Chapter 402 Bad News Travels Fast

In the car, Elliot kept his head down, silent. Cecilia, angrier and more worried than ever, waited for him to speak. Nathaniel, also present, instructed Mason to call off the search.

Arriving home, after Nathaniel left for work, Elliot adopted a coy demeanor. "I'm sorry, Mommy," he said, charmingly. "I missed you and Mr. Rainsworth so much, I went looking for both of you." Usually, this apology would soften his mother, but Cecilia's expression remained icy.

Elliot, flustered, started towards Martha for advice, but Cecilia stopped him. "I truly realized my mistake, Mommy," he pleaded.

"You just wanted to see me and Mr. Rainsworth?" Cecilia asked sharply.

Elliot's eyes narrowed. "I was wrong, Mommy. I'm sorry." Cecilia, showing no sign of softening, warned, "If you dare leave home without telling me again, I'll never bother with you."

Elliot, finally understanding her anger, fervently promised, "It won't happen again." He confessed his loneliness, his constant hospital visits for chemotherapy and medication. "Am I to return to the hospital today, Mommy?" he whispered.

Cecilia's heart ached at the word "hospital." "Be good and wait a little longer, Eli. We'll be able to proceed with the surgery soon."

"Okay," he replied, hugging her. He was relieved by her continued care.

That afternoon, Cecilia took Elliot back to the hospital. After his examination, she asked, "Do you like Mr. Rainsworth, Eli?"

Elliot choked. He thought, How could I like that scoundrel? but answered, "Yes, I like him."

Cecilia, her resolve strengthening, patted his head. Driving home, she heard a news report: Nathaniel had lost his sight, and photos of him with Nicholas had surfaced. "Sure enough," she murmured, "bad news travels fast."

The news spread rapidly. Paula, having recently arranged a meeting between Cassandra and Nathaniel, was shocked. Cassandra, fresh from a successful stage performance, also saw the report.

"Wasn't Nathaniel unharmed?" she asked.

"The unharmed one was probably Nicholas," Magnus, scrolling through his phone, revealed. His suspicions, sparked by a previous encounter with Nicholas and a subsequent scolding from Nathaniel, had solidified. He now understood that Nathaniel had been living with Cecilia while Nicholas represented him at the company.

Paula, setting down her water, pressed for an explanation. Magnus recounted his request for Nathaniel's help and the subsequent confusion. He concluded, "...deceived."

She turned to Cassandra. "Cassandra, do you still want to meet with Nathaniel?"

"No, it's okay," Cassandra replied. "Dad has already set me up on a blind date with Nicholas." She had given up on Nathaniel upon hearing the news, unable to envision a future with a blind man, especially since he was still married. Nicholas's resemblance made him a preferable alternative.