Chapter 421


    "Do you need anything else from me?"


    "No, that''s all."


    With that, Stefan wasted no time in showing his guest the door. "Well then, you can go now."


    Owen bristled with indignation. "Come on, Stefan. I came all the way here to give you the heads-up


    about the Porter Group, and this is how you repay me?"


    "What do you want, a medal? Are you afraid your girl Cecilia will get jealous; think you''re ying


    both sides?"


    Owen spat dismissively, "I only have eyes for thedies."


    He gazed at Stefan''s handsome face and, with relief, proimed, "Looking at you for nearly thirty


    years and not falling for you – my resolve is rock-solid."


    Stefan ignored it without a word.


    After Owen finished his coffee, he stood up, bade his goodbyes, and left.


    Time continued its march.


    Exiting Ascend Global, Owen decided to skip returning to the office and headed straight to the


    Serendipity Cafe to im his kudos from Cecilia.


    Approaching noon, the cafe was at its quietest, the rush of customers having ebbed away.


    Cecilia was scrolling through her phone, checking out thetest lunch specials from nearby


    restaurants, pondering what to eat.


    "Cecilia, Mr. Cooper''se again," the waitress suddenly spoke up.


    Cecilia looked toward the cafe door and sure enough, there was Avery, pushing it open and


    stepping inside.


    Thankfully, this time he was without a bouquet of flowers.


    By now, she knew Avery was someone Mr. Martinez had hired to pretend to court her—which


    exined why Avery, despite being terrified of Owen, still dared to dere a fairpetition.


    It turned out there was Mr. Martinez backing him up.


    Moreover, Avery would brave any storm for the sake of his beloved.


    Though Avery and Cedric''s love was disapproved of by society, Avery''s feelings were as genuine as


    theye.


    Instead of making a beeline for Cecilia as usual, Avery chose a secluded table in the farthest corner


    and sat down.


    He pulled out several bottles of liquor from his bag and, forgoing the need for a ss, began to


    drink straight from the bottle.


    Cecilia and the waitress exchanged puzzled nces.


    Feeling that they had some level of acquaintance, Cecilia walked over and sat across from Avery,


    asking with concern, "Avery, what''s wrong? Is something bothering you? Did you hit a rough patch?"


    Could it be that Mr. Martinez was withholding payment?


    (If Mr. Martinez were here, he would reply, “Cecilia, do I look like that kind of guy?”)


    Avery kept drinking, and after emptying a bottle, he finally shared his anguish. "Cecilia, why can''t


    Cedric and I, who love each other so dearly, be together?"


    So it was a matter of love issue.


    She had thought it was a problem with Mr. Martinez''s payment.


    "I did everything I could to help theirpany survive, epting all this. Cecilia, I have toe


    clean to you. The truth is, I do like you, but it''s not the kind of love. My heart belongs to someone


    else. The pursuit was all an act, a charade. It''s a long story, but to sum it up briefly, it was all for my


    true love.


    "But now that the Frost Group has weathered the storm, they''ve turned their backs on me, urging


    Cedric to go on dates, even to get married. It''s tearing me apart, Cecilia. What should I do?"


    Upon his confession, Cecilia finally realized what had happened.


    She had heard from Owen about Avery''s true love for Cedric, the CEO of the Frost Group. She also


    knew Lucinda mentioned Cedric had even been set up with Tiffany Paisley, although that didn''t pan


    out.


    The Frost family probably knew about Cedric''s orientation but hoped to “cure” him by pushing him


    into conventional rtionships.


    Most families would have a hard time epting their sons’ being gay, let alone a prominent family


    like the Frosts.


    They hadn''t harmed Avery, probably thanks to either Cedric''s protection or warnings from Mr.


    Martinez, given their coboration. That''s why Avery remained safe.


    But, the Frost family was undoubtedly hell-bent on separating Cedric and Avery up.


    "Avery, your rtionship with Cedric will be determined by how strong your connection is, and to


    what extent Cedric is willing to go for you. If he chooses his family and their expectations over you,


    then it''s time to let go. Love thwarted is amon tragedy."


    It’s not just about homosexual love; many heterosexual couples are also driven apart by their


    families and end up having to break up.


    Some, too enraptured to say goodbye, may even resort to extreme acts like suicide, hoping to


    remain united in death, which leads to nothing but tragedy.


    “If he’s willing to fight for it, you should also persevere and have faith in him. As long as you both


    persevere, I believe that sweetness may eventually follow.”


    As Cecilia talked with Avery about his rtionship with Cedric, she also thought of herself and


    Owen.


    Advising others is easy; facing one''s own challenges is much harder.


    Avery was willing to do anything for Cedric.


    He really tried hard.


    But what about Cecilia herself? She had fallen for Owen, yet she hadn''t buffed up the courage as


    Avery had. She wasn’t in together with Owen to confront their obstacles side by side.


    She had left Owen to fight their battles alone.


    How could one person fighting alone match the strength of two people united?


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Now, Cecilia suddenly felt that she needed to try harder—to change Olina''s opinion of her and earn


    herself eptance.


    Her background was unchangeable, but she could make herself strong, strong enough that even


    Olina couldn''t look down upon her.


    If she kept pausing, not keeping pace with Owen, they would probably waste their lives without


    getting anywhere.


    Love requires mutual effort.


    Owen and Ruby''s breakup was a harsh lesson from the past.


    "Cecilia, Cecilia."


    Avery waved his hand in front of Cecilia''s face.


    Cecilia, finallying back to her senses, was slightly embarrassed. "I was so lost in thought. What


    were you saying, Avery?"


    Avery gave no answer. He then offered—


    "Come have a drink with me."


    He uncorked another bottle of wine and offered it to Cecilia, then opened one for himself.


    Cecilia took the bottle, clinked it against his, and watched as he tilted his head back, takingrge


    gulps. But she didn''t drink.


    "Cecilia, Cecilia."


    The waitress suddenly over, bustling, "Mr. Martinez is here again."


    Whenever Mr. Cooper showed up, Mr. Martinez was sure to follow soon after.


    It was an unwritten rule, predictable as clockwork.


    Reactively, Cecilia considered getting up and leaving, to distance herself from Avery and avoid


    another jealousy scene with Mr. Martinez.


    But as she stood up, she changed her mind and sat back down.


    Owen knew that Avery''s feelings for her weren''t genuine love, and furthermore, Avery was gay. So,


    he should no longer be jealous anymore.


    After downing his bottle, Avery noticed Cecilia hadn’t touched her drink. He took the bottle from her,


    "Let me drink for you. Do you have any booze in this ce? Bring me a few more bottles; I''m not


    going home sober tonight."


    Cecilia hesitated before replying, "This is a coffee shop, Avery. We don''t carry alcohol here."


    By then, Owen had pushed open the door and walked in.