Chapter 342: I Am Your Stepfather From Now On

Magnus was so frightened his legs trembled, almost bringing him to his knees.

“Nathaniel, please don’t be angry. How could I harm my own sister? I’ll drop the charges immediately.”

Only after Nathaniel’s car vanished did Magnus exhale, relief washing over him. He no longer dared make grandiose claims; the eight billion was irretrievably lost. He never expected Nathaniel to defend his sister, especially considering his past disdain for Cecilia.

Paula returned to find her injured son, her anger erupting. “How could she inflict such a ruthless blow?”

“It wasn’t her; it was one of her bodyguards,” Magnus replied.

Paula started to speak, but Magnus explained Nathaniel's intervention and the lawsuit's withdrawal. Paula fell silent. “Who would have thought Nathaniel still cared for her?”

Cecilia, en route home, received a call from Norman. The lawsuit was dropped. She was finally at peace.

Meanwhile, Vivian panicked, frantically searching for Jonathan, who hadn't appeared as expected. Unaware that Jonathan was with his father, she cried, “Jon, where are you?”

Remembering Jonathan’s mention of meeting Paula, she rushed to the mansion. But Jonathan wasn't there. She showed Jonathan's photograph to the locals, but to no avail. She searched elsewhere, reluctant to alarm Cecilia.

In Sparaville, Mason and Jonathan waited in the car for Nathaniel. After a long wait, Mason, concerned about Jonathan’s hunger, asked, “Would you like something to eat?”

Jonathan playfully shook his head. “I’m not hungry,” he said, though his stomach grumbled. Mason sent his subordinates for food. Soon, a large amount arrived.

Jonathan, eyes closed, remained unmoved. Mason opened a basket of chocolate muffins. “You really aren’t going to eat?”

Jonathan, smelling the muffins, remained firm. “Hmph, I never eat in the car.”

Mason, observing Jonathan’s haughty shyness, noted his resemblance to Nathaniel.

“When will you let me go? Do you plan to keep me here forever?” Jonathan asked.

“Mr. Rainsworth will arrange things upon his return,” Mason replied. “He might be gone a while. Eat now, before you’re starving and complaining.”

Jonathan scoffed. Did those lackeys think he was a toddler? He wouldn't cry. But hunger gnawed at him as time passed, especially as Mason ate.

“Are you really not going to eat?” Mason asked.

Jonathan swallowed nervously. “I’m going to eat out.”

“All right.” Mason worried Jonathan might starve; after all, he was Cecilia's son, and Nathaniel clearly adored Cecilia.

As nightfall arrived, Nathaniel returned. He approached the car and said to Jonathan, “Come home with me.”

Jonathan was dazed. Nathaniel lifted him from the car. Jonathan felt as if he were flying.

“Darn it! Put me down!”

Nathaniel firmly slapped his bottom. “Behave yourself. From now on, I am your stepfather.”