Chapter 41 A Talentless Primadonna
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Stella’s expression was somewhat hard to read. She couldn’t figure out what was going on. Since four years ago, Zachary had seemed like a different person, turning a blind eye to all her requests.
As for Nathaniel, Stella wasn’t confident that he would lend a hand.
Yet, there wasn’t anything Stella desired that she couldn’t obtain.
She said to her agent, “Find a way, no matter what, to get her composition in our possession.”
After hanging up the phone with Central Media, a hint of coldness flashed through Cecelia’s previously calm eyes.
Nobody understood Stella better than she did.
Over the years, Stella remained talentless in the acting or music scene.
Stealing the fruits of others‘ labor and usurping their livelihoods; she would never have lasted as long as she did without Nathaniel and Zachary’s support.
No one knew the struggles of composing music as a hearing–impaired person.
Over the years, Cecelia had been working tirelessly to take care of her two children and Martha. She was constantly working hard, afraid that they might not have a good life.
The money she was now earning was already enough to support her entire family.
Why would she ever sell her composition to Stella just for money?
Upon returning to her house, Cecilia set her phone aside and headed to the bathroom for a soak. As she bathed, she pondered how to get what she wanted as quickly as possible.
Perhaps due to extreme exhaustion, Cecilia unintentionally fell asleep while lying in the bathtub.
She was jolted awake by a call from her best friend, Vivian.
“Ceci, I’ll be back in a couple of days.”
Cecelia emerged from the bathroom, draped in a bathrobe. “I’ll throw you a welcome party once you’re back.”
“Sure. How have you been lately? Has Nathaniel been giving you a hard time? And what about that pretentious Stella? Does she know you’re back?” Vivian was genuinely concerned about Cecilia being alone.
“Stella still doesn’t know I’m back, but she will soon,” replied Cecilia.
Cecelia walked over to the window, where she was greeted by the warm, summer. She added, As for Nathaniel, don’t worry. I won’t let him bully me.”
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Chapter 41 A Talentless Primadonna
The doorbell rang mid–conversation.
It’s already nine at night. Who could possibly be coming at this hour?
Without Sven by her side, Cecelia felt a bit uneasy.
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Originally, Sven insisted on standing guard outside, but these days, he had been constantly protecting Cecilia without any time to rest. Thus, Cecelia instructed him to go back and take a break.
She descended the stairs, casting a glance at the surveillance footage by the entrance. Her breath hitched.
Why is he here?
Nathaniel was standing outside, his tall figure looming over her doorway. Under the streetlight, his face appeared particularly indifferent.
He was right outside, and there was no reason for Cecelia to turn him away.
She opened the door.
Cecelia wore nothing but a loose white bathrobe, her long hair untidily draped over her shoulders. She leaned against the door and stared at him.
“I was wondering who could be looking for me at such a late hour. Is there something you need, Mr. Rainsworth?” asked Cecilia.
Nathaniel stared at her current attire, momentarily stunned.
The transformation in Cecelia from her previously reserved self was immense.
For reasons unknown, Nathaniel suddenly found himself yearning to know what had transpired in her life over the years.
He explained, “I came to tell you about how we met by chance.”
Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed slightly as if he was trying to see right through Cecelia.
The intensity of his gaze made her palms sweat nervously. She forced herself to remain calm and said, “Mr. Rainsworth, you don’t plan to stand outside forever, do you?”
Nathaniel abruptly stepped forward, pinning Cecelia against the wall before swiftly closing the door behind him.
The air within the room suddenly grew
thin.
Leaning against the cold wall, Cecelia was about to speak when, in the next instant, her lips were covered by Nathaniel’s. At the same time, he had pulled her into a deep embrace.
Chapter 42 A Surprise Visit
Cecilia’s fingers tensed up involuntarily.
Nathaniel could sense her stiffness, and his large hand covered her daintier one. His passionate kiss was both dominant and hurried.
Cecilia kept her back rigid, forcefully repressing the unwanted feelings welling up within her.
Eli and Jon are still waiting for me to go back.
In the end, she decided to go along with his flow. Let’s see if I’ll become pregnant.
As that thought crossed her mind, she clumsily responded to him.
Nathaniel paused briefly, his stern brows quickly relaxing. He unfastened the buttons of his shirt and unbuckled his belt.
Fresh out of the shower, Cecelia’s fresh scent filled the air, seeping into his senses. The rhythm of his heart involuntarily quickened. Unable to contain himself any longer, he gently placed Cecelia onto the living room couch, peeling away her bathrobe.
Cecelia’s fist tightened even more.
She didn’t dare, or perhaps, didn’t want to look at Nathaniel. Instead, she stared at the warm light above her head. Uncontrollably, her mind echoed with countless intimate photos of Nathaniel that Stella had sent her in the past.
The words Stella once uttered echoed in her mind. Did Nathaniel ever tell you that he loved you, Ceci? He used to say that to me all the time.
She could feel the man’s warm skin getting closer and closer. Her crimson lips parted slightly as she asked, “Mr. Rainsworth, aren’t you afraid that Ms. Ross might get jealous and cause you trouble if we keep this up?”
Cecelia’s discouraging words at the last moment caused Nathaniel to pause in his tracks.
His gaze was ice–cold as she demanded, “Are you really going to keep playing dumb with me, Cecilia?”
Cecelia picked up her bathrobe that had fallen to the side, using it to shield herself. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she claimed.
Watching her actions, Nathaniel couldn’t help but recall that night from a few years ago, a memory that was deeply ingrained in his mind.
His throat tightened, and his slender hand once again rested on Cecelia’s slightly pale face as he slowly leaned in closer.
“Why did you come back this time?” he asked.
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Chapter 42 A Surprise Visit
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Cecelia had been on the run for over four years, and now she suddenly returned. He wouldn’t believe her if she said she had no ulterior motives.
Cecelia’s heart was pounding rapidly, fearful that Nathaniel would find out about their two children.
She forced a smile and said, “Mr. Rainsworth, are you suffering from paranoia? While it’s true that you’re wealthy and powerful, I’m not exactly lacking in funds myself. I came back this time solely to help those who, like me, were born with disabilities.”
Afraid he wouldn’t believe her, Cecilia even removed her hearing aid and showed it to him.
“You said you know me, then you should know that I was born with a hearing impairment,” she explained.
Nathaniel stared at the hearing aid in her palm, remaining silent. Gradually, he moved closer to her, close enough to hear each other’s breath and heartbeat.
Nathaniel questioned, “Since you claim not to know me, why don’t you tell me what you Calvin have been up to these past four years?”
His breath was heavy, his warm exhales brushing against Cecelia’s face.
Cecelia could almost hear his heartbeats.
and
She swallowed the feeling of past humiliation and faced him head–on. “Mr. Rainsworth, are you so fascinated by my past because you fancy me?”
Nathaniel’s heart sank.
And just like that, he abruptly let go of her hand.
“You’re overthinking it.”
Cecilia had long known that Nathaniel was heartless.
She had been chasing after him for over a decade, yet he never developed feelings for her. So, why would now be any different?
However, it was just as well that he didn’t like her. That way, she could leave with Jonathan and Elliot without feeling any guilt.
Cecelia’s phone suddenly rang with a video call.
It was no doubt one of her sons calling at that hour.
Cecilia extricated herself from Nathaniel’s embrace and donned her bathrobe. She reached for her phone, promptly ending the call.
Every move she made was keenly observed by Nathaniel.
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Chapter 42 A Surprise Visit
first met? I’ll get some wine, and we can take our time to talk.”
She decided to settle things quickly.
That
way, they could immediately leave for abroad.
After speaking, Cecelia quickly headed toward the second floor.
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She uncorked the wine she had prepared earlier, along with a packet of medicine and a sperm collection kit.
Chapter 43 Tampering The Wine
She slipped the drug into the red wine, then, dressed in a seductive, semi–revealing nightgown, Cecilia approached Nathaniel and poured him a glass.
“Here you go.”
Nathaniel observed her every move, delicately taking the wine glass from her. However, he didn’t drink it; instead, he spoke up without being prompted.
“You were ten when you returned from the village to Tudela, that was our first encounter.”
Cecilia paused, taken aback that Nathaniel actually remembered their first encounter.
She didn’t show any signs of oddness, instead, she pushed the wine toward him once more.
Unexpectedly, Nathaniel pushed the wine back to her, his words leaving no room for argument. “You drink first!”
Gazing at the wine before her, which had been tampered with, Cecilia didn’t hesitate as she picked up the glass and downed it.
The liquor slid down her throat, its taste both bitter and spicy.
Cecilia knew that if she didn’t drink, Nathaniel would certainly become suspicious.
Nathaniel, having spent so many years immersed in the world of business, would have noticed something was off if she showed even the slightest weakness.
Cecilia poured another glass of wine, setting it before Nathaniel.
“Mr. Rainsworth, it’s your turn now.”
Nathaniel picked up the wine glass, giving it a gentle swirl. Yet, he did not drink.
He looked at Cecilia in a calm and composed manner. “No rush, let me help you reminisce first.”
Reminisce?
How could they possibly reminisce about decades of memories in an instant?
Cecilia furrowed her brows.
Despite the air conditioning running in the room, a fine layer of sweat had formed on her forehead.
She clenched her palm tightly, forcing herself to stay alert. Her amber eyes locked onto Nathaniel’s, her breath coming out as delicately as silk.
“There will be plenty of time for reminiscing later. Given how late it is, don’t you want to do something else?”
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Chapter 43 Tampering The Wine
As she spoke, Cecilia picked up the wine glass and presented it to Nathaniel.
She wasn’t sure if this would work.
But she didn’t want to lose the hard–earned opportunity.
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In Nathaniel’s deep, icy–black eyes, Cecilia’s present reflection brought to mind a memory from four
years ago, when she had secretly been with Calvin.
He suddenly seized Cecilia’s wrist, closing in on her. “Is this how you seduced Calvin as well?”
Cecilia was taken aback.
Nathaniel’s words, cold as ice, cut like a knife. “Did he reject you? Is that why you came back to me? What do you take me for?”
Bang!
The wine glass slipped from her hand, spilling red wine all over the floor.
Nathaniel roughly shook off Cecilia. Before leaving, he couldn’t resist mocking her. “You’re really filthy!”
At that moment, Cecilia was burning up all over, but the tight grip of her left hand kept her
conscious.
The words spoken by Nathaniel reverberated in her mind, prompting a bitter smile.
Filthy? Who could compare to him when it comes to filth?
Even though it was clear there was no love between them, they had still insisted on it back then.
And now, he was pretending to be aloof!
Not long after Nathaniel left, the effects of the drug began to take hold. Cecilia rushed to the bathroom and turned the cold water on full blast.
Standing under the cold water, she scratched herself harshly, tormented. She didn’t stop until her arms bled, yet she still couldn’t manage to calm herself down.
She had rushed into things this time around.
In the living room, the urgent ring of the telephone echoed. However, Cecilia couldn’t hear it. She was washing herself repeatedly, trying to cool down and regain her composure.
Half an hour later, the mansion’s door was forced open from the outside.
A man donned in a black uniform, with a stern face and a sturdy build, pushed open the bathroom door.
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