Chapter 331: My Daughter Is My Life

Cecilia chuckled coldly. This was her birth mother, wishing for her downfall. "I earned my money; if you want it, earn yours. Don't try to intimidate me." She hung up without waiting for a reply. She then tried calling Norman, unsuccessfully. A trip back to Tudela seemed necessary.

Cecilia checked on Martha, who was awake, still processing the previous night's events. "Has Nathaniel really changed?" Martha asked uncertainly.

"I'm not sure," Cecilia admitted. "Rest; don't worry."

Martha nodded, understanding Cecilia's preoccupations. Cecilia explained a friend needed her care. "Go. I'll manage," Martha reassured her.

But Cecilia couldn't leave her alone with Nathaniel. "I'll arrange a caregiver," she insisted. Martha, knowing Cecilia's worry, agreed.

Downstairs, breakfast was laid out, with a note from Nathaniel in bold script: "I’m going back to the hospital for a follow-up." He hadn't gone to the hospital; instead, he'd sent Mason to Daltonia Villa to await his return for some confidential documents.

Meanwhile, Paula and Stella sat in a lavish mansion. Paula was no longer struggling. Five years ago, she'd fled with her son, Magnús, charmed a Clusian businessman, married him, and secured her place in high society. Tudela's elite sought her favor, and even Stella, due to her husband's influence in entertainment, had to ingratiate herself.

"Did Cecilia promise to repay the money?" Stella asked, assessing Cecilia's situation.

Paula scoffed, her frustration evident. "She's an ungrateful leech! The idea of her repaying is ludicrous!"

Stella tried to comfort her. "Don't be upset. Shall I talk to her? She's stubborn, but knowing your situation, she might repay."

Paula stopped her, eyebrows raised. "Don't reveal my situation. I don't want to acknowledge her as my daughter."

Stella was shocked by Paula's heartlessness. "I understand," she replied, concealing her surprise. Seeing a photo of a ballerina resembling Cecilia, Stella remarked, "Cassandra seems more like your daughter."

At the mention of Cassandra, Paula's face lit up. "Cassandra is my life," she said tenderly. "Without her, I wouldn't have endured so much."

Stella admired Cassandra, beautiful and well-connected, and surprisingly favored by the cold-hearted Paula.

Leaving the mansion, Stella's assistant offered an umbrella in the snowfall. "Where to, Stella?" the assistant asked.

Stella gazed at the snow. "Daltonia Villa," she said decisively. The Rainsworth Group shareholder's meeting had shown Nathaniel wasn't blind. Despite Paula's resources, Stella wouldn't let her guard down if Nathaniel pursued her.