Chapter 153: She Had Been Played

Cecilia gazed from a distance at the sea of pink begonias blooming outside the courtyard. “I didn’t expect them to still be here,” she murmured. Sven followed her gaze to the beautiful flowers. The mansion appeared quaint yet vibrant, testament to its owner's care. “What is this?” Sven asked. “The home I grew up in, in Tudela,” Cecilia replied, her gaze shifting away. She no longer had the right to enter. “Let’s go,” she said, as the vehicle slowly pulled away. Unseen, a disheveled man lurked in nearby shrubs.

After a city stroll, Cecilia asked Sven to drive her back to Daltonia Villa. Later, she sat in the music room, playing and writing sheet music. The bodyguard reported her itinerary to Nathaniel. That night, Nathaniel lingered at the office. Around nine, he instructed his driver to head toward the café on Cross Street. Cecilia, too, departed Daltonia Villa. Her phone vibrated; it was Sven: Nathaniel's car was heading toward Cross Street. Earlier, she had asked Sven to monitor Rainsworth Group to track Nathaniel's movements. It had all gone as anticipated. Stella, ever the busybody, had reserved a private room overlooking the street.

Cecilia arrived precisely on schedule, wearing a long dress with a light jacket to conceal allergic red spots. Even without allergies, she always wore a jacket due to her aversion to the cold. This Cecilia was markedly different from the woman Stella remembered from years ago. Her appearance was striking; she had regained her pre-marriage figure and possessed a captivating elegance. Stella felt a pang of jealousy. Cecilia undeniably inherited Paula’s stunning looks, particularly her physique, clearly the daughter of a renowned dancer.

“Take a seat, Ceci. Let’s talk,” Stella said, suppressing her bitterness and placing her phone on the table. The call to Nathaniel was already connected. Outside, he could hear their conversation.

Stella presented a check for one hundred million. “Ceci, you asked me to prepare ten billion and leave Nathaniel. I couldn’t, and even if I could, it wouldn't be right. Nathaniel isn’t a commodity. Take this hundred million as a personal sponsorship.”

Nathaniel, listening in his car, furrowed his brow. Did Cecilia really demand ten billion in exchange for me? he thought. He continued to listen, planning to retrieve her if she accepted. He would ensure her freedom ended.

Cecilia pushed the check away. “Didn’t you ask me how much money it would take for me to leave Nathaniel? Why are you setting a price?”

Stella paused. “When have I ever said that?”

“I’ve told you before, I have no need for your tainted money. When the Smith family went bankrupt, you didn’t help, and now you’re acting kind?” Cecilia countered, her gaze falling on Stella's phone. She knew Stella was speaking to Nathaniel.

Stella realized she had been manipulated. Livid, she ended the call. In his Cadillac, Nathaniel silently listened, then instructed his driver, “Head back home.”