Chapter 88: Where Is the Child Now?

Vivian showed Cecilia the information she’d found. The text detailed Stella’s shrewd use of relationships abroad to build her singing career.

“I didn’t know how despicable she was,” Vivian exclaimed.

“I know,” Cecilia replied.

“Then why didn’t you tell Nathaniel?”

Vivian was stunned. She’d intended for Cecilia to show Nathaniel the information, hoping it might lead to reconciliation.

Cecilia understood. “Nathaniel could easily find out about someone if he wanted to.”

Vivian finally grasped it. “What on earth does he see in Stella? Is he attracted to her cunning? I truly don’t understand some men!”

Cecilia, who hadn't understood before, had since reflected. She realized she and Nathaniel were quite similar. Knowing he didn't love her, she'd still married him. And despite knowing Stella's flaws, Nathaniel still loved her. Love, she mused, wasn't about goodness or kindness. Even the most vicious woman could have many admirers.

Cecilia comforted Vivian, “Don’t worry. I don’t love him anymore.”

“Okay,” Vivian nodded.

The next day, news broke: A-list celebrity Stella Ross had caused a scene at the Rainsworth family birthday banquet. She’d bullied a child, plagiarized, and alienated her prospective in-laws, being ejected from Rainsworth Manor within ten minutes. Online, everyone reveled in the drama.

Stella’s attempt to suppress the trending search through Central Media proved futile; lacking Zachary’s influence, her name remained prominent. She turned to Nathaniel’s assistant, Mason, for help, as it involved Nathaniel’s reputation.

In Orion Corporation’s CEO office, Mason informed Nathaniel, “Are we still not addressing this?” Previous entertainment news about Stella’s association with Nathaniel had been ignored. Nathaniel merely glanced at the new report.

“Whoever caused the trouble should fix it,” he stated.

Mason understood. He presented more documents. “This is from our people in Erihal. It's information on Cecilia from the past four or five years.”

Nathaniel reviewed the documents. A photograph slipped out—a little boy in a hospital bed, with delicate features and strikingly beautiful, obsidian eyes. A peculiar familiarity struck Nathaniel, though he couldn't place it. He rarely remembered irrelevant people or events, having forgotten his fleeting encounter with Jonathan.

“We’ve learned Cecilia has been living with Calvin,” Mason explained. “And we’ve found information about this child.”

Nathaniel fell silent, his gaze fixed on the photograph. His emotions were complex.

“Where is the child now?” he finally asked.

“He’s in Erihal, under Calvin’s protection. Security is tight.”

Mason had been struck by the child's resemblance to Nathaniel. "Mr. Rainsworth, is this child yours and Ms. Smith's?" he ventured.

Nathaniel didn't answer. “You should leave.”

“Understood.”

Alone, Nathaniel reviewed Cecilia’s history, confirming her life with Calvin. Looking at their photos together, he felt a surge of anger. The information remained insufficient; beyond the photograph, little was known about the child. His expression cold, Nathaniel tossed the documents into a drawer and headed for Cecilia's office.