Chapter 310: Shareholder Meeting

Martha was startled to find Nathaniel, his sleeves rolled up, washing dishes in the overflowing sink. His presence seemed jarringly out of place in the mundane kitchen. She had only spoken to him once before, five years earlier, pleading for him to treat Cecilia kindly. His indifferent reply, "What does it matter to me how she lives her life? She brought it on herself!" still echoed in her memory. She felt no pity for him now; he was simply reaping what he had sown.

Martha, weakened by a lung nodule and acutely aware of her limited time, only wished to secure Cecilia's happiness. Approaching the kitchen, she said coldly, "Mr. Rainsworth, if you're uncomfortable, you may leave. This is a simple household."

Nathaniel, recognizing Cecilia's nanny, responded calmly, despite the harshness of her tone, "If Ceci can live here, then I can too." Martha paused, surprised. Was this the same insufferably arrogant man? She suspected his change was a temporary effect of his blindness.

Meanwhile, though Cecilia had forbidden visitors, Mason, worried about his boss, visited early that morning. Seeing Nathaniel, directed by Cecilia, washing dishes, he was astonished. Taking advantage of Martha's rest and Cecilia's absence in the music room, Mason scaled the wall and entered.

"Mr. Rainsworth, what are you doing?" Mason exclaimed, taking plates and utensils from Nathaniel's hands.

Nathaniel frowned. "How did you get in here?"

"I couldn't leave you alone," Mason admitted. Nathaniel's secretary for over nine years, their relationship extended beyond employer and employee; they were friends. Despite Nathaniel's temper and ruthlessness, he had always been fair to Mason.

"Then help me finish, and keep it from Cecilia," Nathaniel instructed.

"Okay," Mason replied, secretly assisting while briefing Nathaniel on company developments. "There's a shareholder meeting this afternoon," he said. "They plan to dismiss you."

Nathaniel listened silently. "Understood. When you return, compile my work—over the years—into audio format and send it to me."

"All right," Mason nodded.

Since learning of Cecilia's pregnancy, Nathaniel had resolved to reclaim what was his, even battling his blindness. He would protect Cecilia and their child, no matter the cost.

Upstairs, Cecilia, finished with her composition, checked on Nathaniel. She found a spotless kitchen and living room. The meticulous tidiness made her wonder if his blindness was less severe than believed.

Nathaniel, learning Braille, sensed Cecilia's arrival. "Finished your work?" he asked.

"How did you know it wasn't Martha?" Cecilia asked, intrigued.

"Your footsteps sound different," he replied.

Cecilia admired his attentiveness. "Did you do all the cleaning?"

Nathaniel hesitated, then said, "Yes." Cecilia didn't press the issue. With Martha asleep and uninspired musically, she turned on the television. On the financial channel, she saw a live broadcast of Orion Corporation's shareholder meeting.