Chapter 210: A Surprise Turns into a Scare

Cecilia listened in confusion, her tone full of doubt. "He's the third son of the Grayson Family, so how is he the child of the legitimate wife?"

"Isn't it obvious? His dad cheated during marriage, and the mistress took over."

"Then why is he ranked third?"

Sophie immediately gave her the answer. "They also have an older sister! Mrs. Grayson gave birth to a daughter, then Mr. Grayson had an affair and got pregnant with the second child. Not long after, Mrs. Grayson also got pregnant. She died from complications during childbirth with Gavin, and then the mistress took over and seized the Grayson Family fortune."

Cecilia sighed at the story and blurted out, "Their sister isn't named Stella, is she?"

"Exactly! How did you know?"

Cecilia didn't answer Sophie's question, but asked instead, "Did you find out any information about this Stella?"

"I only heard that she died!" Sophie replied. "This matter seems to be taboo in the Grayson Family—no one's allowed to mention it. However, the Grayson Family has been very active lately. Gavin going back probably means something big is happening there."

Seeing Cecilia remain silent, Sophie added, "That's all I've found out for now. I'll tell you when I learn more!"

After hanging up, Cecilia contacted Helen. Helen had also heard about her kidnapping and expressed concern before asking if there was something else.

Cecilia told her honestly, asking her to help find out about internal matters at Apex Ventures Corporation and also to check on Aurora.

When Helen learned that Cecilia wanted to go to Emberfall City to pick up Nathan and Seraphina, she stopped her. "You just went through an ordeal. Don't leave River City for now—I'll go get them for you!"

As the Nelson Family's goddaughter now, she was naturally willing to make the trip for Cecilia.

Cecilia didn't stand on ceremony with her. Thinking about recent events, she was genuinely afraid someone might follow her and end up hurting Nathan and Seraphina.

"Alright, you go pick them up. Any day in the next few days is fine—no rush!"

Soon it was Ethan's birthday. Cecilia bought a gift, left work early to buy groceries and a cake.

She didn't expect Ethan to come home for dinner, so she ate first with Molly.

But they waited a long time, and Ethan still didn't return.

Molly grew anxious waiting and asked her several times when Ethan would be back.

Seeing Molly getting drowsy, Cecilia could only pick up her phone to call.

But the phone rang for a long time until it automatically disconnected—no one answered.

With no choice, she could only coax Molly to sleep and continue waiting.

No matter what, Cecilia still wanted to wish Ethan a happy birthday in person.

She found a spot on the top floor where she could see the neighborhood entrance and sat down. But she waited until late at night without seeing any sign of Ethan.

Cecilia was deeply disappointed. She figured Ethan probably wouldn't come back tonight.

He was the head of Apex Ventures Corporation, the youngest son of the Campbell Family—plenty of people would celebrate his birthday with him. How could he belong to her alone?

Just as she was about to go downstairs to rest, a light suddenly appeared below, shining on the distant flower beds.

Cecilia immediately recognized it as Ethan's car.

She ran downstairs, rushed to the mirror to fix her windblown hair, then ran to the door to greet him.

Ethan was momentarily stunned to see her, then heard her gentle, sweet voice. "You're back?"

She looked exactly like a wife waiting at home for her husband to return.

"Why aren't you asleep so late?" Ethan changed his shoes and walked over, pulling her into his arms.

"Waiting for you!" Cecilia smelled a strong scent of alcohol.

She had never seen him drink this much before. She reached up to support him, walking him toward the dining room and pressing him down into a chair.

Before Ethan could ask what she was doing, Cecilia quickly opened the cake, stuck in candles, and said with a smile, "Ethan, today is your birthday. I wish you a happy birthday and peace and joy every day!"

She expected to see a happy expression or hear words of thanks. But there was nothing.

Ethan stood up, looking at her in disbelief, his gaze filled with indescribable disappointment and coldness. "Cecilia, do you even know what you're doing?"

Cecilia was stared at by his icy cold eyes, then the drunk man in front of her roared at her, "What did you just say?"

With those words, he suddenly raised his hand and swept everything off the table—the cake and the late-night snack Cecilia had specially prepared—all crashing to the floor.

The dishes smashed on the ground, making a harsh sound in the silent night.

Cecilia was so frightened by this sudden turn of events that she trembled all over. She had never seen Ethan this violent. This side of him made her feel afraid and strange, as if she had never truly known this man.

Before Cecilia could recover, Ethan roared loudly again, "Cecilia, who told you to do this? You're really stupid enough!"

With those words, he turned and strode out.

Cecilia looked up and saw his staggering steps and lonely figure, followed by a loud slam of the door.

She stood there in a daze. She didn't know how long had passed when Molly came running out on her little legs. Seeing the mess all over the floor, her sleepy little face became panicked.

"Mommy," Molly stood at the corner, leaning against the wall and calling out timidly.

Cecilia was startled and hurried over to carry Molly back to her room.

With her big eyes open, she asked with concern like a little adult, "Mommy, are you okay?"

Cecilia's heart nearly melted. "I'm fine. I just accidentally knocked things onto the floor. Did I scare you?"

She explained, trying to pull out a kind and gentle smile, tucking Molly in and softly comforting her, "Molly, don't be afraid. I'm here. Go to sleep!"

But Molly was still thinking about celebrating Ethan's birthday. "Where's Ethan? Did he come back?"

Cecilia thought of what had just happened and felt a bit scared, but didn't dare show it.

"He had something to do and didn't come back! I dropped the cake. I'll buy you a small cake tomorrow, okay?"

Molly responded drowsily, "Okay!"

Cecilia waited until Molly was completely asleep before carefully walking out of the room.

When she returned to the living room and saw the mess all over the floor, Cecilia could no longer control herself and broke down crying.

The feelings of grievance and humiliation pressed down on her until she couldn't breathe.

After crying for a while, she numbly got up to clean.

She threw the broken plates and spilled food into the trash, then found a clean cloth to wipe everything.

Her mind kept flashing back to the words they'd exchanged and things they'd done after Ethan came home, but she still couldn't figure out why he had suddenly changed.

That violent Ethan—cold, fierce, indifferent, aggressive—didn't match his usual calm and refined image at all.

Just now, she had almost doubted whether the person throwing a fit in front of her was really Ethan.

Or was it that Ethan was no different from Sebastian, and this was his true face beneath his hypocritical exterior?