Chapter 216: Everything Had Changed

Braving the biting wind, Cecilia felt cold despite her heavy coat. Sven, mindful of surveillance cameras, drove to a location near her. He soon saw her approaching and opened the car door.

“Thank you,” Cecilia said, stepping inside. Sven immediately turned on the heater; he knew she disliked the cold from her time abroad.

“Where should we go now?” he asked.

Leaning back, Cecilia pondered. “Let’s go back to Daltonia Villa. Nathaniel will discover my departure soon, and I’m sure he’ll find fault with me again.”

“All right.” Sven chose a scenic route. Cecilia gazed at the passing scenery. “The last time you rushed home, did something happen?”

Sven tightened his grip on the wheel. “My fiancée called off our engagement.”

Cecilia was taken aback. Sven rarely discussed personal matters; this was the first she’d heard of his fiancée.

“Is it because of your job?” she asked, feeling embarrassed. Sven’s dedication was rare; he was always there for her, even late at night.

He narrowed his eyes. “She’s in love with someone else.”

A silence fell. Cecilia didn’t know how to comfort him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know—” Her phone rang—a call from Nathaniel. Remembering the housekeeper’s attitude, she silenced the call.

Through the rearview mirror, Sven asked, “Do you want to go back?”

“No need. Let’s continue to Daltonia Villa.” Cecilia was tired of compromising. Why should she return just because of Nathaniel's call? Lily was considered family; if he hadn't treated her coldly, would Lily have dared to be so rude?

Meanwhile, Nathaniel listened to the automated voice: “I’m sorry. The number you have dialed is currently unavailable…” He tried again, but got no answer. His patience frayed. He turned to Lily and the other housekeepers. “Why did she leave?”

The housekeepers looked at Lily. Lily, with tears streaming down her face, falsely claimed, “Sir, after you visited Old Mr. Rainsworth, I was cleaning. Ms. Smith jumped to a conclusion and slapped me twice. I wanted to seek justice, but she left.”

Nathaniel realized Cecilia only hit him. “Is that all?”

Lily looked timidly at him. “When Ms. Smith left, I tried to stop her, but she said she could come and go as she pleased and told me to mind my own business.”

Nathaniel rose. Before leaving, he warned, “You better not be lying to me.” A shiver ran down Lily’s spine.

Nathaniel immediately called his subordinate tracking Cecilia. “Where is she?” Lily and the others listened. Nathaniel’s urgency was unlike him. Before, he wouldn’t bother searching for Cecilia. Now, everything seemed changed.