Chapter 527: Become an Ordinary Person

Thick snow fell on Tudela, heavier even than after St. Patrick's Day. In her rented apartment, Stella gazed at the dazzling city lights, a deep dissatisfaction settling over her. She could have been dazzling herself, but Cecilia had thwarted her. Seeing her news purged from trending searches, she gripped her phone. "I've worked so hard," she murmured. "Am I to become an ordinary person again?"

A call came in. Recognizing Nicholas's number, she felt a surge of nervousness.

"Mr. Nicholas," she answered.

"I've provided the photos and boosted the search. When will you speak with Cecilia?" Nicholas demanded impatiently.

"Mr. Nicholas, it's not that I don't want to find Cecilia. I'm afraid," she replied.

"Afraid of what?"

"I've seen Zachary frequently visiting Nathaniel. I fear what Zachary might do if he sees me..."

The truth was, Stella craved safety and a powerful protector. Nicholas's plan—to make her vanish and feign death—had become unbearable. Initially, she hadn't understood his motive for sabotaging Cecilia and Nathaniel. Now she knew: Nicholas harbored feelings for Cecilia. This realization led her to decide to fully utilize Nicholas.

He wasn't naive; he understood her intentions. "Don't worry," he assured her. "With me, even if Zachary sees you, he won't dare harm you."

"Then I'll begin planning tomorrow," she said.

"Good," he replied, ending the call.

Back in his office, Nicholas intended to call Jocelyn for hot water, but remembered he'd given her time off. He summoned his secretary instead.

Soon, a cup of hot water arrived, the hand offering it adorned with meticulously manicured nails. Nicholas looked up to see Cassandra's face. "Why are you here?" he asked.

"Madam Elena said you were in the office, so I came to keep you company," Cassandra replied.

Nicholas set the cup aside, untouched. "No need. You should rest." His gaze was gentle yet piercing. "Your health hasn't fully recovered, has it?"

Cassandra froze, the memory of her assault causing her hands to clench and tremble. "Nicholas, I…"

"Go rest," he repeated gently.

Despite his kindness, an inexplicable fear gripped Cassandra. "Okay," she whispered, leaving the office.

In the restroom, a crushing defeat washed over her. She ran cold water over her hands and neck, desperately trying to soothe the raw, burning skin. While this wasn't her first such experience, the brutality of the multiple assailants left her deeply distressed.

A female coworker, witnessing her frantic scrubbing, approached kindly. "Are you alright?"

Cassandra snapped, "Get lost," sending the woman fleeing in fear.

Alone, Cassandra photographed the purplish-red marks on her hands and sent them to her mother, Queenie.

Cassandra: Mom, I hate myself. If I weren't so useless, Cecilia wouldn't have seduced Nicholas.

Queenie, at the Tudela Orphanage, excused herself to the restroom after receiving the message.

"Cassandra, I've already sent someone to investigate Cecilia. The studio she mentioned is a sham. Don't do anything foolish. You're my only daughter. If you want Nicholas, I'll ensure he chooses you, not Cecilia. When I have time, I'll teach Cecilia a lesson!"