Chapter 597: Self-Defense

Nathaniel, dismissing them with a wave, turned to Cecilia. "Let's go."

Cecilia nodded. "All right."

They left with Elliot. Adrian chuckled. "What's with the act? Does he still think he's the CEO of Rainsworth Group? What a joke!" They remained oblivious to the impending storm.

On their way back, Cecilia sincerely thanked Nathaniel. "Thank you for standing up for Eli."

"He's my son," Nathaniel replied, his voice chillingly cold. "Obviously, I would. There's no need to thank me."

Cecilia, sensing his suppressed anger, fell silent.

Nathaniel continued, his voice steady and calm, "Do you really believe Eli didn't deceive Felix into going to the artificial hill?"

"Would Eli know how to do such a thing?" Cecilia asked, viewing Elliot as a harmless child.

Nathaniel remained silent, withholding the later portion of the surveillance footage. It showed Elliot, after leading Felix to the hill, standing nearby, yawning smugly as Felix cried for help. This was a far cry from his usual adorable demeanor.

They arrived at Daltonia Villa. Later, Elliot secretly found Nathaniel before he left for work. "Mr. Rainsworth," he began, aware Nathaniel knew the truth and feared the revelation would damage his image with Cecilia.

"What's the matter?" Nathaniel asked.

"Did you say anything to Mommy?" Elliot anxiously watched Nathaniel's face. Nathaniel remained impassive.

"Are you scared?" he simply asked.

Elliot's heart pounded. "Please, don't tell Mommy. I'll do anything. I don't want Mommy to think I'm a bad kid."

"When others try to take advantage of you, it's not wrong to protect yourself," Nathaniel said slowly. "That's called self-defense. In the future, you can come to the office and learn about the law."

Elliot, always fearing a lack of understanding from his father, felt Nathaniel's words made him seem even more imposing.

"All right, I understand."

"However," Nathaniel continued, "if you want me to remain silent, you'll need to change how you address me."

Nathaniel left. Elliot watched the car disappear, his fondness for his father waning. Ugh! He dared to threaten me with that!

Meanwhile, Eric sat in the Imminence Corporation waiting room, calmly sipping coffee, under the intense scrutiny of several women. He was accustomed to it.

"Why isn't he here yet?" Eric had waited an hour. The agent, finding this unusual, checked and asked Eric to continue waiting. Given the negative online news, they had little choice.

Mason reported to Nathaniel. Nathaniel asked seriously, "How is he in real life?"

"Just average," Mason lied, fearing Nathaniel's wrath.

"Go ahead and discuss with him."

Mason went to the waiting room, handing Eric the contract. "Sign the contract first, then we can discuss the job."

Eric, finding no issues, signed. Mason explained the job: promoting the company's new product – his first assignment.

Eric opened the advertisement and froze.