Ch. 441..450
Chapter 441 Her Biological Mother
After the engagement party began, Cassandra werft on stage to thank her family. When she spoke about her mother, Paula perked up.
Paula was just about to step forward when Cecilia, in a gesture of kindness, stopped her.
“The Rainsworth family invited her biological mother, Queenie Jamieson.”
Having helped organize the engagement party, Cecilia was well aware of the proceedings.
Paula’s expression changed instantly when she heard that.
Just yesterday, Cassandra had personally told her that Queenie wouldn’t be attending and that Paula would be the one standing in the spotlight as her mother.
Paula thought Cecilia was deceiving her, but then she saw Queenie, appear before the crowd, walking toward Cassandra.
Short–haired and clad in a uniform, Queenie wasn’t particularly beautiful, but she exuded a sharp, capable air that a pampered woman like Paula could never possess.
Queenie was somewhat well–known internationally, and as soon as she appeared, Cassandra’s eyes filled with admiration and pride.
Compared to the perfunctory attitude she showed toward Elena, Cassandra regarded Queenie as her one true mother.
“Mom, I knew you’d come,” Cassandra said as she hugged her.
On stage, the mother and daughter displayed a deep affection, while offstage, Paula’s face turned particularly sour, having just told everyone that Cassandra was her daughter.
The whispers in the crowd began.
“Isn’t Cassandra’s father Ralph? So isn’t Paula her mother?”
“Yeah, she just told us Cassandra is her daughter”
“You know nothing. Paula is Cassandra’s stepmother. Cassandra calls her ‘mom‘ out of respect for her father. Did you really think Paula is her biological mother?”
“What should we do? We just gave all the gifts meant for Cassandra’s mother to Paula. Should we take them back now?”
“Of course we should! Paula isn’t Cassandra’s real mom. We need to curry favor with Cassandra, not her stepmother.”
The murmurs from the crowd only added to Paula’s humiliation.
Cecilia stood beside her, observing her discomfort, and couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy.
She asked. “If I hadn’t been born with hearing issues, would you have treated me the same way you treat Cassandrar”
Paula snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Cecilia with a complicated expression.
The truth was, Paula hadi adimit that Cecilia had always been exceptional–no less capabilitetin Cassandra. If it weren’t for her, Cecil wouldn’t be in her current position.
More importantly, Cecilia had always been so filial and considerate. When she was little, she would constantly try to make Paula smile and proudly tell all her classmates that Paula was her mother.
Unlike Cassandra, who only played along on the surface but had already made arrangements for her biological mother.
But…
Paula clenched her fists. “You and Cassandra are simply incomparable.
Cecilia thought she had long become numb the pain, but hearing that still hurt, like a cold wind piercing her chest.
After Paula finished speaking, she saw Cassandinoming down from the stage and immediately rushed over to ask for an explanation.
Cecilia watched from afar as Paula stood beside Cassandra, the two of them looking more like a mother and daughter than Queenie and Cassandraadid
She turned back, carefully tucking away Paula’s hair thur she had taken earlier, and rejoined the party.
After only a few steps, Magnus blocked her path. “Cecilia, have you figured out how to get the Smith family’s money back?”
Cecilia couldn’t believe he had the audacity to ask. so shenerated, “Do you think people will jus return the money after you’ve given it to them?”
She had recently handed over the task of investigating Magnus past foolish nations to Norman.
She was still waiting for an update from him.
Chapter 442 Powerful Family Backing You Up
“What are you being so sarcastic for? Isn’t the Smith family yours? Don’t you want a powerful family backing you up like Cassandra?” Magnus snapped.
A powerful family backing me up?
Cecilia found her brother’s words laughable.
“When Father had just passed, wasn’t the Smith family strong enough? How did you support me then?”
If Magnus hadn’t been so foolish as to break the agreement between the two families by secretly transferring her dowry and betrothal gift, Nathaniel wouldn’t have been humiliated, and he wouldn’t have taken it out on her in so many ways.
She wouldn’t have been unable to hold her head high in the Rainsworth family.
Once again cut down by Cecilia’s words, Magnus raised his hand as if to strike her but then recalled Zach’s warning from a few days ago. He lowered his hand reluctantly.
“Whatever the case, we share the same bloodline. You can’t just stand by and watch the Smith family fall into someone else’s hands.”
Cecilia certainly wouldn’t let that happen. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle the Smith family’s matters. But this has nothing to do with you. You’re not fit to be the heir to the Smith family.”
Heeding his mother’s advice to hand over the family legacy to outsiders made him utterly unworthy.
With that, Cecilia left Magnus behind.
Magnus was left standing there, stunned that the sister who had once been weak and helpless was now saying such things.
“I’m not fit to be the heir? Who is then? You? What a joke. What business could a woman possibly run?” Magnus muttered to himself.
“Cough, cough…”
A cough interrupted him from behind.
Magnus turned around to see Zachary and Darren standing there.
The two tall, handsome figures radiated an imposing presence that made Magnus unable to meet their eyes.
Back when the Smith family hadn’t yet fallen, Magnus had been a lackey trailing behind the two of them. Lacking the same talent, he could only follow them around like a servant.
“Zachary, Darren,” Magnus greeted them obediently.
Zachary didn’t bother acknowledging someone he considered useless. Darren, however, gave him a slight nod and asked. “Why aren’t you inside yet? Your stepsister is getting engaged.”
“I’m heading in now,” Magnus said with a sycophantic smile before inviting them to walk ahead.
Zachary and Darren entered before him..
On the way, Zachary yawned. “You’d think the Smith family had good roots. How did they end up with a failure like him?”
Darren smirked. “Maybe he’s not really from the Smith family.”
Zachary assumed he was joking and laughed it off.
At the engagement party, after some of the formalities were conducted, it was time for the toast.
Nathaniel emerged and handed a box to Cecilia.
Cecilia looked at him curiously. “What’s this?”
“It’s from Dad. Open it and see.”
Cecilia opened the box to find an exquisitely luxurious vintage jade necklace. It was obviously worth a fortune.
“I can’t accept this. You should give it back to him.”
She didn’t want to accept something she hadn’t earned.
“He’s already left, so you can’t return it.” Nathaniel said, having anticipated her refusal and already prepared his response. “Just keep it safe for him. When he comes by next, you can give it back yourself.
Wren was always elusive. She might not see him again until Nicholas got married.
Cecilia figured there wasn’t much else she could do and accepted it.
“You were gone for quite a while. Was there something going on?” she asked.
She hadn’t realized she’d started showing concern for Nathaniel’s life again, just like she used to.
Nathaniel’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Want to know?”
As soon as she heard that, Cecilia turned her face away. “I don’t want to know.”
As they spoke, they didn’t notice Nicholas and Cassandra approaching.
Nicholas‘ eyes reflected the close moment between them, and he couldn’t quite describe the feelings stirring within him.
Chapter 443 My Great Grandson
When Cassandra was younger, she harbored romantic feelings for Nathaniel and often kept track of his whereabouts. At one point, she even considered marrying him. But after he lost his sight, she chose Nicholas instead.
After all, Nicholas was now more accomplished than Nathaniel, and she no longer cared about her previous feelings. She was the first to speak. “Nathaniel, Cecilia, cheers.”
To accommodate Nathaniel, the wine glass was handed directly to him so he could easily reach it.
However, Nathaniel didn’t take the glass. Instead, he grabbed Cecilia’s hand tightly.
“My wife and I don’t drink. Go toast the others.”
Cassandra froze for a moment and glanced at Nicholas.
Nicholas picked up the glass and handed it to Cassandra. “They don’t drink, but we can.”
“Okay,” Cassandra agreed and drank the wine.
Originally, they were only supposed to toast the closest people, but Nicholas ended up toasting everyone present.
Whatever wine Cassandra couldn’t finish, Nicholas drank on her behalf.
At the later part of the engagement party, Cecilia finally saw Jonathan arrive.
Jonathan’s face was flushed red. It was clear that Roland had someone put makeup on him. He was dressed in an expensive little suit.
Most notably, his left hand was held by Roland, while his right hand was held by George.
Jonathan nearly stole the spotlight from the main couple of the engagement, but luckily, he arrived near the end of the event.
The party was full of prominent guests, including Niel. When he saw George holding a child’s hand, he was curious.
“Old Mr. Sinclair, whose child is that?” Niel asked.
George beamed with pride. “This is Zach’s son, my great–grandson.”
Hearing this, Niel quickly asked someone to fetch his reading glasses.
After putting them on, his eyes lit up. “This boy… Why does he look so much like Nicholas and Nathaniel when they were young?”
Niel’s remark made Cecilia’s heart race with panic.
Thankfully, Roland stepped in. “Old Mr. Rainsworth, don’t fight me for a grandson. This boy was born to my daughter Vivian. She doesn’t know Mr. Rainsworth.”
Niel realized he must have been mistaken. After all, people could look alike.
“Hahaha, the boy is so well–behaved. I just like him so much.”
George quickly stepped in protectively. “Don’t even think about stealing my great–grandson.”
The combined age of the three was over two hundred years, yet they behaved like children.
Meanwhile, Jonathan, too young to understand what was going on, had already been worn out from the day’s events.
From a distance, Cecilia let out a sigh of relief. Seeing how much Roland and George doted on Jonathan genuinely made her happy.
Elena had been quietly observing Jonathan as well. According to her investigation, Vivian had never given birth to a child, so how was jonathan suddenly Zachary and Vivian’s son?
She couldn’t accept it.
Later, George and Roland publicly announced that after the New Year, they would arrange an engagement party for Zachary and Vivian.
The crowd burst into enthusiastic applause, seemingly oblivious to the sour expressions on the faces of both Zachary and Vivian.
The engagement party continued until the afternoon.
Nicholas had drunk a lot. Jocelyn, who was standing nearby, looked on with concern. “Mr. Nicholas, don’t drink too much. Your body can’t handle it.”
Nicholas had always been particular about his health, but ever since returning to Tudela, he had. grown increasingly careless with his well–being.
It pained Jocelyn to see him like this.
“It’s fine. Today is an exception,” Nicholas reassured her gently.
Jocelyn nodded, wanting to say more, but before she could, a hand grabbed her from behind.
“Jocelyn, go entertain the guests. I’ll take Nicholas upstairs to rest. Cassandra said, stepping forward in her high heels to support the drunken Nicholas.
The two were already engaged, and Cassandra was now Nicholas‘ future wife. Jocelyn had not choice but to step aside.
Cassandra called over a few servants to help her escort Nicholas back to his room. Her heart pounded with excitement.
Chapter 445 Gone Forever
Cecilia was somewhat bewildered.
“What do you mean?”
“Stop playing dumb. Why would Nicholas call you Ceci in private?” Cassandra’s eyes were filled with anger.
Cecilia told her that they had known each other since they were very young.
However, Cassandra refused to believe it was that simple. “Be honest with me. Are you trying to steal Nicholas from me? Have you set your sights on Nicholas now that you no longer like Nathaniel? Am I right?”
Cecilia simply felt that she was being unreasonable.
“I’m already married to Nathaniel. How could I possibly steal Nicholas from you?”
“Don’t think I’m clueless, you and Nathaniel have been considering divorce all this time!” Cassandra shuddered at the memory of Nicholas calling out for Cecilia when he was intimate with her. “No one dares to steal a man from me, Cassandra, not even if you are Paula’s daughter! Just you wait.”
After dropping that harsh remark, Cassandra stormed off in a huff.
Cecilia didn’t take her words to heart. After all, she had long since come to terms with the situation. She never considered reuniting with Nicholas.
Upon returning to her room, Cecilia began to pack her belongings to leave. She was uneasy about leaving Martha and Elliot alone in Sparaville.
Nathaniel was also helping her to pack up.
“Your brother just got engaged. Do you want to stay here a bit longer?”
“No need, I’ll go home with you.”
“All right.”
Cecilia nodded.
The two had packed their belongings, and by the break of dawn the next day, they bid farewell to Elena, ready to depart.
When they set off, the snow was falling thick and fast. Upon reaching their destination, the driver suddenly halted. Only when the window was rolled down that Cecilia saw Nicholas standing amidst the heavy snowfall.
Nicholas briskly walked toward the two of them and handed a bag to Cecilia.
Puzzled, Cecilia asked. “What is this?”
“The engagement gifi.” Nicholas replied gently..
Upon hearing that, Cecilia didn’t show any signs of doubt and accepted the gift.
Then. Nicholas said to Naramel, Nathaniel, there are some things I’d like to discuss with you privately.”
In front of Nicholas, Nathaniel reached out and gently grasped Cecilia’s hand. Then, in a hushed voice, he said. “Wait for me.”
Cecilia didn’t want to give Nichols the wrong impression, so she didn’t pull away from Nathaniel.
“All right,” she obediently responded, wathing as the two brothers walked off to the side.
With Cecilia gone, the subtle tension between the two brothers could no longer be concealed.
Treading on the accumulated snow, Nicholas glanced back at Cecilia before slowly saying, “Nathaniel, when do you plan to return Cem to me?”
Upon hearing the words, a cold smirk mugged at the corner of Nathaniel’s mouth.
“What do you mean by ‘return? Did Cecilia marry you and have children with you?”
The underlying message was that the two of them were already married, and there was no turning back.
A glint of coldness flashed in Nicholas‘ eyes. “How can you possibly contend with me when you’re blind? I will gain complete control over Orion Corporation soon.”
“Let’s talk once you get it,” Nathaniel said, uninterested in further idle chatter.
His twin brother had always been a wolf in sheep’s clothing since they were children. He appeared gentle on the surface, but deep down, he was more less than anyone else.
When Nathaniel left, Nicholas picked up his phone and sent a message to Cecilia. If anything upsetting happens in the future, let me know. I’ll always be on your sube
Cecilia saw the message, but she didn’t respond.
After Nathaniel got into the car, she set her phone aside and asked, “What did you two talk
“It’s just some chatter.”
Nicholas appeared more mature than anyone else, but in reality, he was incredibly childish.
Cecilia was already married to Nathaniel, and there was no doubt that the child she was carrying was his. There was no way he would hand her back to Nicholas.
Some things, once missed, would be truly gone forever!
Chapter 446 A Bad Idea
Not long after Cecilia left, Nicholas saw Cassandra‘ standing not too far away on his face was filled with anger.
way
back. Her
When Nicholas thought about the events of the previous night, a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
He approached slowly without uttering a word.
“Don’t you have anything to say to me?” Cassandra hadn’t yet grasped her place, assuming that she would be treated like a princess in the Rainsworth family like how she was used to in the Evans family.
“What?” Nicholas retorted.
Cassandra choked up. “We’re already engaged. I’m your fiancée, but why can’t I touch you?”
She was too proud to ask Nicholas about Cecilia.
After all, she would be risking embarrassment if she said it out loud that Nicholas had feelings for Cecilia.
“Haven’t I mentioned it before? Wait until after we get married.” Nicholas‘ tone was gentle, yet tinged with impatience.
Cassandra clenched her hands. “Aren’t you being too conservative?”
The disdain Nicholas held for her in his heart had just reached its peak when Jocelyn conveniently called him.
After answering the call and responding, he then reassured Cassandra, “If there’s anything, we can talk about it when I get back.”
Cassandra had no choice but to keep her temper in check.
“I’ll head home first.”
“Okay.”
Cassandra had initially planned to move into the Rainsworth residence. However, Nicholas. mentioned that his place was still undergoing renovation and suggested that she should move in once the new house was completely refurbished.
Nicholas watched as Cassandra got into the car and drove away. Only then did he pick up phone again. Jocelyn did not call him at all.
He dialed a number. “Stop the Bentley that just left the Rainsworth residence, then get some men to kidnap the person inside…”
An hour later, Cassandra was knocked unconscious and left in a dimly lit room. A few men stood inside with a video camera set up in the middle.
Outside the room, a silver–grey car was parked. Inside the car, Nicholas sat quietly..
A subordinate nearby cautiously asked, “Mr. Nicholas, isn’t this a bad idea?”
After all, Cassandra was publicly recognized as Nicholas‘ fiancée. If those people really harmed her, and if Nicholas regretted it later, they would all face dire consequences.
Nicholas dismissed it nonchalantly, saying, “There’s nothing bad about it. A disobedient dog needs to be dealt with accordingly.”
With that, he leaned back in his chair and closed his striking eyes as he signaled to his subordinates that they could begin.
Within the dimly lit room, all that could be heard were Cassandra’s gut–wrenching cries.
After an indeterminate amount of time, everything finally came to an end. Those individuals departed with their cameras.
After a while, Nicholas finally emerged from the car and directed someone to kick open the front door.
Inside the room, Cassandra was badly bruised and barely covered with clothes. Her hair was disheveled, and she no longer held the air of a haughty young lady.
When she saw someone entering, she instinctively shivered and frantically exclaimed, “Don’t come over, don’t come over!”
Nicholas quickly stepped in front of her and removed his coat to drape over her shoulders. “Cassandra, it’s me.”
His gentle voice instantly snapped Cassandra back to reality. She looked up at him and immediately wrapped her arms around him. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she cried, “Nicholas!”
Suppressing his distaste, Nicholas did not push her away. Instead, he said to the person behind him, “Take Ms. Evans to the hospital.”
As Cassandra began to regain her clarity, thoughts of the incident just now replayed in her mind. The mention of going to the hospital by Nicholas made her instantly refuse, “I don’t want to go the hospital, Nicholas, I don’t want to go to the hospital.”
Nicholas gave her shoulder a reassuring pat and pretended to console her, saying, “Don’t worry. No matter what happens, our engagement will remain unaffected.”
“Nicholas, someone took photos and videos of me. Can you help me find them? Can you not look down on me?” Cassandra knew that Nicholas could guess what had happened.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything,” he assured.
Chapter 447 Couple Rings
After Nicholas finished speaking, he looked toward the door. Then, the bodyguards came in and carried Cassandra away.
Cassandra wanted Nicholas to accompany her, but considering what she had been through, she simply lacked the confidence.
Nicholas silently watched her leave. Then, he removed his coat, wiped his hands, and tossed the coat into a nearby trash bin.
Meanwhile, Tudela was blanketed in white snow. The river had been encased in a thick layer of ice. Cecilia was leaning against her seat and gazing out the window. The warmth inside the car had fogged up the glass, making the outside view somewhat blurry.
Cecilia shifted her gaze and observed the gift in her arms. She was curious to see what it contained.
She pulled out a delicate box which was no bigger than the size of her palm from the bag. When she opened the box and saw what was inside, her eyes momentarily widened in surprise.
There was an exquisite silver ring inside the box. Etched onto the ring were the initials of two names carved by Cecilia when she was a child.
The ring was part of a set of couple rings. One belonged to Cecilia, and the other belonged to Nicholas.
When Cecilia married Nathaniel, she asked him about the ring, to which he responded, “What ring?”
Back then, Cecilia thought he had lost the ring.
Looking back, if she had asked more questions, she wouldn’t have mistaken Nathaniel for Nicholas.
Cecilia gazed at the inscription on the ring. CS NR.
The initials inscribed on this ring belonged to Nathaniel.
As Cecilia clenched the ring tightly, it dug deep into her palm, intensifying the guilt within her for mistaking Nicholas.
She took out her smartphone and replied Nicholas‘ message. Okay.
Then she sent another message. I saw the gift you left. I’m truly sorry for mixing up you and Nathaniel, but let’s still remain friends. If there’s anything I can help with in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.
Cecilia thought that Nicholas‘ act of returning his ring to her indicated his intention to leave the past behind.
A response came swiftly from the other side, consisting of just one word. Okay.
Cecilia switched off her cellphone.
Every subtle action of hers was noticed by Nathaniel. Knowing that Cecilia would surely tell him. if she wanted to, he didn’t ask.
Nathaniel waited and waited, but they arrived home in silence.
His attractive brows slightly furrowed. When Cecilia disembarked from the car, he didn’t follow her.
“Why aren’t you getting out of the car?” Cecilia asked, puzzled.
“There’s still some matters to attend to at the company. I need to go over,” Nathaniel responded.
“All right, I’ll head back first.”
Cecilia picked up the gift and headed home. Ready to let bygones be bygones, she was planning to discard the ring once she found the matching pair.
As soon as she left, Nathaniel had Mason hurry over.
After reviewing the footage from the vehicle’s camera, Mason reported, “Mrs. Rainsworth opened a box in the car, and there was a ring inside the box.”
Nathaniel contemplated the gift that Nicholas had given Cecilia. Who would have thought it was a ring?
And Cecilia kept it?
“Is there nothing else?”
“She sent a text message.”
“Who was it for?”
Mason felt a bit awkward. There was a camera in the car, but it didn’t capture the screen of Cecilia’s phone.
The reason he said he was replying to a message was because he had inferred it from Cecilia’s actions.
After revealing the truth to Nathaniel, a moment of silence ensued. Then, he said, “Later, have someone sneak out that ring.”
Mason replied, “Okay.”
Mr. Rainsworth is truly a control freak. I can’t believe he needs to investigate even the smallest of matters. “Are you planning to go back now?” Mason asked.
Nathaniel sat in the car, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Let’s discuss further once we get the
Mason was feeling all sorts of discomfort sitting in the car with Nathaniel. He was still thinking of going back to appease his fiancée who was throwing a tantrum.
“Okay.”
Chapter 448 First Love
The two of them sat in the car, waiting for nightfall. Their associates would be able to steal the ring in the dark better.
After returning home, Cecilia casually placed the gift bag on the table and headed to Martha’s room to let her take a break.
After the specialist’s treatment, Martha’s spirits had greatly improved. If she could maintain this, she could potentially live for several more years.
They didn’t realize someone had sneaked in.
Before long, the box containing the ring was brought to Nathaniel.
Mason opened the box. Judging by the looks of it, the ring seemed rather inexpensive. “This cheap? There’s no way it could be a gift from Mr. Nicholas, right?”
Nathaniel was skeptical that Nicholas would give such a thing as a gift.
“Is there anything else?”
Upon careful examination, Mason discovered that the inside of the ring was engraved with the letters: CS&NR
“It seems like an abbreviation, CS, NR. Aren’t these the initials of yours and Mrs. Rainsworth’s names? Mr. Rainsworth, could this possibly be a surprise from Mrs. Rainsworth?” Mason asked. with a smile.
“Although it is inexpensive, it is a thoughtful gift. Look at these crooked letters, seems like they were hand–carved… Well, I’ve always said that Mrs. Rainsworth is quite fond of you. She’s just pretending, but she’s always had you in her heart. My girlfriend has never even given me a handmade gift,” Mason rambled on, oblivious to the fact that Nathaniel’s expression had significantly darkened.
Nathaniel didn’t let Mason watch the previous video, hence Mason was unaware that the item was given to Cecilia by Nicholas.
Nathaniel took the ring, pondering for a moment. The only logical explanation was that this ring was once given to Nicholas by Cecilia because Cecilia always thought that Nicholas‘ name was Nathaniel back then.
“Do you want me to help you put it on, Mr. Rainsworth? Mrs. Rainsworth will surely be delighted when she sees it. It will be a pleasant surprise for her…”
“Enough,” Nathaniel sternly interrupted him. “You can leave now.”
Mason was baffled and utterly clueless as to what he had done this time to touch Nathaniel’s sore spot.
“All right.”
He was cager to leave this place and return to the warm embrace of his partner.
After Mason left, Nathaniel tightly clutched the ring, deeply embedding it in his palm.
At that moment, the phone rang. Nathaniel picked it up. It was a call from Nicholas.
“Nathaniel, did you see the gift I gave you? It’s the one Ceci gave me as a proposal ring. We were each other’s first love.”
Nicholas knew Nathaniel very well. He knew that the latter would want to know what was inside the gift bag.
A proposal ring, first love!
All the words were
ng to Nathaniel’s cars. If he could see at that time, he would surely have returned to Tudela to give his younger brother a few punches.
Nicholas didn’t hear a response from Nathaniel, but he knew he must have heard him. He continued, “Nathaniel, didn’t you also have a first love? You wouldn’t mind our past right?”
Could Stella really be considered his first love? They had never even held hands.
“Your tricks won’t work on me. Ceci has already thrown away the ring.”
With that, Nathaniel immediately hung up the phone.
He held the ring, torn between keeping it and throwing it away.
If he discarded it, he was certain Cecilia would be furious. But if he didn’t, he would feel uncomfortable and conflicted.
In the end, Nathaniel recalled the sight of Cecilia shedding tears. He gently placed the ring back into its box, packed it away, and decided to return it later.
When Nathaniel returned, Cecilia happened to be coming down from the stairs.
When she saw Nathaniel walk in with the gift, the room suddenly fell silent,
Nathaniel froze in his tracks. Overwhelmed with emotions, he had rushed back without a second thought, not anticipating that he would run into Cecilia.
Chapter 449 Not Happy
Feigning ignorance of Cecilia’s presence, Nathaniel strode in quickly and set down the gift bag he was carrying.
Cecilia asked in confusion, “What are you doing with my stuff?”
She descended the stairs and stole a glance at the inside of the bag. The box was still there.
“Have you looked at it?” Cecilia asked again.
Nathaniel stood still. “No, I can’t see.
However, Cecilia didn’t believe him. He had clearly picked the gift up and taken it outside. Perhaps, he had already asked someone to help him take a look.
“Do you want to know what’s inside?” Cecilia asked him deliberately.
Nathaniel’s handsome eyebrows slightly raised. “No.”
Cecilia didn’t show any signs of anger either. After sitting down, she opened the box.
“The gift your brother gave me is quite valuable. It is a gold pendant. Is it okay if I keep it?”
Nathaniel listened in silence as she deliberately deceived him. However, he couldn’t expose her lies.
He thought it was pointless to be jealous over the things she did when she was young, but he couldn’t help expressing his displeasure. “Hmm.”
Cecilia could tell that he knew what was inside immediately.
Since he snuck a peek at her belongings and refused to admit it, she didn’t discard it in front of him. Instead, she intentionally brought it back to her room.
Nathaniel remained in the living room alone, his complexion worsened.
After Cecilia descended the stairs, he sat on the sofa in silence.
Cecilia purposefully ignored him as she peeled an apple for herself to eat.
“Do you want one?”
“No.”
Seeing his rather haughty demeanor, Cecilia didn’t bother to explain herself. “It’s getting late. I’m going to sleep.”
With that, she got up to leave. But before she could even take two steps, Nathaniel raised his hand and pulled her into his embrace with one swift motion.
Since Cecilia couldn’t react in time, she found herself leaning into his embrace. Her rosy lips unintentionally left a mark on his neck, and her hands accidentally braced against his thighs.
Nathaniel paused to take a breath, his voice sounding somewhat hoarse as he spoke. “Ceci, can we sleep together tonight?”
The tips of Cecilia’s ears turned red, and her heart began to race.
“No.”
She wanted to get up, but her hand accidentally brushed against Nathaniel’s leg, causing her to instinctively recoil.
Nathaniel let out a dull grunt and swiftly seized her small hand.
“I promise I won’t touch you. We’ll just sleep while holding each other.”
Cecilia wasn’t some naive young girl. There was no way he could deceive her. “No way, you need to let go of me now.”
Nathaniel had already endured her keeping the token of love from her past relationship with Nicholas. He couldn’t continue indulging her any longer. He picked her
Suspended in mid–air, Cecilia hastily clutched onto Nathaniel’s clothes.
“What are you doing? Put me down quickly.”
up abruptly.
Nathaniel could feel her faint breaths brushing against his face. His throat began to tighten. “Don’t move, or you’ll fall.”
Cecilia dared not move again. Nathaniel was indeed too tall. As they approached the staircase, she felt as if she was suspended in mid–air.
She quickly averted her gaze and remained still.
Nathaniel carried her back to the room and closed the door behind him with a swift motion.
He took a few steps to reach the bedside. After gently placing Cecilia down, he went on top of her.
Cecilia quickly turned, attempting to dodge him, but he caught her with one hand and pulled her back. “Nathaniel!”
She truly couldn’t comprehend how she was still unable to outdo someone that couldn’t even see.
Just as she was about to sink her teeth into Nathaniel’s hand, Nathaniel lowered his voice and said, “Ceci, what should I do with you?”
Cecilia paused for a moment, then heard him continue softly, “I’m not happy.”
As he spoke, he held her even tighter.
Chapter 450 Paternity Test
Nathaniel wanted to explain that nothing had ever happened between him and Stella, but he was still pretending to have amnesia at the moment.
“No.” Nathaniel closed his eyes. “Go to sleep.”
Cecilia loosened herself from his arms slightly before finally drifting off to sleep.
Since she had to go to the hospital for a pregnancy check–up the next day, she decided to rest well today.
Meanwhile, at Tudela Hospital.
Cassandra lay in the hospital room. She had finally calmed down.
Her father, Ralph, had already sent people to find out who had humiliated his daughter. However, since the Evans family had made many enemies upon their return, it was difficult to determine who was responsible for the time being.
Paula was still upset about the engagement party, but upon hearing that something had happened to Cassandra, she rushed over to see her. “Cassandra, are you all right?”
Cassandra, however, did not show her any kindness.
“Do you really need to ask? Can’t you see with your own eyes?”
Previously, Cassandra was willing to show respect to Paula, considering she had been married to her father for five years.
However, the mere thought of her daughter, Cecilia, secretly enticing Nicholas behind everyone’s back was enough to sour Cassandra’s mood toward Paula.
Paula didn’t get angry when she heard Cassandra’s impatient tone. Instead, she tenderly tucked. her in.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know how to comfort you. Don’t be upset. Everything will be all right.”
Paula behaved like a mother in front of Cassandra.
Cassandra turned her face away directly. “Stop pretending to be some kind–hearted mother. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.
Did you have Cecilia seduce Nicholas because you hold a grudge against me for not allowing you to speak at the engagement party?”
Cassandra’s words left Paula stunned for a moment. She took quite some time to regain her composure.
“Cassandra, have you misunderstood something? How will I possibly let Cecilia seduce Nicholas?”
Paula based Cecilia
However, Cassandra felt that Paula was merely putting on a show. Paula added fuel to the fire when she told her that Nicholas and Cecilia had known each other for a long time and that Cecilia had even secretly tried to seduce Nicholas.
Upon hearing those words, Paula’s face flushed with anger. Hands tightly clenched, she said. “I truly underestimated ber. I never expected such a useless person to know how to seduce men! Cassandra, rest assured, I will definitely take care of this matter for you. You’re the only one who can be the lady of the Rainsworth family.”
Cassandra was dubious when she heard Paula’s assurances.
“You would offend your own daughter for my sake?”
At this point, Paula no longer wished to keep Cassandra in the dark.
“Cassandra, I am actually your biological mother.”
In the past, Ralph was penniless and powerless. He was unable to compete with Queenie. Five years had passed, and Paula was eager for Cassandra to acknowledge her.
Upon hearing those words. Cassandra’s eyes abruptly narrowed. “What did you say?”
“I said I’m your biological mecher, non Queenie. Queenie couldn’t even have children.”
Cassandra couldn’t believe in, “You’re talking nonsense.”
Paula was afraid she wouldn’t believe her so she handed her the paternity test results that she had prepared in advance.
“Take a look at this.”
Cassandra took the paternity test results into her hands. Indeed, she and Paula were mother and daughter.
So, was Cecilia actually her younger sister?
Cassandra tightened her grip on the paper as she formed herself to calm down.
“So my Dad is…”
“Of course, your father is Ralph,” Paula promptly repbed.
It was then that Cassandra understood that Paula had betrayed Cecilia’s father. The two of them were half–sisters, sharing the same mother but having different fathers.
“Cassandra, I understand that you may find it hard to accept right now. I’ll take my time to explain it to you,” Paula continued.
Cassandra interrupted her, saying, “No need for explanations. Please leave I need some time
After repeatedly agreeing, Paula left.
Once she left, Cassandra immediately tore up the paternity test in her hand and tossed it into the trash bin.