Free Web NovelChapter 163: Chapter 163: Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Cecilia Croft was led out of the escape room by a staff member. Not far away, a man in a black tracksuit stood with a grim expression on his face.
When he saw her walk out safe and sound, his gaze darkened.
Cecilia Croft gave him an apologetic smile.
After all, she was the one who had gotten lost, ruining his game experience.
Sebastian Hawthorne looked at the woman’s guilty smile and tapped her on the forehead.
"Getting lost like that... you’re really something else."
Cecilia Croft pursed her lips and spoke in a low voice.
"Can we play again? I promise I’ll stick right by you this time and won’t get distracted at all."
She found the attraction fascinating now. The design and the use of space were truly captivating.
Sebastian Hawthorne didn’t answer, merely looking down at her.
Cecilia Croft looked at him pleadingly.
"Please, Sebastian? I’m really interested in this attraction."
She gazed at Sebastian Hawthorne with wide, dewy eyes, like a fawn’s.
A flicker of light passed through the grim-faced man’s eyes, and he finally nodded.
This time, Cecilia Croft didn’t leave Sebastian Hawthorne’s side for a second. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
But she was still occasionally distracted by certain design elements. Whenever she started to wander off, the man would grab her hand and pull her back, determined to prevent her from getting lost a second time.
Cecilia Croft looked at her hand, held tightly by Sebastian Hawthorne. She tilted her head up to look at him and said...
"I just want to see if I can accidentally hit another switch and unlock a new hidden area."
Hearing this, Sebastian Hawthorne could only let her poke around.
But he never let go of her hand. freewebnovel.cσ๓
When they finally completed the escape room, Cecilia Croft was still hungry for more.
She chattered on and on to Sebastian Hawthorne about the game’s intricate details.
Sebastian Hawthorne lowered his gaze and listened intently.
At the final exit, Sebastian Hawthorne stopped walking.
Cecilia Croft looked up and saw a young man standing at the exit.
When the young man saw Cecilia Croft, a bright smile lit up his face.
"Hey, did you guys go through it again?"
Cecilia Croft didn’t answer him. Instead, she looked up at Sebastian Hawthorne and asked quietly...
"You know him?"
Sebastian Hawthorne replied coolly, "No."
Cecilia Croft said, "Oh," before adding, "But he seems to know you."
Sebastian Hawthorne said, "It’s hardly strange for people to know who I am, is it?"
Hearing his arrogant remark, Cecilia Croft was momentarily at a loss for words.
’He had a point.’
’In this country, especially in a place like Karthus, it was perfectly normal for people to recognize him when he didn’t know them from Adam.’
’Mr. Hawthorne had the capital to be cocky.’
The young man, acting overly familiar, walked up to Cecilia Croft’s side and said with a smile...
"Did you get to the ’Illusory Butterfly’ room?"
"The design of that room is incredible. It’s similar to that mirror illusion we saw at the start, but it’s even more eerie and mysterious."
His words piqued Cecilia Croft’s interest.
’How was that hidden area triggered?’
Seeing the flash of curiosity in her eyes, the young man knew they hadn’t found that area and hurriedly said...
"Hey, let me get your number. I can tell you all about it."
Just as Cecilia Croft was about to refuse, the man beside her suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Sebastian Hawthorne pulled her to his side with an almost domineering force.
Sensing the fury simmering beneath his calm exterior, Cecilia Croft immediately put distance between herself and the young man.
"No, thank you."
The young man frowned, glanced up at Sebastian Hawthorne, and spoke cautiously.
"Miss, didn’t you say he wasn’t your boyfriend? Why are you so scared of him? And even if he were, he can’t stop you from making friends, can he?"
Cecilia Croft found the young man’s innocent act a little much.
And she had no patience for it.
"I’m sorry, we only just met today. I wouldn’t say we’re friends."
The young man put on a wronged expression. "I just wanted to talk about the game’s hidden areas with you. I saw you were really interested, so I thought we were kindred spirits."
Cecilia Croft said coolly, "Thanks, but I prefer to figure things out for myself."
She paused, glancing at Sebastian Hawthorne before continuing.
"Besides, if I really wanted someone to walk me through the game, I’m sure I know someone who could get me all the details... they could probably even poach the designer for me."
Sebastian Hawthorne glanced down at her, raised an eyebrow slightly, but didn’t reply. He simply strode toward the exit.
Sensing that his anger had vanished, Cecilia Croft quickened her pace to catch up, her steps now light.
’She’d already given him a massive hint.’
’He had to have gotten the message.’
’She was genuinely desperate to meet the game’s designer now.’
’Those vacant commercial buildings owned by the Croft family could finally be put to good use.’
’If this could become a stable, long-term venture, it might just be the thing to revitalize the Croft family’s commercial properties.’
’They were sitting empty anyway. It was a desperate situation; might as well try a desperate measure.’
After leaving the "Indoor Survival" attraction, Cecilia Croft followed Sebastian Hawthorne into his car.
Cecilia Croft took the initiative to voice her thoughts to Sebastian Hawthorne.
After all, her interest had been completely obvious to him during the game.
There was no need to be coy or beat around the bush now.
"Mr. Hawthorne, is it possible for the Croft Group to get in on this project? The Croft family has suitable properties; we could even make the space larger and more thrilling. As for profit sharing, that’s negotiable."
Sebastian Hawthorne glanced at her. Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, he said coolly...
"You work for the Hawthorne Group, yet you’re here representing the Croft Group in a business deal? Are you a corporate spy?"
Cecilia Croft: "..."
His "corporate spy" accusation hit her right where it hurt, and she couldn’t find a single word to say in rebuttal.
After taking a deep breath to compose herself, she said quietly...
"Mr. Hawthorne, I’m not that dense. I understand why you brought me here today."
’He wanted to help the Croft family.’
’Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought her to see this attraction and spark her inspiration.’
Sebastian Hawthorne was well aware of the Croft family’s current situation; he even knew they had several vacant commercial properties.
Investing in a project like this required little initial capital and promised stable, continuous returns. For the Croft family in their current predicament, it was a lifeline.
Sebastian Hawthorne’s gaze fell on Cecilia Croft again. He saw her looking at him with clear, bright eyes that held a hidden gratitude, and his own gaze darkened slightly.
’She understands?’
"Don’t be so quick to deny it. You are dense."
’She didn’t understand at all.’
Seeing the confused look on her face, Sebastian Hawthorne’s chest rose and fell. Perhaps deciding he didn’t want to die of exasperation, he opted for "out of sight, out of mind." He closed his eyes and said to the driver...
"Take her back to the Croft residence."
