Ignored When Chasing: Why Cry After I Got Engaged-Chapter 180: How Could It Be Her

In a small conference room at the Nathan residence in Korsyth.

"Cecilia, I’ve already explained my relationship with Quinn Sutton. She’s my friend’s wife, and the only reason we’re connected is through him."

Cecilia Nathan had heard the same words more than once.

She recalled the photographs, and the concern Miles Sinclair had shown when he was at the hospital with Quinn Sutton hadn’t seemed fake.

’As for what the relationship between Quinn Sutton and Miles Sinclair truly was...’

Cecilia Nathan narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Miles Sinclair. "Miles, my dad has finally agreed to let us get married. Do you want to get married?"

Cecilia’s voice was gentle and steady, like a deep, clear pool, possessing an indescribable allure.

"Cecilia, I..." Miles Sinclair was cut off by his ringing phone.

Miles Sinclair frowned and glanced at his phone, letting it ring. A few seconds later, however, it started ringing again.

Cecilia Nathan glanced at the phone number and chuckled. "Go ahead, answer it."

Miles Sinclair’s hand, holding the phone, paused for a moment before his finger swiped to accept the call.

"Hello."

"Hello, is this Mr. Miles Sinclair? This is Fiona Sinclair."

The conference room was silent, and every word Fiona Sinclair said carried clearly to Cecilia Nathan’s ears.

"Hello, President Sinclair." Miles Sinclair knew that Fiona Sinclair was still managing the Sinclair Family.

’Fiona Sinclair is probably calling about the future collaboration between the Sinclair and Nathan families.’

"Miles Sinclair, I’m practically your elder. I’m calling today not only to discuss our future collaboration but also to ask you a critical question." After Fiona Sinclair spoke, Miles had a vague idea of what she was going to say.

With Cecilia Nathan right there, Miles Sinclair said coolly, "I’m sorry, President Sinclair, but I’m not available right now. How about I call you back later?"

He was about to hang up, but Cecilia stopped him.

Cecilia Nathan gestured toward the phone. Miles Sinclair’s lips tightened into a thin line; he knew she wanted to hear what Fiona Sinclair was going to say.

Miles Sinclair lowered his gaze, thought for a moment, and put the call on speaker.

’Since Cecilia wants to listen, there’s no point in me trying to hide anything.’

"Mr. Miles Sinclair, what exactly is your relationship with my granddaughter, Quinn Sutton?"

As soon as Fiona Sinclair’s words fell, Cecilia Nathan raised an eyebrow.

’I didn’t expect Fiona Sinclair to be asking about this too.’

"Quinn told me you two are quite close. Is that true?"

Miles Sinclair hadn’t expected Fiona Sinclair to ask about this so directly.

Unsure of what Quinn Sutton had told Fiona Sinclair, Miles didn’t dare say too much, terrified that Cecilia would get the wrong idea.

"Yes, we are close, but only as friends." After speaking, Miles Sinclair shot a panicked glance at Cecilia. "President Sinclair, let’s discuss the collaboration another time. I’m in the middle of something very important and don’t have time to talk business."

Perhaps sensing Miles Sinclair’s urgency, Fiona Sinclair didn’t press the matter.

After hanging up, Miles Sinclair walked over to Cecilia. "You just asked if I wanted to marry you. I’m telling you now, I do. More than anything."

"Cecilia, do you know? I’ve been waiting so long to hear you say that."

"But the proposal has to be my job. I’m the man, after all. I’m going to give you a grand proposal and an even grander wedding."

...

Azurea, Helen’s Bar.

The spring mist swirled around the neon lights, their reflections crawling across the floor-to-ceiling windows. Flecks of light danced on the glasses, like mysterious sea creatures.

Damian Hawthorne tossed his lighter aside and downed the freshly prepared absinthe, his eyes narrowed and his handsome face glacial.

"You’ve had too much."

Losing count of the glasses, Hugo Grant stopped him from picking up another. "Drinking more isn’t going to help. You’re the one who lost Cecilia."

Damian Hawthorne’s distinctly-jointed fingers curled, tapping lightly on the table. His voice held a mocking lilt. "What’s so great about that Miles Sinclair, anyway?"

"He ’gave his life for her,’ and yet here he is, still breathing, isn’t he? Hugo, you tell me—which is more important, love or guilt?" The cold sneer on Damian Hawthorne’s lips was untamed and wild.

"That depends on whether Cecilia or May Rhodes is more important in your heart," Hugo Grant said, a subtle light flickering in his eyes. "I warned you time and again. You were the one who kept missing your chance."

"Yes, I regret it. But what about you, Hugo? Do you have no regrets?" Damian Hawthorne picked up a golden spoon and scooped up a sugar cube, his tone laced with a playful edge. "Hugo, when did you find out that Cecilia is Selina Nathan?"

"A long time ago." Hugo Grant’s voice paused. "Earlier than you."

Damian Hawthorne smiled but said nothing.

He and Hugo Grant had grown up together; Damian had figured out his personality long ago.

’If he says ’a long time ago,’ then it must be even earlier than I suspected.’

"Damian, you’re not the type to give up," Hugo Grant said, watching him pour glass after glass, clearly showing signs of intoxication.

"Of course I’m not fucking giving up." Damian Hawthorne downed his drink, then suddenly heard a shriek from nearby.

"Miles Sinclair retired from showbiz?!"

"Oh my god, that’s huge news! They all said he had the potential to be a top-tier star. Why would he quit?"

"Who knows? Maybe he found himself a sugar mama. After all, you can’t survive in the entertainment industry these days without some serious backing. Haven’t you heard? All these top male celebs have a rich older woman supporting them. I guess Miles Sinclair made enough money and just wants to live a quiet life now."

...

Hearing this, Hugo Grant frowned.

’The bar is noisy, but we’re in a private booth. How are their voices carrying over so clearly?’

Hugo Grant was about to get up when Damian Hawthorne pulled him back down, a mocking smile on his face. "Not so fast. Let’s listen."

"Whoa, it’s trending! Someone dug up dirt on her. The sugar mama backing him is... holy shit, she’s connected to the Nathans of Aethelgard!"

"The Nathans of Aethelgard? You mean the richest family in all of Veridia? Don’t tell me... the woman behind him is Selina Nathan?"

"What are you talking about? Selina Nathan is extremely well-protected by Linden Nathan. There isn’t a single photo of her online. How could it possibly be her?" The girl who spoke was none other than Tia Bennett.

Ever since Serena Hughes had married into the Sinclair Family, she hadn’t forgotten these two friends, and had set them up with excellent jobs.

Thanks to their connection with Serena Hughes, Tia Bennett and Claire Hale had seized the opportunity to become livestreamers at a famous entertainment company.

Thus, as soon as the inside scoop came out, the two of them were the first to start chatting about it.

Damian Hawthorne recognized their voices. They were Serena Hughes’s friends.

He had investigated them back when he was looking for Serena Hughes.

Damian Hawthorne narrowed his eyes and peered through a gap in the booth’s partition, and sure enough, he could see them.

Tia Bennett and Claire Hale were at a table with a few other girls, munching on sunflower seeds as they traded gossip.

The girls probably assumed that with the bar being so noisy, no one could overhear their chatter.

Or perhaps, they just didn’t care if anyone did.

"It is Selina Nathan!" Claire Hale suddenly exclaimed. "The Nathan Family just publicly revealed the identity of their future heir. Selina Nathan is taking over the family business!"

"Really? Let me see!" Tia Bennett snatched the phone, her hand scrolling frantically before she suddenly shrieked, "How is it HER?!"