Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 120
“Are you suggesting I tarnish my own daughter’s honor?”
It was not only Cecilia’s honor at stake, but the honor of the Lasphilla family.
Bernarda quickly waved her fan, indicating no.
“It would be a problem elsewhere. But this is your mansion, my lord. You can control the rumors at your discretion.”
“You can’t be serious…”
Bernarda nodded.
“If we spread a rumor that Cecilia suffered wrongdoing at the hands of Logan Harper, the Harper family couldn’t break off the engagement without considering their grandson’s future.”
* * *
As the modest party ended and people left. Typically, night banquets lasted until dawn, but this party wasn’t of such a scale.
It was merely a formal gathering.
Cecilia tried to sneak away to her room as soon as the mansion quieted down, but Adam and Bernarda wouldn’t let her.
“The star of the show can’t leave so soon.”
Since when had they treated her as the star? She’d have been lucky even to be considered a supporting character.
‘I used to be moved by such words…’
Cecilia laughed incredulously. They mistook her laughter as one of enjoyment.
Only Logan asked her if she wasn’t tired yet.
‘I’m exhausted.’
She wanted to reply just that but held it back. Saying she was tired wouldn’t make Bernarda and her father let her go.
“I’m fine.”
Bernarda quickly arranged for refreshments in the living room, and a maid brought out tea, good for sobering up.
Cecilia sat on the sofa and suddenly thought.
Even though she was of noble birth, nobles really knew their way around food and drink.
‘Don’t they ever get tired?’
Cecilia sighed softly. If not for today’s party, she would have gone to the annex to ask Lilith about what happened with the former Countess.
But they never gave her a moment to leave.
‘I wouldn’t say anything if they always acted like this.’
It’s tiring to deal with such obvious intentions.
She held the teacup provided by the maid and looked at Logan, who also seemed tired.
‘He’s struggling too.’
Cecilia smiled through her nose and habitually brought the teacup to her lips.
And at that moment.
“ā¦?”
A strange scent hit her.
‘Could it beā¦?’
She recognized the smell with her noseāit was the same medicine she often took in her past life for insomnia.
‘This is a sleeping drug!’
The sleeping drug in this tea was of a far superior quality than Poenaās Tears she had used in this life.
If her tea had been drugged, what about the othersā¦?
Cecilia carefully observed their cups. Only hers and Loganās cups were a different color. It was as if the maid had been instructed to make it easy to distinguish their cups in advance.
‘So, that’s their scheme.’
It seemed they had concocted a new plan because she hadnāt been proactive with Logan as she had been in her past life.
They intended to drug Logan and her to end up together.
‘This is despicably low.’
Such a plan could only have originated in Bernardaās mind, but ultimately it would have required her fatherās approval.
Cecilia smiled bitterly.
‘Iām really just a tool to themā¦’
She had no intention of meekly complying with such treatment. She signaled to Logan first.
Quick to catch on, he set down his cup.
As the two of them refrained from drinking the tea, Bernarda looked at them anxiously.
“Talking so much made me thirsty. Cecilia, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Bernardaās expression darkened further, and Adam’s face hardened.
Had they waited too long, unable to do anything? Tired of playing alone, Margaret burst into the living room.
She had napped for a long time and was still energetic in the middle of the night.
“Father!”
“What do you think youāre doing hereā¦!”
Margaret flinched. Children were supposed to stay in the children’s room during parties.
But that time had been far too long. Surely the night was over now.
She deserved some freedom.
“Margaret must be bored. Letās be lenient just for today.”
Cecilia smiled kindly and took her side. At that, Margaret immediately shouted, pretending to be good.
“What is this vulgar thing saying now!”
Adam pressed his forehead and Bernarda quickly covered her mouth.
But the damage was already done.
