Chapter 158
Natalie’s eyes darkened when she saw Jasmine. “Jasmine, you’re Jason’s fiancée. While he’s lying in the hospital, you’re out here enjoying yourself. Guess your love isn’t as deep as we thought.”
Jasmine sneered, thinking, ‘Why should I waste my energy caring for someone useless?’ “He’s a worthless cripple who can’t even take care of me. I’m not his fiancée,” she said.
“What a pity, isn’t it? Six months ago, you and Jennifer schemed against Zoe and me, and now you’ve got nothing,” Natalie taunted.
From the beginning, Jasmine was a pawn that Jennifer used to keep Jason tied down.
Jasmine’s face turned pale. She said, “That’s right. I plotted meticulously back then, and three months ago in the hotel, I schemed once more. But then Jason unexpectedly became disabled. I don’t want to live with someone who’s disabled for the rest of my life.”
“Humph! You are just an orphan that got left behind. Who do you think you are to judge me?” Jasmine’s eyes flickered, but she knew she had to keep the baby. Otherwise, she’d never have the chance to get pregnant again. After all, she was a woman, and she had to become a mom at least once in her life. Even if the baby in her womb wasn’t Jason’s, she was determined to have the Simpson family raise it. With her mind made up, she decided to go to the hospital to find Jason. Even if he was disabled, Wendy could still take care of the baby, allowing her to keep having fun outside.
Jasmine strode up to Natalie, but Valerie cut her off before she could say a word. “Girl, stop making things harder for Natalie. You should really think about getting yourself checked out at the hospital. You’re sick.”
Jasmine glared at her angrily. “Last time you told me I might as well be dead, and now you’re saying I’m sick. What did I ever do to you? Are you putting a curse on me?”
“I think the one really sick is you,” Jasmine yelled angrily.
Valerie shook her head. “She’s acting reckless, but it’s not my problem.”
Jasmine was utterly confused, wondering, ‘Why is this woman speaking so mysteriously?’
Jasmine snapped, “Humph! Natalie, your friend is just as snarky and nasty as you. No wonder the Simpson family kicked you out.”
“Jasmine, what are you doing here?” Jennifer asked.
What a coincidence. It was Easton and Jennifer.
Seeing these two made Natalie feel even more disgusted.
Easton was the sort of guy who could embrace just about anyone, choosing to let go and forgive Jennifer for all the stuff she pulled. Whether in this life or the past, Easton had always favored Jennifer.
Natalie glanced at Easton and met his deep gaze as he looked at her.
She slowly turned away, realizing that in this lifetime, she wouldn’t impulsively blame Easton and Jennifer for being close, like she did before.
In this life, she was truly calm, but Jennifer and Easton had already walked over.
She sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Valerie, how about we grab a bite somewhere else?”
Even a simple meal was a struggle for her. It felt like Jennifer and Easton were just her destined enemies.
Jasmine quickly explained, “Jennifer, Mr. Garcia, I just ran into Natalie and her friend and showed a little concern, but her friend said I was sick.”
Jasmine pretended to feel wronged.
Valerie frowned, unable to hide her disdain, and snapped, “You’re really sick, with a filthy disease. Stay away from us.”
Natalie asked quietly, “Valerie, how did you figure it out? Can you really diagnose illnesses?”
Valerie laughed, “Natalie, some secrets are just not meant to be shared.”
Natalie felt frustrated. Her curiosity was piqued, but she couldn’t find out the truth. Oh, it was so unfair.
Jasmine had had countless boyfriends since she was in high school. As Jasmine herself said, she was making the most of her youth, living it up while she could. Her youth was really on fire.
A hint of fear crossed Jasmine’s eyes. ‘Is she talking about AIDS? Over the years, I have been with more than a hundred guys, but I get checked out all the time, so I’m sure everything’s fine,’ she told herself, trying to ease her worries.
“Natalie, how could you do this? Jasmine is your future sister-in-law…” Jennifer began.
“She’s your sister-in-law, not mine,” Natalie interrupted. “Watch your words. Don’t lump me in with you.”
Jennifer chuckled, thinking to herself, ‘She is getting smarter and more ruthless, but does that mean I can’t deal with her?’
Jennifer smiled sweetly, “That’s true. You signed the papers to cut ties with the Simpson family, so I really shouldn’t be linking us together. After all, you’re just an orphan.”
The implication was that Natalie’s status as an orphan was beneath her.
Natalie’s smile was icy. “Jennifer, looks like you’re not as dumb as I thought. You’re finally showing a bit of self-awareness. Being stuck with someone as repulsive as you is just disgusting.”
“You…” Jennifer was seething with anger. “Easton, look at her. She’s really living up to her roots in the impoverished town. She’s so vulgar.”
Easton stepped forward, his voice steady. “Natalie, you’re part of the Garcia family. You shouldn’t be so harsh.”
“Pfft…” Natalie couldn’t help but laugh at Easton’s shameless words. She placed her hands on the table, propped up her chin, and gave Easton a thorough look over, admiring his handsome face.
Natalie said, “Easton, this is the first time I’ve heard you say something like that. If you had said this six months ago, I would have been thrilled because it meant you were acknowledging me. But now, I don’t need it. Take back what you just said.”
Easton met her mocking gaze. His lips tightened into a thin line as he chose to keep quiet. The light in her eyes that had once shone with love for him was gone.
He felt a dull ache in his heart.
Natalie’s eyes suddenly turned cold. She stood up and said to Valerie, “Valerie, let’s go eat across the street.”
Valerie responded with a nod.
As they were about to leave, Jennifer boasted, “Oh, by the way, Natalie, Easton invested in my new movie! Did you see the news?”
Natalie nodded. “Yeah, I did. You, with your scandal-ridden reputation, dare to make a movie? Once it’s done, maybe I’ll send you a big gift.”
Jennifer laughed boldly, not a hint of fear in her. I’m not scared at all, but I’m afraid by the time it comes, you might not be around to see it, Jennifer thought.
She pretended to be upset and asked, “Natalie, why do you always plot against me?”
“You’re really full of yourself,” Natalie remarked. “I’m keeping you breathing just to make sure those heartless people from the Simpson family get what’s coming to them. So, even if I’ve got dirt on you, I’m not about to expose you.”
Jennifer frowned, deep in thought, ‘This woman is getting more and more unreadable. Does she know about my plan?’ Jennifer’s eyes held a secretive glint.
Natalie chuckled as she looked at Jasmine. Next up, it would be Jasmine’s turn.
Jasmine felt a shiver in her heart under Natalie’s gaze, remembering how Natalie had said she was just a pawn of Jennifer’s.
But up until now, all she had lost was Jason.
Yet, there was no other man in the world who treated her as well as Jason did.
So, even if he was disabled, at least someone was there to raise her son.
“Jennifer, I won’t disturb you and Mr. Garcia any longer. I’m going to the hospital to see Jason.” With that, Jasmine walked away.
Easton also turned to leave, but Jennifer quickly grabbed his wrist. “Easton, aren’t you going to stay for lunch? Mr. Garcia’s people are secretly watching us. If you leave now, he won’t be happy. I’m just trying to save you from Mr. Garcia’s wrath. There’s no hidden agenda. Just stay for lunch with me before you go.”