Chapter 233 - 231: What’s Wrong with Using My Own Boyfriend?

Cecilia Sterling’s words stung Hector Mason, but they also served as a wake-up call.

She had really changed. She was a completely different person from her high school days. The transformation was so drastic that the woman standing before him felt like a total stranger.

Seeing the complex emotions in Hector Mason’s eyes, Cecilia Sterling couldn’t help but give a knowing smile. "You’re right to think that," she said, her lips curling playfully. "The me you see now isn’t the same person I used to be. The Cecilia Sterling you once liked is long gone, and she’s never coming back."

Hector Mason’s brow furrowed slightly. He was baffled by her transformation. ’Can two years really change a person so completely?’

Aside from her face, he couldn’t see a single trace of the girl she’d been in high school.

Cecilia Sterling, for her part, clearly had no intention of explaining further. Leaving a stunned Hector Mason in her wake, she strode past him and quickly disappeared into the apartment complex.

When she got home, her mother had already prepared dinner—a full spread laid out on the table.

"You’re finally back? I thought you were going to eat at your aunt’s place," Jasmine Sterling said, poking her head out of the kitchen when she saw her daughter.

"I ran into an acquaintance downstairs and chatted for a bit."

"Lily is leaving tomorrow, so I made a few extra dishes tonight." Jasmine Sterling emerged from the kitchen carrying a platter of sweet and sour pork ribs, urging her daughter to wash up for dinner.

Cecilia Sterling hesitated for a moment before saying to her mother, "Mom, I’m going back with Lily tomorrow."

"You’re leaving too?" Jasmine Sterling was taken aback. "But your semester doesn’t start for a while. What’s the rush?"

Just then, Lily and Ethan came out of their room, looking at Cecilia Sterling in surprise.

Cecilia Sterling explained, "The rest of the team went back to Lorcain early. All the major companies are back to work, so things are about to get busy. Besides, Estelle and Blair want to get together a few more times before school starts."

Ethan chimed in from the side, "And Mom, don’t forget my sister has a boyfriend. They’ve been apart for over two weeks."

Jasmine Sterling nodded in understanding. Cecilia had a project to work on and needed to think of the bigger picture. Although she was reluctant to let them go, she put on a calm facade. "Alright, go on back then. If you two sisters leave together, it’ll save me the trouble of cooking another meal."

Cecilia knew her mother must be upset. She leaned in, linked arms with her, and said coaxingly, "It’s alright, Mom. Ethan’s college entrance exams are just a few months away. Lily and I will be waiting for you guys in Lorcain."

Jasmine Sterling smiled at the thought. The college entrance exams were drawing closer, giving them all something to look forward to.

The next morning, Cecilia Sterling and Lily returned to Lorcain on the same flight, seated in first class.

Saul Thorne had taken the morning off specifically to pick them up at the airport. After half a month apart, he eagerly scanned the stream of disembarking passengers. The moment he spotted Cecilia, his eyes lit up, and a smile spread across his face.

"Saul Thorne!"

Lily spotted Saul Thorne and waved enthusiastically. He bypassed the barrier and strode toward them. Before Cecilia could even say a word, he swept her into a powerful embrace.

He carried the chill of the outside air, mixed with a pleasant, woody fragrance.

Lily’s smile widened at the sight.

Cecilia let him hold her for a moment before tilting her head up. "You didn’t have to come if you’re on duty today."

"It’s fine. I took the morning off. I’ll take you two home and then go to work."

As he spoke, Saul Thorne casually took the bags from their hands. "The car’s outside. Let’s go."

Once they were in the car, Saul Thorne finally said to Cecilia Sterling, "I didn’t mention this over video call because I wanted to tell you in person. I’ve been transferred back to the Detective Unit, but to the Internal Review Division."

Cecilia Sterling’s face lit up, happy for him. "That’s great! Even if it’s a desk job, being back in the detective department means you’re one step closer to being fully reinstated."

Saul Thorne smiled and nodded. "That’s what I was thinking. Plus, all the case files have to pass through our Internal Review Division, so I’ll be exposed to more cases. Even though I won’t be involved in investigations or arrests, I can still learn a lot from the major cases."

"Your grandfather agreed?" Cecilia Sterling asked curiously.

"He didn’t want to. He wanted my eldest uncle to get me a spot in the Air Defense Department. But I spoke with my uncle beforehand. He made up an excuse to placate my grandfather, and then worked on him for me over the New Year holiday. The old man finally relented and allowed the transfer."

Cecilia Sterling understood. "So he’s okay with it because it’s the Internal Review Division."

Saul Thorne nodded. "Exactly. One step at a time. I was losing my edge as a beat cop. All I did was handle neighborhood disputes, public intoxication, and street fights. I was starting to forget how to do actual detective work."

Every profession has its own specialization. Beat cops and detectives are different branches of the force. While both serve the people, their fields of responsibility are entirely different.

For Saul Thorne, being a detective was his true calling.

The very afternoon they returned to Lorcain, Estelle Goodman eagerly called everyone out for a get-together.

In a high-end café, Estelle and Blair were already there when Cecilia arrived.

The moment Cecilia sat down, Estelle was looking at her with a knowing grin. "I offered to pick you up, but you said it was ’inconvenient.’ Spill. What was so inconvenient?"

Cecilia blinked at her and said frankly, "Saul Thorne was there."

Estelle and Blair immediately exchanged a look, their expressions screaming, ’We knew it.’

"You just landed. Does he really need to be in such a rush?" Estelle Goodman was exasperated. "He always looks so prim and proper. Figures. All men think with their lower half."

Cecilia coughed lightly. "It wasn’t him. It was me."

Estelle Goodman: ?

Blair: !

The two of them were speechless, just staring at Cecilia without blinking.

Cecilia ran a hand through her hair and blinked back at them, not a hint of a blush on her cheeks or a flutter in her heart.

’This is perfectly normal,’ she thought. ’Who says the guy always has to be the one to make the first move?’

’I wanted to, so I took the initiative. What’s wrong with enjoying my own boyfriend?’

After a moment, Estelle’s expression snapped back into focus. She leaned in close. "Care to share the details?"

Blair said nothing, only leaned her head closer as well.

Cecilia pushed both of their heads away, one to each side. "You two are being a little too forward."

"No fun." Estelle Goodman pouted and glanced at the time. "Why isn’t Jane here yet?"

As if on cue, Blair jutted her chin toward the entrance. "Here she comes."

Jane Sterling came jogging over in high heels, wrapped in a white down jacket and carrying the limited-edition Crescent Bag that Cecilia had given up for her.

She apologized as she approached. "Sorry I’m late. This one’s on me."

Estelle Goodman eyed her rushed appearance, her brow furrowing. "Don’t tell me you’re like Cecilia and just came from a date?"

Jane Sterling froze, then looked at Cecilia.

Cecilia looked back at her, equally surprised. "You’re in a relationship?"