Chapter 442 Powerful Family Backing You Up

“What’s with the sarcasm? Isn’t the Smith family your family? Don’t you want the support of a powerful family, like Cassandra’s?” Magnus snapped.

Cecilia found her brother’s words absurd. “When Father died, wasn’t the Smith family strong enough? How did you support me then?” Magnus’s foolish breach of the family agreement—secretly transferring her dowry and betrothal gifts—had humiliated Nathaniel, who then lashed out at her repeatedly. This had prevented her from holding her head high within the Rainsworth family.

Once more stung by Cecilia’s words, Magnus raised his hand as if to strike her, but Zach’s recent warning stayed his hand. He lowered it reluctantly. “Regardless, we share the same blood. You can’t simply stand by and watch the Smith family fall into others’ hands.”

Cecilia would not allow that. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle the Smith family’s affairs. But this has nothing to do with you. You’re unfit to be the Smith family’s heir.” His heedless following of his mother's advice to relinquish the family legacy to outsiders rendered him unworthy.

Cecilia left Magnus standing there, stunned by his once weak and helpless sister’s words. “Unfit to be the heir? Who then? You? What a joke. What could a woman possibly manage?” he muttered.

A cough interrupted him. Magnus turned to see Zachary and Darren. Their imposing presence made him avoid their gaze. Before the Smith family’s decline, Magnus had been their lackey, trailing behind them, lacking their talent and serving as little more than an attendant.

“Zachary, Darren,” Magnus greeted them submissively.

Zachary ignored him. Darren, however, nodded slightly. “Why aren’t you inside? Your stepsister’s engagement is underway.”

“I’m going in now,” Magnus said with a fawning smile, gesturing for them to proceed. Zachary and Darren entered before him.

On their way, Zachary yawned. “You’d think the Smith family had stronger roots. How did they end up with him?”

Darren smirked. “Perhaps he isn’t truly a Smith.”

Zachary laughed, assuming it was a jest.

At the engagement party, after the initial formalities, it was time for toasts. Nathaniel approached Cecilia, offering a box.

Cecilia looked at it quizzically. “What’s this?”

“It’s from Father. Open it.”

Cecilia opened the box to reveal an exquisite, antique jade necklace, clearly priceless. “I can’t accept this. You should return it to him.”

She felt she hadn’t earned it.

Nathaniel, anticipating her refusal, replied, “He’s gone. Keep it safe for him. You can return it when he next visits.” Wren was elusive; she might not see him again until Nicholas’s wedding. Cecilia, seeing no other option, accepted the necklace.

“You were gone a while. What happened?” she asked, surprised by her renewed concern for Nathaniel’s well-being.

A slight smile touched Nathaniel’s lips. “Curious?”

Cecilia averted her gaze. “Not really.”

Unseen by them, Nicholas and Cassandra approached, Nicholas observing their shared moment with a complex array of emotions.