Chapter 146: Is It About Money?

Jonathan felt helpless. He'd been hiding in the car for a long time, unnoticed.

“This morning, I overheard your phone call to Mommy. You sounded anxious, so I followed you.”

“You little brat! Don’t ever do that again. It’s dangerous.”

Vivian secured him in his car seat and drove him to kindergarten. “Don’t worry, your mommy’s fine. She had an allergic reaction.”

“How did Mommy get that?”

Jonathan remembered his mother’s seafood allergy. Could someone have given her something containing seafood?

Vivian had promised Cecilia she wouldn't tell Jonathan the truth, but he'd already noticed something. She had no choice but to confess.

Worry filled Jonathan's eyes. “Ms. Kennedy, when can I see Mommy?” He longed to comfort her.

“Not now. Wait a few days.”

“Fine.”

Jonathan felt disheartened.

Inside the hospital, Nathaniel frowned at Cecilia's red rash. “Why haven’t they disappeared yet?”

“It’ll take at least half a day,” Cecilia replied.

The doctor had explained that the rash was the only outwardly visible symptom. Only the sufferer knew the excruciating itch, far worse than pain.

Nathaniel never imagined his first cooking attempt would hospitalize Cecilia. “Is there anything else you can’t eat?” he asked.

Cecilia hesitated, then shook her head.

Nathaniel started to ask something else, but his phone rang. Cecilia saw "Stella" on the screen. He took the call on the balcony.

Their conversation was unclear, but upon returning, Nathaniel said, “I have business to attend to. Mason will help with your discharge and take you back to Daltonia Villa.”

“There’s no need to trouble—”

Nathaniel interrupted sharply. “I’ve replaced your driver. Mason will arrange a new one.” Cecilia's chauffeur was one of Calvin's men. Nathaniel had planned this after learning of her disappearance.

Cecilia choked back her words. He'd always been autocratic, disregarding others' wishes.

After Nathaniel left, Mason handled Cecilia's discharge and arranged a new driver. “Ms. Smith, if you need anything, let me know,” he said.

Cecilia replied, “Okay,” exited the car, and returned to the mansion.

The mansion was unusually quiet. Unable to sleep, she resumed composing music. She heard the front door open downstairs, assuming it was Nathaniel, and ignored it. Only when a knock came did she see Elena, elegantly dressed. This was their first meeting in years. Elena hadn't expected Cecilia to be alive, back at Daltonia Villa, as Stella had said.

“Let’s talk.” Elena sat down.

“What would you like to talk about?”

“Why did you return?” Elena asked directly.

Cecilia laughed. “Do I need a reason to come home?”

Elena was surprised by the retort from her once docile daughter-in-law. “You faked your death and left, then returned. If you claim no agenda, I won’t believe you. Is it for the money?” Elena produced a check. “Fill in any amount.”