Chapter 171 Dining With Someone Else
At Ascent House, Calvin had the chef prepare Cecilia’s favorite dish.
“You’ve lost weight recently. Eat a bit more.”
“Okay.”
Cecilia held her fork, gazing at the table filled with exquisite dishes, yet she had no appetite.
“What did you
s talk about today?” she asked.
Calvin served her some food. “Nothing much, just some work–related matters.”
“Did Nathaniel give you a hard time?”
Calvin’s hand, which was holding a fork, suddenly jerked. He looked at her with a playful glint in his eyes. “I’m not a young girl. What can he possibly do to me?”
He was being mischievous again.
Cecilia observed that while Calvin received respectful treatment from others outside, his demeanor changed when he was around her.
He became playful, occasionally resembling a child.
“I’m being serious with you. If he gives you a hard time, you need to tell me.”
“No way. I’m a man. How can a man ask a woman for help?”
Calvin continued to serve her food until her plate could hold no more before he urged her to eat.
Cecilia had no choice but to eat first.
While she was focused on her meal, Calvin noticed that she was wearing a high–necked, long- sleeved shirt. Despite the air conditioning indoors, it was a hot day and such attire would be unbearable once outside.
“Have you been feeling unwell again recently?”
He knew that she was afraid of the cold.
Cecilia noticed his gaze and shook her head somewhat unnaturally. “No, I just think it’s too cold in the office.
“You could bring a jacket in the future. Your neck must feel stuffy in that.”
“Okay.” Cecilia lowered her head, not wanting him to see the marks on her body.
Unbeknownst to her, Nathaniel was closely monitoring their every move through surveillance
next door.
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Chapter 171 Dining With Someone Else
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He gestured for the waitress, giving a few instructions. Before long, the waitress made her way to the private room where Cecilia and Calvin were with a bottle of red wine.
“Hello, this is a complimentary gift for the two of you.”
The waitress didn’t wait for Calvin and Cecilia’s response. She immediately approached the two of them, ready to pour wine for Cecilia.
“No, thank you. We don’t drink.”
Calvin furrowed his brow.
Aware that Cecilia struggled with controlling her drinking, he always prevented her from having alcohol when they went out.
His words caused the waitress‘ hand to tremble, spilling an entire glass of wine onto Cecilia’s clothes.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” The waitress immediately handed her a napkin to wipe with.
“No worries. I’ll handle it myself.
Cecilia was also flustered.
Because red wine had splashed onto her neck, the waitress unbuttoned her collar to wipe it off.
Calvin rose and took a few strides to reach her. As he intended to offer help, his gaze fixed on the faint blush gracing her slender neck.
He quietly shifted his gaze, handing a card to the waitress. “Get a new outfit and bring it here.”
“Sure.”
The waitress, trembling with fear, took the card and left.
Cecilia didn’t realize that Calvin had already noticed the mark on her neck. “I’m going to the
restroom.”
“Okay, I’ll have the waitress bring your clothes over in a bit.”
Cecilia nodded and hastily left the private room.
Yet, the moment she made her way to the restroom, her path was obstructed by a towering figure.
Nathaniel swiftly pulled Cecilia inside, closing the door behind them.
This was a unisex restroom.
Bewildered, Cecilia looked at him. “What are you doing here?”
“It was a coincidence. If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t have known how happy my wife was,
Chapter 172 Why Are You Crying
Nathaniel lifted his hand and caressed Cecilia’s neck.
Look at the state you’re in. It seems like you’ve been doing more than just having a meal.”
These words struck like a bolt of lightning, exploding in Cecilia’s mind.
What does he mean by that?
She evaded his touch. “Only someone with a dirty mind would think that.”
Nathaniel’s hand froze mid–air.
His eyes narrowed coldly. “What did I say that is dirty? The dirty one is you!”
He knew why Cecilia had ended up like this.
He just wanted to hear her explanation.
Yet, instead of explaining, she ended up scolding him.
“If I’m dirty, then why are you still standing here? Get out. Spare your eyes.”
Nathaniel’s anger grew more intense. He pulled her tightly into his embrace, his voice laced with mockery.
“Do you really think that dressing like this today would hide the marks on your body from him?”
Cecilia stared at him in disbelief, then looked down at herself.
Her collar button had come undone.
No wonder I noticed something odd in Calvin’s gaze earlier.
“H–How did you know? Are you spying on me again?”
Her eyes were tinged with red, tears welling up and veiling her vision in a misty sheen.
Her anguished stare resembled needles, all aimed at Nathaniel.
For some reason, he felt a certain ache in his heart.
“Do I have to spy on you to know? I saw it at a glance.”
He wasn’t exactly sure why he had lied about not spying on her. All he knew was that the sight of her on the brink of tears left a bitter taste in his heart.
He really didn’t want her to cry.
Cecilia still felt quite embarrassed.
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Chapter 172 Why Are You Crying
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Even if it had been Vivian present that day instead of Calvin, her reactions would have remained the same.
She felt dirty, and she didn’t want to be seen with such marks.
She had always believed that such matters should only be shared between two people in love, not those devoid of it….
She knew she had been too naive. After all, such things could happen among adults, even when love was absent.
But she found it incredibly hard to
vince herself because the most beautiful love she had ever seen was that of her grandfather and grandmother.
Her grandparents had stood by each other through thick and thin. They found each other during the times of war and their bond remained exceptionally strong, even when she was just a little girl.
She remembered when her grandmother, in her sixties, had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, forgetting everyone she knew.
However, her grandfather, who was the wealthiest man, never gave up on her. He stepped down. from his position as Chairman and devoted over a decade to caring for her, right until her death when she was in her seventies.
After her grandmother passed away, her grandfather never smiled again.
Cecilia had once asked her grandfather why he was so willing to care for her grandmother all these years without any complaints or regrets.
Her grandfather had replied, “When you conte across someone as dazzling as a rainbow, and everyone else seems insignificant in her presence, then you’ll understand.”
Not even a year had passed when her grandfather too departed from this world.
From that moment onward, Cecilia held an unwavering belief that genuine love existed in this world.
She too would encounter someone like her grandfather, someone who would love her unconditionally, caring for her without complaint or regret.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t as lucky as her grandmother.
The person she fell in love with didn’t love her back.
Her grandfather had never told her what to do when the person, as dazzling as a rainbow, didn’t love her back.
Tears streamed down uncontrollably from Cecilia’s eyes.
Nathaniel’s heart sank. He gently brushed away her tears.
Chapter 173 Steal His Woman
Does it matter if he noticed those marks?
“Do you care about him that much? Are you afraid he’ll be mad after seeing those marks?” Nathaniel’s voice carried a bitter edge.
Cecilia didn’t respond to him.
He simply couldn’t understand why she had cried.
Before, Nathaniel remained indifferent when Cecilia cried, but now, her tears left him feeling utterly powerless.
“Stop crying.”
He gently kissed her forehead, the bridge of her nose, and her cheeks.
A flicker passed through Cecilia’s eyes. She tried to push him away but simply couldn’t.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
“Ms. Smith, I brought you new clothes,” the waitress announced from outside.
Nathaniel abruptly halted, leaning close to Cecilia’s ear, his breathing heavy.
Cecilia wiped away the tears on her face and glared at him.
Nathaniel subtly shifted his position, allowing her the space to open the door and retrieve her clothes.
Cecilia cracked open the door slightly, collecting her clothes, and composed herself.
“Mr. Rainsworth, would you mind stepping out? I need to change my clothes.”
Fearing that she might cry again, Nathaniel left the restroom.
He stood outside, lighting up a cigarette. He found it challenging to suppress the unsettling feeling in his heart.
Why do I feel upset when Cecilia cried?
The waitress had bought her a summer top. Once she put it on, even though her hair covered her neck, the tiny, scattered marks were still visible.
Cecilia gazed at her reflection in the mirror for a long time before finally stepping out.
Nathaniel was still standing there when he saw her come out. He extinguished the cigarette in his hand.
“Where are you going?”
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Chapter 173 Steal His Woman
“Don’t you know? I’m having lunch with a friend.”
If it hadn’t been for the fact that Cecilia was truly under his surveillance, Nathaniel would certainly not have allowed her to go.
Perhaps out of a sense of guilt, he didn’t try to stop her.
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Having composed herself, Cecilia returned to the private room, only to find that Calvin had left a jacket on her chair.
“You’re afraid of the cold, so I had the waitress bring over a jacket.”
“Thank you.”
Cecilia put on the jacket.
Throughout the meal, Calvin refrained from mentioning the marks on her neck.
He kept serving her food.
Cecilia seemed somewhat distracted as she ate.
“Ceci, if something is troubling you, you must tell me. Don’t keep it all to yourself,” Calvin said.
“Okay.”
Calvin knew that her words were just lip service. She would certainly never ask him for help.
After they finished eating, he escorted Cecilia back to Rainsworth Group.
After watching Cecilia leave, he returned to his car.
A call came through. It was from his good friend, Yannick Hayes. “So, how did it go? Did you confess to her?”
Calvin gazed out the car window. “No.”
“What do you mean, no? That’s not like you at all.”
Calvin was always full of energy, acting swiftly in everything he did.
“I think she doesn’t like me. I’m worried that if I confess my feelings, we won’t even be able to remain friends afterward.”
On the other end of the phone, Yannick couldn’t help but laugh. “Who can resist your charm?”
“I have no choice. She’s in love with someone else.”
The thought of the marks on her neck made Calvin clench his fists..
“Who is it?” Yannick still didn’t know that Calvin was in love with Cecilia. He had only heard that
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For the sake of that woman, he had disregarded all risks and forcefully returned to the country.
“Nathaniel Rainsworth,” replied Calvin.
Of course. Yannick knew who Nathaniel was.
He couldn’t help but curse.
“You want to steal his woman?”
The person that Yannick had in mind was Stella.
What’s so special about an entertainer who’s been the object of a thousand admirers‘ dreams?
Holding his phone tightly. Calvin asked Yannick. “Is there a problem?”
Yannick was somewhat anxious.
“Stella is no ordinary woman. It’s clear that she’s no good. She’s simply not worth your trouble. with Nathaniel.”
Chapter 174 Make Her Pay
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Yannick knew all too well the true faces of some female celebrities in the entertainment industry.
As a friend of Calvin, he felt compelled to offer advice.
Only then did Calvin realize he had mistaken the person. “It’s not Stella.”
Yannick was puzzled.
“Then who else could it be?”
He was only aware of the rumors surrounding Stella and Nathaniel.
“Cecilia Smith.”
After some thought, Yannick quickly remembered who Cecilia was..
His shock intensified. “You’re planning to steal Nathaniel’s wife?”
If it’s Stella, he may have a chance. After all, the two aren’t married yet.
But Cecilia was once the beloved daughter of the Smith family. Her deafness prevented her from moving within the esteemed circles of high society.
She’s the only woman who has ever deceived Nathaniel.
Rumor has it that when the couple got married, her younger brother and mother took away all her dowry and betrothal gifts.
In the end, Nathaniel gained nothing, becoming a laughingstock to the world.
During that period, he was also just a spectator.
As time went on, the buzz about Cecilia gradually faded into oblivion. Had it not been for Calvin’s reminder, he would have completely forgotten that Nathaniel even had a wife.
“Calvin, what are you thinking? She’s a married woman, and she’s de” Afraid of upsetting Calvin, Yannick chose his words carefully. “She’s hard of hearing. She’s not the right fit for you.”
“External circumstances don’t decide whether she is the right fit or not,” Calvin responded.
Upon hearing these words, Yannick realized Calvin had truly fallen for Cecilia.
He wondered what was so special about Cecilia that Cavin, a cold–hearted man, would fall for her.
But whether Nathaniel would let him have her was another story.
He believed that once a woman was his, even if he no longer desired her, he wouldn’t allow her to be shared with other men.
Chapter 174 Make Her Pay
All right, I’m hanging up now.”
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Knowing that the words coming from Yannick’s mouth were all things he didn’t want to hear. Calvin ended the call.
Ever since he encountered Cecilia again five years ago, he lindolved to stay by her side and protect her properly this time.
By the time Cecilia returned to the office, Nathaniel had already come back
In the office, along with Nathaniel, was Stella.
She was seed on the couch, dressed to the nines, with a hint of anger flickering in her eyes.
A couple of days ago, she had instructed Sean to make a move on Cecilia. Bu Sican, ever the ine mammad that Cecilia was surrounded by bodyguards, making an immediate approach impossitie
The news.com the internet had escalated, tarnishing her reputation.
Stella had red dig up information about Cecilia’s time abroad, but it was as if someone had delibermely wiped in dean. She couldn’t find anything at all.
The more things progressed in this manner, the mork she found herself consumed by from She was terrified than Chalita would take Nathaniel back from her.
When Stella saw Celia re, she stood up, looking utterly aggrieved, and said to Nathamellin low voice. “Nathaniel. Wir leaving first”
When she left, she gave Cain a lock filled with profound meaning.
Cecilia was somewhat puzzled by wh she meant. Nathaniel carefully observed the new clothes she had just put on as she renumed other workstation.
“Have your friend drop the charges in Nathaniel said gravely.
It was then Cecilia realized that Stella band tumed to Nathaniel for help again after failing to resolve it on her own.
“Why? She plagiarized someone else’s music, and ye the victim is supposed to drop the charges
She really couldn’t comprehend how Nudumididlose his sense of right and wrong over a
woman.
“Stella’s matter doesn’t only concern herself, bu ails Busworth Group’s subsidiary, Central Media. Besides, international lawsuits aren’t something that can be settled in a short period of time. There’s no need to waste time and energy.
Cecilia laughed in exasperation.
He would really go this far for Stella, hube
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“My friend said she doesn’t care about wasting time or energy. She just wants to make her pay for plagiarizing! Central Media turned a blind eye to artist plagiarism. Shouldn’t they be held. accountable too? Mr. Rainsworth, you’re being a bit too selfish, aren’t you?”
Chapter 175 Protect You
Having concluded her words, Cecilia retrieved her bag from her workstation and strode out the door, leaving Nathaniel in stunned silence.
As Cecilia departed, Nathaniel fixated on her parting words, lost in contemplation for a long time.
That’s Cecilia?
My wife who used to tolerate others?
But for some reason, he didn’t get angry at all, having been confronted.
Instead, he found himself looking at Cecilia with newfound respect. It seemed he had underestimated his wife in the past.
Mason looked over and knocked on the door before entering.
“Mr. Rainsworth.”
Nathaniel had a stern look on his face. “What’s the matter?”
“Central Media’s stock has been dropping lately due to the incident with Stella. Should we let Central Media handle it themselves or should we send in our PR team?”
Nathaniel had mentioned he would no longer involve himself in matters concerning Stella in the future.
Therefore, Mason did not dare to make decisions on his own.
Nathaniel pinched the bridge of his nose. “I need you to look into someone for me, a music composer from Erihal, named Ms. Cecille.”
Mason thought he was being asked to help clean up Stella’s mess, so he nodded in agreement.
“All right.”
Having previously obtained information about Cecilia through special means, Mason now had a lead. So, he made an international phone call.
Two hours later, news came in.
“Ms. Cecille is quite renowned overseas. She composes music for numerous famous singers.”
Mason paused for a moment, then said, “Our people also found out that she’s actually Ms. Smith.”
“Cecilia?”
Mason nodded. He managed to find out news that Stella couldn’t uncover through special means.
Nathaniel was taken aback, his eyes full of surprise.
12.26 PM
Chapter 175 Protect You
No wonder Cecilia was so infuriated earlier. The songs
What else did she do when she was abroad?
What else is she hiding that I haven’t managed to uncover
£5.Pe
don’t want you to tell anyone about this. Is that uninston Nathaniel sternly instructed.
“Yes. Mr. Rainsworth.”
When Mason was about to leave, he turned back and asked, “Whalimu that matter concernin
Tebe,” Nathaniel responded tersely.
He could still afford a loss in Central Media.
Mason chique understand why Nathaniel made such a decision.
He had been working with Nathaniel for many years and knew well that he never engaged in umprofitable business.
“But this could also damage our company’s reputation.”
While perusing the documents, Nathaniel said, “The consequences caused by Stella shoutinel responsibility.. If the cuili make it as a star, then she shouldn’t bother at all.”
He was basically sang something of lesser importance to preserve something cruciallandi was speaking the truth.
He had done enough fim Seilla ower the years.
Yet, she remained unsatisfied. She even wanted to marry him.
He swiftly finished reading the documents he had at hand, then rose from his seat, ready to return to Daltonia Villa.
After leaving the office, Cecilia go into a car and had the driver take her home.
Not long after the car started moving, she had evague feeling that a car was following her. However, when she looked back, she didihane anyone.
to
Sven had to return to his hometown dite some matters, and Nathaniel’s bodyguard was no longer constantly following her around..
Cecilia thought she might be overthinking, sosie danih diwell on it any further..
However, she was oblivious to the fact that a man who always wore a baseball cap and drove a taxi, had been keeping a close watch on her these pan ddinys.
12:26 PM
Chapter 175 Protect You
Sean to get close to her. He could only patiently wait for the right opportunity.
Today was no different.
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He trailed after Cecilia the entire way, all while contemplating how to make his move on her.
Before this, he had sent a text message to Stella.
It read: Stella, I made a vow to protect you, and I intend to keep it. handle any threats that cross your path.
Stella was in the middle of her beauty routine when she saw a text message from Sean, along with a photo.
In the photograph, there was a sleekly designed Bentley.
Her eyes narrowed, and she swiftly typed a response.
It read: If you can do it, I’ll go back to Lushtopia with you.
Chapter 176 You Are Lying
With that promise, Sean was ready to risk his life.
He accelerated, heading straight for Cecilia’s car when the road was devoid of other people and vehicles.
Cecilia and the driver realized that something was off.
The driver hastily turned the steering wheel, attempting to swerve away.
But that taxi was coming at him at such a high speed. There was simply no way he could avoid it.
With a resounding crash, the entire vehicle was struck, leaving a massive dent and causing it to roll over.
The driver fainted on the
spot.
Cecilia suffered a blow to her head, yet she remained conscious. Her face was smeared with blood, and her vision was rapidly being tinted in shades of red.
She exerted all her strength, attempting to pry open the car door and crawl out.
At that moment, a man with a baseball cap and a scruffy beard stood before her, his face oddly
contorted.
“Help… save me…”
Cecilia thought it was merely a traffic accident and couldn’t help but seek his help.
Without any hesitation, Sean locked the car doors, giving her a cold, hard look.
“I’m not here to save your life.”
Cecilia narrowed her eyes, her ears buzzing.
“I’m here to end your life!” Sean spoke again.
Cecilia looked at him in disbelief. “I… I don’t know you.”
In her memory, she had no recognition of this man. Why would he want her life?
Sean simply leaned against the window and sat down, preventing her from crawling out.
“Do you want to know why I hurt you?”
Cecilia nodded with effort.
Sean didn’t hold back. “You shouldn’t have picked on Stella.”
Stella…
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Chapter 176 You Are Lying
Stella Ross…
“What’s your relationship with her?” Cecilia wasn’t willing to let it end just like that.
“I’m the man she likes. I’m her man,” Sean replied, emphasizing each word.
Upon hearing these words, Cecilia couldn’t help but recall a few days ago when Stella had informed Nathaniel that an uninvited guest had arrived at her home.
She tentatively asked, “Are you her fan?”
She knew that some fans could resort to extreme actions.
Sean quickly denied, “What fan? I was with her long before she became famous. I’m her first man. I’m her boyfriend. You have no idea how close we were when we were abroad.”
Cecilia was once again taken aback.
She knew that Stella’s life abroad wasn’t as flawless as she had claimed.
But that was the first time she had heard of her boyfriend from abroad.
She quickly brainstormed ways to extricate herself. Seeing how much the man cared about Stella,
she decided to use it to her advantage, deliberately aiming to unsettle him.
“But how come I heard her telling Nathaniel that you were… one of her obsessive fans?”
“What did you say?”
Cecilia forced herself to endure the pain and continued, “Don’t you know? She’s about to marry Nathaniel.”
“You’re lying.” Sean had investigated. Nathaniel had never intended to marry Stella.
“How could I possibly be lying? You know me. You should know that I’m Nathaniel’s wife, right? She’s gone to great lengths for Nathaniel. Did you visit her recently? She accused you of assaulting her and even complained to Nathaniel, labeling you a maniac who invaded her home.” As Cecilia spoke, she simultaneously kept a watchful eye on his expression.
When the car had flipped over, she had already activated the emergency feature on her hearing aid.
This device was something Calvin had prepared in the past, fearing that she might fall ill or encounter danger. As long as she pressed it, Sven would be alerted to her peril.
She hoped that Sven would quickly get in touch with someone to rescue her.
Sean was hopelessly in love with Stella, and he simply refused to believe what Cecilia had said.
“You’re lying. She loves me. She just told me she would go to Lushtopia with me.”
Chapter 176 You Are Lying
Cecilia understood he had been fooled by Stella.
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abroad
“You really are pitiful, you know. She has a perfectly good life. Why would she want to go with you? If I die, she can legitimately become Nathaniel’s wife. And you, you’re not far from landing in jail.”
Chapter 177 Do Not Leave Me Alone
Sean came to his senses.
He threw a punch at the glass.
Startled, Cecilia recoiled a bit, then feigned composure. “If you don’t believe me, call her and tell her I’m already dead.”
Without a second thought, Sean picked up his phone and dialed Stella’s number.
He couldn’t get through at all.
Stella had already blocked him.
“It seems she’s afraid of getting involved with you and being suspected. If you help me and the driver out now, I won’t press charges against you. At most, it was a driving error that caused the accident. Since we’re unharmed, you won’t have to face criminal liability.”
Sean’s heart was in turmoil. He was unsure if he should heed Cecilia’s words.
Cecilia was struggling to hold on, her voice growing weaker and weaker.
Suddenly, a cacophony erupted around them. Sean saw something and took off running immediately.
Cecilia’s vision was growing increasingly blurry, but she could vaguely make out a tall figure approaching her.
In the final moments of unconsciousness, she wasn’t able to identify who the man was.
The man’s shoulders felt broad and warm.
In the hospital ward, Nathaniel stood on the balcony, lighting a cigarette. Numerous scratches adorned his hands.
Just as he was about to take a drag, he glanced back at Cecilia lying on the hospital bed and extinguished the cigarette.
She hadn’t been back for long, yet she had already visited the hospital no less than five times.
At that moment, his phone rang. It was Mason who called.
“Mr. Rainsworth, the person responsible for the accident was taken away by Calvin’s men.”
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened slightly. “Okay. There’s no need to keep those bodyguards around. Cecilia anymore.”
Then, he ended the call.
Prior to the accident, he had gone back to Daltonia Villa, only to discover Cecilia’s absence.
Chapter 177 Do Not Leave Me Alone
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Subsequently, he questioned the bodyguard who had been diligently following Cecilia, and after a significant delay, he finally learned about her car accident.
By the time Nathaniel arrived, the woman was already drenched in blood. At that moment, he felt as if his own heart was about to stop beating.
Fortunately, Cecilia’s injuries were merely external, and her fainting was due to blood loss. It
wasn’t severe.
After he pulled Cecilia from the shattered car window, he was about to take her away when Calvin hurried over.
He wondered how Calvin came to know about Cecilia’s car accident. Upon arriving at the hospital, Cecilia was rushed to the emergency room. It was then that he discovered the emergency device in Cecilia’s hearing aid.
Cecilia had reached out to Calvin first.
Lying in her sickbed, Cecilia experienced a restless sleep, her entire body throbbing with pain.
She had a dream, in which she saw her father who had passed away many years ago.
Her father gently patted her shoulder, saying, “Poor Ceci, you must have suffered a lot…”
Yet, this moment of warmth did not last for long. Her father suddenly transformed into specks of stardust, vanishing before her eyes.
“Dad…” she called out in her sleep.
Nathaniel didn’t quite catch what she said. Assuming she had awakened, he moved closer.
The next moment, Cecilia fumbled and managed to grasp his hand.
“Dad, don’t go… Don’t leave me alone…”
Tears trickled down from the corner of Cecilia’s eyes, soaking into the pillow and disappearing without a trace.
Nathaniel could feel her firm grip, his heart a tumultuous mix of emotions.
Afraid of rousing her, he didn’t pull away and stood by her side.
It was precisely because she held onto his hand that she finally felt at ease.
By the time she woke up, it was already the wee hours of the morning and Nathaniel was nowhere to be found.
On the pristine white quilt, a suit jacket was carefully laid. She was gripping the sleeve of the jacket.
Chapter 178 The True Nature Of Stella
It took a while for Cecilia to regain some clarity. She discovered that her forehead, hands, and legs were all bandaged.
In the early hours of the morning, the sky outside was unusually dark.
The lights in the ward were not turned off. She turned her head, and under the soft light, she saw someone sitting next to her.
“Calvin…”
She parted her pale lips slightly.
Calvin was a light sleeper, so the faint cry of a woman was enough to rouse him quickly from his
slumber.
“You’re awake. How do you feel?”
The doctor had mentioned that her injuries weren’t too severe as she was sitting in the backseat.
Cecilia replied, “I’m fine. The driver…”
“He’s all right. He received timely treatment.”
Feeling relieved, Cecilia asked, “What happened after I fainted?”
“Not long after you fainted, I brought my men over and caught the guy who had tried to flee. Nathaniel was also there. He was the one who brought you to the hospital,” Calvin revealed without concealing the truth.
However, he didn’t disclose to Cecilia how Nathaniel rescued her from the car. Neither did he reveal that Nathaniel had stayed with her the entire night, only leaving half an hour ago.
Cecilia remained acutely aware that Nathaniel had stationed his men to shadow her every move, and the driver was equally under his employ. Consequently, she understood that any incident affecting her would swiftly reach his attention.
Thankfully, Calvin had also arrived, which scared Sean into fleeing. Otherwise, she might not have survived.
Cecilia instinctively felt that Calvin had arrived earlier than Nathaniel. She also believed that it was Calvin who had saved her.
Perhaps loving someone is inherently selfish, but Calvin never explicitly explained this to Cecilia.
“Nathaniel has always forbidden me from seeing you. Does he know you’re here watching over me?” Cecilia asked.
Calvin knew what she was worried about.
Chapter 178 The True Nature Of Stella
“Don’t worry. He knows.”
Calvin and Nathaniel had arrived at the hospital one after the other.
When Cecilia was in the emergency room, both of them had maintained an outwardly gentlemanly demeanor, neither one causing embarrassment for the other.
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An hour ago, Nathaniel had to leave due to some urgent matters. Before he left, he stationed numerous bodyguards at the entrance. Everything within the ward was under his watchful eye.
If Calvin and Cecilia were up to something, he would know about it.
Upon noticing that Cecilia’s lips were quite dry, Calvin rose to fetch her a cup of warm water. He gently fed it to her, reassuring her, “I’ve already had someone keep an eye on Sean. In the future, when Sven is away, I’ll have the others protect you.”
After drinking some water, Cecilia gave a nod.
“Okay.”
Calvin helped her sit up. “I’ve had it investigated. The man responsible for the car accident is Sean. He used to be a small business owner abroad. When Stella initially approached him, he even had a fiancée. Sean was quite smitten with Stella. He broke off his engagement for her and even paid a hefty sum to boost her career as a singer. He even wrote songs for her. But Sean eventually went bankrupt and could no longer financially support Stella, which led her to return to the country for further development.”
Cecilia wasn’t surprised.
She had long heard about Stella’s colorful past, just not in such detail.
She was convinced that if Nathaniel were to go bankrupt at this point, Stella would also choose to leave him.
Yet, many people failed to understand such reasoning.
“He’s not the only one who wants me dead. There’s also Stella. I learned from him today that he did all this to please Stella. I don’t want to send him to prison just like that,” Cecilia said.
She knew that the person who truly wanted to harm her was Stella.
Sending Sean to prison would be a good thing for Stella, as she wouldn’t have anyone bothering her anymore. –
“I want him to see Stella’s true nature.”
Cecilia feared that releasing Sean without consequences would leave her vulnerable to future harm.
Perhaps it would be wiser to extend a helping hand, encouraging him to abandon any pursuit of Stella altogether.
Chapter 178 The True Nature Of Stella
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Additionally, from their conversation today, she realized that Sean was an extreme individual.
Given Stella’s malicious intent, Cecilia decided to reciprocate by allowing Sean to exact his own form of retribution upon her.
Chapter 179 An Accident
:
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Calvin understood what Cecilia meant. “Get some rest. Leave this matter to me.
After saying that, he asked the doctor to come over and give Cecilia another check–up. Only after confirming that there were no issues did he say his goodbyes and leave.
By the time Nathaniel finished his urgent tasks, Calvin was no longer there.
Accompanying him was Zachary
The nurse was in the process of changing Cecilia’s bandages. Instead of entering, the two of them stood outside the hospital garden.
“How did the car accident happen? Have they found the culprit and the vehicle involved?” Zachary asked.
Nathaniel told him about Calvin finding the owner of the car first after he sent Cecilia to the hospital.
Zachary couldn’t help but be surprised. “This person has some skills. He managed to get ahead of you.”
Upon hearing this, Nathaniel suddenly asked, “What do you think about him? Is he better than me?”
He reflected on the fact that Cecilia had reached out to Calvin first.
Zachary was taken aback.
When he finally understood, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Nathaniel, how can he compare to you? No matter how capable he is, isn’t everything he has in this country still at your mercy?”
Nathaniel listened in silence, not deriving much joy from it.
A chilly breeze blew directly into his face, carrying with it a light drizzl
“You know, he was the first person Cecilia reached out to after the accident.”
Zachary was surprised. After a moment, he said, “Maybe he’s just good at charming people. Don’t all women like sweet talk? Besides, that guy has a sly look on his face.”
Nathaniel’s striking handsomeness resembled a rare cliffside flower–one to be admired from afar.
However, Calvin, equally handsome, exuded a playful charm.
Women generally found it hard to resist the allure of these young, charming men.
Chapter 179 An Accident
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Zachary scoffed at the type of man that Calvin was. While he was good–looking, Zachary believed that it was all just a facade.
“It’s getting late. You should head home,” Nathaniel said solemnly.
Zachary was momentarily stunned. I just got here, and he’s already rushing to send me away?
“All right.”
Though he was reluctant, he had no choice but to leave.
Before he left, he couldn’t help but glance in the direction of Cecilia’s ward.
Nathaniel returned to the outside of the ward, deep in thought.
Cecilia’s bandage had been changed. She glanced toward the doorway and met his gaze.
There were some creases on his normally impeccable suit and a hint of stubble on his lower jaw.
Nathaniel had always valued cleanliness, yet this was the first time Cecilia had ever seen him in such a disheveled state.
Noticing Cecilia’s confusion, Nathaniel walked straight over to her.
“I had breakfast delivered here.”
He did not ask about Calvin. He glanced at the suit jacket she had placed aside, pulled out a chair, and sat down next to her.
As he pulled out the chair, Cecilia saw the scar on the back of his hand.
“Your hand?”
Nathaniel has beautiful hands. How did they end up with so many scars?
“Just a minor injury,” Nathaniel said nonchalantly as he sat down.
Cecilia had not realized at all that the injury on his hand was from when he broke the window to rescue her.
“The doctor told me it was you who brought me to the hospital. Thank you.” Cecilia didn’t mention Calvin, fearing he might get angry,
Nathaniel’s expression softened considerably. “You’re my wife. It’s only right that I brought you to the hospital.”
“This crash…”
Before Nathaniel could finish his sentence, Cecilia immediately interjected, “It was an accident.”
She knew how much Nathaniel cared about Stella. If she were to tell him the truth, he would
12:27 PM t
Chapter 179 An Accident.
Nathaniel gazed at her intently without questioning her words
After breakfast was delivered, the two of them ate together.
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Nathaniel showed no signs of wanting to leave. Instead, he set up his office right there in the
ward.
Cecilia had to stay in the hospital for observation.
At night, the outdoor landscape held an eerily captivating beauty.
After spending a long time reading, Cecilia noticed that Nathaniel hadn’t left yet and, overcome by fatigue, fell asleep..
In her slumber, she dreamed of Sean.
The man glared at her, clutching a long blade in his hand, and lunged at her throat.
“No!”
Chapter 180 Where Are You Hiding Now
When Cecilia awoke, she was drenched in sweat and her body was shaking uncontrollably.
In the faint glow emanating from the adjacent care room, Nathaniel hurriedly approached. Seeing that she was okay, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“What’s wrong?”
Tears welled up in Cecilia’s eyes. “I dreamt that I was dead.”
That sensation felt incredibly real.
The mere mention of death inexplicably struck a hidden chord within Nathaniel. He stepped forward, pulling Cecilia into his embrace. Gently patting her back, he tried his best to soften hist
voice.
“You’re not dead. I’m here. Don’t be scared.”
Cecilia took her time to return to reality from her nightmare.
She lifted her gaze toward Nathaniel, but the light was too dim, making it difficult to discern his face.
“Thank you.
Following that, she gently freed herself from Nathaniel’s grasp and laid back down on the bed.
Her politeness and aloofness made Nathaniel feel quite uncomfortable. This time, he didn’t return to the room next door. Instead, he pulled back the covers and lay down next to Cecilia. drawing her into his embrace.
Cecilia’s body stiffened.
“You know, you can actually share with me if something’s bothering you,” Nathaniel said in a deep voice.
A lump formed in Cecilia’s throat.
Outside, a wild wind had suddenly picked up, bringing with it a torrential downpour.
The initially sweltering day had turned refreshingly cool due to a sudden downpour.
Cecilia was quite scared, but his embrace brought her comfort.
She always remembered that Nathaniel had a mild case of germophobia. Throughout their three–year marriage, he had never once embraced her.
And now, everything had changed.
“Nathaniel, do you still hate me?”
Chapter 180 Where Are You Hiding Now
His hold on her tightened, becoming more rigid.
Before he could reply, Cecilia added, “I don’t understand…
Nathaniel felt a tightness in his throat, unable to utter a single word.
Can’t a person change?
He didn’t even know what was happening to him.
He didn’t feel any particular affection toward Cecilia. He just thought that getting to know someone new would be a hassle.
He was simply fearful of her death.
After a long pause, Nathaniel asked, “If we were to divorce, would you marry Calvin?”
Cecilia shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
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However, in her heart, she yearned for a life of freedom, not wanting to be confined by her role. as the daughter–in–law of the Rainsworth family.
She now had a job she was passionate about and children to care for. She was no longer the woman who had nothing but Nathaniel in her heart, the woman who was solely focused on love.
“Would you like it if I let you guys go now?”
A glimmer of hope flashed in Cecilia’s eyes. “I’d appreciate it if you would let us go.”
Nathaniel relaxed his hold on her, a mocking coldness evident in his eyes.
“You really have quite the imagination!”
That single sentence shattered all of Cecilia’s hopes, making her realize that Nathaniel had been playing her all along.
“What do you take me for?”
“I’ll take you for what you take me for!”
Faking death, suddenly vanishing, even having a child…
How I wish I could just tear Calvin into a thousand pieces. There’s no way I would let Cecilia leave with
him.
“I hope you remember this. I’ve never been one to step aside for others.”
That night, neither of them managed to get a good night’s sleep.
iding Now
Chapter 180 Where Are You Hiding.
involving Cecilia, but she didn’t die.
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At that moment, a phone call came in. She picked it up, and Sean’s voice echoed from the other end. “Stella, you have to save me. I’m outside at the moment. I’ve been hiding.”
Stella’s eyes narrowed. “Where are you hiding now?”
Sean gave her the address.
After reading the address, Stella didn’t waste any time and immediately forwarded it to the police.
