Chapter 383: The Takeover

But just as the words reached the tip of her tongue, Cassandra interrupted her again.

“Don’t be like this anymore,” she said. “I know you mean well, but I don’t like it when others gossip about you.”

Paula, hearing this, knew her daughter still cared and swallowed back her words. Cassandra then latched onto Paula’s arm.

“Mom, I looked it up online. You still have another daughter named Cecilia Smith, right? She’s married to Nathaniel Rainsworth, isn’t she?”

Paula was startled. The person Cassandra truly cared about was Nathaniel; few men in Tudela could compare.

“I’d like to get to know him. Could you possibly help me?”

Paula instantly understood. She believed only Cassandra was worthy of Nathaniel.

“I haven’t seen him in a long time, but if you wish to meet him, I’ll certainly help you.”

Paula was sure that if Nathaniel could love Cecilia, he would surely love Cassandra, who resembled Cecilia but surpassed her. At that moment, she was still Nathaniel’s mother-in-law.

“Mom, you’re the best!” Cassandra swung Paula’s arm, her demeanor a stark contrast to before.

On New Year’s Day, sensational news broke: Orion Corporation CEO Nathaniel Rainsworth had transferred all his company shares to his younger brother, Nicholas. Subsequent Orion Corporation procedures would also be handled by Nicholas. According to Nathaniel’s family, he hadn’t fully recovered from a car accident and was recuperating in the hospital.

The news immediately topped trending topics. The online community was particularly intrigued by the revelation of Nathaniel's twin brother; the two were nearly indistinguishable.

Nicholas, once sickly and near death for a year, had undergone life-saving treatment abroad for over a decade. His recovery and reappearance surprised everyone. Many suspected Nicholas had recently masqueraded as Nathaniel.

Nicholas now controlled the company and held Nathaniel’s shares. With no apparent health issues, and Orion Corporation being a Rainsworth family business, outsiders had no reason to object.

Cecilia and others were having breakfast when they saw the news report. She instantly believed Mason’s prediction from the previous day. Looking at Nathaniel, who ate oatmeal with a calm expression, she turned off the television.

Martha was shocked, whispering to Cecilia, “I can’t believe how strange prominent families are. Can a son really be replaced like that?” Though she disliked Nathaniel, she wouldn't mock him.

“It was my first time hearing of something like that,” Cecilia replied.

She thought the matter settled, but that afternoon, an unexpected visitor arrived: Elena. Seeing the dilapidated surroundings and Nathaniel’s austere bedroom, she sympathized with her son.

“Cecilia, is this how you take care of Nathaniel?”

Leaving Nathaniel was a desperate move. After his memory loss, he'd fallen into depression, showing interest in no one but Cecilia. Elena feared he might die. She also needed to protect Rainsworth Group; Nathaniel, sightless and amnesiac, was a puppet regardless of his shares. Giving them to his brother was preferable.