Chapter 174: Make Her Pay
Yannick knew the darker sides of female celebrities. As Calvin's friend, he felt obligated to advise him. Only then did Calvin realize his mistake. "It's not Stella," he said.
Yannick was perplexed. "Then who?" He only knew the rumors surrounding Stella and Nathaniel.
"Cecilia Smith."
Yannick quickly remembered Cecilia. His shock deepened. "You're planning to steal Nathaniel's wife?" He mused that if it were Stella, Calvin might have a chance, as they weren't married. But Cecilia, once the beloved Smith daughter, was hampered by deafness, preventing her from high society. She was the only woman to ever deceive Nathaniel; rumor had it her family absconded with her dowry and betrothal gifts, leaving Nathaniel humiliated. Yannick himself had been a mere observer at the time. Cecilia had faded from memory until Calvin's revelation.
"Calvin, what are you thinking? She's a married woman, and she's..." Fearful of upsetting Calvin, Yannick carefully continued, "...hard of hearing. She's not right for you."
"External circumstances don't determine suitability," Calvin replied.
Yannick realized Calvin was truly smitten. He wondered what made Cecilia so captivating to the usually cold-hearted Calvin. But whether Nathaniel would relinquish her was another matter entirely. Yannick believed Nathaniel, even if uninterested, wouldn't tolerate sharing a woman.
Chapter 174: Make Her Pay
Knowing Yannick's words were unwelcome, Calvin ended the call. Since encountering Cecilia five years prior, he'd vowed to protect her. By the time Cecilia returned to the office, Nathaniel and Stella were already there. Stella, impeccably dressed, sat on the couch, anger simmering in her eyes. Days earlier, she'd instructed Sean to approach Cecilia, but Cecilia's bodyguards had thwarted the attempt. Online news had escalated, damaging Stella's reputation. Stella had tried to unearth information about Cecilia's time abroad, but it seemed deliberately erased. Her fear of Cecilia reclaiming Nathaniel intensified.
Seeing Cecilia, Stella stood, aggrieved, and whispered to Nathaniel, "Nathaniel, we're leaving." She gave Calvin a meaningful look as they departed. Cecilia was puzzled. Nathaniel watched as she returned to her workstation.
"Have your friend drop the charges," Nathaniel said gravely.
Cecilia realized Stella had turned to Nathaniel after failing to resolve the plagiarism issue herself. "Why? She plagiarized, and she's the one who should face consequences." She couldn't comprehend Nathaniel's compromised sense of justice.
"Stella's issue involves Busworth Group's subsidiary, Central Media. International lawsuits take time. There's no need to waste energy."
Cecilia laughed incredulously. He would go this far for Stella?
Chapter 174: Make Her Pay
"My friend doesn't care about wasting time or energy. She wants Stella to pay for plagiarism! Central Media ignored it – shouldn't they be held accountable? Mr. Rainsworth, you're being selfish."