Chapter 6

Medea’s face was pale as paper as she lay unconscious, her lips completely drained of color.

She looked fragile and heartbreakingly delicate.

The face he imagined countless times was suddenly right in front of him, close enough to touch, and a faint trace of self-mockery curved at the corner of Cesare’s lips.

No matter how many times he warned himself to remain indifferent, the instinct to protect her whenever she was in danger had already become embedded deep in his bones.

He knew it might all be fake, and he knew she wasn’t entirely innocent either, but he still couldn’t stay indifferent.

“Mr. York, should we take Miss Watts to the hospital immediately?” the secretary asked cautiously.

Cesare pressed his lips together and remained silent for a long while.

In the end, he removed his own scarf and said indifferently, “Have someone send her back to the Watts family.”

…

When Medea woke up, she realized she was lying inside a cold, secluded storage room.

A gray cashmere scarf had somehow been wrapped around her neck, carrying a faint warm woody scent.

She was still wondering who brought her back when harsh mocking voices suddenly filled her ears.

“What bad luck. Today’s supposed to be a joyful occasion for Grandpa’s birthday banquet, yet she collapsed and had to be carried in. She definitely did it on purpose just to ruin everyone’s mood.”

“Who even brought her back?”

Someone let out a mocking laugh.

“Who else? Probably some silent knight in shining armor who couldn’t bear to watch her freeze to death outside like a stray dog.”

“Lower your voice. What if she hears you? Her husband’s still the heir of the Begum family, after all.”

Instead, the voices only grew louder.

“What’s there to be afraid of? The rumors about Gordon and that widow with her daughter have already spread everywhere.”

“He didn’t even bother showing up for Grandpa’s birthday banquet tonight. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before he throws her out.”

After sitting up, Medea carefully folded the scarf and placed it inside her bag.

She didn’t take any of the vicious comments to heart.

Only a cold smile curled faintly at the corner of her lips.

Ever since she was brought back to the Watts family, she had long grown used to their cruel remarks and ridicule.

Gordon was no longer someone she could rely on.

From now on, she would have to face everything alone.

When Medea stepped outside, the conversation quieted slightly, though someone still muttered under their breath.

“Pathetic, honestly. A fake heiress who stole someone else’s life and married into wealth, yet she still couldn’t keep her husband.”

Medea glanced coldly at the speaker, her eyes completely calm and emotionless.

She smoothed the slightly wrinkled hem of her dress before walking straight toward the banquet hall.

When she arrived before Hedworth at the main table, she respectfully presented the birthday gift she had prepared.

“Grandpa, wishing you endless blessings and a long, prosperous life.”

Hedworth had been chatting happily with the other guests moments earlier.

Upon seeing Medea, he merely nodded with surface-level kindness.

“You’ve been thoughtful.”

Hedworth’s gaze swept around the room afterward, but Gordon was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Gordon? Why didn’t he come with you?”

The chill from nearly freezing outside still seemed to linger in Medea’s body.

Her reply remained calm and light.

“Something urgent came up at the company, and he couldn’t get away.”

“Young people these days always place too much importance on work.”

Hedworth spoke casually on the surface, but the smile on his face had already faded slightly.

Even the way he looked at Medea carried a trace of criticism now.

“As his wife, you should take on more responsibility too. Nothing matters more than family harmony.”

Medea understood the warning hidden beneath his words and lowered her eyes obediently.

“Yes, Grandpa. You’re right.”

This was the only value she still held within the Watts family.

When the family's interests were on the line, the Watts family would have forced Medea to keep the title of Mrs. Begum, even if Gordon had a dozen mistresses.

Fortunately, many influential guests were attending tonight’s banquet.

Hedworth had no intention of wasting too much attention on her.

Medea turned away, her gaze sweeping across the banquet hall and the countless expressions directed at her.

Oddly enough, among them, she suddenly felt a trace of something strangely familiar.

At that moment, Tina walked over slowly beside her mother, Karina Watts.

Karina wore an elegant deep-purple evening gown adorned with glittering jewelry, though the displeasure on her face was impossible to miss.

Tina held onto her arm while wearing a pale pink gown that made her appear soft and gentle.

“Mom,” Medea greeted respectfully.

Karina didn’t even spare her a glance before immediately questioning her sharply.

“Where’s Gordon?”

“Something urgent came up at the company…”

“What could possibly be more important than your grandfather’s birthday banquet?”

Karina cut her off sharply, her voice growing increasingly harsh. “This is all because you’re useless! Go find somewhere quiet to stay instead of embarrassing the entire Watts family.”

Quite a few nearby guests had already turned to look after hearing the commotion.

Medea’s expression shifted slightly.

“Mom, lower your voice,” Tina quickly interrupted in a gentle tone. “There are so many guests watching.”

Then she turned toward Medea, concern perfectly arranged across her face.

“Medea, why don’t you help at the reception table and handle the guest gifts? That way, you’ll still be contributing to Grandpa’s birthday party.”

Medea found it strange.

As the long-lost true heiress the Watts family had finally brought home, Tina had always despised Medea’s existence and constantly gone against her at every turn.

So why was she suddenly acting so kind today, even stepping in to help her out?

Karina barely suppressed her anger before waving her hand dismissively.

“Go.”

Medea still nodded quietly.

“Alright.”

Only after arriving at the reception table did Medea realize Tina's suggestion had been anything but well-intentioned.

The job was far more demanding than it sounded.

Not only was she expected to keep track of every gift and card brought by the guests, but she also had to direct the staff carrying in the more expensive presents and ensure everything was properly cataloged and stored.

She barely had a moment to rest. It was no different from treating her like a servant.

Inside one of the VIP rooms on the second floor of the estate, Cesare stood by a half-open wooden window, his gaze fixed tightly on the busy figure downstairs.

“It seems the Watts family doesn’t treat Miss Watts very well,” the secretary remarked after noticing a few things.

Cesare withdrew his gaze, his expression cold and indifferent.

“Wasn’t all of this her own choice?”

Back then, she stubbornly insisted on returning to the Watts family.

She even chose to betray him for it.

Now that she was suffering there, who else could she blame?

The secretary sighed quietly to himself before changing the subject.

“Mr. York, would you like to go downstairs and greet Mr. Watts Sr.?”

“The fact that I sent someone with a gift was already a courtesy to the Watts family,” Cesare replied indifferently before standing up. “We’re leaving.”

Downstairs, while Medea was occupied greeting guests and managing the gifts they brought, several workers carefully hauled in a large antique wooden chest.

“Miss, could you add this one to the inventory as well?” a staff member asked carefully as they set the chest down.

Medea opened it and discovered an intricately carved antique sculpture inside. The workmanship was impeccable, and it was immediately clear that the piece carried an enormous price tag.

“May I ask which family sent this?” Medea asked routinely.

“The York family,” the visitor answered politely.

The surrounding guests instantly erupted into whispers.

“The York family really is generous. A piece like that must be worth a fortune.”

“I heard the second heir of the York family, the one currently in charge, has returned to the country too. I wonder if he came tonight?”

“The York family’s second heir? He’s practically legendary…”

Medea’s body stiffened involuntarily.

Almost instinctively, her gaze swept across the crowd, searching for that familiar figure.

But soon enough, she let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh inside her heart.

With a presence like his, if Cesare had truly appeared tonight, he would have become the center of attention the moment he walked in. There was no way nobody would know.

Just then, Tina stepped gracefully out of the banquet hall and walked directly toward the York family’s representative.

“Thank you for the generous gift from the York family,” she said with practiced familiarity before casually asking, “By the way, did Cesare come tonight?”

The man answered politely, “No. Mr. York is still overseas at the moment.”

That answer quietly eased the tightness in Medea’s chest.

Whether it was disappointment or relief, even she couldn’t tell.

She lowered her eyes to the ink stains smudged across her fingers, a trace of dimness flashing through her gaze.

If she and Cesare were to meet again under circumstances like these, it would be far too miserable.

“Dea…”

While she was still distracted, Gordon’s apologetic voice suddenly sounded from behind her.

“I’m sorry. I came late.”