Chapter 369: You Are An Adult Now

It was clear Cecilia had misunderstood Nathaniel's expression of concern. She promptly informed him that Sven was exceptionally strong and capable of handling ten people alone. He was calm, even-tempered, and preferred hard work to idle chatter. Despite Sven's merits, Nathaniel increasingly felt the need to dismiss him.

"Ask them all to leave. I don't like strangers," Cecilia added.

Nathaniel didn't dare question her aversion to strangers. He had the bodyguards leave. Since Cecilia disagreed with his assessment of Sven, Nathaniel decided to approach the matter through Sven himself. Cecilia, however, merely regarded Nathaniel's concern as a fleeting interest, showing little genuine care.

Meanwhile, having learned of Cecilia's situation from Paula, Magnus set off for Sparaville. He arrived at Cecilia's residence at ten o'clock that night, finding everyone already asleep. Braving the cold wind, he knocked on the door.

Cecilia, not yet asleep, answered the knock. She opened the door to find Magnus bundled in a down jacket, snowflakes clinging to him. Without speaking, he attempted to enter, but Cecilia stopped him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Let's talk inside."

"If there's something you want, say it here," Cecilia retorted warily, refusing him entry. The cold was biting.

In the past, Magnus would have pushed past her. Now, needing her help, he could only endure the chilling wind at the doorway.

"Sis, could you do me a favor?"

A smirk played on Cecilia's lips. "Mr. Magnus, I'm not your sister," she reminded him. "Don't forget, you were the one who said a deaf person like me is unworthy of being your sister."

"That was childish talk. I never meant it. Why should you?" Magnus said, glancing around the dilapidated dwelling. He thought, She has a perfectly good Daltonia Villa, yet she chooses this place. She must be out of her mind. But he dared not voice this thought. "Sis, consider this helping the Smith family. I yearn for a revival. All it requires is a small sacrifice from you…"

"Sacrifice? Who are you planning to sell me to this time?" Cecilia stared coldly at him, her fists clenched.

"I just want you to meet my brother-in-law. If you agree to see him, he'll help rebuild Smith Corporation." Magnus placed a hand on her shoulder. "Sis, don't you want to rebuild Smith Corporation? Are you really willing to let Grandpa and Dad's hard work go to waste?"

Cecilia was bewildered. "Who is this brother-in-law?"

"Nathaniel. I met him today at Orion Corporation. He said he can help if you talk to him," Magnus replied readily.

A sudden tension gripped Cecilia. She knew the person at Orion Corporation was not Nathaniel, but Nicholas. Her eyelashes drooped. For a moment, she was speechless. She had considered meeting Nicholas to discuss the past, but she was a mother of two, pregnant again. The past was the past. It was time to move on.

"I don't want to see him."

Cecilia looked at Magnus's handsome face, a striking resemblance to their father's. "Magnus, you're an adult now. Don't always rely on others. It's best to depend on ourselves."