Chapter 351

Murray couldn’t hold back his laughter.

Jennifer felt embarrassment wash over her, mortified that Easton stayed seated. If he had taken her to the hospital, she would have laughed and told Natalie that Easton cared for her more than anyone.

But Easton just sat there, cold and unyielding, saying nothing.

Murray laughed loudly while tears glistened in Jennifer’s eyes. She slightly parted her trembling lips, trying to look innocent and vulnerable, hoping Easton would take her to the hospital.

The truth was a dull ache was starting to twinge in her stomach.

“Easton… I…” she hesitated, trying to show how pitiful she felt.

Her acting skills even left Natalie momentarily speechless.

No wonder Jennifer had once caught Easton’s attention; any man seeing such a face would be helpless against her charm.

Easton’s eyes darted between Natalie and Jennifer as he said, “Next time, I’ll reserve the whole place. I’ll take Jennifer to the hospital first and then come back for you, Natalie.”

Natalie nodded with an amused smile. “Hurry, before Jennifer faints from the pain; it would break your heart.”

She showed no concern, feeling free and indifferent towards Easton.

Easton observed Natalie’s carefree attitude, and anger bubbled inside him. Natalie truly seemed unbothered.

To Jennifer’s surprise, Easton still looked at her kindly, and she could barely hide her joy. That life-saving favor truly proved useful.

Natalie was bound to lose against her.

Feigning pain, Jennifer bent over, slowly rising with a provocative smile towards Natalie.

Anticipating this move, Natalie raised an eyebrow and joked, “Wow, just a moment ago you looked near death, yet now you have the energy to provoke me. Jennifer, even a clown wouldn’t put on such a show.”

Jennifer snapped back, “Natalie, are you calling me a clown?”

Murray quickly supported Natalie’s tease. “You still have the energy to shout; clearly, your stomachache is just a ploy for sympathy. I’ve never seen such shamelessness in a mistress.”

Fear gripped Jennifer as she looked at the crowd, worrying about being recognized. Being known as a mistress would forever taint her identity.

Natalie found it amusing to see Jennifer squirm. A woman with such dirty intentions pretending to be innocent was funny. Natalie said, “Let’s not push Jennifer into more shame; after all, she has her gallant protector. Some people insult their wives while having affairs–don’t follow their bad example, Murray.”

Easton stopped, looking at Natalie’s smiling face.

He wondered if Natalie saw all his actions as insulting her. He pondered, ‘If it weren’t for all the disappointments, would she even say such things?’

Murray quickly assured, “Natalie, don’t worry. I’ll never act like such a scoundrel. If I fall in love, it will be with all my heart.”

Natalie smiled with satisfaction, but Easton’s anger grew like a wild beast.

Turning to Jennifer, he said coldly, “Let’s go now; soon, your pain will fade before we reach the hospital, making the trip pointless.”

Jennifer was quiet for a moment, realizing Easton saw through her act too.

“Easton, why would you treat me this way?” Jennifer’s frustration almost made her cry.

Though Easton meant to take her to the hospital, his words felt like sharp criticism, supporting Natalie.

Jennifer wondered if she had messed up her plan.

She noticed Natalie smiling. It hit her that Easton was no longer naive. Defeated, she slowly backed down.

Murray remarked, “How lucky! I’m saved from the ordeal of eating with Jennifer.”

As a gentleman, Murray’s dislike for Jennifer was clear in his words.

Jennifer glared angrily at Murray.

Natalie sensed the tension and felt a flicker of worry for Murray.

“Murray,” Natalie warned, “be careful; Jennifer has her eye on you.”

Murray responded, “I’m afraid of her; refined people like us don’t do those disgusting things.”

Natalie replied, “Murray, I must disagree with you there.”

Murray could indeed do those things, just like he had done to her.

But in her second life, he had matured, leaving behind his reckless ways. In his previous life, it was his arrogance that led to his early death. This time, he had learned.

His past ignorance and arrogance were precisely what Jennifer had wanted; Murray could be a very sharp weapon.

Jennifer’s plans had failed to trap him, which is why she turned to Davian instead.

Reflecting on his previous behavior, Murray admitted he might have acted that way in the past.

Yet he had grown, and lately, he was haunted by a recurring nightmare.

Murray said, “It’s strange, but I dream every night about horrors where my hands and feet are thrown into a sewer. I see my own horrible end.”

Natalie paused for a moment; she knew the grim fate he had faced, even if she had only seen it on the news.

In her past life, she focused all her attention on Easton, ignoring everything happening around her.

“Don’t think about it too much. You won’t be harmed, even with Davian being released from prison soon,” Natalie said. Concerned about the choices Davian might make, she realized that if he went for Jennifer again, she might be in danger.

Murray acknowledged that Davian would be free in two days but assured Natalie, “Davian will be focused on fixing company issues. By the time he’s out, he’ll be too caught up to cause any trouble.”

Suddenly, Natalie asked, “When will construction start on the land Jennifer bought?”

Murray replied, “Not yet, unfortunately. Recent snow has delayed us, pushing back construction by another month, though they’ve gotten quite a bit of investment lately.”

Natalie considered this, recognizing that the situation with Wendy’s company was reaching a climax. Smiling, she said, “Soon, Jennifer will not only have a stomachache; it may cost her dearly. Let’s get ready to watch the drama unfold.”