Chapter 775

Sebastian Truman's fingers lightly brushed over the prayer beads.

His expression was calm.

A dying woman was not worth his concern.

It was Aaron...

Although Aaron was a distant cousin, he had been clever since childhood.

After his parents passed away early, he was brought to the Truman family to be raised.

Sebastian did have some genuine affection for him.

If Cecilia Evans could reconcile with the Vance and Valentine families before her death, that would be fine.

If not... Aaron would likely find it hard to let go.

In the future, his relationship with the Valentine and Vance families would inevitably become distant.

Sebastian lowered his gaze.

The prayer beads around his wrist turned slightly.

A trace of faint melancholy passed through his cool, ascetic eyes.

Yesterday's farce at the bar, for someone of his special status who found it difficult to form close friendships, had actually become a rare, vivid, and interesting memory.

He found himself somewhat looking forward to visiting tomorrow.

At the other end of the corridor.

Cecilia Evans walked ahead, her face dark.

Aaron Truman quickly caught up and gently took her hand.

"Don't be angry. Mia is just childish at heart. It's rare for her to meet someone she clicks with like Miss Evelyn. That's why she said a few extra words."

Cecilia shook off his hand.

"I'm her sister-in-law! Praising an outsider right in front of me, where does that leave me?"

Aaron smiled bitterly.

"She really didn't mean it that way."

"If your eldest brother were to marry, would she dare treat his wife so disrespectfully? Would she dare act without considering her sister-in-law's feelings?"

Aaron fell silent.

Mia Truman would not dare.

Sebastian was the eldest son of the Truman main family line.

He was the future head of the family.

His wife would undoubtedly come from a prominent background.

Upon marrying into the Truman family, she would be the mistress of the household.

Who would dare show her disrespect?

Aaron understood everything perfectly.

Although Mia affectionately called him "Second Brother," he always remembered his own status.

He was merely a distant relative living under someone else's roof.

Mia's closeness to him was genuine.

But he could not forget his place.

That's why he didn't mind that Mia hadn't given Cecilia the pearl necklace.

Seeing his silence, Cecilia's tone turned colder.

"We are husband and wife. Her disrespect towards me is disrespect towards you! Aaron, I don't want you to lose face in the Truman family."

Aaron soothed her gently.

"You're overthinking it. That's not the case."

"How is it not?" Cecilia turned her face away, her eyes reddening.

"They know full well that I am at odds with the Vance and Valentine families, yet they insist on cooperating... Now they want us to visit. It's clearly meant to force me to bow my head, to smooth things over between you and the Vance family for your sake."

Her voice choked with sobs.

"But why should I bow my head? My mother was sent to prison by them. My father died a tragic death... The Vance family is now completely under my uncle's control. After how he's treated us, I'm supposed to visit with a smile... Aaron, have you considered my feelings?"

Aaron's heart softened, and he quickly tried to comfort her.

"Don't cry. Perhaps Eldest Brother just hopes you can mend relations with your maternal family. Don't you still have a brother?"

"A brother?" Cecilia sneered.

"He's long been bewitched by Evelyn Ross. He doesn't even acknowledge his own father anymore. Would he acknowledge me as his sister?"

Aaron sighed.

"After all, you are family."

"They are not my family. They are my enemies!"

Cecilia's voice suddenly rose sharply.

Aaron was taken aback.

He hesitated.

"Then... we simply won't go tomorrow. Miss Evelyn saved Eldest Brother and Mia. It's only right for them to go express their thanks. Since you're unwilling, we won't go..."

"No!"

Cecilia blurted out.

"We must go!"

If they didn't go, how could she administer the drug?

How could she trigger Aaron's intestinal cancer to flare up early?

How could she disrupt the relationship between the Truman and Vance families?

Intense hatred flashed in Cecilia's eyes.

She utterly despised Alexander Vance and Evelyn Ross.

If not for them, she and her mother would have long since entered the Vance family openly and honorably.

They would have become legitimate Vance family daughters, not illegitimate children forced to live in the shadows!

If her father were still alive, he would surely have supplemented her dowry with Vance family shares...

Then how could she be looked down upon in the Truman family?

The more she thought about it, the more her hatred grew.

Cecilia's nails dug deeply into her palms.

She looked back at Aaron.

Sure enough, she caught a flicker of guilt on his face.

That was enough.

As long as he felt guilty, when his "illness suddenly took a fatal turn" tomorrow, he would speak a few good words on her behalf...

Even if he died, Sebastian would, out of regard for that guilt, take extra care of her!

Cecilia turned and entered the room.

A cold, sharp curve lifted the corner of her lips.