Chapter 406: A Brother Worse Than a Beast

Hearing that, Cecilia frowned.

Magnus, however, continued his rambling. “You have no idea how much humiliation I’ve endured. I used to be the bully!” He pleaded, “Cecilia, I need your help. If you meet Nicholas, he’ll help us.”

Cecilia was about to end the call when Magnus blurted out, “If Mom hadn’t deceived me, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“What do you mean?” Cecilia asked immediately.

Magnus, drunk and sprawled in the street, explained. He’d been thrown out of the Royale Club after Ralph froze his card, leaving him unable to pay and severely beaten. He revealed, “Do you know why our family fortune vanished in three years? Mom had me transfer everything to her lover, Ralph! Now the Evans family, rich and powerful, have abandoned me. They froze my card, leading to that beating. If it weren’t for Zachary, I’d be finished.”

Cecilia listened silently, her naiveté shattering. She’d assumed Paula married into the Evans family after meeting Ralph abroad; it was far from the truth.

“Are you saying Paula had other men soon after Dad died?”

Magnus, beginning to sober, stammered, “I—I’m not sure. But please, meet Nicholas. I’m your brother, after all. If I recover, you’ll still be the Smith family’s young lady.”

The call ended abruptly. Cecilia clutched her phone, a chill crawling down her spine. She’d believed Paula loved Regas, even if not her, but now…

She dialed Sven. “Sven, have your people investigate Paula’s past, especially after Father’s death.” Her own attempts had yielded little.

“All right,” Sven readily agreed. He was now Cecilia’s subordinate, though formerly Calvin’s, and possessed extensive resources for such investigations.

Meanwhile, Magnus tried calling Cecilia again, only to find his number blocked. He grumbled, “That blockhead! She’s useless, and I treated her like a sister!”

A fierce kick landed on his leg. Looking up, he saw Zachary’s cold, handsome face.

“Mr. Sinclair?” Magnus’ demeanor shifted instantly.

“Who did you call a blockhead?” Zachary leaned closer, his eyes intense.

Magnus, believing Zachary still despised Cecilia, explained, “My so-called sister. She wouldn’t help. Mr. Sinclair, could you…”

Before he could finish, Zachary punched him. Blood trickled from Magnus’ mouth. He scrambled back. “Mr. Sinclair, w—what are you—”

Zachary said coldly, “Let me be clear: I’m paying your tab, not for you, but for your sister, Cecilia! Understand?”

Zachary was astonished. Such kindness from Cecilia, and such a brother—worse than a beast.