Chapter 396: Stood Up For Her
Adrian saw Nathaniel sitting alone and remained relentlessly persistent. He remembered Nathaniel's former air of invincibility. Glancing at Nicholas, who made no move to intervene, Adrian boldly approached, wine glass in hand.
“Nathaniel, drink this and apologize, and I’ll let bygones be bygones.” Adrian swirled the wine, spat into it, and offered it. Nathaniel didn't react. Adrian's fury ignited. Leaning down, he sneered, “Do you still think you're the old Nathaniel? Crushing you is easy. Learn your place.”
Others watched, but offered no help. Nathaniel's hand tightened into a fist, poised to strike, when a familiar voice echoed.
“Nathaniel, why are you here alone? Why didn’t you wait for me?”
It was Cecilia. She’d arrived to find Nathaniel being bullied. Remembering his past kindness, and his current struggles—amnesia, blindness, and fatherhood to her two children—she couldn't stand idly by.
Nathaniel unclenched his fist, affecting a pitiful demeanor as he approached. “Ceci, I thought you wouldn’t come.”
Cecilia's arrival drew everyone's attention, including Nicholas, who seemed startled. Cecilia took Nathaniel's hand and turned to Adrian, noting his smirk. “Adrian, Nathaniel shouldn't drink. Why don't you have it?” She’d seen him spit in the wine.
Adrian hadn’t expected Cecilia’s arrival, or her transformation. “If he can’t drink, then you, his wife, should!” He sought to humiliate Nathaniel, who had once embarrassed him. He held the wine to Cecilia’s lips, threatening the Rainsworth Manor if she refused.
Cecilia, aware of the expectant onlookers, was about to comply when a cool voice intervened.
“That’s enough.”
Nicholas rose and approached. “It’s New Year’s Day. Let’s not make things unpleasant.” His gentle voice held an undercurrent of warning. Adrian reluctantly relinquished the wine.
Nicholas's intervention surprised Adrian, considering their past strained relationship. Peace restored, Cecilia, despite her hearing aid, heard the mocking whispers.
“The blind and the deaf—a perfect match,” someone sneered.
Nathaniel, though blind, heard clearly, yet remained calm, a faint smile in his eyes. “Ceci, you love these cupcakes. I saved one for you.” Cecilia saw a stack of her favorite cupcakes. This was a far cry from the sensitive Nathaniel who once fled at the slightest insult.