Chapter 5

Early the next morning, as Cecilia answered Conrad's call, a layer of soft rain started falling from the sky, bringing a chill to the air. As soon as Conrad got into the car, he complained, "You're really dragging your feet. I had to stand out in the cold wind for over ten minutes. Don't you have any sense that I'm a big star?" Cecilia glanced at Conrad sideways. They had been college classmates for four years, and she had never expected to become so close to someone, who one day would become famous across the country. He was wearing a punk-style jacket over a pair of Martin boots, his fair face and charming features exuding charisma, especially when he smiled, it was like basking in the spring breeze. There was even a dimple on his right cheek, which was simply a killer weapon. Cecilia wasn't deceived by his appearance, she just smiled casually. Conrad raised an eyebrow and said loudly, "Is this your attitude towards inviting me for endorsement? If it weren't for our good relationship, I wouldn't have come. Seeing your husband's face makes me annoyed, not to mention seeing him flaunting his affair with the mistress in different newspapers and magazines every day. Do you really want me to witness it up close?" Cecilia knew Conrad was referring to Sandy, because Conrad wasn't the only ambassador for Oakwood Residences. She was used to Conrad's outspokenness, so she wasn't angry. She drove seriously and said softly, "I was just a little late, weren't I? Stop blaming me. I'm driving, okay?" Conrad snorted coldly. Seeing Cecilia relenting, he changed the subject. The meeting point wasn't far from Oakwood Residences. When they arrived, the rain hadn't stopped, it was still drizzling lightly. As Cecilia reached for the door handle, Conrad said, "Wait, let me come around and help you. If you slip later, it will affect my image." As he spoke, he got out of the car and quickly came around to Cecilia's side, extending his hand to support her out of the car. Cecilia was wearing high heels, and Conrad put his arm around her shoulder, closing the car door with a smile. "Hmm, moved by my gesture?" Cecilia smiled, her eyes narrowing. "Conrad, stop talking nonsense. There might be media around." The two of them were so engrossed in their banter that they forgot about the occasion. Just as Alston got out of the car, he witnessed the scene. It was the first time in three years that Alston had seen Cecilia up close. She was dressed in a pale pink suit with a waistline design that accentuated her slender waist. The color complemented her complexion, making her skin look even whiter and more flawless. Her buttocks were wrapped in a pink skirt, her legs slender and graceful. Leaning against Conrad's embrace, she looked charming and almost enchanting. Despite standing next to the nationally renowned man, she didn't seem overshadowed at all. On the contrary, they complemented each other like a well-matched couple. Alston's thin lips twitched. It seemed that three years of singlehood hadn't affected her quality of life. She even managed to get close to Conrad, a big star! Her way of getting along with men was becoming more and more skillful! Cecilia couldn't break free from Conrad's embrace due to her lack of strength, and just as she was about to scold him, she heard a cough beside her. They both turned to look. When Cecilia saw Alston, she was momentarily stunned. He stood by the car, tall and slender, his face still flawless. His black suit outlined his body's smooth lines, and his legs were encased in straight trousers, poised and ready. Cecilia's fingers involuntarily clenched together. He didn't move, yet everyone around him seemed to be drawn to him. But his words didn't sound so lovely. "You're quite capable, cuddling with male stars like this, must be promoting the project. Should I go back and apply for a Best Employee Award for you?" The emphasis he put on "capable" sounded sarcastic and sharp. Cecilia blinked, her smile becoming somewhat forced. Before she could speak, Sandy got out of the car with Alston. She linked her arm through his, speaking loudly, "Alston, the opening ceremony is about to start. Let's go in. I don't want to get rained on." Sandy's voice was artificially sweet, and her gaze occasionally flicked towards Cecilia, provoking her directly. Obviously, Sandy still resented Cecilia for making her lose twenty pounds. In theory, as the legitimate wife, Cecilia should have had the final say, but Alston didn't intend to give her any face. He reached out and embraced Sandy's waist, leaning down slightly, his tone tender, "Alright, be careful, it's slippery." As they walked away, Conrad's face darkened. "He is really FUCKING ASSHOLE! He doesn't even consider divorcing you. Are you out of your mind?" Cecilia chuckled and pushed Conrad away. "Fine! Just go now. Alston and Sandy are entering together. You'll join me later. Tomorrow's entertainment headlines will speculate about our divorce. This isn't promotion; it's tarnishing our own reputation!" Conrad rolled his eyes and dragged Cecilia onto the red carpet. "In my opinion, you should find a few male models to retaliate!" Unable to resist Conrad and already on the red carpet, Cecilia adopted a resigned attitude and walked in with him. As she expected, when Alston and Sandy appeared, they immediately attracted attention. Cecilia could see from afar that the cameras were mainly focused on Sandy and Alston. Contrastingly, Conrad, whose fame was undoubtedly higher than Sandy's, seemed less popular. Because they were following closely behind Alston and Sandy, Cecilia also saw how Sandy confidently clung to Alston's arm. Her position, both publicly and privately, should have been Cecilia's. The media naturally didn't want to miss such a spectacle. "Sandy, is it true that you spent the night at The Baycrest Manor with Mr. Faber the day before yesterday?" "Sandy, what are your thoughts on this?" Cecilia didn't have to look at her face to know whose reporter was asking these questions. Anyway, she had called them over to build up the momentum of Oakwood Residences, so Cecilia waited patiently with Conrad for a while. But the fire was still burning on Cecilia's body, I don't know who, shouted Cecilia is here." The reporters turned around and came straight towards Cecilia. "Mrs. Faber, your husband was seen spending the night at The Baycrest Manor with another woman. What are your thoughts on this?" "Mrs. Faber, today Sandy accompanied your husband to the opening ceremony. What is her status in attending?" "It's well known that you, as Mrs. Faber, have had a strained relationship with your husband. Does Sandy's appearance signify anything?" The reporters' questions were sharp, and Alston and Sandy showed no signs of explanation. Cecilia glanced at Alston's face almost imperceptibly. He appeared aloof, lowering his head as if listening to something Sandy was saying. Seeing that the sensation had reached its peak, Cecilia smiled and said, "I was already aware of everything you're mentioning." With that sentence, the flashbulbs went wild, their light blinding Cecilia. "Today, I have three things to announce, with the first being the most important. As you all know, Oakwood Residences is opening, and as one of the project leaders, I want to thank the media for their support." "Secondly, welcome Sandy to Oakwood Residences as a special guest and spokesperson. Thirdly, it's a private matter between us." "As you all know, Sandy comes from a humble background. She has been supported by both Alston and me for many years. She's like a sister to me and Alston; we've always liked her. It's not unusual for her to stay at our house, right, Sandy?" As Cecilia finished speaking, a reporter who was closer to Sandy handed her the microphone. Sandy did indeed come from a poor background, and the image FC Group created for her on screen was always inspirational. With Cecilia saying that, if Sandy denied it, she would be admitting to her affair with Alston and becoming a saboteur in their marriage! Sandy detested Cecilia's haughty demeanor. With just a casual sentence, she could clarify her relationship with Alston and even force her agent to order her to lose twenty pounds! Clamping her teeth tightly, Sandy's face forced out a strained smile. "That's right, I'm very grateful to Cecilia." For three years, Alston's scandals had been endless. Cecilia had gone from being speechless in front of reporters to now answering them effortlessly. It was incredible even to herself. Once everything was clarified and the reporters found no explosive material, they unwillingly shifted their attention to the opening ceremony of Oakwood Residences. FC Group had hired a well-known host, who quickly livened up the atmosphere of the audience. Just as the mood was getting high, the host instructed the technician to play a concept video of Oakwood Residences. At that moment, Cecilia was busy reviewing documents handed to her by Stacey when suddenly there was a commotion in the room. Sensing her sleeve being tugged, Cecilia glanced at Stacey, whose face had turned pale, her voice trembling. "Madam, look at this." Cecilia raised her head and came face to face with a scene on the large screen—a woman entangled naked with multiple men is more daring than the usual porno film, and the absolute protagonist of the picture is one of today's spokespersons - Sandy.