In the elite social circles, where old money and new fortunes collide, there was a whispered rumor everyone knew but no one dared to speak aloud. Creighton Ellis, the people in charge of the affluent Ellis family, was rumored to have had a true love—a woman named Millie.
Millie was the talk of high society, a social butterfly whose grace and beauty were matched only by her cunning and charm. She was known to captivate the wealthiest bachelors with her enchanting ways.
Despite the knowledge that she was trouble, many men fell prey to her allure. The ladies of the circle would bitterly dub her "the temptress," hoping evilly that her string of conquests would no doubt lead to an untimely and sordid demise.
But then, as suddenly as she had appeared, Millie vanished.
Months later, the Ellis estate was abuzz with the birth of a daughter, Cicely. It was then revealed that the child's mother was none other than Millie, the once notorious heartbreaker of P City's elite.
Creighton's love for Millie was undeniable, and it extended to his daughter Cicely, whom he spoiled without limit. Tragically, Millie's life was cut short, passing away when Cicely was only eight. While some whispered of karmic retribution, others pitied the young daughter.d2
Still, Creighton's doting ensured that Cicely lacked for nothing, except for the absence of her mother.
Cicely grew up to be a stunning young woman, her beauty a testament to her mother's legacy. The Ellis family had long since warned against idle gossip about their affairs, and though murmurs persisted, they faded with Millie's passing.
Cicely was known for her radiant looks and her defiant spirit, intelligent yet indolent. She seemed to believe life would always be a breeze, never taking anything too seriously. Her moods were as fickle as the wind—one moment content, the next irked. Her tastes could shift overnight, from craving a simple salad to indulging in a succulent plate of roast beef. To the Ellis family, her whims were no surprise.
But Cicely had her obsessions.
At twelve, she met Seth, three years older than her, under less than joyous circumstances—her uncle, Creighton's brother, had died in a plane crash. The Ellis funeral lasted three days, and it was there she first encountered Seth.
Seth stood quietly, a handsome, lanky figure beside a beautiful woman, exuding an air of calm and an indescribable presence.
Cicely, having slipped away from the service, was caught by Seth's gaze as she presented a flower at her uncle's memorial. Unfazed by the attention, she offered him a smile, which seemed to trap him in an unwanted cage.
Cicely put the flower down, put her hands together and prayed silently. When she turned around, the place was empty.
Quickly turning her gaze, she saw the woman and her father disappearing at the door.
She chased all the way to her own living room. Because she was running in such a hurry, her beautiful white gauze skirt flew in the air. When she stopped, the skirt swayed to the front again and again, like a mischievous wave. Her pretty face was slightly reddish, and through the smooth and delicate skin, it looked particularly like a juicy peach.
Cicely saw Seth obediently sitting on her couch and sighed a breath of relief.
"Cicely, are you running around again?" Creighton was scolding her, but there was undeniable doting in his voice.
"Is this your daughter?" The young and beautiful woman sitting next to him opened her mouth. Cicely turned her head. The woman must be a guest. But after all, Cicely was also the little mistress of the Ellis family. At least in her own home, wasn’t a polite or even distant smile a basic courtesy? This woman, however, seemed incredibly arrogant.
"Dad, who is she?"
Creighton touched her beautiful braid and laughed: "She's a friend of your mom and dad. Call her Aunt Patty."
Yet Cicely shifted her gaze to the boy next to her, "Who is he?"
Patty, who was ignored by Cicely, paused and then put on a smile.
Creighton had always indulged Cicely without limit, but in terms of basic courtesy, he was not one hundred percent lenient. "Cicely..."
Creighton looked helplessly at her, but saw her gaze seemed to be on the boy across her all the time. He sighed, and said, "He is Aunt Patty's son, Seth. He is three years older than you."
Creighton once again happily yielded to Cicely, who smiled beautifully at Seth. "Hey Seth, my name's Cicely. Got it memorized?"
Creighton let out a resigned sigh. This girl was definitely spoiled rotten. Her voice still carried the traces of youth, tinged with an unmistakable blend of petulance and pride.
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