.

His cool gaze swept over Assistant Scott.

Assistant Scott gave an awkward laugh and said cautiously.

"Cousin, I didn’t do it on purpose. I had no idea Miss Croft was such a lightweight. Drunk after one glass... oh, no, half a glass."

Cecilia propped her head up with one hand, her beautiful, delicate cheeks flushed red. She listened to them talk without saying a word, looking quiet and obedient.

Looking at her now, Sebastian knew she was already drunk.

He shot Assistant Scott an indifferent look and said in a deep voice.

"You’ll handle her work for today."

"Huh?" Assistant Scott stared at Sebastian piteously, clearly unwilling.

If he remembered correctly, Cecilia’s task for the afternoon was data analysis—a time-consuming and mentally draining job, a real nightmare of a task.

In her daze, Cecilia vaguely heard someone mention her work. She blinked and mumbled.

"I’m fine. I promise to complete the mission."

As soon as she said it, she slumped onto the table and fell asleep.

Sebastian fixed a cold, hard stare on the culprit who had gotten Cecilia drunk.

Assistant Scott quickly moved the plate away from in front of Cecilia, worried she might suddenly move and knock it off the table.

The person slumped on the table, however, was exceptionally quiet. After a moment, her breathing became even and steady.

Assistant Scott had witnessed Sebastian’s high alcohol tolerance, and Pearl Sterling, a woman, could also drink exceptionally well. He had figured a single glass of wine wouldn’t be enough to get anyone drunk.

Now, looking at Cecilia lying there quietly, he gave an awkward laugh and suggested.

"Cousin, why don’t you take Miss Croft to the rest cabin..."

Before he could finish, he saw the man beside him stand up, walk over to Cecilia, and bend down to pick her up. His movements were gentle and careful, as if afraid of waking her.

Assistant Scott pressed his lips together and didn’t finish his sentence.

’My suggestion was totally unnecessary.’

’Someone’s quite proactive, isn’t he.’