Chapter 136

Easton coldly rejected her. “There’s no need. I have a wife, and I don't need another companion.”

Jennifer was stunned. Wife? He admitted it. A look of hurt flickered across her face, but her voice carried a hint of suppressed sarcasm. “Easton, you couldn’t even admit that you were married before, and now you’re calling her your wife? Then what does everything you did to me mean?”

Jennifer knew exactly how to play on Easton’s emotions and temper. She had even planned a trap for tonight’s banquet, certain that it would make Easton detest Natalie completely.

Easton stared deeply into her mocking gaze and responded calmly, “If you think what I did was unfair, you can return the billions I gave you.” Tossing his coat on the table, he tugged at his tic, his frustration evident. Ever since Natalie left, his mind hadn’t been at peace.

Jennifer froze for a moment, a glimmer of disbelief flashing in her eyes. He’s changed—he really has. Even threatening to take his own life wouldn’t move him now. It was clear that he was no longer under her control, she thought.

But she still had one last card to play. She said with a soft voice, “Easton, Mr. Garcia has returned. He insisted that I be your companion for the banquet tonight. Mr. Garcia despises Natalie; if you don’t want him to trouble her, you’d better take me with you.”

This was her source of confidence. The Garcia family—Chairman William Garcia—treated her like his own daughter. Easton’s mother, Charlotte, had seen through Jennifer’s schemes and hated her. But Charlotte had been powerless, and in the end, Jennifer managed to have her sent to a mental hospital.

That was the way the world worked—some people saw the truth but kept silent, while others spoke out but were ignored. Even Easton had turned a blind eye before, eager to distance himself from Natalie, she thought. Jennifer was sure Natalie could never win.

With a gentle reminder, she added, “You know Mr. Garcia thinks Natalie is beneath you. Now that she’s left the Simpson family, he could crush her effortlessly if he wanted.”

Jennifer knew that Easton understood better than anyone just how cruel his father could be.

Easton’s parents were from families that had entered into a marriage alliance. After the alliance, Easton’s mother, Charlotte, saw her family, the Brown family, swallowed up by Easton’s father, William, in less than two years.

William led a lavish lifestyle, and after merging with the Brown family’s company, he famously proposed to a female college student.

The whole city of Shagrity knew about it, and people there envied the grand proposal that captured everyone’s admiration. Charlotte not only lost the Brown family but also became the biggest joke and victim of this marriage.

The blame could only fall on Charlotte for being too naive, placing all her hopes on a man, only to end up with nothing, Jennifer thought.

No one could match William’s cruelty, and Easton understood this better than anyone.

These words made Easton’s gaze suddenly turn cold; he knew better than anyone the methods his father employed. Natalie was the most innocent person in this situation, yet Jennifer still chose to threaten him at this moment.

Easton smiled faintly, though his eyes were cold. “Jennifer, it seems I don’t know you as well as I thought. You’re much more complicated than you seem.” With that, he turned and headed upstairs to change.

Jennifer’s expression flickered with disbelief. He agreed—for Natalie’s sake. A wave of jealousy and bitterness surged within her. Easton, you can only love me! Natalie, tonight you’re finished, she thought.

Chapter 138

Natalie and Luna returned home to freshen up before heading to Colin’s banquet. Before getting into the car, Luna handed Natalie the latest information about Jennifer’s movements.

After reviewing it, Natalie’s face darkened. Jennifer had a habit of scheming against her in public settings, always striking with the most ruthless methods. “Who from the Simpson family is attending tonight?” Natalie asked Luna.

Luna replied, “Aside from Jason, both Jennifer and Wendy will be there. I heard Mr. Wayne’s assistant personally delivered their invitations, so they’ll be treated as special guests.”

Natalie’s eyes narrowed. “This is Jennifer’s typical strategy—she’ll use Mr. Wayne’s influence to humiliate me. The only thing that could achieve both her goals—ruining me and pushing for my divorce from Easton—is…” She formed a plan in her mind.

She thought, Only Murray could help now. Natalie quickly sent him a video and outlined her plan. After that, she discussed her strategy with Luna, showing her a specific photo.

Natalie showed Luna a photo and said, “Luna, if my suspicion proves right, find this woman immediately. Do you understand? Make sure our people are stationed as waitstaff tonight. If I’m correct, all surveillance footage from tonight’s banquet will be compromised.”

Luna nodded confidently. “I’ve already made the necessary arrangements, Natalie.”

“Good.” Natalie felt reassured.

The Wayne family was one of the old elites in Shagrity, rivaling the Spencer family in power. In these tightly interwoven circles, families often married within their ranks to secure status and influence.

Though Natalie had grown up in this environment, she was fortunate—her grandfather Lambert never forced her into a marriage alliance. Her family valued competence over connections, but for many daughters of elite families, love was not a luxury they could afford.

Easton’s parents are a tragic example of a marriage alliance.

William is simply a bastard, with many illegitimate children outside. It’s said he has returned, and William has never liked her for a simple reason: she is not under his control.

William has always hoped that Jennifer would marry Easton because Jennifer listens to him in everything, and he treats her like a biological daughter. If Jennifer can manipulate Easton, then he can also manipulate Easton, keeping track of all his movements.

Easton is the biggest victim in this marriage; his personality is reclusive and dark. If it weren’t for his grandfather, Liam, protecting him, he would have long been gone from this world.

Jennifer’s relationship with Zach, however, intrigued Natalie. Could William know about it? she pondered deeply, only snapping out of her thoughts when they arrived at the Wayne residence.

Luna gently reminded her, “Natalie, we’ve arrived.”

Natalie came back to her senses, lifted her dress, got out of the car, and handed the invitation to the butler for verification. She waited for Luna to park the car, and soon, Luna was back.

“Natalie,” Murray called out when he spotted her from afar and jogged over to her side.

Murray strode toward her, looking unusually elegant in a black suit. His striking features, enhanced by his styled bangs, gave him an alluring, almost otherworldly charm.

Natalie gave him a slight nod.

Murray gave a roguish smile and a reassuring look.

Though Murray often acted playful, Natalie trusted him when it came to serious matters. He was dependable when it mattered most.

“Luna, let’s head inside,” Natalie said.

Just as Natalie was about to enter, she noticed two familiar figures approaching from the other side, and her expression darkened.