Chapter 277: Who Is the Father?

Cecilia fell asleep as she talked. This time, Nathaniel was restless, Nicholas's words echoing in his mind: "The person she loves is me. The one she wants to marry, is also me."

After much difficulty, Nathaniel finally slept, only to dream of Cecilia leaving again. He awoke to find her still asleep beside him, the dawn breaking.

Unable to sleep, Nathaniel called Nicholas, but received no answer. Frustrated, he called Elena. "Mom, where's Nicholas?" he asked.

"Nicholas's condition has been fluctuating," Elena replied, sensing something was amiss. "He's been sent for treatment. What's going on?"

Nathaniel's gaze hardened. "Nothing important," he said, ending the call abruptly.

Elena had intended to ask about Cecilia, but sighed when the call ended. She turned to her secretary. "Has Jon returned to preschool yet?"

"The director mentioned he hasn't returned since his father picked him up a few days ago," the secretary replied.

Elena frowned, deep in thought. "Have we managed to arrange a meeting with Vivian?"

The secretary shook his head. "Vivian said she didn't want to meet."

Elena sighed, her frustration mounting. "When will I finally have a grandchild?" The thought of Nathaniel's future efforts benefiting someone else, especially with Nicholas's ill health and Nathaniel's apparent lack of interest in children, filled her with dread. "Go ask the director who Jonathan's father is. I want to meet him," she instructed.

The secretary promptly discovered that Zachary was listed as Jonathan's father. Elena was startled and immediately requested Zachary's presence.

At the hospital, Zachary had just finished surgery when Elena's secretary called. Given the close ties between the Sinclair and Rainsworth families, Zachary considered Elena family and immediately went to Rainsworth Manor after changing. Before leaving, he sent Nathaniel a voice message: "Nathaniel, Madam Elena mentioned you and Cecilia have returned. She asked me to come over, but I'm not sure why."

He then switched off his phone.

At Rainsworth Manor, Elena had prepared a large meal, hoping Zachary would bring Jonathan. However, their conversation revealed a misunderstanding—Jonathan was not Zachary's son.

"If he's not your child, then whose is it?" Elena asked, her composure finally breaking.

Jonathan's striking resemblance to Nathaniel led Elena to suspect he might be Nathaniel and Vivian's secret child. Recalling Vivian's unwelcoming demeanor at the preschool, her suspicions deepened.

Zachary shook his head. "I have no idea. But my grandfather still wants me to marry her."

"She already has a child. It's inappropriate for you to marry her," Elena said comfortingly.

Feeling unwell, Elena retired to rest. Alone in her room, she instructed her secretary to investigate Vivian's past, focusing on Jonathan's father.

Left alone at Rainsworth Manor, Zachary felt bored and was about to leave when Nathaniel called.

"What did she want from you?" Nathaniel asked.

Zachary briefly explained their conversation. Nathaniel didn't press further, assuming his mother simply craved a grandchild. He hadn't anticipated her proactive investigation.

By the time Cecilia awoke, the breakfast Nathaniel had ordered was cold. He called to delay delivery and went to his study. Opening his computer, he saw a message from Cecilia on his customer service account.