Chapter 391
Luna sighed.
Natalie looked puzzled and asked, โWhy are you sighing? Youโre still young. Sighing wonโt make you grow up.โ
Luna was exasperated. She said, โNatalie, Iโm all grown up now.โ
Natalie said, โAlright! Keep an eye on the stuff online, and let me know if anything happens. Iโm working on my spring designs.โ
This seasonโs sales were fantastic, giving Natalie a boost of energy. She quickly shook off her negative mood, and her beautiful eyes regained a touch of brightness.
Luna chuckled and said, โSure thing. Iโll keep an eye on Jennifer. Once she makes any move, Iโll let you know right away. Donโt go all love-struck again. Remember your favorite saying: become a lady of luxury.โ
Natalie replied, โAlright.โ Then, she hung up the phone.
Natalie felt a slight unease deep down. Because of Marisโs issue, she knew the Wayne family would try to crush her completely. She wasnโt sure when theyโd make their move.
Whether it was Jenniferโs or Camelliaโs, they both wanted Natalie to take the blame in Marisโs matter. However, Natalie had a trump card, so she wasnโt afraid.
Her only fear was that theyโd be reckless with peopleโs lives in framing her.
Natalie pressed her lips together, thinking about the false accusations online. Her pretty face turned cold as she murmured, โI wonder what theyโll do next?โ
โDo what?โ A deep, pleasant voice came from above.
Natalie looked up to see Easton. His expression remained cold and indifferent, but he appeared even more dazzling under the light.
Natalie was furious. She asked, โDonโt you know to knock before you enter? And why do you walk so quietly?โ
Easton, with deep and scrutinizing eyes, replied, โI did knock before I came in. And the reason I walk quietly is because thereโs a carpet.โ
His eyes were slightly lowered, with an air of grace and aloofness. His captivating eyes held a hint of a smile. When he came in, he had indeed knocked. Natalie just hadnโt heard it because she was lost in thought.
Easton placed the warm milk on the desk and said, โHave some milk. Donโt just focus on work.โ
Natalie was slightly surprised; this was the second time Easton had brought her warm milk. She said, โThank you!โ She hesitated to drink it. She pressed her lips together, wanting to say something but holding back.
Easton knew what she wanted to say. He replied, โDonโt worry, itโs not poisoned.โ
A hint of discomfort flickered across Natalieโs face. She was surprised that Easton saw through her thoughts.
She said, โIโm afraid you might poison me because Jennifer is pregnant with your child. You have a good reason to scheme against me to make room for her.โ
Eastonโs calm eyes held a glint of coldness, a chilling aura surrounding him. He asked, โHavenโt you seen the news?โ
He sat on Natalie's bed, the light scent making his heart race. He felt a desire for Natalie.
Natalie was momentarily taken aback. She looked at Easton. She was always unconsciously drawn to his exquisite looks when he was around.
She asked, โWhat news are you talking about? Iโve been drawing designs and havenโt followed any news.โ
Easton explained, โThe baby Jennifer is carrying isnโt mine. How many times do I need to tell you before you believe me? Iโve never been with Jennifer, and Iโve never been with you either.โ His eyes were steadily fixed on her.
Natalie was surprised. Thinking of those photos Jennifer sent, she said, โBut those photos werenโt edited.โ
Easton replied, โThey were edited, just very skillfully done. Jennifer was young then. At the age of marriage, she left after I had a car accident. She came back this year. Although she often stayed with us, I was rarely home. Why would you think Iโd be with her?โ This was the first time he had explained.
Since Natalie couldnโt recognize that the person in the photos wasnโt him, Easton decided to explain himself.
Natalie laughed in frustration. She said, โEaston, is it that hard to admit you were with her? I can tell you, those photos are real, and everyone in them is real too.โ
Hearing this, Easton felt rather helpless. He finally grasped the situation. Natalie had initially assumed he would have something to do with Jennifer, just as he had initially assumed Natalie was lying.
The more Easton thought about it, the angrier he became, his teeth slightly clenched.
Natalie was hurt by it all. She thought, โEaston is a jerk, brave enough to love but not to admit it.โ
She said, โEaston, in the past, I would rather have tortured myself than give up on you, but you never understood how small that made me feel. Love and having loved are only a letter apart, but for us, itโs only a memory.โ
Easton suddenly stood up. Noticing the hurt in her eyes, he softly said, โNatalie, it wonโt just be the past. Youโll understand this someday.โ
He strode out, and at the door, he said, โIโll have dinner at home tonight. Iโll be in the study and come down when dinnerโs ready. And from now on, Iโll trust you. Try trusting me once, too.โ
Easton didnโt look back at Natalie; he just walked away briskly.
Natalie wondered if Easton had changed, if he finally cared about her. But the next moment, she shook her head. She thought, โNo, Easton is just following the agreement.โ She wouldnโt let her heart fall for Easton in this lifetime.
Her pretty eyebrows furrowed slightly as a bit of frustration built up inside. She took a deep breath, intending to return to her design sketches. When she looked down, her phone buzzed again from an unknown number.
Natalie said, โHello?โ
Wendy said, โNatalie, itโs Mom. Are you alright? I had no idea Jennifer and Camellia would throw dirt your way like this.โ Natalie was a bit surprised to hear Wendyโs voice on the phone. Wendy was the last person she expected to call.
She laughed and said casually, โIsnโt Jennifer your perfectly raised daughter? Why are you calling me? My life or death isnโt your concern. Your precious daughter is now involved with a superstar and is pregnant. Why arenโt you comforting her instead of calling me? Iโve said before, I wonโt have anything to do with the Simpson family, not even you, my birth mother. Iโve repaid everything, so stop calling. Jennifer is your beloved daughter. You even said yourself that youโd only ever recognize Jennifer, not me. Please, donโt treat your own words like they mean nothing.โ Natalie hung up the phone right after saying that.
Wendy truly spoke those hurtful words. There was no motherโdaughter bond between them. So, hearing Wendyโs concern made Natalie incredibly angry.
Wendy was her biological mother, someone she had once hoped to be loved by.
Wendy had five children from four pregnancies. She suffered from migraines, so Natalie secretly swapped her vitamins to cure her headaches, afraid Wendy wouldnโt believe her otherwise.
In every life sheโs lived, Natalie could never understand why Wendy didnโt love her. However, as Wendyโs daughter, despite knowing her fate, Natalie wished for Wendy to live well until the end.
Even though Natalie didnโt care for Wendyโs life, Natalie still wanted Wendy to live well as long as Wendy didnโt interfere in her life anymore.
Natalie hated that Wendy and Nick brought her back with hidden agendas. Although she understood it all, she still chose to believe that Wendy loved her.
Natalie forced a bitter smile because oneโs heart could become lifeless only after experiencing true despair.