Chapter 513: Painful Sight

Before Cecilia entered, Nicholas's gaze never left her. He pulled back his chair, rose, and greeted, "Nathaniel, Cecilia." Cecilia offered a polite smile. The scene was painful for Cassandra, who suppressed her anger and followed Nicholas. "Cecilia, Nathaniel," she said. Nathaniel didn't respond, merely moving to sit beside Cecilia after she was settled. Aware of the others present, Cecilia replied to avoid embarrassing Cassandra. When Cassandra sat, she deliberately looped her arm through Nicholas's. "Nicholas," she said, "Nathaniel and Cecilia's son is so adorable."

Nicholas's arm stiffened; disdain flashed in his eyes. He quietly removed Cassandra's hand, his gaze settling on Elliot. He did resemble Nathaniel. Elena had been intently watching Elliot since his arrival. Even though Cecilia insisted Elliot wasn't Nathaniel's son, Elena remained unconvinced. If Calvin was indeed the children's father, she wondered, why was one child with Vivian and the other with Cecilia? Furthermore, Jon's surname was Smith—it didn't make sense.

"Eli, come sit next to Grandma," Elena said, her tone unusually tender.

"Who are you?" Elliot replied. "My grandma has been dead for a long time."

A stunned silence fell upon the room. Elena's amiable expression froze, her gaze turning as cold as ice. "You taught him that? To wish for my death?"

Feeling unjustly accused, Cecilia was about to explain that Elliot was referring to Martha, his nanny. However, Elliot quickly shielded Cecilia. "Don't talk to my mommy like that, old lady," he said. "My grandma is already dead. You're not her, so why are you saying my mommy taught me to curse you?"

Elena was taken aback; she'd never been addressed so directly. "What… what did you call me?" she stammered.

"Old lady," Elliot retorted. "What else should I call you? Don't think that just because you're older, you can bully my mommy." Unlike his brother Jonathan, Elliot was far from charming and considerate. He was quite naughty and showed Elena no respect. Elena, not yet fifty and appearing much younger thanks to her excellent self-care, couldn't bring herself to scold Elliot, who might be her great-grandson. Therefore, she vented her frustration on Cecilia.

Elliot was about to argue again when Cecilia's glance stopped him. Nathaniel interjected impatiently, "Mom, the grandma Eli is referring to is Ceci's nanny, not you."

Elena choked, speechless. Niel then hobbled over with his cane, taking his seat at the head of the table. "Is everyone here? Let's get the food served," he announced, gesturing toward Elliot. "Eli, come sit by my side."

Before Elliot could move, Felix became upset. He couldn't accept that both Grandma Elena and Great-Grandpa wanted Elliot to sit beside them. "Great-grandpa," he said, "I want to sit next to you." Felix, accustomed to sitting next to Niel, was indignant.

Before Felix finished, Elliot had already taken the seat. He then deliberately said to Felix, "Why didn't you mention it earlier? I'm already sitting here." Originally, he'd not wanted to sit next to an unfamiliar old man, but Felix's desire for the spot sparked a competitive spirit.

Felix, spoiled since childhood and always served first, lacked humility and immediately lost his temper. "Get lost, you unwanted child," he yelled. "That's my spot!"