Chapter 6

"I just didn't want Katniss to misunderstand you. I was trying to explain to her, but I never expected her to get so angry..."

Lillian stood with tears pooling in her eyes, her long lashes trembling delicately. She looked as fragile as a morning glory vine, too intimidated to even meet Katniss's gaze.

This acting performance—what a waste of talent not to be in Hollywood.

"Let go of her first."

Cedric's expression darkened. When Katniss remained unmoved, his eyes darted to the passersby who had noticed the commotion. "What kind of impression are you making in public like this?"

So he was worried she was embarrassing the York family?

"Katniss, please let me go. Whatever I've done, I'll apologize, okay? Don't put Cedric in such an awkward position between us."

Lillian presented herself as so understanding that she'd rather suffer in silence. Any stranger witnessing this would undoubtedly pity her and condemn Katniss as the villain.

"Fine, then apologize to me first."

Katniss's voice was ice cold. Since she'd already been cast as the bad guy, she might as well do something to deserve Lillian's Oscar-worthy performance.

"I..."

Lillian had assumed Katniss would show some restraint in front of Cedric. Instead, she seemed even more brazen.

Though internally seething, Lillian bit her lip at the thought of maintaining her angelic image in Cedric's eyes. "I'm sorry."

Katniss let out a cold laugh and released her arm.

Lillian stumbled, clearly hoping to recreate her earlier performance by dramatically falling into Cedric's arms with all the subtlety of a soap opera actress.

This time, however, the man didn't take the bait. He steadied her and kept her at his side.

"Don't leave yet. I need to talk to you," Cedric said, blocking Katniss's path as she attempted to walk past them. Clients were still waiting in the private room.

"Good dogs don't block the way!"

After being manipulated repeatedly, Katniss had lost all patience.

"Cedric, my arm hurts."

Seeing that Cedric's attention was fixed on Katniss, Lillian silently cursed before clutching her arm and whimpering pitifully.

Cedric's gaze fell on her reddened wrist. He hesitated briefly before softly reassuring her.

"Go rest in the private room and have the server bring you some medicine. I'll join you shortly."

"It's all my fault. Please don't argue because of me."

Lillian, reluctant to give them privacy, made her slender frame appear to sway precariously as she spoke softly.

"Don't worry, go back inside."

Watching Cedric speak so gently to comfort Lillian, Katniss felt her heart flutter uncomfortably. An indescribable feeling washed over her, and the exhaustion of recent days once again swept through her.

"Alright then."

Lillian knew that a clever woman understand when to retreat. She cast several lingering glances at Cedric before reluctantly turning away.

Only after confirming Lillian had disappeared down the corridor did Cedric properly face Katniss.

In the light, Cedric's refined features were unmistakable, as was the coldness Katniss could clearly see in his expression.

"How could you bear to let Lillian apply medicine alone? Aren't you going to chase after her and take care of her personally?"

The sarcasm in Katniss's voice was more bitter than teasing.

After all, it wouldn't be the first time he'd abandoned her. Why put on this act in front of her?

"This is between us. She's innocent. You always target Lillian like this."

Cedric frowned, then let out a soft sigh as he spoke.

"I'm targeting her?"

Katniss laughed bitterly, almost admiring his ability to flip accusations.

So he'd sent Lillian away to confront her.

"Aren't you? Just now in the hallway, you were hostile from the start and pushed her. If I hadn't arrived in time, were you planning to hit her?"

Cedric felt exasperated by Katniss's defiant attitude.

Suddenly, Katniss couldn't form a single rebuttal. He believed Lillian, which made him blind to her repeated provocations.

"Your silence means you agree?"

"If divorce wasn't achieving your goal, and now you're using these tactics to get my attention, I—"

Seeing her lower her head without responding, Cedric assumed she was admitting guilt. Unfortunately, he was cut off mid-sentence.

"Cedric!"

A wave of helplessness spread from her feet throughout her body. She hadn't wanted to explain, but she refused to be misunderstood like this.

"There are security cameras nearby. I suggest you check the footage."

"See who's really at fault before condemning someone without knowing the facts."

"And you should be saying these things to Lillian, not me."

Katniss's anger only grew as she spoke, finally finding an outlet for her emotions.

Her fair cheeks flushed red. Those eyes, normally clear as spring water, now flashed with anger as she practically spoke through gritted teeth. "Control your people! And stop bothering me!"

Hearing her final words, Cedric clearly misunderstood something.

As if sensing Katniss's frustration, his tone suddenly softened.

"Alright, I'll make time to come home tonight and be with you. Stop making a scene."

"I remember today is your ovulation day."

His meaning couldn't have been clearer.

Katniss felt like she was talking to a brick wall. Even now, he still thought she was willing to have his child. He hadn't even noticed she'd moved out of their home.

"I will not have your child! I want a divorce, a divorce! Do you hear me?"

Katniss's fury reached its peak. If there had been anything within reach, she would have lost control and smashed it on the ground just to make Cedric understand her position.

"Aren't you threatening divorce because of the child issue?"

"No! I don't even—"

In this public place, Katniss nearly revealed that secret—the one that would make him understand she had no interest in the York family's ten percent shares.

Cedric's expression instantly darkened. Just as the air between them seemed to freeze, his phone rang, interrupting their standoff.

"Hello?"

"What did you say? I'll be right there."

Cedric hung up and looked at Katniss's stubborn face with a headache brewing.

"There's an urgent work matter I need to handle. Whatever you want to say, we can discuss when I get home."

Cedric didn't give Katniss any chance to respond before hurrying away.

Standing close enough, Katniss clearly saw Lillian's name on the caller ID.

Work matter? What a convenient excuse!

"Boss! Are you okay?"

Flora, Katniss's assistant, had come looking for her after she'd been absent too long, worried about her condition. She found Katniss standing alone in the corridor. Her silhouette, stretched long by the lighting, looked particularly lonely and desolate. With her face looking lost and empty, Flora rushed forward in a few quick steps to support her, asking with concern.

"Maybe I drank a bit too much. I'm fine, let's go back."

Thinking of the clients waiting in the private room, Katniss waved her hand dismissively, offering a flimsy excuse.