Ignored When Chasing: Why Cry After I Got Engaged-Chapter 47: Our Banquet Needs a Chef

"I’m sorry, but it’s not convenient," Cecilia replied flatly.

She might be a good cook, but she wasn’t a professional chef.

She had been willing to cook in the past simply because she chose to, not because she enjoyed it.

"Miss Cecilia Nathan... could you please reconsider?" Frances Bennett’s assistant sounded troubled.

Chloe Sutton, who was next to her, overheard and immediately snatched the phone. "Are you deaf?" she yelled. "Cecilia is not going. She’s not the Hawthorne family’s personal chef! We were being polite, and you took it for granted? Now get the hell out!"

Before the person on the other end could respond, she hung up.

"Carry on." Chloe handed the phone back to her with a wide grin. "When it comes to freaks like that, we have a zero-tolerance policy."

Cecilia gave a resigned smile and lay back down on the bed, continuing to enjoy her massage.

When Frances Bennett heard her assistant’s report, her expression soured. "Did she really say that?"

"Yes, Miss Cecilia Nathan said it wasn’t convenient." The assistant had considered mentioning that Cecilia’s friend had said something far more provocative, but after a moment’s thought, he decided against it.

He was afraid Frances Bennett would take her anger out on him.

"Forget it. I’ll go talk to her myself." Frances thought that no matter the circumstances, Cecilia would surely show her some respect.

’If that doesn’t work, I’ll just offer her money.’

’After all, now that Cecilia is no longer getting help from Damian, money must be what she needs most.’

A few hours later, once Frances Bennett had finished her business, she called Cecilia.

"Hello, Cecilia dear. This is Auntie Frances. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about... Would you be free to meet?" Frances felt certain that Cecilia wouldn’t refuse her.

And this time, just as she’d expected, Cecilia agreed to meet.

’Cecilia loves Damian so much. No matter what, she’ll agree for my sake.’

When Frances Bennett arrived at the café and walked in, she saw Cecilia sitting by a window. Next to her sat another young woman.

Frances looked closer. The woman next to Cecilia looked familiar, like a famous television host.

’Cecilia actually knows someone like that?’

Suppressing her confusion, Frances Bennett walked over with a practiced smile.

"Cecilia..." Frances took a jewelry box from her purse and placed it on the table. "I’ve come today because I sincerely hope you’ll do me a favor."

Cecilia idly stirred her coffee, her eyes glancing at the jewelry box, but she said nothing.

"This ’favor’ you’re talking about... it’s not asking Cecilia to be a chef again, is it?" Chloe didn’t bother to hide her feelings. "Ma’am, our Cecilia is not a professional chef."

"And you are...?" Frances was inwardly displeased but kept the smile on her face. "I haven’t even finished my request. Don’t you think you’re being a bit aggressive?"

"You know perfectly well who’s being aggressive here. You’re old enough to know better. You should think before you say something stupid."

Chloe was about to say more, but Cecilia cut her off with a soft cough.

’Chloe is outspoken, but she’s a public figure, a host who’s always on television. I don’t want her getting into any trouble that could tarnish her reputation.’

Frances Bennett’s face flickered between pale and flushed.

Usually, everyone, young or old, male or female, flattered her because of her social standing. She had never been spoken to so rudely.

She wanted to call Chloe uncivilized, but remembering the reason for her visit, she took a deep breath. "Cecilia, I truly have come to ask for your help."

"I’m being completely sincere in asking for your help." Frances paused. "As you know, Damian’s maternal grandfather’s birthday banquet is coming up. We’re hosting a very important guest who has extremely high standards when it comes to food. I was hoping you could come and help us out."

"Don’t worry, you wouldn’t have to cook the entire meal. I just want you to prepare a few of your signature dishes."

In truth, Frances Bennett also had selfish reasons.

She considered herself a gourmand, and Cecilia’s cooking was exceptional. She used to enjoy it often, but now that she couldn’t, she found herself missing it.

Chloe scoffed and was about to make a sarcastic remark when Cecilia spoke, her voice clear and crisp. "I’m sorry, Frances, but I really am busy that day."

She had a banquet to attend herself.

Cecilia didn’t say this part out loud.

Originally, she wouldn’t have wanted to attend their party, but since Frances was inviting her, she would have accepted out of politeness.

But to be the cook...

She couldn’t possibly be in two places at once.

Besides, now that she had decided to separate from Damian Hawthorne, she had no intention of trying to curry favor with anyone.

Seeing that she was still refusing, Frances looked disappointed. She didn’t press the issue further, instead taking an invitation from her purse and handing it to Cecilia. "If you change your mind, you’re welcome to come."

After saying her piece, she left the jewelry she’d brought on the table, turned, and walked away.

Chloe immediately picked up the jewelry box. Her eyes lit up when she saw what was inside. "Wow, the old bat is surprisingly generous."

Cecilia smiled. "If you like it, you can have it."

She wasn’t going to stand on ceremony with anyone anymore.

If people wanted to give her things, she would accept them.

She deserved it.

"Alrighty!" Chloe didn’t stand on ceremony either. Remembering what Frances had said, she leaned in conspiratorially. "My dad got an invitation from the Hawthornes too, so I’ll be there. Hey, Cecilia, speaking of which, I heard the Hawthornes hired away all the best Michelin-starred chefs in Korsyth. What kind of guest do you think is so important that they’d go to all that trouble?"

Cecilia raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "I have no idea. Probably some important business partner."

「The Sinclair Family Estate」

From within a sprawling, single-family villa of over ten thousand square feet, the melodious sound of a violin drifted out.

"No, no, it’s all wrong."

Serena Hughes tossed her violin aside in frustration and began pacing back and forth across the living room.

"What’s wrong, Serena?" Fiona Sinclair asked, looking with concern at the granddaughter she had only recently found.

Serena’s eyes were just like her daughter’s—a beautiful trait passed down through the Sinclair family line.

Although Serena had only recently been acknowledged as part of the family, Fiona doted on her.

Once the misunderstandings were cleared up, it didn’t take long for Serena to grow much closer to her grandmother.

"Grandma..." Serena said in a wheedling tone, clutching Fiona Sinclair’s arm. "There’s an original composition I adore, but Cecilia Nathan has it, and she refuses to sell it no matter how much money I offer. I was planning to perform it at Damian Hawthorne’s grandfather’s birthday banquet, but now it looks like that’s all gone down the drain."

"It’s just a piece of music, isn’t it? Leave it to Grandma. I’ll take care of it for you." Fiona Sinclair smiled, the wrinkles on her face deepening. "Sometimes money can’t solve everything. But without it, you can’t do anything at all."

"If she doesn’t care about money, then we’ll target something she *does* care about."

Serena’s lips parted slightly, her expression a mixture of confusion and awe.

"Don’t you worry. In less than three days, Grandma will get that composition for you."

"Okay, thank you, Grandma." Serena hugged Fiona, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.

’Before, I couldn’t do anything to Cecilia because I didn’t have a powerful family backing me.’

’But now, I’m not the same Serena Hughes I was before.’

’I have the Sinclair family behind me now.’

’I’d like to see how Cecilia, a parentless orphan, is going to compete with me now.’