Chapter 575: You Do Not Love Me

With a smile in his eyes, Elliot mused, "You're so eager to play stepmother to others. Well, here's a lesson for you."

The secretary was startled. The child, perfectly fine a moment before, had suddenly changed. Mason then understood her intentions. He gave her a cold glance and took Elliot away. "I think it's time to reorganize the CEO's secretarial department," he muttered.

That evening, on the way home, Elliot, seated beside Nathaniel in the car, tentatively asked, "Mr. Rainsworth, your company is full of beautiful women. Why did you fall for my mommy?"

Nathaniel responded without hesitation, "I don't know." He admitted, "If I knew why I liked Cecilia, I would know where to start and wouldn't be so upset."

Elliot was slightly stunned. He began to speak, but the driver interrupted, "Mr. Rainsworth, there's a car following us."

Nathaniel, accustomed to such surveillance since Imminence Corporation's rise, simply instructed, "Avoid them. Take a different route."

The driver promptly changed course. However, this pursuit was more than mere investigation. The trailing car suddenly accelerated, culminating in a thunderous crash that shattered the car window. Nathaniel instinctively pulled Elliot into his arms, shielding him from an incoming dagger. The cold wind whipped past Elliot's ear, freezing him with fear. He clung to Nathaniel, unable to move.

The driver, experienced in such situations, quickly had the pursuing car stopped by their protective convoy. Once the danger subsided, Nathaniel revealed a shallow cut on his cheek from the dagger.

"Mr. Rainsworth, are you all right?" the driver asked.

"I'm fine," Nathaniel replied, gently patting Elliot. "So, how do you feel about coming to the office with me?"

Elliot, startled, forced composure. Seeing the wound on Nathaniel's face, his perception of the man shifted. "Mr. Rainsworth, there's a cut on your face," he stammered.

Nathaniel remained unfazed. "It's nothing, just a scratch. Are you hurt?"

In that moment, Elliot's guarded heart softened. "I'm fine," he whispered. He looked up at Nathaniel, finding him even more imposing. "Mr. Rainsworth, aren't you afraid of dying?"

After spending time with Nathaniel, he'd noticed his exceptional calmness in any situation.

Nathaniel answered gravely, "Of course I am, but it's pointless." Elliot hadn't realized his view of Nathaniel had changed from disdain to admiration.

Back home, Cecilia helped Elliot into bed.

"Mommy, can Mr. Rainsworth sleep with us?"

Cecilia asked, confused, "Why?"

"I'm scared. But if Mr. Rainsworth sleeps with me, I won't be as scared."

Cecilia found herself in a difficult position. Nathaniel always initiated their shared bed. Would inviting him give the wrong impression?

"Eli, I'm very strong too. I can protect you," Cecilia offered.

Elliot pouted. "No, I want Mr. Rainsworth to sleep with us. You've had your chance to sleep with him alone. Why can't the three of us sleep together? I feel so awful, Mommy. You don't love me."