"You saw with your own eyes how the Gu Family abused Mom. And what did you do? You pretended not to see or hear, then knelt down to apologize after the fact. But behind my back and Mom's, you kept a mistress outside, forced Mom into marriage, and stole my wedding money... One thing after another, Dad, don't you think what you've done is just too much? These twenty thousand yuan may look like your death sentence, but can you really say this isn't karma?"
As Cecilia Gu spoke, her voice grew sharper and more intense.
The anger she'd suppressed for twenty-three years finally erupted in this moment.
"Mom kept telling me to endure, to be patient. I had no choice but to endure. Even when I was busy with school during the day, I had to work at night to earn money. Because I knew, if I didn't bring money home, Mom and I would never have a good life! And you, as my father, what did you do? You knew I needed to study, I needed to go to college, I needed money! But you wouldn't give me a cent—because you wanted a son with that woman outside!"
"Dad, oh Dad. Tell me, what else is there left for me to say to you, or to the Gu Family?" Cecilia Gu took a deep breath. "When you were dying, did you finally see who hurt you? Does it hurt to be betrayed by the person you trusted most? What you suffered is just the tip of the iceberg—what Mom and I went through was a hundred times worse. People say we should respect the dead, so I won't pursue old grudges anymore. I'm here today to send you off one last time. From now on, you'll never see me at the Gu Family's grave again. The moment I left with Mom, we were done for good."
"Because of your death, Grandma and your new wife will face the law in the end. Don't worry, I won't do anything. I won't kick them while they're down, nor will I help them out. Everything about the Gu Family has nothing to do with me anymore." Cecilia Gu lowered her gaze to the ashen-faced Howard Gu and continued, "The only reason I still carry the Gu name isn't because I care about the Gu Family—it's because I just want to be myself. I'm not the abandoned girl adopted by the Gu Family, and I'm not the second Miss of the Yun Family. I'm just me."
"Your case will be solved soon, and I'll pay for your funeral—burying you in a place with green hills and clear water. That's my last payment for this surname. Dad, you should reincarnate early and wash away your resentment." Cecilia Gu gently touched her belly and said, "And don't come to me in my dreams. You should know by now my fate is cursed—no one can get close to me. So, I won't be waiting for you."
After saying this, Cecilia Gu turned and walked away.
Behind her, a faint shadow in the void seemed to reach for Cecilia Gu, but no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't get close to her.
It was as if Cecilia Gu's body was shrouded in an invisible light.
No spirit or ghost could come near her.
Cecilia Gu walked out of the room, shivering uncontrollably.
It was so cold inside.
Even with all those layers of clothing, she still felt frozen to the bone.
Rona Muir and Sophie Mo came over. "Is it done?"
Cecilia Gu nodded. "Let's go back. Oh, and tell the police I'll be sending money for Howard Gu's funeral expenses—I'll cover it."
Cecilia Gu's assistant immediately went to handle it.
Before Cecilia Gu could turn around, her assistant came back, looking surprised. "Miss, the police said someone already paid the funeral expenses..."
Cecilia Gu was stunned.
What's going on?
Who could it be?
Someone paid for my meal, someone paid Howard Gu's funeral expenses too?
Why would they do that?
Whatever, who cares who it is.
This time, I came back for two reasons: to find out the truth about my past, and to get some peace and quiet.
Now that the first problem is solved, I might as well rest for a few days.
"Let's go back then." Cecilia Gu didn't ask any more questions and said to the others, "We've been running around all day, I'm tired."
Rona Muir and Sophie Mo nodded and followed Cecilia Gu back to Jane Gu's house.
Jane Gu had gone to pick up Leon Mai and hadn't returned yet, but there were four rooms in the house anyway.
One for Jane Gu, one for me, the assistants squeezed into one, and Rona Muir and Sophie Mo shared another.
Don't ask why we aren't staying at a hotel—it's just not my thing.
After Cecilia Gu got home, her assistant lit a brazier to ward off bad luck before letting her go rest in her room.
As soon as Cecilia Gu entered the room, Sophie Mo said to Rona Muir, "Why do I feel like something's off?"
Rona Muir nodded. "I feel the same way. Something just isn't right."
"No wonder my brother insisted I come along," Sophie Mo sighed. "Looks like a storm is brewing."
Rona Muir shot Sophie Mo a look. "So you finally admit your brother sent you here!"
"Even if my brother hadn't sent me, I'd have come anyway." Sophie Mo gave Rona Muir a meaningful look. "Honestly, expecting a heartbroken woman to take care of a pregnant lady? Not a good idea!"
Rona Muir glared. "When was I ever heartbroken? I wasn't! I've never even been in love, so how could I be heartbroken?"
Sophie Mo just smiled and stayed quiet.
Rona Muir wanted to keep arguing, but Sophie Mo pointed at Cecilia Gu's room. "These walls aren't soundproof, you know."
Rona Muir immediately went quiet.
Sophie Mo bit her lip and said, "How did Madam Yun suddenly show up here? Then right after, all that Gu Family drama happened. How could it be such a coincidence? So many things happening in one day... It's hard not to be suspicious."
Rona Muir shrugged. "But we don't have any proof these two things are connected."
"I just feel like someone is deliberately cutting off Cici's way out," Sophie Mo frowned. "But honestly, for Cici, this doesn't seem like a bad thing."
"Yeah. It's pretty clear someone wants to help Cecilia Gu clean up all the mess. As long as the Gu Family is around, Aunt Jane can never really have peace." Rona Muir gave a faint, knowing smile—this move was just like something that person would do.
If he wants to do something, he'll stop at nothing.
Sophie Mo thought of someone too—he looks gentle and harmless, but when he acts, he's ruthless and decisive.
"No matter what, as a friend, I think the Gu Family totally had it coming," Rona Muir continued. "It's a good thing—finally got rid of that cancer for good."
Sophie Mo nodded.
Still, deep down, both of them felt a trace of unease.
That uneasy feeling made them fall silent.
"What worries me is not knowing what they'll do next," Sophie Mo said after a pause. "If the Yun Family is behind this..."
They glanced at each other and stopped talking.
Madam Yun had once told Cecilia Gu with absolute certainty that she would return to the Yun Family.
Her tone was so firm, there was no room for doubt.
But if Madam Yun really wants to cut off all of Cecilia Gu's escape routes and force her back to the Yun Family, then the Gu Family mess is just the beginning—not the end.
"Grandma." Charles Yin spoke softly, "Sorry it took me so long to come see you."
Madam Yun paused, her fingers still on her prayer beads, and a faint smile flickered on her lips.
She was a little surprised.
She hadn't expected Charles Yin to find her so quickly.
Or maybe, Charles Yin had always known she was here—he just pretended not to.
Was he finally losing patience?
"Grandma cares about the Yun Family more than anyone. She wants nothing more than to see the Yun Family rise again. Grandma, have you considered working with me?" Charles Yin's voice was soft, but carried undeniable authority.
Madam Yun was usually just as commanding, but for some reason, facing Charles Yin, she felt a tremor deep inside.
"Grandma knows astrology best, so I'm sure you can see my fate," Charles Yin continued calmly. "Everything is destined, isn't it? Since you're most afraid of fate, are you really going to fight it now? The Yun Family's honor and disgrace all rest on Cici's shoulders. I can't promise anything else, but I can guarantee you this: as long as I'm here, and the Yin Family is here, the Yun Family will always survive. You know exactly what kind of confidence I have when I say that."
Madam Yun's prayer beads spun faster and faster in her hand.
When facing Cecilia Gu, she could control the conversation.
But with Charles Yin, the power was in his hands.
This man never hides his sharpness or ambition, nor the means he'll use to get what he wants.
"I've already cleaned up after you once, Grandma. But next time, could you give me a heads-up before you act? I can take care of things even better." Charles Yin leaned in slightly, a glint flashing in his eyes, his smile full of meaning. Madam Yun's gaze flickered.
What a powerful presence!
"I understand how much you want Cici back in the Yun Family, Grandma. But if Cici doesn't want something, no one can force her—not even the Yun Family." Charles Yin ran his long fingers over the teacup beside him.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand," Madam Yun denied flatly.
Charles Yin chuckled.
That laugh seemed to soften his sharp energy, and the women standing nearby couldn't help but sneak glances at him.
But Madam Yun knew his next words would be even sharper.
"Grandma, you're not that old, but your memory isn't so great!" Charles Yin said lightly. "Cici may not like the Gu Family, but if she finds out that Howard Gu didn't really die because of her twenty thousand yuan, but because you secretly pushed things and destroyed the Gu Family, what do you think she'll think of you?"