Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 134
* * *
Gill provided Cecilia and Diana with a room where they could talk privately.
Dane, not knowing what was happening, volunteered to help as well. However, Gill grabbed Dane by the scruff of his neck and stopped him.
“If you don’t know anything, just stay quiet.”
“And do you know, old man?”
“This kid…!”
He gave Dane a smack on the head and clicked his tongue bitterly.
“Life is full of all sorts of things. Just watch and stay comfortable.”
“Acting like you’ve seen it all.”
Dane got another smack on the back.
* * *
In a secluded corner of the back alley, inside a shack with a tent roof and wooden walls, two women were preparing for a big game.
“Are you good at calculations?” Cecilia asked.
“Of course. Whose daughter do you think I am?” Diana’s voice was full of confidence.
“Good. And acting… I’ve seen enough.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“An investment.”
“From us?”
Cecilia smirked.
“No, not us.”
“Then?”
“We’ll use other people’s money. We’ll grow it, then take it all at once.”
Diana frowned.
“Isn’t that basically a scam?”
“It’s fine. I’m only targeting two people.”
“…Who and who?”
Diana asked, her eyes filled with expectation.
Cecilia willingly met her expectations.
“Adam Lasphilla and… Christian Pierce.”
* * *
Cecilia had Diana pose as a man. Not a real man, just a fake identity as an investment expert.
They created a ghost-like trading firm, one that existed but didn’t exist.
Information about this trading firm was not disclosed to just anyone. But it always had a 100% success rate and produced unexpected windfalls.
Any capitalist interested in investment would be eager to exchange words, even if just in writing, with the owner of this trading firm.
“100% success? Guaranteed windfall? Is that even possible?”
Diana asked skeptically. Cecilia nodded.
“It’s possible.”
Because she remembered all the major events and accidents that would happen in the future.
“If that happens… Adam will naturally seek us out.”
“Exactly.”
“If it really happens, that is.”
Diana was cooperative but still seemed to have reservations about fully believing Cecilia.
It’s only natural for it to sound far-fetched right now. If Diana actually had full confidence in Cecilia now at this point, she might have doubted Diana’s judgment.
“Just wait and see. We don’t have any money to lose anyway, right?”
“…You really don’t hold back with your words.”
Diana scoffed. However, she promised to serve as Cecilia’s accountant and frontwoman with utmost diligence.
* * *
By the time Cecilia was ready to leave, it was raining.
“In the end, it rains.”
A week had passed since Logan arrived.
“Miss, I’m so glad I brought an umbrella!”
Mary cheerfully said as she opened the umbrella.
“When you suggested bringing an umbrella on such a clear day, I wondered why… But listening to you always turns out well.”
Mary was bright even on gloomy days. How could she be so cheerful despite their poverty? Come to think of it, she had mentioned having a large family.
It could be tiring to have so many dependents, but Mary often talked about her family. She even boasted about how her youngest sibling made her a cute paper flower.
‘Is that what a normal family is like…?’
It was a story that felt distant to Cecilia.
She walked with Mary until they parted ways at the garden. Cecilia invited her to have cake together later, and Mary went inside with a broad smile, waving her pinky.
Left alone in the garden, Cecilia walked for a long time. At some point, she felt her strength give out. It was as if the mental grip she had maintained for the sake of revenge had loosened.
The umbrella fell to the ground, but she didn’t bother picking it up. She worried about catching a cold but thought this might be better.
If she were to suffer and groan in pain, the shock of this moment might dull with time, the rain would stop, and Logan would leave.
Then she would be okay again.
Just like before, she would devise schemes, act on them, and revel in the thrill of revenge.
It’s fine.
I’m fine.
Look at her now. Even in this torrential downpour where no one would see, she wasn’t crying and remained steadfast.
No one… would… see…
“…Miss Cecilia?”
Damn it.
Cecilia cursed softly under her breath.
