Nathaniel Fitzgerald Is Back?

After leaving the hospital, Aurelia Prescott walked briskly through the bustling streets of Everstone Hill.

The cool evening air did little to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.

Her father’s frail condition, her uncle’s reckless mistakes, and Alexandrez’ unrelenting grip on their family, it all weighed heavily on her shoulders.

She had no time to dwell on it now. There was an appointment she couldn’t miss.

Sophia Leclair, her closest and only friend in Everstone Hill, had asked to meet her at La Fenêtre.

Sophia had said she had something important to discuss.

Sophia was more than a friend, she was like family, the one person Aurelia could confide in without fear of judgment.

When the Prescott family first fell into trouble, Sophia had been the first person Aurelia sought out for help.

But the power in the Leclair family rested firmly in the hands of Sophia’s brother, Charles Leclair.

Charles, unfortunately, was Alexandrez’ ally and had refused outright when Sophia tried to secure a loan for Aurelia.

Aurelia had never blamed Sophia.

She understood the limits of her friend’s influence.

Sophia wasn’t even a true Leclair by blood; she was an adopted child, brought into the family under less-than-ideal circumstances.

Her accounts had been frozen, her authority undermined, there was little she could do.

By the time Aurelia arrived at the elegant restaurant, Sophia was already seated.

A nearly empty teacup sat in front of her, its contents long gone cold. She must have been waiting for some time.

Sophia’s eyes lit up the moment she saw Aurelia.

She stood quickly, her voice tinged with worry. “Are you alright? I’ve been calling you all day, but you didn’t pick up. I was starting to get scared.”

Aurelia offered a tired smile as she slid into the seat across from her friend. “I’m fine, don’t worry. I was with my dad earlier, so I couldn’t answer my phone.”

Sophia’s brow furrowed with guilt.

She fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth, her voice soft and apologetic. “I’m so sorry, Aurelia. I feel terrible for not being able to help more. It’s all Charles’ fault, he told our father not to give me any money and even froze my accounts. I couldn’t do anything.”

Aurelia reached out, placing a reassuring hand over Sophia’s. “It’s okay, Sophia. You’ve already done so much. You called Uncle Jorah this morning and helped me deal with my father. If it weren’t for you, today would’ve been much harder. Really, I owe you.”

Sophia relaxed a little, though the guilt in her eyes didn’t completely fade. “Still… I wish I could’ve done more.”

Aurelia smiled faintly, hoping to change the subject. “You said you had something important to tell me. What is it?”

Sophia nodded, her expression growing serious. “Yes, I asked you to come because I have news about Nathaniel Fitzgerald.”

Aurelia froze.

The name sent a jolt through her.

Her voice rose in excitement, cutting across Sophia’s sentence. “Really? You found him? How? Where is he? Tell me everything, I need to see him!”

Sophia placed her hands on Aurelia’s to steady her. “Calm down,” she urged. “I don’t have all the details yet, but I overheard Charles talking last night. He mentioned that they’ve tracked down Nate’s whereabouts.”

Aurelia’s breath hitched. Her heart pounded as she hung on Sophia’s every word.

Sophia continued carefully. “From what I heard, Nate found out about the Prescott family’s situation. He’s planning to return to Everstone Hill to see you.” She hesitated, her grip on Aurelia’s hands tightening. “But no one knows exactly when he’ll arrive. Aurelia, you have to be careful. Don’t let Alexandrez find out about this. If he learns that Nate is coming back…”

She trailed off, but the implication was clear. Alexandrez and Nathaniel were sworn enemies.

If they crossed paths, the consequences would be disastrous.