Chapter 544: Tell Me What Happened

Nicholas stared at the text message, his expression icy. He already knew Stella had failed. His men stationed outside the hotel had been dealt with by Mason's people, and none of the media arrived. Nicholas set down his phone, coughing violently.

“Mr. Nicholas, should we call a doctor?” a subordinate asked.

Nicholas shook his head. “No need.”

He picked up his phone again, searching for Cecilia's contact. He hesitated for a long time before closing the screen.

Meanwhile, Cecilia learned from Nathaniel that Nicholas had orchestrated the previous night's events. She found this hard to believe; after all, Nicholas had sent someone to find Nathaniel just the night before. Indeed, without the photograph Nicholas provided, she wouldn't have found him.

“I wish to meet with Stella.”

“Okay.”

Trapped in a dark basement, Stella was terrified. Suddenly, the basement door opened, letting in light. Stella shielded her eyes, then saw Cecilia.

Stella was momentarily stunned. Cecilia, observing Stella's disheveled appearance in the filthy basement, felt no pity.

“Stella, it’s been a while,” Cecilia said. The scene echoed their first meeting—Cecilia, visiting the orphanage with Regas, seeing Stella, a stark contrast to her own well-to-do background.

Stella, who had believed she'd escaped her past, felt everything had come full circle. "Why? Why are you still able to carry yourself with such an air of superiority?" Envy and resentment filled her eyes.

Cecilia remained calm. “I came here to ask you about last night. Was it really arranged by Nicholas?”

Stella's expression shifted. She lied, “Did Nathaniel tell you that?”

Cecilia was surprised.

“Nathaniel was probably worried you’d blame him. He was drunk and brought me back to the room. Hearing of your arrival, he tied me up and pretended he hadn't touched me.” Stella watched Cecilia's face carefully, hoping to inflict some suffering. But Cecilia’s expression remained unchanged.

Cecilia sat down. “If you tell the truth, I’ll ask Nathaniel to let you go. Stella, I know Nathaniel has never been involved with you. Your claims about him cooking and caring for you are fabrications. People like Nathaniel aren't accustomed to serving others.”

Stella, her schemes exposed, fell silent. Cecilia knew her guess was correct. She'd wrongly assumed Nathaniel had treated Stella differently.

When Stella remained silent, Cecilia continued, “You were right; there’s no real bad blood between us. It’s all just over a guy. Tell me everything about yesterday, and you’ll be free.”

After hearing this, Stella hesitated. I want to live. I don’t want to die.