Chapter 198: Accept It Without Regret

At Daltonia Villa, Cecilia ended her call with Vivian just as Calvin's call came through. She answered promptly. "I arranged for Sean to meet with Stella again today," Calvin said. Cecilia's heart skipped a beat. Was Stella truly hurting Sean?

"Do you know," Calvin continued, "that woman wanted him dead? If it weren't for my men, he would have nearly lost his life." He explained that he'd orchestrated events to reveal Stella's true nature to Sean. However, Sean, stubbornly refusing to believe the truth, had even found Stella's house. Initially, Stella feigned comfort, but later slipped him a sleeping pill. Once unconscious, she planned to stage his accidental death by turning on the gas. Fortunately, Calvin's men intervened and rescued Sean, removing Stella before her plan could succeed. Panicked, Stella then harmed herself and played the victim, claiming an obsessed fan had attacked her.

Cecilia was shocked and horrified. Her suspicions were confirmed—this was a deceitful act orchestrated by Stella.

Calvin, sensing Cecilia's silence, asked, "Cecilia, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she replied, snapping back to reality. "I just didn't expect her to be so ruthless."

"Given her past as an orphan, she clearly has her share of tricks," Calvin said, his gaze darkening. "You need to be cautious with someone like her." He paused. "Have you sorted out the matter of your pregnancy?"

Cecilia answered honestly, "Yes, it's taken care of."

"Good. I'll retrieve Elliot as soon as possible, and then we'll head back."

Cecilia felt a pang of worry. She knew the security where Elliot was kept was far tighter than at the hospital; bringing him out would be challenging. "Could we wait a few more days? I'll try to persuade Nathaniel to release Eli willingly." She was concerned about Calvin risking harm or offending Nathaniel because of her; she felt deeply indebted to him.

Chapter 198: Accept It Without Regret (continued)

On the balcony, Calvin stared into the night, his throat tightening. He'd recently learned from Seven that Cecilia and Nathaniel were inseparable. While he understood her desire to conceive, he was, after all, human. Seeing the woman he cared for with another man was painful.

"All right," Calvin said, respecting Cecilia's decision.

After the call, he looked at Sean, who had just awakened in the hospital bed. Sean's eyes were hollow. "I gave up a fiancée who loved me for eight years, invested all my money, and even harmed others—all for her—and she wanted me dead!"

Calvin stepped forward, his expression cold. "So now you regret it?"

Sean's eyes were filled with bitterness. "Of course! I wish I could have killed her right then and there!"

Calvin said nothing and left the ward. The bodyguards bowed respectfully. Outside the hospital, he reflected that if Cecilia ultimately chose Nathaniel, he would accept it without regret. His feelings were his own choice, not imposed. He would remain kind, even if his love faded; they would remain friends.

A luxury car pulled up. Yannick, a close friend and Calvin's business manager while he was abroad, leaned out the window. "Calvin, get in."

Once Calvin was inside, Yannick sighed. "Recent projects have faltered again, all because of Nathaniel. He's determined to oppose you. We're financially stable now, but if those old-timers overseas hear about this, we'll be in serious trouble." Yannick's words were a thinly veiled attempt to persuade Calvin to give up on Nathaniel's wife. Why, of all people, did Calvin have to fall for a married woman?