Natalie felt a sudden jolt in her heart and wondered privately whether Gavin was becoming suspicious. But then she thought it was impossible. After all, they didn’t even know each other when he first started going to that club.
“Are you out of your mind?” Natalie said with a sneer. “Paranoid much?”
Meeting her mocking gaze, Gavin felt a wave of relief. Yeah, how could this possibly be related to her? He’d been frequenting clubs since his freshman year, hitting all the slightly upscale ones in Aloville. He didn’t know Natalie back then. Besides, the Kinbergs were prominent figures in Aloville; her family was all scholars and professors connected to the medical field. How would they know people who ran clubs?
‘Impossible, absolutely impossible! I must be overthinking!’ he thought.
Gavin turned and walked away, his expression gloomy. His life was pretty much set. There were some things he couldn’t give up, and his family background wasn’t enough to support them. Leaning on Natalie was fine. He provided the talent; she provided the money. They were just using each other.
Seeing that he didn’t press further, Natalie secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The club Gavin frequented had nothing to do with her, but it was connected to Reynard. Even though Reynard was locked up now, and the club had been investigated before, operations may resume as usual following rectification. Gavin was a sucker for women, alcohol, and gambling. She had just dropped a word to Reynard back then, and Gavin fell right into the trap, and it would likely be difficult for him to extricate himself. Unless he has enough money to pay off all his debts to the club, with beautiful women, high–end imported liquor, and countless wins and losses at the card table, even selling himself would not be enough for him to repay everything.
Gavin was destined to be her tool for life, an academic tool she could use however she pleased. If he weren’t somewhat capable, she wouldn’t even bother with him. Thinking of this, Natalie felt pleased; she hadn’t expected Reynard to turn out to be quite handy.
Kyle said Audrey admitted she was David’s daughter, but so what? It just meant another father figure. To her, as long as they could help her achieve success, make her famous in the medical world, and let her surpass Audrey’s accomplishments, they were both good ‘dads’! After all, she grew up by Audrey’s side. She never really felt what having a ‘dad‘ was supposed to be like anyway.
Natalie didn’t give it a second thought.
“Why did Gavin leave?” Vincent walked back.
Natalie glanced towards where Jaden had gone. “He has class. What about Jaden? Is he still mad at me?”
“Don’t take it personally. That’s just his temper. He believes everything he hears.” Vincent waved his hand dismissively. “Come on, let’s go find Professor Lawson.”
Natalie’s eyes darkened. What a pity. If Jaden hadn’t fallen out with her, she might have let the Monroe family last a bit longer, maybe even found someone to help them.
‘But now, Jaden, just wait for your father to beat you to death!’ she thought.
“Vincent, you’re the best. You always believe in me, always stay by my side.” Natalie curved her lips into a gentle smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you with your grad school preparations. Just ask if you need any materials.”
Vincent breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Natalie. I won’t stand on ceremony.”
Josie knew nothing about the events that unfolded after she left. She found Delilah and handed her the lecture schedule. “Professor Wilcourt, can I go on the day of the lecture?”
Delilah looked up.
“You’re my assistant. Thinking of slacking off? Don’t want your pay?”
“No, not at all. I’ll get ready then,” Josie agreed happily.
Delilah chuckled. “I think you were right before. I can’t keep refusing the media forever. In this day and age, if we want to accomplish anything, we can’t exclude the media.”