Never see each other...

Had she already mapped out her afterlife, leaving no chance for their paths to cross again?

Seth never imagined that one day he would experience a pain that tore at his heart. It was like countless worms were coming together to gnaw at his internal organs, and his blood and bone marrow. She knew full well he was only trying to keep her from leaving. He just wanted her to compromise, and to promise to stay by his side.

The Ellis clan was in disarray, her grandfather was bedridden, and her father was hospitalized. Even if she didn't really want to stay by his side, there were a million reasons for her to compromise. Yet, she seemed resolute in her decision to leave.

Anger surged through Seth once more. It was she who wanted them to be together. It was she who feared he would leave. And it was she who insisted on leaving in the end.d2

She claimed to be passive in their relationship, lacking control and choice, but who really had the power? Who left whom behind?!

Did she want to hear him say "I love you"? Even if he never uttered those words, she'd toss him aside like he was nothing. If he did say them, wouldn't she just feel all the more invincible?

Seeing the smile on Cicely's face at that moment, Seth froze, then his dark eyes narrowed. It was a smile tinged with desolation and cruelty. And he felt as though she had seen right through him.

Her father had passed away, spurred by the shock from his mother's actions. The trial he led was the trigger.

She blamed him even for Issac's death and was determined to divorce him. How could she not hate him now? So, what was she smiling about?!

"Cicely,"

The trial ended, and Cicely was led away. Her expression was ashen. There was no hint of emotion, or any trace of confusion or fear. She couldn't imagine anything in the world causing her more pain than she had already endured, nor could she conceive of anything more terrifying than what she had already lived through.

Lana, following behind, called out to her with a voice laced with disbelief and a hint of tears, but Cicely did not respond.

Even when Lana mentioned her grandfather, Cicely merely blinked. How could she face him now? The Ellis family's downfall was her doing. Even begging for forgiveness on her knees before her grandfather wouldn't absolve her of her sins.

"Mr. Diaz." Charlie spoke up only after Cicely had disappeared from view. But then, he found himself at a loss for words.

The company was swamped with issues. The hospital was in chaos. So many problems were converging, and he didn't know where to begin to address them.

Seth slowly reigned in his thoughts, pushing down all his emotions. He turned to Charlie and walked down from the courtroom. "Let's head to the hospital."

His composure was eerily calm, as if the tumultuous events had been nothing but a crashing wave that had receded as quickly as it had arrived, leaving a deceptive calm in its wake.

Charlie was initially taken aback, but as he drew closer, he saw the redness of Seth's eyes, the veins on his forearms standing out like strained cords about to snap.

As Seth strode past him, Charlie hurried to keep pace. Seth stumbled slightly as they exited the courtroom, his body lurching forward, bending at the waist.

"Mr. Diaz." Charlie quickly reached out to steady him, feeling the iron-like tension beneath his hands.

Seth steadied himself, gently pushing Charlie away, and walked out of the courthouse with firm steps.

Charlie followed, his heart slightly heavy. He knew, deep down, that Mr. Diaz had never intended for Cicely to actually go to prison.

Even when she was held in custody, he had arranged for her to receive special care, but recent events had piled up.

Cicely's father suffered a heart attack. Issac was critically injured.

Mr. Diaz had taken all the blame upon himself, wallowing in self-reproach while fearing that Cicely's resentment might drive her to truly leave him, which led him to this extreme measure.

His intentions were singular, but it seemed he had chosen the wrong approach, never anticipating that Cicely would firmly refuse to compromise or that Mr. Ellis would suddenly pass away, prompting her to confess to premeditated murder in court. She didn't even give Mr. Diaz a chance to drop the charges.

The woman who used to cling to Mr. Diaz, playful and pretty, without a hint of malice, eager for the world to know her affection for him, had turned cold and merciless.

She's not only cruel to herself but also to Mr. Diaz.

*

Chaos reigned. Charlie could think of no other words to describe the recent turmoil. He doubted anyone throughout history could endure what Mr. Diaz was currently facing.

The arrangements for his mother's passing, the aftermath of the Diaz Tower incident, the backlash from shareholders, the internal staff issues from top to bottom, the ongoing investigations by the Justice Department, and the effort to mitigate losses-all these issues piled up.

The atmosphere within C&P was one of unease and unrest, waiting to be calmed.

The Ellis Group was a complete mess, with loyalists and opportunists alike choosing sides and adding to the pressure on Seth's shoulders.

Not to mention the overwhelming public outcry and criticism, and the threat of future attacks from Lana...

It was as if the world's heaviest burdens had been thrust upon him.

In fact, Seth was only twenty-four years old.

Seth was stretched to his limits, for three days without rest. Charlie entered the office to find the man still impeccably dressed in his suit, his shirt crisp and clean. He appeared calm and detached, yet there was a newfound gravity about him, a menacing edge.

His presence was steady, yet it harbored an indescribable sharpness-as if he were a sword drawn from its scabbard, poised to strike, bloodthirsty, ready for slaughter.

Even after days of being by his side, the awe and trepidation Charlie felt only seemed to grow.

"Mr. Diaz, the memorial service is about to begin."

The wake for Patty was held at the Diaz residence. The so-called mourning was a quiet affair, with few attendees. The setup was stark in its simplicity, yet even with such minimal arrangements, Seth had barely made an appearance. Now, he had no choice but to return to the Diaz residence.

Seth stood up with an impassive face. Charlie moved his lips, as if to speak, but ultimately, he remained silent.

Seth paused at the doorway, his gaze lowered, adjusting his suit. "Is there something else you want to say?"

Charlie was taken aback. He looked up, but the man was already turned away from him, exuding an air of calm and wisdom that sent a slight tremor through Charlie's heart.

"Ms. Cicely came out today to keep vigil for her father."

Seth's movements came to a halt.

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