Chapter 348: Sudden Change in Demeanor

At Sparaville, Nathaniel was deeply engrossed in his new company when his phone buzzed with a flurry of text messages.

December twelfth, 10:24: Card charged eight hundred eighty-eight thousand. December twelfth, 10:26: Card charged three hundred eighty-eight thousand. December twelfth, 11:00: Card charged one million eight hundred eighty-eight thousand.

Millions were spent in half an hour. Nathaniel wasn't concerned about the money, but he wondered what a child could possibly buy that cost so much. And wasn't Elliot supposed to be at school?

Nathaniel called, instructing, "Can you check what Elliot is doing at kindergarten?"

"Yes, Sir."

Next door, Cecilia was caring for Martha with the help of a caregiver—a replacement Nathaniel had hired that day. Martha explained that the previous caregiver had driven Nathaniel to the brink with outrageous behavior. Cecilia found the story almost unbelievable.

"You should have recorded a video," Cecilia smiled. She wanted to talk to Martha, to ease her pain.

"I didn't think of filming," Martha replied, regretfully.

Martha told the caregiver she was thirsty. The caregiver went downstairs for water. Once alone, Martha grasped Cecilia's hand. "Cecilia, he brought Jonathan back. Nothing bad will happen, right?"

Cecilia was unsure. "Don't worry, he's blind and has lost his memory. He can't do much."

Martha sighed. "I've been feeling restless lately."

When alone with Nathaniel, Martha found him less terrible than she'd initially believed. However, she wasn't willing to bet on his continued kindness toward Cecilia.

Cecilia comforted Martha, leaving only when she was tired. Descending the stairs, she glanced at Nathaniel's closed door but paid it little attention. Morning sickness from her pregnancy made her want a walk.

Trudging through the snow, the cold wind whipped her face. She'd been walking some time when she saw Paula approaching, impeccably dressed. Cecilia's pupils narrowed, remembering Paula's forced marriage scheme. Paula had seen Cecilia before, living poorly, and ignored her. But after Nathaniel's warning to her son, she felt she held some leverage.

"Ceci, I finally found you," Paula said, approaching and taking Cecilia's hand. Her eyes held a tender affection that Cecilia knew was conditional.

Cecilia pulled away. "Madam Paula," she said, "Please call me Cecilia. We've severed our mother-daughter relationship."

Paula's face hardened. A cold smile touched her lips. "Blood is thicker than water. You can't sever that bond with a word."

Cecilia's hand clenched. "What are you here for? To stand up for Magnus?"

Paula didn't answer, instead assessing Cecilia's transformation—her improved dress and makeup. Cecilia was stunning, even more so than Paula in her youth. Her subtle makeup was captivating.

No wonder Nathaniel hadn't divorced her yet.

"I wanted to see you, to bring you back to Tudela. As for your brother, it was his fault. I know everything."