Ch. 1521..1530

Chapter 1521 Eric Makes His Move On Cecilia

Irritated, Eric wished nothing more than to shoo away this annoying individual and reclaim his music sheet.

"Since when did you know how to compose music?" Eric asked.

Calvin chuckled. "I can't compose, but that doesn't mean I don't know a thing or two about music."

He glanced at Eric's sheet, then added, "This piece doesn't make sense at all. You're better off not wasting Ceci's time."

Turning to Cecilia, he said, "Ceci, Madeline and the others should be finishing up by now. You should go find them."

Cecilia shot Calvin a grateful look for rescuing her from the awkward situation, then quickly left the room.

She simply couldn't handle Eric. One moment, he was eagerly showing her his music sheet, and the next, he wanted to flaunt his well-toned abs.

Cecilia couldn't help but wonder how she had ended up knowing such a bright, cheerful young man in the

past.

After Cecilia left, the smile on Eric's face faded instantly. He turned to Calvin with disdain. "What, are you too scared to compete with Nathaniel for her, won't even let me try?" and now you

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In the past, Calvin would have been agitated by Eric's remarks, but now, he couldn't have cared less. "I used to think I was shameless, but it turns out you're even more shameless than I am." "This isn't about being shameless. What's wrong with pursuing your happiness? I've liked Ms. Cecille for a long time-long before now. Unlike you, who likes her but doesn't dare to express it." Eric had once seen Calvin as a rival, but now it seemed there

no

need for that

at all.

Calvin didn't pay him any mind, instead heading back to the office to pack his things and prepare to clock

out.

Madeline, offering her assistance, said, "Mr. Reese, we've secured another deal this time."

"Fantastic," Calvin responded, clearly pleased.

Madeline hesitated for a moment, then shyly added, "We should really thank you for being such a good leader."

Without Calvin, she knew she wouldn't have been able to stand on her own two feet today. She was genuinely grateful to him.

After helping Calvin tidy up his things, Madeline finally left.

She walked alongside Cecilia and the others. As they neared the exit, she noticed Darren standing not too far away, his eyes fixed on her with an intense gaze.

Over the past year, Darren had frequently sought her out, a situation she had long since grown

accustomed to.

Chapter 1521 Eric Makes His Move On Cecilia

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Once Cecilia and the others had left, Madeline turned back and approached Darren. "Can I help you?"

Darren studied her icy expression, his Adam's apple bobbing as he spoke. "Can't I visit you just for the sake of visiting?"

Madeline, already on the verge of walking away, was about to ignore him. But before she could, Darren quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Can I go see Amy, then?" Darren asked, using the familiar excuse of visiting his daughter as a way to see Madeline.

"You've already visited her five times this week," she replied, her tone laced with exasperation. He came by almost every day, leaving Madeline feeling utterly helpless.

Darren spread his hands in a playful gesture. "Is there a law that says a father can't visit his daughter? Besides, we're not divorced yet."

Madeline let out a cold huff. "Almost. By this time next year, we'll have been living separately for two years. Then we can file for divorce."

In the past, Darren never would have believed that Madeline would seriously consider ending their marriage. But now, after a year of her unwavering insistence, he knew she wasn't joking. She was serious-dead serious. And for the first time, Darren began to understand just how determined she was to leave him behind.

"Let's go. Hop in-I'll give you a lift. I'm going to see Amy," Darren said casually. Without saying much, Madeline followed him into the car.

Darren had changed significantly. He used to be domineering and controlling, but now, there was a noticeable shift in his demeanor. He no longer tried to force Madeline or Amy to be with him.

As they drove, Darren handed her two gift bags.

"What's this?" Madeline asked, puzzled.

"Gifts for Amy," Darren replied.

Madeline reached to open one of the bags, but Darren stopped her. "They're for my daughter. You don't need to look."

Madeline rolled her eyes, placing the gift bag back on the seat. "Don't worry. I'm not interested in the slightest."

Chapter 1522 Nathaniel Is Frustrated

When Darren arrived, the villa instantly became livelier

He couldn't resist showing off his daughter in front of Nathaniel. Today, Zachary also dropped by. As he watched his two friends-one with a son and the other with a daughter-Zachary suddenly felt the sting of emptiness. Unlike them, he had no family to boast about. For the first time, he truly grasped what it meant to feel alone.

His gaze drifted to Vivian, who was playing with the children, her laughter bright and carefree. An inexplicable thought flickered through his mind, one he quickly pushed aside.

He shook his head, muttering to himself, "Being child-free isn't so bad."

Nathaniel didn't hear him clearly, pulling out a file and handing it to him. "Take this and conduct a thorough investigation."

Inside the bag was a list of medications.

Zachary's expression instantly turned serious. "Could these be what Cecilia's been taking?"

Nathaniel nodded silently.

"All right, I'll look into it," Zachary said, his tone steady The list had been handed to Nathaniel by someone he'd assigned to follow Cecilia when she visited another hospital. After snapping a quick photo, Zachary forwarded it to his subordinate for analysis. "Has she been doin

any better lately?" he asked.

Nathaniel shook his head. "No."

Frustration weighed heavily on him. Not only had Cecilia failed to regain her memory, but she was also avoiding him, clearly upset. After returning and having her meal, she chose to spend time with her friends, leaving him behind, ignored and alone. Noticing his mood, Zachary offered some words of comfort. "Life's full of ups and downs. Disappointments are more common than not. Don't let it get to you."

Nathaniel remained silent, his expression unreadable. What he truly wanted was for Cecilia to recover, for her health to stabilize without complications. Nothing else mattered to him now.

As the night deepened, neither Zachary nor Darren showed any signs of leaving. Nathaniel, growing increasingly impatient, realized he had no chance to spend time alone with Cecilia as long as they lingered. Finally, he decided to chase them away. "It's getting really dark. You guys should head back now he said, his tone firm.

Zachary, oblivious to the hint, leaned back comfortably "No worries. It's only ten o'clock. There's no

rush."

It's already ten! And he still thinks it's early?

Darren wasn't ready to leave either. "It is getting a bit late. With this heavy snowfall, how about we just stay the night?"

Chapter 1522 Nathaniel Is Frustrated

I can't believe he has the nerve to say that.

Nathaniel's expression darkened, his patience wearing thin. "There's no place for you to stay."

"We could just sleep on the living room couch," Zachary quickly chimed in.

 

Vivian added, "I barely get the chance to bring Jon here Tomorrow's the weekend-I'm not leaving. I'll sleep with Ceci tonight."

At that moment, Nathaniel was convinced this group had no shame whatsoever. If it weren't for Cecilia's presence, he would've thrown them out without hesitation.

Cecilia, however, was thrilled at the idea of a sleepover with Vivian. She clapped her hands excitedly. "Sure, Vivian! Let's go to the park tomorrow," she suggested.

"Great idea!" the others chimed in, almos in perfect unison, as if they had rehearsed it.

The group continued chatting away, completely oblivious to the dark storm brewing on Nathaniel's face. By the time it was a little past eleven, the children had gone to sleep, and the adults finally began to disperse to freshen up and rest.

Noticing Cecilia alone for the first time that evening, Nathaniel seized the moment and approached her. "Ceci."

Cecilia blinked, slightly taken aback by his sudden approach. Her eyes filled with confusion as she asked, "Is something wrong?"

Nathaniel hesitated, his gaze lingering on her. "About yesterday..."

He was just about to apologize again when, from across the room, Vivian's cheerful voice rang out. "Ceci! Come over here, quickly!"

Cecilia didn't glance back at Nathaniel as she disappeared into the bedroom, leaving him standing there, frozen in place.

Just then, Darren approached from behind. "Nathaniel

Nathaniel turned to face him.

"Nicholas has been stirring up some trouble again. This time, he's not just working with a few rival companies. He's pulled in Robert and the others as well said Darren.

Chapter 1523

Nathaniel rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

This younger brother of mine just can't behave himself, huh?

After a brief pause, he said, "Understood. Keep a close eye on him."

"Got it," Darren replied.

With business matters settled, their conversation naturally shifted toward personal affairs. Darren's expression grew heavier as he vented his frustrations.

His situation was even worse than Nathaniel's. Madeline was dead set on getting a divorce and was even planning to take Amelia's custody.

"I just don't get it," Darren continued, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Wasn't I good to her? Why is she so determined to leave me?"

Nathaniel contemplated how to respond to Darren. After a moment, he said calmly, "Make sure you explain things clearly. Don't leave yourself with any regrets."

The root of the numerous conflicts between him and Cecilia lay in misunderstandings. Had they cleared things up earlier, they might have avoided much of the pain and turmoil they had endured. Meanwhile, in the guestroom, Cecilia and Vivian lay in bed.

Vivian clung to Cecilia's arm, saying emotionally, "Ceci, you're finally back. If you hadn't returned, I would have been burdened with guilt for the rest of my life."

She blamed herself for arriving too late at the hospital the day Cecilia went missing.

Cecilia gently patted her back. "Silly girl, it's not your fault. You don't have to feel guilty."

Even so, Vivian couldn't shake the lingering fear. The past year had been a torment of guilt and sorrow that weighed heavily on her heart.

"You're right. We must all stay safe and happy."

Cecilia nodded and asked Vivian, "Vivian, do you think I should trust Nathaniel?"

She really didn't know who to trust anymore.

Vivian asked in confusion, "Why do you ask?

Cecilia flashed a helpless smile. "Perhaps I'm just traumatized after being deceived."

Vivian replied thoughtfully, "I'm not sure if you should trust Nathaniel right now, but one thing is certain:

if you hadn't lost your memory, you would definitely have chosen to believe him."

Though Nathaniel had hurt Cecilia deeply in the past, everything had eventually been clarified. He had changed, and had risked his life multiple times for her sake.

A man like him should be trustworthy.

Chapter 1523 Cecilia Lets Her Guard Down

As Cecilia listened to Vivian's words, she made up her mind. "Thank you. I understand now."

 

"Remember, you can trust me too," Vivian said gently. "You have to believe in me. And if you can't bring yourself to trust me completely, at least trust Jon and Eli. They are your sons, after all." "Got it," Cecilia replied softly. With a sense of relief, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

The following morning, Cecilia sought out Nathaniel and shared the details of what had transpired over the past year, including the hypnotherapy treatments she had undergone. Seeing her open up to him so willingly, Nathaniel knew that she had begun to let her guard down around him.

"Let's go to the hospital together later," Nathaniel suggested.

"All right," Cecilia agreed.

After breakfast, she followed him to the hospital. This time, Zachary had gathered a group of renowned psychiatrists, both domestic and international, to collaborate on Cecilia's treatment.

Thankfully, Nicholas considered Cecilia's health, administering a minimal dosage of the potion that caused little harm to her body. After the diagnosis, the results were still pending. In the meantime, Cecilia joined Vivian and the others for a camping trip. Though they called it camping, it was really just a day at the park.

Upon arriving, Cecilia and Nathaniel quickly noticed that Eric was also there. Had it not been for Nathaniel's efforts in securing the area, the place would have certainly been overcrowded, considering Eric's celebrity status.

Eric didn't display any of the typical superstar behavior. When he noticed Cecilia and her friends arriving, he waved at her, calling, "Cecilia, over here."

 

Chapter 1524 Not Worthy Of Being Their Daddy

Cecilia hadn't expected Eric to show up.

Reluctantly, she began to walk toward him, not wanting to be rude. But just as she took a couple of steps, Nathaniel suddenly grasped her hand. Instinctively, Cecilia tried to pull away, but Nathaniel held her hand firmly, asserting his position as her husband. Cecilia felt a flicker of irritation. She stood there for a moment and said softly, "Mr. Rainsworth, please..."

Before she could even finish, Nathaniel quickly released her hand.

Cecilia immediately stepped back, putting some distance between them.

Though she had come to trust Nathaniel, accepting him as her partner still felt difficult. Nathaniel stared at his empty hand, a sense of frustration weighing heavily on his heart. Why is she so afraid of me?

Cecilia quickly walked past Nathaniel and made her way to the group. Eric called out to her, "Come, sit next to me."

Feeling a bit shy, Cecilia hesitated to take the seat beside him.

Fortunately, the tension was broken by her sons, Jonathan and Elliot. "Mommy, why don't you sit here? We have a lot of space."

Cecilia smiled apologetically at Eric. "Sorry, I think I'll sit with them instead."

She eagerly joined Jonathan and Elliot.

Surprisingly, Eric followed her, his expression unphased. "This place is so spacious," he said casually. "I think I'll sit here too."

As he settled in, a looming shadow blocked out the light. Eric looked up slowly, meeting Nathaniel's piercing gaze.

Elliot sighed. "Mr. Eric, this is our family's spot. Would you mind sitting elsewhere?"

Though he admired the handsome man, he wanted his parents to reconcile more than anything. He longed for the warmth and unity of a complete family again.

With a playful grin, Eric teased, "Eli, you're really heartless, aren't you? Back when we were abroad, you used to call me 'Daddy Eric' all the time. Now, it's just 'Mr. Eric'?" Daddy Eric?

Nathaniel turned to look at Elliot. "Do you call just anyone 'Daddy'?"

Elliot's face flushed.

Back then, Eli had desperately yearned for a father figure. Whenever he encountered a good-looking man. he'd innocently call him "Daddy" 16:51 Wed, Jan 22 GR.

Chapter 1524 Not Worthy Of Being Their Daddy

Eric scoffed, a cold laugh escaping him.

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Jonathan, ever the straight talker, added, "Do you really want to be our father? It's not impossible, but our dad would need to be extremely wealthy." Cecilia nearly choked on her water, holding it back just in time.

Elliot quickly added, "Yeah, if you want to be our dad, you need to be rich. So, hey, sc*mbag daddy, are you extremely wealthy?" Nathaniel casually replied, "Yeah, pretty much."

Jonathan and Elliot then turned to Eric with raised eyebrows. "Maybe you should consider finding another son," they said, their tone full of playful sarcasm. The implication was clear-they meant that Eric was not worthy of being their father and was suggesting him to find another woman.

The two children might be young, but they were scheming.

Even Eric, known for his thick skin, couldn't help but feel embarrassed by their comments. Realizing he was no longer welcome, he shifted his position.

Eric, with his good looks and considerable talent, was a favorite among the girls, and Vivian, along with the others, admired him greatly,

Meanwhile, Mason stood next to Zachary, watching Lucille, his soon-to-be fiancée, gazing at Eric with a lovesick expression. The jealousy radiating from Mason was unmistakable. "What's so great about this guy? I don't think he's that handsome," he muttered.

Zachary also said, "Great minds think alike. He's not as handsome as me."

Darren initially found the two incredibly childish and petty, but his expression changed when he saw Madeline asking Eric for his new album. A storm stirred beneath his usually calm gaze. "In this day and age, entertainers like him shouldn't exist!" he muttered under his breath, his frustration evident.

 

Chapter 1525 Make The Arrangements

As expected, one wouldn't know the pain unless one was hit.

The three men glared at Eric, their faces filled with fury

 

Eric had grown accustomed to being the center of attention and the target of envy from some men. He didn't care about their stares in the slightest. "Who invited him?" Darren asked.

Mason let out a sigh. "Lucy said he insisted on coming, so she gave him the address."

Zachary rolled his eyes at Mason.

"You're just inviting trouble with this. If you continue like this, you can let your wife have fun with him. Just leave us out of it," Darren agreed. Mason was at a loss for words.

Eric's primary purpose for visiting was to see Cecilia. He served her water and food from time to time, attending to her with the utmost care and attention.

Nathaniel also wanted to treat Cecilia well, but he was always a step behind Eric.

Elliot sighed again. "Sc*mbag daddy, you can't win Mommy over like this, you know."

Naturally, Nathaniel understood. "So, what do you suggest I do?"

After some thought, Elliot said, "Girls usually enjoy flowers and gifts like jewelry and clothes. You should prepare more of those."

In reality, fresh flowers were abundant in Daltonia Villa and as for jewelry and clothes, there was hardly any room left to store them. Without uttering another word, Nathaniel picked up the phone and instructed someone

arrangements.

make the

The gathering that day ended rather late. Eric wanted to join the ride home but was forcibly ejected from the car by Nathaniel.

Eric didn't mind either. "Goodbye, Ceci. See you next week."

"Sure. See you next week," Cecilia responded politely.

After finally seeing Eric off, Nathaniel's mood significantly improved. He picked up his phone to ask his subordinates about how they were handling the tasks.

A response came swiftly from his subordinate. "Everything has been prepared."

Only then did Nathaniel turn off his phone.

When they were heading back, Charlotte and her companions' car was in front. Before they even got out of the car, their startled exclamations echoed. "My goodness. Is this the first day of spring?" 1/2

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Chapter 1525 Make The Arrangements

 

In plain view, the Smith residence was filled with a variety of beautiful and vibrant flowers, a sight that was dazzling to the eyes.

Cecilia had followed their voices and looked over, only to see that the Smith residence had been filled, inside and out, with beautiful fresh flowers, leaving no trace of the white snow.

She had a look of utter disbelief in her eyes. "What's going on? How

Such a massive project was akin to performing magic.

come there are so many flowers?"

Seeing the surprise and delight in her eyes, Nathaniel asked with a slight smile playing on his lips, "Do you like it?"

Cecilia nodded. "Yeah. It's beautiful."

She had a fondness for flowers of all kinds. In the dead of winter, it was simply astonishing to see such a variety of blooms competing in their vibrancy and beauty.

Charlotte and her friends quickly got out of the car, took photos to mark the occasion, and shared them on their social circle.

Cecilia also followed suit, taking photos.

Elliot couldn't help but praise Nathaniel, "Daddy, you did a great job this time. Look how happy Mommy

is."

Nathaniel himself could hardly believe that so many flowers could bring such joy to Cecilia.

Jonathan scoffed. "Don't go teaching him nonsense in the future."

Elliot stuck his tongue out at Jonathan. "Jonathan, we're a family, so we must always stick together and support each other."

Jonathan didn't pay him any attention.

He simply didn't like the fact that his mother was swayed by Nathaniel.

After Cecilia and the others took the photos, they wondered who was behind the decorations.

Charlotte's mind instantly went to Nathaniel. "Boss, this must be Mr. Rainsworth's doing. Didn't you see Daltonia Villa's surroundings? The place is filled with flowers, all planted for you." Cecilia was a bit surprised. She glanced back at Nathaniel.

Nathaniel didn't deny it, and when Cecilia confirmed it was him, a flicker of an unusual emotion passed through her eyes.

Lucille gently tugged at Mason's hand, letting out a sig "Look at this. Even your proposal wasn't this grand."

 

Chapter 1526 Hug Her

Mason was also at his wit's end. "All of this is built on wealth. Be good. Let's not be bewitched by capitalism."

"Hmph." Lucille scoffed, not bothered to continue the conversation with him.

Right now, Mason wished he could be as far away from his boss as possible.

After becoming friends with Cecilia, Lucille always insisted on equating himself with Nathaniel.

How could that be possible? Their financial position was utterly different.

Although Mason, as Nathaniel's chief personal assistant was certainly not short of money, he still couldn't 'bear to be so extravagant.

Vivian also said to Zachary, "Even though I'm not particularly fond of flowers, seeing these is truly a feast for the eyes. Could we possibly plant some at Sinclair Manor?"

Zachary replied, "If you like this so much, ask someone to plant them. I don't have the time for this."

"Fine. I'll do it myself. How petty." Vivian was unconcerned.

Unbeknownst to her, Zachary had immediately ordered someone to make preparations.

When it came time to prepare, Zachary found himself in a bind. Nathaniel had adorned the Smith residence with so many flowers, using up a significant amount from the nearby area. Now, finding such a quantity again proved to be quite a challenge. Meanwhile, Madeline was also holding her daughter, beginning to pick flowers.

Darren watched the scene unfold, contemplating doing the same at home. After all, spending a little more time and money to please his wife was only right.

After everyone had admired the view, they each proceeded into the mansion.

Nathaniel quietly pulled Cecilia to the side and whispered, "There are a few things inside our room. Do you want to take a look?"

"What is it?" Cecilia asked, puzzled.

"You'll understand once you come and see it with me."

Thus, Cecilia was beguiled by Nathaniel to ascend the stairs to check out the room.

Upon entering the room, Cecilia was greeted by the sight of an array of assorted gifts filling up the space.

She was somewhat taken aback. "What are these?"

"They're all for you. Take a look," Nathaniel had always known what Cecilia liked, so he had everything arranged accordingly.

That was the first time Cecilia realized someone could deliver gifts in such massive quantity.

She had done nothing to deserve a reward. If she were to accept so many gifts from Nathaniel, after gaining the benefit, she would have to return the favor. Hence, she decided against accepting the gifts. Nathaniel hadn't expected her to reject him outright, leaving him momentarily at a loss.

He could tell that Cecilia didn't want to take advantage of him at the moment, so he couldn't help but say, "We're a married couple. What's mine is yours. There's no question of what you can or cannot accept. These things are meant for you." Cecilia continued to refuse, "Really, there's no need. I have everything I need right now. I don't require anything else."

After she finished speaking, she was ready to leave.

Nathaniel, however, couldn't bear to let her go just like that, so he wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Ceci, can you please not leave tonight?"

He was truly longing for Cecilia, and the agony was unbearable. Cecilia was clearly within sight, yet he couldn't touch her. The feeling was torturous. Embraced by Nathaniel, Cecilia was instantly flustered. "Let go of me, now!"

With a calm and composed demeanor, Nathaniel uttered, "Let me hold you for a while."

Before he had even finished speaking, he felt a sudden pain in his arm.

At that moment, Cecilia had her head lowered and was biting his arm.

Nathaniel remained unyielding, not letting go. He chuckled. "You really haven't changed."

Cecilia frowned. She didn't bite hard, only intending to make Nathaniel loosen his grip. Does he think we're flirting?

With that thought in mind, Cecilia no longer held back, biting down hard.

Enduring the pain, Nathaniel let out a soft grunt. "It's okay. If you like to bite, go ahead. I'm just holding you. I promise I won't do anything else." You won't do anything else? Cecilia felt his breath was scorching. It doesn't feel like he's just hugging me.

 

Chapter 1527 What Was Calvin Like

Cecília couldn't really sink her teeth into Nathaniel and refused to let go, so she had no choice but to open her mouth. "Nathaniel, I beg you to let me go. I don't care how close we were in the past. I can't accept it now."

She was filled with panic and confusion.

D

"If you don't let go now, I'm really going to get angry." Cecilia felt her words were so powerless at that

moment.

Seeing her face turn beet red, Nathaniel reluctantly let her go. "Don't be upset."

Cecilia paid him no mind, striding swiftly toward the door. She pulled it open, ready to leave.

When she stepped out, she saw Jonathan and Elliot sprawled at the door.

Cecilia's face reddened even more. "Eli, Jon, were you two eavesdropping here?"

Jonathan shook his head at once. "Mommy, don't get the wrong idea. We just happened to be passing by."

Elliot chimed in, "Exactly. We were just passing by. We have absolutely no idea about sc*mbag daddy hugging you."

Cecilia was rendered speechless.

Forget it. She decided it wasn't fair to argue with two kids. Swiftly, she exited the room.

"Both of you, behave yourselves." With that, Cecilia returned to the living room downstairs.

Vivian took Cecilia's hand, asking why she had come down so late. Embarrassed, Cecilia couldn't confess that she had been taken advantage of and could only stutter out an excuse. "We'll be heading back soon. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me," Vivian added.

Cecilia nodded. "Okay."

After seeing off each guest, Cecilia spent her time with Charlotte and the others.

When Nathaniel descended the stairs, she hurriedly avoided looking at him.

Seeing that, Nathaniel felt a pang of disappointment deep within. However, he maintained a calm facade and quietly took a seat near Cecilia.

Cecília rose from her seat. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed first."

"Okay. Goodnight," Charlotte said.

After returning to her room, Cecilia made sure to lock the door behind her.

After she had freshened up, she lay in bed, her mind filled with thoughts of Nathaniel's embrace.

Sleep eluded Cecilia. She picked up her phone and started scrolling through it, yearning to revisit some

past events.

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Chapter 1527 What Was Calvin Like

There was quite a bit of news about herself online.

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Cecilia scrutinized each detail, striving to recollect, but her memories remained hazy.

Before she realized it, she dozed off. In her dreams, Cecilia saw Paula.

Unlike her childhood memories, Paula, in her dreams, was lying on a sickbed and looking at her filled with guilt. "Geci, I'm sorry, It's all my fault. Can you forgive me?" Suddenly, Cecilia jolted awake, her body drenched in a cold sweat.

She looked outside. The sky was just beginning to lighten.

Unable to sleep any longer, Cecilia woke up early, freshened up, and then started to prepare breakfast.

The dreams she had were incredibly vivid, as though they were actual experiences from her past.

Rubbing her eyes, Madeline stepped out and saw that Cecilia was already dressed and ready. She couldn't help but ask, "Ceci, why did you get up so early?"

"I went to bed early last night, so I woke up early," Cecilia replied.

After she finished speaking, she called Madeline over to have breakfast first.

While having breakfast, Madeline couldn't help but ask Cecilia, "Cecilia, you still remember Mr. Reese, don't you?"

Cecilia nodded, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"Yes, I remember, but only from when he was little. Why? Is something the matter?"

Without any hesitation, Madeline asked, "What was Mr. Reese like as a child?"

Ever since she started working with Calvin, Madeline had learned a great deal and seen quite a bit.

Hearing the question, Cecilia pondered upon the events of her childhood.

Sitting across from Madeline, Cecilia uttered, "Well, when we were kids, Calvin wasn't like he is now. He was all chubby and was often picked on by others. Back then, he was just like a little girl." Reflecting, Cecilia could still remember the time when Calvin had held her and wept when they were little.

As Madeline enjoyed her breakfast, she attentively listened to Cecilia's stories.

 

Chapter 1528 Surprisingly Clueless

Madeline truly hadn't expected that the usually aloof and icy Calvin would have shown such a different side when he was a child.

"And what else?" Madeline seemed particularly curious about Calvin's past. She pressed on with her questions.

Cecilia proceeded to tell her about everything from the past.

Back then, Calvin was an orphan, suffering from hunger and cold, truly pitiable.

After listening quietly, Madeline roughly understood why, following Cecilia's disappearance, Calvin had consistently sent people to search for her.

The two of them had known each other since childhood, and Cecilia had always been so kind to Calvin.

"Poor Mr. Reese. Was he really neglected by his parents when he was a child?" Madeline asked.

Whenever the topic of Calvin's parents came up, there was a faint throbbing in Cecilia's head. It was as if she knew something, yet she couldn't quite recall it. Cecilia felt certain that it was due to her amnesia. Perhaps the person she was before her memory loss would have known about these circumstances.

The two were engrossed in conversation when one by one, everyone else woke up and gradually joined them for breakfast.

The moment Nathaniel entered, the atmosphere in the dining room seemed to drop.

Charlotte lowered her voice and said to Cecilia, "Boss, how on earth did you manage to get along with this iceberg in the past?"

After all, since Cecilia's disappearance, the atmosphere at Ceci Corporation was unbearable every day.

Everyone was finding it particularly hard to endure.

Now that Cecilia had returned, the employees initially thought that Nathaniel's mood would greatly improve and he wouldn't lose his temper so easily.

Indeed, he wasn't getting angry as often anymore, but his moods had become unpredictable. The other employees wondered if it was due to his unsatisfied desires.

Upon hearing Charlotte's question, Cecilia was somewhat taken aback. "What's wrong?"

Cecilia did not sense anything amiss in the atmosphere

Charlotte was about to say something when she felt a piercing gaze directed at her.

She immediately closed her mouth. "It's nothing. I'll just continue with my breakfast."

Only then did Cecilia notice that Nathaniel was looking at her. She wasn't afraid of Nathaniel and shot him a glare.

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Chapter 1528 Surprisingly Clueless

person, appearing pitifully vulnerable. 58%

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Elliot observed all of this but found it inappropriate to offer assistance.

"I have something to attend to later," Cecilia said loudly to everyone.

Charlotte and the others nodded. "Okay, Boss. Be careful."

"All right. I know. Sven will go with me," Cecilia said.

Unable to hold back any longer, Nathaniel spoke up. "I'll accompany you too."

"That won't be necessary," Cecilia declined in front of everyone.

Nathaniel was stumped and unable to speak further.

When Cecilia and Sven left the mansion, Nathaniel followed them out. Elliot trailed behind them.

When Elliot arrived by Nathaniel's side, Nathaniel couldn't help but frown. "Why are you following me?"

"Sc*mbag daddy, why can't I come with you? How are you going to approach Mommy without me?" Elliot was on the verge of rolling his eyes. Despite being so adept at his job, Daddy is surprisingly clueless when it comes to romance. It's almost comical that I, his on, have to guide him through it.

Only then did Nathaniel understand. He raised his hand and ruffled Elliot's hair. "Once this is all over, tell

you."

me what you want, and I'll buy it for.

After some thought, Elliot said, "I don't really need anything. But if you insist on giving me something, make sure to leave me a larger share of your wealth when you're gone."

Nathaniel was rendered speechless.

Nathaniel, with Elliot in tow, had wanted to tail Sven. Of course, it wasn't possible.

Before even getting into the car, Sven had already informed Cecilia that they were being followed.

Cecilia halted, spotting the two, who were standing not far away.

Elliot looked at Cecilia with a pitiful expression. "

Chapter 1529 Tag Along

The sentence made Cecilia's heart instantly soften.

She immediately explained to Elliot, "Eli, I'm just going out to handle some business. I'll be back with Mr. Sven soon. How could I ever abandon you?"

Blood is thicker than water. Although Cecilia didn't remember her two children, when faced with their playful and affectionate behavior, she simply couldn't resist.

Elliot grabbed her hand. "What are you going to do? Why can't you take me and Daddy with you? Are we a burden to you? Or is it that you have another child, so you don't care about me anymore?" Elliot's aggrieved demeanor caused Cecilia's heart to ache more than usual. "No. How could I?"

"Then let me and Daddy come with you. We should stick together as a family," Elliot continued to persuade.

Left with no other options, Cecilia reluctantly agreed, "All right. You guys can come with me in the car."

Elliot's tears turned into laughter in an instant. "Mommy, you're the best!"

Only then did Cecilia realize that she seemed to have been tricked by Elliot.

Subsequently, Elliot and Nathaniel got into the car. Careful not to upset Cecilia, the two behaved exceptionally well, refraining from speaking or moving unnecessarily.

Sven drove to the cemetery in the western suburbs.

Regas and Paula were laid to rest there.

After Cecilia stepped out of the car, Sven led the way.

Originally, Regas and Paula were supposed to be buried together. However, due to Paula's betrayal, the Smith family forbade their joint burial.

Paula's grave was situated right next to Regas.

Cecilia purchased two bouquets of daisies to pay her respect.

"Dad," she called out.

In her heart, Regas was always her father.

Regrettably, she could no longer hear her father's response.

Unsure of what to say, Cecilia simply stood before her father's gravestone. Then, her gaze shifted to the black and white photograph of Paula next to her, her emotions a whirlwind. Elliot stepped forward. "Mommy, don't be sad."

Cecilia nodded. "Yes, I understand. I just wanted to come and visit them."

While Cecilia and her family were paying their respects at the cemetery, Cassandra was feeling utterly

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The Rainsworth family no longer wanted her as their daughter-in-law, and the Jamieson family's attitude toward her, their adopted daughter, was increasingly deteriorating. She was genuinely worried that one day, she might be replaced by Cecilia.

"Mom, now that I'm back, shouldn't I have a position at the company? I've recovered, and I don't want to stay idle at home any longer," Cassandra said to Queenie. Upon hearing this, Queenie didn't stop her, "Okay. Have Caliste take you to the company."

"What kind of job will I do?" Cassandra asked.

"You'll start from the grassroots level first to slowly understand how the company operates. We'll see from then," Queenie responded.

Grassroots? Cassandra was somewhat baffed. "What do you mean by 'grassroots"?"

"I think the sales department is pretty good. Why don't you give it a try?"

Queenie felt that she had been too indulgent with Cassandra in the past. Now, she was determined to change Cassandra and provide the latter with more training.

Little did she know that Cassandra had a completely different mindset. Although Cassandra verbally agreed, she was internally contemplating whether Queenie was planning to hand over the company to Cecilia. "Mom, how have things been with Cecilia recently?" Cassandra asked tentatively.

Queenie cast her a somewhat wary glance. "What do you mean?"

"Has she remembered anything?" Cassandra continued to ask.

Queenie shook her head. "No."

Although she didn't personally visit Cecilia, she consistently had people keeping an eye on her.

Cassandra finally felt at ease. "What a shame. I wonder if her memory will ever return. Mom, I think I'll head to the office today."

 

Chapter 1530 News Of Divorce

Queenie was completely devoted to Cecilia at the moment, so she didn't object to Cassandra's suggestion. She advised Cassandra that once she was at the company, Cassandra should focus on learning as much as she could. Cassandra had agreed to everything, showing exceptional obedience.

Caliste watched Cassandra leave, somewhat incredulous. "Has. Ms. Evans changed? How come she's so compliant today?"

Queenie took a sip of her coffee. "Let's hope it's not just for show."

"That's unlikely. After all, you've personally raised Ms. Evans," Caliste consoled her.

"Yeah." Queenie nodded.

She was just about to take another sip of her coffee when a violent cough seized her unexpectedly. It felt as if a massive boulder was pressing against her chest, causing a suffocating discomfort. "Mdm. Queenie, are you all right? Should we call for a doctor?" Caliste hastily asked.

Queenie shook her head. "No need for a doctor. It's just my old sickness flaring up again. It's nothing

serious."

"Okay."

In the past, Queenie had been framed by her uncles and brothers from the Jamieson family, leading to numerous hardships she had to endure.

"How are things going with Nicholas?" Queenie asked again.

Despite her reservations, she couldn't bear to see Cassandra being treated unfairly. Consequently, she had someone reach out to Nicholas, hoping he would sincerely commit to a life with Cassandra. No matter what, the two of them were indeed married. As for the matter of the child, that was unexpected.

Caliste let out a sigh. "Mr. Nicholas is currently unwilling to accept Ms. Evans. When I last visited him, he made it crystal clear, even mentioning issuing a statement."

Queenie had not anticipated that things would escalate to that point.

"Cassandra tends to be narrow-minded. You must keep an eye on her."

"All right."

That afternoon, the news of Nicholas and Cassandra's divorce made it to the top trending topics on various major websites. Internet users were buzzing with comments: They've only been married for a year, how come they're already getting a divorce?

Netizen B: Who knows? The intricacies of a prominent family's marriage are hard to comprehend.

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something wrong with the woman.

Netizen D: She just had a baby. Could it be that the guy isn't the father?

Numerous people online were speculating, and surprisingly, some even got it right.

Cassandra had also seen the news. She was practically divorced.

She clenched her phone tightly, sitting in the office, her eyes filled with fury.

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Whispers echoed around her, coming from her colleagues in the sales department. She couldn't tell if they were speaking ill of her or not.

Cassandra abruptly stood up and approached the group of employees who were whispering among themselves. She singled out a girl she didn't like, raised her hand, and slapped the girl hard across the face.

Slap!

The girl looked up at Cassandra in disbelief. "H-How dare you hit me?"

"Well, I'm the future successor of this company. All of you are my subordinates, working for me," Cassandra uttered smugly.

The girl who was hit retorted, "Oh, so you're the successor, huh? Everyone knows that Mdm. Queenie has already found her biological,daughter. If you were truly her successor, how could you possibly end up in our tiny sales department, working as a salesperson?" These words struck a nerve in Cassandra. She was just about to raise her hand to slap the girl again.

The girl threw up her hands. "If you hit me again, I'll retaliate. Also, I'm going to report you, and then, I'm quitting!"

Modern women weren't like those of the past. They wouldn't let anyone bully them around.

In the end, Cassandra was ushered away by the sales department manager, who offered her a sincere apology.

"Ms. Evans, I sincerely apologize. Please, don't take it to heart. Kids nowadays are just too spoiled."

It took a while for Cassandra's anger to subside.

However, her mind was filled with the words of the girl. She reckoned Queenie was going to abandon her and let Cecilia inherit her business empire.