Chapter 31 She Was Absolutely Not Dead.
He hadn’t finished explaining when an elderly man, covered in wounds, was thrown in by the bodyguards outside.
Zachary knew him; he seemed to be called Randy Larke.
Two days ago, Nathaniel had people locate Paula and Magnus, who had fled overseas. Only then did he find out that the person Cecilia was supposed to marry was Randy, not Calvin!
Therefore, he had the old man kidnapped.
Despite enduring a day and night of torment, Randy still had no clue about Cecilia’s whereabouts.
Nathaniel, with eyes as deep as an abyss, looked at him. “Do you still want to marry Cecilia?”
Randy, supporting his injured body, hastily prostrated himself.
“No, no, I dare not do it again..
He was then dragged out.
Even a fool could tell what his fate would be.
Nathaniel’s face was inscrutable as his gaze fell on Zachary. “Were you speaking on behalf of Cecilia just now?”
A lump formed in Zachary’s throat, leaving him without a rebuttal.
“I just feel that there’s no need to constantly target her.”
Nathaniel’s hand, which was holding the pen, slowly tightened, causing the veins on the back to bulge.
“She was the one who targeted me first.”
Once he finished speaking, Nathaniel stood up. “Zach, you don’t really believe she’s dead, do you? Have you never heard of the saying, ‘A calamity leaves its mark for a thousand years? A person like her absolutely won’t die!”
The way he said it seemed more like he was trying to convince himself.
The alarm on his phone went off. Nathaniel glanced at the time, realizing it was time to get off work. With that, he promptly left Zachary alone there.
The office was eerily empty.
Zachary clenched the emerald pendant in his hand so tightly that his palm bled before he finally released his grip.
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Chapter 31 She Was Absolutely Not Dead
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He made his way outside and saw Randy, who had been tossed on the side of the road, barely clinging to life. Seeing that, he issued a cold command, “Take him back.”
At Daltonia Villa.
The interior of the house was eerily silent. In the corner of the living room was a vibrant red suitcase, which stood out in stark contrast,
Upon his timely return home, Nathaniel found himself sitting on the couch that Cecilia used to occupy frequently.
Everything was as it used to be, yet it wasn’t.
He wasn’t sure how long he had been sitting there when his gaze fell on the suitcase.
Zachary had sent his men to deliver it, the contents of which were Cecilia’s belongings. Up until now, Nathaniel had yet to open it.
Moving forward, Nathaniel bent down to open the suitcase.
The code for the suitcase was incredibly simple it was his birthday!!
The reason why Nathaniel knew that was because Cecilia had set his birthday for the entire villa’s security codes.
Inside the suitcase were everyday items and clothing. It was so simple that it hardly seemed like a suitcase belonging to a woman.
Nathaniel didn’t dare to root through the items, so he closed the suitcase once more.
He didn’t even eat his dinner before he returned to the bedroom that once belonged to both of them.
Upon entering, he immediately spotted the urn containing Cecilia’s ashes, as well as the displayed. black and white photo.
After the bones were incinerated, DNA testing was no longer possible. However, Nathaniel was certain that Cecilia hadn’t died…
She absolutely wouldn’t die! Nor did she dare to!
How could Cecilia, who was so afraid of pain, dare to die?
She simply wished to deceive him, all to be with Calvin.
Nathaniel had had someone investigate Calvin, who had remained unmarried and single. In Cecilia’s eyes, he was her prince charming, as well as her childhood sweetheart.
Sleep cluded Nathaniel for most of the night.
The next day, he woke up quite early.
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Chapter 31 She Was Absolutely Not Dead:
His assistant had his breakfast delivered right after Nathaniel finished freshening up.
At first, he didn’t notice any changes in his life, but gradually, he began to realize.
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There was a set of dinnerware missing from the dinner table.
An additional photo had appeared at home.
When he didn’t return home, he didn’t receive any persistent texts urging him.
Where he used to return home to a brightly lit–up house, he now returned to darkness…
He didn’t know when it started, but he started to return home earlier and was more punctual than
ever.
Everyone in the company noticed the changes in Nathaniel.
When Cecilia was still alive, Nathaniel would intentionally keep himself busy until late into the night, avoiding going home.
Nathaniel’s secretaries couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
“Just how much did Mr. Rainsworth despise that deaf woman? Ever since her death, he has been leaving the office punctually every day.”
“If I were as exceptional as Mr. Rainsworth, I wouldn’t fall for a deaf woman who neither knows how to dress up nor understands romance or fun!”
-Exactly! If I were as beautiful as her, I would definitely make sure to doll myself up every day.”
Chapter 32 Have You Fallen For Her
Upon hearing their conversation, Mason intervened.
It wasn’t that he loved to meddle in others‘ affairs, but rather, he had a knack for reading people’s expressions.
In recent times, apart from his work, Nathaniel’s main activities were sending out men to search for Cecilia, as well as suppressing Calvin’s business.
In Mason’s perspective, this series of behaviors was definitely not just because Nathaniel disliked Cecilia.
As the days passed by, Nathaniel never once gave up on his search for Cecilia.
On Christmas Eve, a heavy snow was falling.
In the past, Cecilia would always accompany Nathaniel back to Rainsworth Manor to celebrate Christmas Eve.
But this year was different – Nathaniel returned alone.
Unlike the lively banter he engaged in when Cecilia first passed away, Nathaniel was now mostly sitting alone, barely willing to speak. The icy cold aura surrounding him was so intense, it deterred anyone from approaching him.
He came in a rush, and just as hurriedly, he returned to Daltonia Villa.
Outside the villa, a blanket of pristine white snow had accumulated, presenting a pleasing sight to the eye.
But for some reason, he kept feeling like something was missing..
Nathaniel stood in front of the floor–to–ceiling window, lighting one cigarette after another.
“Cecilia, you better hope I don’t find you!”
Behind him, someone pushed the door open..
Nathaniel turned around, only to see his mother, Elena, elegantly dressed in luxurious attire, entering
“Nathaniel, what’s really going on with you? I feel like ever since Cecilia’s death, you’ve become a completely different person.”
Nathaniel remained indifferent.
He remained unchanged, from beginning to end!
Unable to hold back any longer, Elena voiced her confusion, “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for Cecilia? But she’s no longer here.”
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Without a moment’s hesitation, Nathaniel declared, “As if she’s worthy!”
Elena wanted to say something more, but Nathaniel sternly showed her the door.
The moment she left, Nathaniel sat alone in the living room, drinking.
He couldn’t recall how much he had drunk, only that he drank until he lost consciousness.
Even though the heater was on, Nathaniel still felt cold. “Cecilia, Cecilia…”
The clock struck twelve.
When Nathaniel woke up from his drunken stupor, he thought he saw Cecilia.
But when he reached out to grab her, everything turned into nothingness…
Att
the same time in Seabay Villa, Zachary was also not asleep.
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His phone kept ringing with calls from Stella. When he didn’t pick up, she started sending text
messages.
Without even glancing at his phone, Zachary switched it off.
Subsequently, he took out the emerald pendant he always carried with him. He held it tightly, his fingertips gently caressing its surface.
Four years later, at Erihal Airport.
A group of two adults and a child was particularly eye–catching.
The young woman in the group wore her long hair simply pinned up. She had a hearing aid in her ear, and her face was exquisitely beautiful. Particularly striking were her eyes, lively yet possessing a depth of melancholy uncommon for her age.
Beside her sat a little boy, around three or four years old. He was dressed in simple casual clothes,
yet
he carried an air of understated elegance.
The young one was engrossed, holding a copy of a financial newspaper in his hands.
On the other side of the little one sat Martha, who was already over fifty years old.
“It’s time, Jon. Make sure you listen to Grandma Martha, all right?” After glancing at the clock, Cecilia tenderly patted her son’s head.
Upon hearing the words, Jonathan Smith obediently closed the newspaper, quietly covering the page about Nathaniel. Then, with a serious demeanor, he responded, “I will.”
The little one was barely over three years old, yet he behaved like a miniature adult.
Cecilia gazed at the boy who bore a striking resemblance to Nathaniel and couldn’t help but hold. him a little tighter. “You must also take good care of your younger brother.
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Chapter 32 Have You Fallen For Her
Beside her, Martha gently patted her shoulder.
“Go on. I’ll take good care of the two boys,” she assured Cecilia.
Nodding, Cecilia dragged her suitcase onto the plane bound for Tudela.
Chapter 33 Her Return
Inside the first–class cabin of the plane, Cecilia gazed out the window at the white clouds, her mind drifting back to four years ago.
Back then, she was utterly disheartened and sought Calvin’s assistance to fake her death and flee the country. Later on, while abroad, she prematurely gave birth to a pair of twins.
Everything had been going smoothly until an unfortunate turn of events in March. Her younger son, Elliot Smith, who was already in poor health due to being born prematurely, was diagnosed with a malignant hematopoietic stem cell disease – commonly known as leukemia.
The doctor informed Cecilia that blood disorders could be treated through the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.
Hence, for the past few months, Cecilia had been constantly scheming, trying to find a way to acquire Nathaniel’s sperm.
Regrettably, she had failed.
The sooner the transplant treatment, the better. Thus, Cecilia had no choice but to return home to obtain it herself!
If it weren’t for Elliot, she would have never returned to that place, nor would she have sought out Nathaniel again!
Before the airplane took off, Cecilia received a message from Vivian Kennedy, her best friend.
Vivian: I’ll be a bit tied up lately, but once I’m back, we’ll sort out Nathaniel together. We also need to teach that pretentious b*tch Stella a lesson.
Vivian was a friend whom Cecille had met back in university. Later, she went abroad for further studies, and as Cecille got married, their communication dwindled.
Four years ago, Cecilia chanced upon her when she arrived at Erihal.
Upon reading the text message, a sense of warmth filled Cecilia’s heart. She replied: Okay.
Subsequently, she shut off her phone.
Whenever summer arrived in Tudela, it was always accompanied by constant heavy rain.
When Cecilia disembarked from the plane, it was already seven in the evening. As she looked around at the place that was both familiar and foreign to her, she appeared somewhat dazed.
Upon exiting the airport, a luxurious Lincoln pulled up promptly in front of Cecilia.
After the driver got out of the car, he respectfully opened the door. “Ms. Smith, please get in.”
Cecilia nodded. “Sorry for the trouble, and thank you,”
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Chapter 33 Her Return
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The driver gave a gentle smile. “Ms. Smith, you’re a friend of Mr. Reese, so there’s no need for formalities. He’s already arranged your accommodations in advance.”
Naturally, the driver was referring to Calvin.
Had she not sought out Calvin’s help four years ago, Cecilia would have remained oblivious to the fact that he had simply been modest when he said he was a small business owner.
Calvin’s overseas business was thriving, and it was fair to say he had fingers in every pie. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to help her and the two children evade Nathaniel’s investigation.
Seated in the car, Cecilia was gazing at the passing scenery.
Four years had passed, yet Tudela hadn’t changed much. Perhaps the only noticeable difference was the ubiquitous posters of Stella on the buildings!
Throughout these four years, Stella had lived a life of prosperity. She was more than just a singer now, having become a top–tier actress in the acting industry as well, standing unrivaled in her fame and success.
Cecilia’s beautiful
eyes shifted
away.
An hour later, the vehicle came to a halt within a villa district known as Ninth Ville.
The villa district was very tranquil, and even at night, the view was pleasing to the eye.
After being brought to her residence, Cecilia immediately called Martha to tell her that she had arrived safe and sound.
“Martha, where’s Jon?” Cecilia asked, finding it odd not to see Jonathan around.
Martha replied with a smile, “Reading a book in the room.”
While other children of his age were still struggling to recognize all the alphabets, Jonathan was exceptionally intelligent. Not only was he proficient in Clusian, but Uprian was also second nature
to him.
At times, when discussing matters, he spoke like an adult.
Cecilia had once heard Elena reminiscing about Nathaniel’s childhood, and he had been much the same.
Precisely because Nathaniel was naturally gifted and intelligent, he received meticulous nurturing from the head of the Rainsworth family. From a young age, he was considered a prodigy…
Martha brought her phone into Jonathan’s room, where she heard him rustling about as he packed up some items.
“Grandma Martha, you forgot to knock again. That’s not very polite,” Jonathan said with the
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Martha was instantly embarrassed. “Oh dear, this old woman’s mind is like a sieve. I’ve forgotten again. Jon, please don’t get upset with me.”
After stowing away his things, Jonathan turned his amber–like bright eyes toward Martha and said, “I won’t.”
After he finished speaking, he took the phone in his small hands, looking at Cecilia through the video call.
Chapter 34 He Had Become Increasingly Ruthless
“Mommy, have you arrived yet? On the nights when I’m not around, always remember to have a warm glass of milk before you go to sleep. Also, don’t forget to take your vitamins… and don’t kick off your blanket while you sleep at night; you’ll catch a chill. I left my and Eli’s favorite plush toys in your suitcase. If you can’t sleep, let them keep you company…”
When it came to her eldest son, he was the type who, if he didn’t feel like talking, wouldn’t utter a single word.
However, whenever he spoke, he sounded like an elder, constantly nagging and fussing. It was unclear who he had inherited this from.
At times, Cecilia felt as if he was the adult between them.
“All right, I’ll definitely remember.”
Once Jon finished speaking, it was only then that Cecilia reluctantly ended the call.
Back when she first left for abroad, she had been battling depression and suffered from hearing impairment. On top of that, she was pregnant, so she often had sleepless nights and struggled to
cat.
After the birth of the twins, her illness hadn’t been cured, but her condition had improved somewhat.
As the children gradually grew up, they surprisingly began to take care of her once the two little ones learned to walk and talk.
They were practically her saviors.
After having some milk and vitamins, Cecilia proceeded to open her suitcase. Sure enough, she found two rabbit plushies inside, both faintly carrying the scent of milk.
That night, Cecilia lay in bed and was able to sleep remarkably peacefully while holding onto them.
The following day, at the break of dawn.
Cecilia received a text message: Nathaniel returns home today and is set to attend a charity auction at the Stelason Hotel at nine o’clock in the evening
Before returning here, Cecilia had already instructed people back home to investigate Nathaniel.
She knew he was overseas managing a project and was due to return soon, but she hadn’t expected him to be back this quickly!
Four years had passed, and even though she had gradually let go, the thought of having to actively approach this man again filled her heart with an extraordinarily complex mix of
emotions.
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Chapter 34 He Had Become Increasingly Ruthless
In the evening, at nine o’clock, the charity gala officially commenced.
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A person of power and influence like Nathaniel had a private room all to himself. He didn’t need to bid personally; that task was taken care of by an assistant or a secretary.
On the second floor, Nathaniel sat in the VIP room, immaculately dressed in a crisp suit. His eyes, cold and as dark as obsidian, watched the charity auction taking place downstairs dispassionately.
The reason he came here today was for a necklace.
It had previously been left at the Smith family residence by Cecilia, and afterward, Paula and Magnus sold it off for a pittance overseas. Now, it had somehow found its way back.
Over the years, he had never missed any news about Cecilia, no matter what it was.
After several consecutive auction items, it was quickly the Trapiche emerald necklace’s turn, with a starting bid of ten million.
Nathaniel’s secretary promptly raised a sign. “Twenty million.”
The people present o
help but gasp at how the price suddenly doubled. Many of the
wealthy individuals had seen Nathaniel’s secretary before.
Hence, everyone knew full well that they couldn’t afford to offend Nathaniel,
Just when everyone thought that the necklace would go to Nathaniel, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
A stunning woman, almost enchantingly beautiful, raised a sign. Thirty million.”
For a moment, everyone held their breath, not because her bid was high, but because she had the audacity to vie for something that Nathaniel desired.
Over the past few years, Nathaniel had become increasingly ruthless. Anyone who dared to snatch something he had his eye on would either end up with their family destroyed and lives lost, or they would be left in a state worse than death!
Nathaniel was the tyrant of this place, and no one dared to cross him.
As the woman spoke, Nathaniel’s gaze successfully fell upon her. His black pupils contracted, and in that moment, it seemed as if his heartbeat had come to a halt.
In the depths of Nathaniel’s dark eyes was the reflection of Cecilia’s stunningly beautiful face.
Four years ago, she only wore dark–colored clothes and never wore makeup. But now, she was different. She was dressed in an off–shoulder ivory white gown, her ink–black hair cascading over her shoulders. A pearl hairpin adorned her temples, adding a touch of radiant elegance without being overly seductive.
At that moment, every drop of blood in Nathaniel’s body began to roil with excitement.
Chapter 35 I Lost My Memory
Downstairs, even before Cecilia arrived, she had noticed the most luxurious and best–viewing private room for the auction upstairs.
The design of the private room incorporated one–way glass. From the outside, one couldn’t see the people inside, yet those inside could clearly view the outside.
She intentionally chose a spot where someone in the private room could see her to sit.
Then, as if unintentionally, she lifted her gaze toward the private room upstairs.
It was merely a fleeting glance, with not a hint of emotion in her eyes.
Inside the private room, Nathaniel’s assistant, Mason, was dumbstruck. “Ms. Smith!”
Suppressing his urge to rush down, Nathaniel gave orders to Mason.
“Forfeit the bidding.”
“Understood.”
Upon receiving instructions, the secretary downstairs abandoned the bid.
Everyone initially thought they were going to witness a grand display of wealth today, but to their surprise, Nathaniel had actually decided to back down.
Their faces were all filled with shock.
They wondered just who this woman was that she dared to compete with Nathaniel for something he had his eye on.
The crucial point was that Nathaniel had actually relented and allowed her to have the item.
After the charity auction, as per the rules here, the bidder was required to make the payment before they could collect their item.
At the backstage of the auction.
When Cecilia entered, the room was notably empty. Her eyes immediately landed on Nathaniel, who sat alone on the couch.
The man’s lean figure was cloaked in a black suit, exuding a noble air. His handsome, cold face and deep, dark eyes had been fixed on her since she walked through the door.
“Cecilia!”
Nathaniel gazed deeply at Cecilia, his thin lips parting slightly.
He awaited her explanation, curious as to why she had faked her death and vanished for four years. He wondered where she had been all this time, and what she had been doing.
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Chapter 351 Lost My Memory
Four years had passed, and her transformation was immense…
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The woman who had previously shown no interest in dressing up had now meticulously applied makeup. Where once she used to only wear dark clothes, she had now switched to a vibrant
gown…
For the first time, Nathaniel discovered that his wife had this side to her as well.
He simply watched as Cecilia drew closer to him, his Adam’s apple subtly bobbing.
Stopping half a meter away from Nathaniel, Cecilia greeted, “Hello, sir!”
Nathaniel was taken aback.
Before he could react, Cecilia glanced around.
*Excuse me, but are you the person in charge of this auction? I’m here to make a payment and collect my item.”
At that moment, Nathaniel’s face turned incredibly grim.
Nathaniel rose, his towering figure blocking most of the light from Cecilia’s view. He looked down at her. “Who do you say I am?”
His voice was deep, laced with a hint of huskiness.
“Who are you? Do I know you?” Cecilia asked, her expression calm.
Nathaniel’s throat tightened.
A chilly aura exploded from him. “You don’t know me? Well, let me introduce myself!”
Cecilia’s pupils narrowed.
Before she could react, Nathaniel brought her into a passionate and intense kiss.
Cecilia began struggling in frantic desperation as her breathing was muffled.
However, Nathaniel had her securely locked in his embrace, his large hand covering the skin of her back, his actions becoming increasingly bold.
She initially thought she could pretend as if nothing had happened, but she had failed.
A misty veil clouded her eyes and, unable to contain herself any longer, she lifted her hand and landed a harsh slap on Nathaniel’s cheek.
“Please, respect yourself! Four years ago, I fell seriously ill and lost my memory.”
Nathaniel’s body stiffened as he stopped, looking at her in disbelief.
Taking advantage of the moment, Cecilia managed to break free, stepping back with a wary
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Chapter 35 I Lost My Memory
When Nathaniel saw this action, his emotions were thrown into chaos.
“You say you’ve lost your memory? Then how do you still recognize this necklace?”
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