Celia was speechless.Wen Shaoqian continued, "Nathaniel was angry that day, and I'm sure he said some things that hurt. Honestly, it's understandable—he was on his first date ever. Before that, he even asked our group chat where he should take a girl. We fooled him a little. Of course he wouldn't be in a good mood."
First date?Celia's heart skipped a beat. Wen Shaoqian's words dropped into the still waters of her heart like a stone, sending ripples across what she had thought was calm.
Then Wen Shaoqian turned toward her with a thoughtful look. "Miss Celia, do you really feel nothing for Nathaniel?"
Celia didn't answer.
"A man who's willing to spend money on you, who buys you thoughtful gifts, who never lets another man get close to you, and who's always attentive to your emotions... I don't believe you haven't been moved at all."
"I've known Nathaniel for years," he said seriously. "He might look cold and ruthless on the outside, but when he cares, he's more loyal than anyone I know. Once he loves someone, he'll fight for it with everything he has."
He looked her square in the eye. "Nathaniel loves you. I don't know how deep it runs yet, but what he feels for you now—it's definitely the kind of love a man has for a woman."
Just then, a low and displeased voice interrupted, "What are you two talking about?"
Celia looked up and saw Nathaniel Fu standing at the end of the hallway.
He was dressed in a black button-up shirt and tailored slacks, with the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing his sculpted collarbones. His sleeves were rolled up, faint traces of water still clinging to the fabric. With both hands in his pockets, he looked at the two of them under the warm corridor light, frowning slightly.
Wen Shaoqian raised his hands in mock innocence. "Hey, Nathaniel. We were just chatting. Why are you looking at me like that?"
Nathaniel's sharp gaze swept past him and landed squarely on Celia.
She returned his gaze calmly. "Mr. Wen didn't say anything inappropriate."
Just then, Emily emerged from the dressing room, "Uncle, I'm ready. Let's go home."
Shaoqian asked, "Aren't we staying for dinner?"
Nathaniel turned without hesitation. "No. We're leaving."
The black Rolls-Royce Phantom glided smoothly along the highway and pulled into the Yipinlan Villas half an hour later.
Celia instinctively reached for the door handle, but Nathaniel's voice cut through the quiet, "Emily, get out here. We're staying at the old Fu residence tonight."
Emily quickly hopped out of the car, waving with a grin. "Uncle, Celia, have a nice night!"
Celia blinked. "…What?"
The Rolls-Royce started moving again, this time heading in the direction of the Fu family's ancestral home.
"We're really staying there tonight?" she asked cautiously.
Nathaniel nodded. "Yeah. My mother's been asking us to visit. Let's stay the night and keep her company."
Stay the night… together?
Celia's heart jumped at the implication, but she quickly reminded herself: this could be a good opportunity. The jade pendant had been taken by Nathaniel. Getting closer might give her a chance to find out where he kept it.
But where exactly would he hide something so important...?
Soon, they arrived at the Fu estate. The grand entrance opened as they stepped into the soft-lit living room.
Nathaniel asked, "Where's my mother? She went to bed this early?"
The housekeeper responded respectfully, "Sir, I was just about to report—Miss Emily visited earlier and received a call from… the capital."
Nathaniel's tall frame stiffened, and without another word, he headed upstairs toward Madam Fu's room.
Inside, the room was quiet and dimly lit. Madam Fu was sleeping soundly.
Nathaniel's stern expression finally softened. "Did she have another episode today?"
The housekeeper shook her head. "She nearly did. I was about to call you, but the young mistress talked her down and helped her settle. Madam's been calm ever since."
Nathaniel's brows drew together. "Celia?"
"Yes," the housekeeper said with a small smile. "Honestly, I thought she'd have a nightmare for sure tonight. But I checked on her several times, and she's been sleeping like a baby. I don't know what kind of magic Miss Celia used, but it worked."