Chapter 2175

Meanwhile, at Rainsworth Manor, Nathaniel stepped through the heavy oak doors and, without pausing to loosen his tie, strode straight toward the wing where Felix lived.

Miranda had just come down the stairs. Spotting him, she frowned in surprise. “Nathaniel? What brings you here? Who are you looking for?”

Nathaniel’s gaze never wavered. He went straight to the point, his voice low enough to chill the air.

“Where is Felix?”

At once, Miranda understood—he must have heard about the incident earlier that day.

She planted herself in front of him and lifted her chin. “Nathaniel, honestly, you need to rein Cecilia in. She spoils her employees so badly they think they can bully your nephew.”

Nathaniel ignored the accusation. A glance up the banister told him exactly which door belonged to the boy.

He sidestepped Miranda and headed upstairs without breaking stride.

“Nathaniel, wait!” She hurried after him, silk slippers skidding across the polished floor.

“What are you planning to do? D-don’t you dare blame my son. He’s just a child—what could he possibly know?”

Panic crept into her voice as she chased him down the corridor, convinced he meant to hurt the boy.

Nathaniel stopped outside a door and pushed it open. The latch clicked—it hadn’t been locked.

He eased the door inward.

Felix sat at his desk, a book forgotten in his hands. When Nathaniel’s silhouette filled the doorway, the boy’s face drained of color.

“U-Uncle Nathaniel…”

Nathaniel was the one adult who truly frightened him.

He crossed the room in two measured steps. “I hear you were hurt. Show me where the injuries are.”

Felix’s eyes flicked toward his mother, pleading.

Miranda rushed in, wrapping both arms around him as she glared at Nathaniel. “What kind of grown man storms in just to scare a child?”

She tightened her hold. “You’re his uncle, for goodness’ sake. How can you side with an outsider?”

“Precisely because I’m his uncle,” Nathaniel replied evenly, “I’m obligated to teach him how to be a decent human being.”

Miranda’s retort died in her throat. She had hoped family ties would earn Felix mercy; instead, Nathaniel turned her own logic against her.

Unwilling to waste another word on her, he shifted his focus to the boy. “Felix, come here.”

Felix burrowed deeper into Miranda’s arms, his small body shaking so violently the buttons on her blouse rattled against his forehead. He wanted to obey—but fear rooted him in place.

Miranda’s arms tightened, as though her embrace alone could shield him from every accusation filling the room.

“Nathaniel, what exactly do you plan to do?” she asked, forcing her voice steady even as her heart hammered against Felix’s cheek.

“Nothing sinister,” Nathaniel replied, his tone calm as winter glass. “I’m taking him for a full medical examination. We need to confirm there aren’t any other injuries.”

The words sounded courteous—almost caring—yet authority rippled beneath every syllable.

Color drained from Miranda’s face as if someone had pulled a plug, leaving her skin pale and hollow. “Absolutely not! You are not taking my son anywhere!” she snapped, each word sharp enough to cut.

“And why not?” Nathaniel asked, tilting his head with cold curiosity. “Or are you suggesting Felix was never injured at all?”

“That’s ridiculous,” Miranda shot back, forcing a brittle laugh that fooled no one. “He’s already been examined once. Those machines emit radiation. I won’t expose him to that again.”

Even as she spoke, a flicker of doubt betrayed her—proof she was lying to herself as much as to him.

Nathaniel let the silence stretch before delivering his verdict. “This is your last chance. Either we do another examination, or you admit—right now—whether he was ever hurt at all.”

Felix lifted his tear-glossed eyes to his mother. His small, wavering voice slipped out.

“Mom… maybe we should—”