Chapter 281

Cecilia's pov I was just starting to relax into the awkward dinner when my phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, I saw Yvonne's name flash across it. Oh, right. She said she might come by tonight. "Excuse me," I said as I stood, keeping my tone calm and my smile polite."I need to take this." Nobody tried to stop me. Not even Sebastian. He knew I wasn't going anywhere. And that was the thing about me. I finished what I started. Even if it meant sitting through a dinner that felt like bad reality TV. Outside the room, I answered the call. "Hello?" "Cecilia! Are you there yet?" Yvonne's voice chirped through the speaker, way too chipper. "I'm here. But..." I lowered my voice, glancing down the hallway. "This isn't a business dinner. It's... I was set up, Yvonne." She didn't miss a beat. No gasp. Just that same sugar-sweet tone. "That's fine! We're still in the same restaurant. I'll swing by and say hi later." "Absolutely not," I hissed. Panic flared behind my ribs. This mess didn't need a