Chapter 455: Standoff Between Father and Son

As soon as they parted ways, Cecilia and Nathaniel felt visibly uncomfortable, their faces flushed with awkwardness.

“Eli, what are you doing out here?” Cecilia asked, her cheeks still warm with embarrassment. Elliot, though appearing naive, understood his father's attempt to re-enter his mother's life. He worried about his mother's trusting nature.

Elliot descended the stairs, affecting an innocent demeanor. “Upstairs is too boring,” he said sweetly. “Mr. Rainsworth, would you take me out for some fun?”

Cecilia started to object, saying, “But it’s so late—,” but Nathaniel readily agreed.

“Sure,” Nathaniel said, his tone serious. He sensed Elliot's animosity but, wanting to remain close to Cecilia, tolerated the boy.

Watching them leave, Cecilia felt a warmth spread through her heart. Unbeknownst to her, Elliot immediately scooped up snow and flung it at Nathaniel's head.

Nathaniel's icy gaze turned toward the boy. Elliot's heart raced under the intensity of his father's stare.

“Mr. Rainsworth, can we have a snowball fight?” Elliot asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Nathaniel, already suspicious, replied, “I can’t even see. How am I supposed to have a snowball fight with you?”

Elliot, playing on his youth, stubbornly insisted, “Nope, I insist! Why won’t you play with me? What gives you the right to stay at my place?” He pouted.

Nathaniel, unimpressed, set the rules: “Let’s get this straight—the loser isn’t allowed to cry.”

Elliot, determined, wiped away his feigned tears and declared, “A gentleman doesn’t go back on his word.”

Without another word, Elliot began making a snowball, eager to confront his father.

Regrettably, half an hour later, Elliot was soaked, his hair laden with snow. Nathaniel easily hoisted him into the bathroom. Nathaniel himself was barely touched by the snow.

Though blind, Nathaniel’s hearing was exceptional. He detected every sound Elliot made. Elliot attempted to feign crying, but Nathaniel activated his phone's recorder, capturing Elliot's earlier words. Outmaneuvered, Elliot fell silent.

Cecilia, upon their return, was puzzled. “Weren’t you just out for a walk? It’s not snowing, so how did your clothes get all wet, and why is there so much snow in your hair?”

Embarrassed, Elliot mumbled, “I took a tumble.”

Cecilia, worried, asked, “Are you feeling unwell? Is that why you fell? I’ll take you to the hospital right now, okay?”

Elliot quickly shook his head. “I’m fine. Mommy, I’m just going to take a bath and change clothes. You should leave now.”

Cecilia found his bashful expression endearing.

Outside, Martha approached Nathaniel. “Is the kid all right?” she asked.

“He’s fine,” Nathaniel responded calmly, careful not to overstep. Martha considered revealing the children's paternity but decided to wait, unsure of Nathaniel's sincerity.

“Although Eli may not be as clever as Jonathan, he has been sensitive since childhood. You must be careful not to hurt him,” Martha advised gently but firmly.