Chapter 51: Ridiculed and Humiliated
Upon hearing her words, Jonathan felt his virtue compromised. After bathing and changing clothes, he retired to his room.
Meanwhile, at the Rainsworth residence, Nathaniel learned from his bodyguard that Cecilia had returned to Ninth Ville after dinner. His detachment was evident to Stella and Elena.
“Stella, since you’ve come today, why not stay the night?” Elena suggested. “Mr. Rainsworth will be back tomorrow, and he mentioned wanting to see you.”
Wren, a notorious womanizer even in middle age, was perpetually embroiled in romantic entanglements and rarely home. Stella shyly agreed.
Nathaniel showed no interest in their conversation. He ate sparingly, then pushed back his chair and left the dining table.
“Where are you going, Nathaniel?” Elena asked, perplexed.
“Home.”
Elena realized he meant Daltonia Villa, their former marital home. “Stay tonight; your father returns tomorrow. It would be good to discuss your marriage to Stella.”
“Marriage?” A frosty glint flashed in Nathaniel’s eyes. “I’m not even divorced yet!”
A flicker of emotion stirred in Elena’s heart; Stella’s expression remained unchanged, though her grip on her fork tightened.
She intercepted him at the door. “Nathaniel!”
He paused. Stella stepped forward, looking at him tenderly. “Nathaniel, did I do something wrong? Why won’t you accept me, even now? I’ve waited eight years, ever since Cecilia married you.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I was afraid I wasn’t good enough, so I worked hard, climbed to where I am, and only then dared to approach you again.” She reached for him, but he deftly avoided her embrace.
Frozen, she heard his chilling words: “Over these past years, was there anything you asked for that I didn’t provide? In life, one must learn contentment.”
He drove away, leaving her alone. Elena stepped outside, her gaze cold as she mercilessly ridiculed Stella. “Four years ago, you came to me with a health report, promising the eldest Rainsworth grandchild within a year. Only then did I allow an actress like you near Nathaniel. Four years have passed, and there are no children, and my son won't even touch you. You’re worse than a deaf person—at least she was married to my son!”
Having finished her tirade, Elena dismissed Stella. Alone, Stella called her agent. Passing the Golden Moon Hotel, she stole several glances.
“Stella, what’s wrong?” her manager asked, concerned.
Thinking of the humiliation, Stella clenched her fists. “Spread the news that I was at the Rainsworth residence with Nathaniel today.”
Meanwhile, at Vivian’s private mansion, Jonathan, using fatigue as an excuse, retreated to his room. Closing the door, he immediately turned on his computer. His fingers flew across the keyboard, uncovering a wealth of information about Nathaniel.