Chapter 332: Apologize to Cecilia

After a snowy night, Daltonia Villa's grounds bustled with housekeepers clearing snow. Nathaniel remained in his car, observing as Mason spotted Nicholas entering the villa.

Mason quickly informed Nathaniel, asking, "Should we go in now?" Nathaniel's arrival, with so many housekeepers present, would undoubtedly expose Nicholas's false identity. Just days earlier, Nicholas had been at Rainsworth Manor due to identity issues; now, he was moving into Daltonia Villa. He'd assumed a false identity to seize the company, then the villa. Nathaniel wondered what would be next – his family, his wife?

"No rush," Nathaniel replied calmly, steadying Mason. Mason parked the car at a distance. Although always at Nathaniel's side, Mason had only heard rumors of a younger brother. This was his first encounter with Nicholas, and he was struck by their resemblance. Had they been similarly dressed, Mason might not have distinguished them. After all, they were brothers, and Nicholas's company management far surpassed their ineffectual cousin, Adrian's.

As they waited, a minivan passed unnoticed by Mason; it carried Stella.

Inside, Nicholas inspected the rooms. In the bedroom, he found an overturned photo frame on the bedside table. He picked it up, revealing a brief flicker of tension in his eyes. The photo depicted Cecilia and Nathaniel at their engagement party; Cecilia in a white gown, Nathaniel in a suit, her hand tentatively in his. It was a reporter's shot, taken just before their engagement announcement. Since they never had wedding photos, Cecilia treasured this as their unofficial wedding picture, a memento left behind after their divorce.

Nicholas stared at the photo until Jocelyn Wright, his secretary, called from the entrance, "Mr. Nicholas, someone is looking for you downstairs."

Jocelyn, a consistent caregiver since Nicholas's overseas treatment, was one of the few, besides Elena, who knew his true identity.

"Who?" Nicholas asked indifferently.

Jocelyn, in her uniform, consulted her tablet. "It's Stella," she replied. "Madam Elena mentioned her. She was Mr. Nathaniel's girlfriend, but they had a falling out. Mr. Nathaniel even had her committed. Madam Elena said you don't need to be polite."

Nicholas, accustomed to life's transient nature, simply nodded. Jocelyn served as his personal reminder, diligently noting Elena's directives and those unsaid.

"Understood," he said curtly, tossing the photo into a nearby trash bin before leaving the room.

Downstairs, Stella waited, increasingly perplexed. Mason had always been by Nathaniel's side; now, there was a woman. She soon saw Nicholas and Jocelyn emerge.

"Nathaniel," Stella greeted, rising from the couch. The fear from Nathaniel's hospitalization lingered, making her cautious.

Nicholas glanced at her before settling onto the couch. Stella remembered his blindness from their last meeting; she realized it had been a pretense.

"Nathaniel, I'm sorry," Stella began, her voice trembling. "Since Madam Elena dismissed me, I've regretted it daily. I shouldn't have lied. Can you forgive me?"

Nicholas listened patiently, understanding her reason. "Go apologize to Cecilia," he stated firmly.

Stella was startled. "What?"

Nicholas's eyebrows rose slightly. "What's the matter? Not willing?"

Stella quickly shook her head. "Of course, I'll apologize to Cecilia immediately," she stammered, dialing Cecilia's number.

"I want you to go to her door, bow down, and apologize," Nicholas emphasized.