Chapter 351: Their Identical Actions

Nathaniel had no such intentions. He had brought Jonathan back initially to please Cecilia. It was unexpected that she barely spoke to him now.

Seeing Nathaniel's silence, Jonathan believed he had his father under his thumb. Wanting to release his frustration from yesterday's loss, Jonathan continued with sarcastic remarks.

“If it weren’t for you, Mom and Dad would be married by now. You should step aside, sooner rather than later. Someone said the unloved is the odd one out.”

He’d barely finished speaking when Nathaniel thumped him on the head.

“I don’t want to hear that again. You’re not allowed to look at such things online,” Nathaniel said sternly.

Jonathan knew he'd been harsh, but he was testing Nathaniel. At least he knows what I’ve said is wrong, he thought. He rubbed his head. “Who said that?”

“Who?” Nathaniel asked.

“Stella, your first crush and past love.”

Jonathan’s knowledge of those terms was a mystery. He’d discovered Stella’s alternate account while secretly accessing her personal information. It was there he’d learned those words. At the time, he’d felt terrible for Cecilia. His mother was legally married to Nathaniel, yet Stella’s account painted her as a third party!

While Jonathan seethed, Nathaniel was bewildered. He didn't remember a Stella. Yet, Jonathan didn't sound like he was lying.

“Are you saying she interfered in my relationship with Ceci?”

“Think about it. Telling you now won't help, since you don't remember.” A thought struck Jonathan. “If you want me to tell you, call me ‘Dad’ first.”

“Are you sure you want me to call you that?”

“Yes.” Jonathan looked directly at him.

Nathaniel pulled out his phone, showing Jonathan a new message. “I need to tell Ceci about going to the nightclub.”

This startled Jonathan. Though he could explain himself—he was just a child—he knew Cecilia would be furious if she found out.

“I knew you were up to no good.”

Jonathan clenched his fists. Nathaniel lifted him. “Do you still want me to call you Dad?”

“Huh.”

“Now, tell me, why did you go there?”

Jonathan remained silent. “It's a secret. I can't tell you. But I haven't done anything wrong.”

Nathaniel didn't press further.

In the kitchen, Cecilia had almost finished dinner. She called out, “Jon, ask the caregiver to bring Grandma downstairs for dinner.”

Jonathan freed himself and went upstairs to call Miami.

Ten minutes later, the dining room atmosphere was strange. Martha had specifically invited Calvin to emphasize Nathaniel's irrelevance. She seated Cecilia and Calvin together, placing Nathaniel opposite them.

“Madam Martha, are you feeling better?” Calvin asked familiarly.

Martha smiled kindly. “Much better.”

“That’s good.”

Nathaniel remained quiet, eating quickly. Cecilia offered him and Jonathan carrots, urging, “Eat more.”

Jonathan's expression changed at the sight of the carrots.

“Mommy…”

“Eat.”

“Okay…” He slowed down, burying the carrots in his meat.

Nathaniel did the same.

Calvin noticed their identical actions, realizing their father-son relationship, making him uneasy. Cecilia, oblivious, simply said, “Eat more.”

“Mr. Rainsworth, do you not like carrots? Why are you burying them in your meat?”

Nathaniel instantly felt Cecilia’s icy gaze, a chill running down his spine.