Brak
Brak 227

Chapter 227 Have A Look Yourself

“It’s been quite some time; you’ve changed so much,” Miranda said with a smile, extending her hand toward Cecilia.

Cecilia, however, didn’t reciprocate the gesture. Instead, she offered a polite smile and replied, “You haven’t really changed much.”

Miranda’s expression momentarily stiffened, her hand lingering in the air before she pulled it back with a slight awkwardness. “Do you mind stepping out for a chat?” she suggested, regaining her composure quickly.

Miranda had married into the Rainsworth family before Cecilia. Back when Cecilia had just gotten engaged to Nathaniel, Mirand

would often visit, engaging her in seemingly caring

conversations, playing the role of an affectionate older sister.

It wasn’t until after Cecilia married Nathaniel that Miranda’s true nature began to reveal itself, especially after Cecilia’s father passed away and her family’s influence began to wane.

It had to be admitted–some people were naturally gifted when it came to acting.

As they walked along the winding path, Miranda’s voice was soft, almost as if she was sharing a secret. “Did you know? Five years ago, when I heard of your supposed death, I couldn’t sleep a wink that night. I had just become pregnant with Felix, and the stress almost caused a miscarriage.”

In the world of adults, there were things understood but left unsaid.

Cecilia’s lips curled into a faint, amused smile as she responded, “Is that because you were scared? Afraid that I might come looking for you in the night?”

Miranda had never missed an opportunity to cause trouble for Cecilia after marrying into the family as her sister–in–law.

Cecilia vividly remembered the time when Nathaniel had disappeared while handling a project overseas. The Rainsworth family had been on edge, and Cecilia, determined not to let any harm befall the family, had painstakingly visited every relative and senior executive within the Rainsworth circle, trying to keep things together.

While everyone believed Nathaniel had drowned, Cecilia had gone to Daprein alone, searching for him. In that unfamiliar place, she had been fortunate enough to meet one of Nathaniel’s business partners. Not only did she help Nathaniel secure a critical deal, but her actions also caught the attention of Neil, leading to her eventual entry into the Rainsworth family.

Yet, in the end, it was Miranda who ruined everything. She spread vicious rumors, claiming Cecilia had gone to Daprein to seduce a wealthy tycoon and other slanderous accusations.

When these rumors reached the ears of Niel, he was thunderstruck. Cecilia was punished harshly

-forced to kneel in the ancestral hall for an entire day and night. This was just one of many incidents; the events that followed were too numerous to count.

1/3

Miranda’s smile didnt reach ner eyes as she sang sense of humor.”

The two of them continued walking, eventually arriving outside a secluded courtyard. The location wasn’t far from where Nathaniel resided, and Cecilia found the place oddly familiar.

She had been here before, back when she was a child, but since marrying into the Rainsworth. family, she had never set foot in this area again. She had once inquired with a housekeeper about the purpose of this place, but the housekeeper hadn’t known much either.

Standing outside the courtyard, Miranda’s tone grew more cryptic. “Ceci, didn’t you once tell me that Nathaniel sought you out in the middle of a rainy night?”

This was something Cecilia had confided in Miranda back when she was newly engaged to Nathaniel, before she truly understood the dynamics of the Rainsworth family.

Cecilia didn’t understand the relevance of this now. “Yes, what about it?” she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

Miranda’s eyebrows lifted ever so slightly as she continued, “I’ve always had a question that’s been bothering me,” she said, her voice carrying an air of mystery. “Back in the day, you described Nathaniel as a gentleman–kind and gentle, didn’t you?”

A hint of unease stirred within Cecilia. There was something in Miranda’s tone that made her heart race.

With a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, Miranda said, “I believe there’s something your should see.” She cast her gaze toward the quict courtyard just ahead. “Why don’t you go in and have a look?”

Cecilia hesitated, uncertain of what Miranda was planning. “Why should I listen to you?” she asked, suspicion lacing her words. After being deceived by Miranda numerous times over the years, Cecilia had learned not to trust her.

“Believe it or not, that’s up to you,” Miranda replied, her voice cool and indifferent. “But let me warn you, if you don’t check it out, you’ll definitely regret it.”

As Miranda turned to leave, she paused as if struck by an afterthought. “This is just a hunch of mine, regardless of what you see. I hope you won’t tell anyone that it came from me. It’s merely a speculation.” With that, she walked away, leaving Cecilia standing alone in front of the courtyard.

Miranda, despite her bravado, was still afraid of Nathaniel. She knew that Nathaniel was far from the gentlemanly figure he often presented to the world.

It was worth noting that Adrian’s father, who was also Nathaniel’s uncle, had been brought down by Nathaniel himself. To this day, the man was still confined to a hospital bed, relying on medical equipment to prolong his life.

As Miranda left, Cecilia remained in the same spot, the emptiness of the surroundings stark against the distant sounds of the banquet.