Chapter 444: Seal the Deal

Ever since Cassandra began dating Nicholas, he had been a perfect gentleman, never making any advances. Even after their engagement, she felt uneasy. Rumors circulated about Nicholas's illness, the nature of which remained unknown, and she worried about the stability of their engagement. Tonight, she was determined to consummate their relationship.

After escorting Nicholas to his room, Cassandra dismissed the servants. Approaching him, she gazed at his handsome face, her hand instinctively reaching out. "Nicholas…"

Nicholas, however, was heavily intoxicated and suffering from a severe headache; he was unable to open his eyes. Seeing this, Cassandra carefully undressed him and lay beside him.

Nicholas felt her touch and struggled to open his eyes. His vision swam from the alcohol. Cassandra bore a slight resemblance to Cecilia, and in his drunken haze, he mistook her for Cecilia, seeing her looking at him tenderly.

"Nicholas, we're engaged now. Just take me," Cassandra pleaded, flustered by his unexpected awakening.

Nicholas's Adam's apple bobbed. Instead of anger, he gently brushed his fingers across her face. Cassandra's cheeks burned. "Nicholas…"

Before she could speak further, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. Cassandra was surprised by this domineering side of the usually gentle Nicholas. She responded skillfully, shedding her pretense. As he kissed her, he murmured drunkenly, "Ceci…"

That single word froze Cassandra. "What did you call me?" she asked, moving closer.

His murmured "Ceci…" confirmed her suspicions. Remembering Nathaniel's similar endearment for Cecilia, she realized Nicholas was in love with Cecilia. Her earlier anxieties were validated—she was nothing more than a replacement.

Unwilling to be a substitute, yet hesitant to give up, Cassandra responded with even greater fervor, suppressing her rage. Her intense passion, however, caused Nicholas to abruptly stop. His gaze cleared, and he coldly shoved her away.

"Who told you to come to my room?" he demanded, his expression hardening.

Cassandra, startled by the sudden shift, fell to the floor. "Nicholas, I… when I brought you back, you…"

Nicholas's head pounded as he looked down at the naked Cassandra. His eyes turned icy. "Get out."

"But I'm not wearing anything right now," she protested.

"Don't make me say it a second time!" he roared.

The transformation shocked her. Blushing furiously, she hastily dressed and fled the room. Unable to sleep, she changed into fresh clothes and stormed toward Cecilia's home, determined to get answers. She wanted to know how Cecilia and Nicholas met and why he called her "Ceci."

Cecilia had just arrived home when Cassandra's insistent doorbell shattered the quiet. Opening the door to find a furious Cassandra, she agreed to talk. Once outside, Cassandra bluntly asked, "When did you start seducing Nicholas?"