Chapter 292

Frederick's anticipation bubbled over. He had already lifted his glass, ready to propose a grateful toast, but Cyrus's words sliced through the air. His face fell, and he sank awkwardly back into his seat while his hands suddenly clammy. It seemed that Cyrus didn't value his daughter's contributions to Innerzen Medical Center, even though Ceci had been sanctioned for supporting its opening. Perhaps the memory of Frederick's harsh words still stung. When Cyrus had been at his lowest, Frederick's well-intentioned anger had erupted in harsh, unrelenting criticism. Later, when the threat of the Lynch family loomed, Frederick lacked the courage to stand by Cyrus, even contemplating sacrificing his daughter's happiness with a marriage to William. Frederick winced inwardly; it seemed Cyrus had never forgiven those betrayals. He patted his daughter's hand, a silent plea to sit, to spare herself further humiliation. Seeing Cecilia nearly in tears, Zoey urgently said, "Cyrus, you have to