Chapter 5
Natalie sat in the car, a bitter smile tugging at her lips as she watched Easton hover over Jennifer. No matter how poisonous Jennifer’s actions, Easton always shielded her like she was his prized possession.
The sound of an aged, authoritative voice broke her thoughts. “Humph!”
A shiver ran down Natalie’s spine. She turned to find her grandfather, Lambert, by her side, and tears streamed down her face.
“Grandpa,” she gasped, her voice trembling with surprise and joy. She hadn’t expected him to be there.
Lambert, the man who had raised her with love and care, wore a face marked by time, but it was etched with anger now. Easton and the Simpson family had upset his precious girl, and he was seething.
“Don’t cry. I’m not dead yet,” he barked, his voice stern.
Natalie managed a smile, her thoughts drifting to the past life where her grandfather had been heartbroken after her departure, and he too had passed away a year later. Her regret overwhelmed her, and she sobbed uncontrollably.
The driver, James Shawn, gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind filled with a desire to make Easton pay.
“Still crying?” Lambert asked, his voice a mix of anger and pain.
Between sobs, Natalie gasped, “Grandpa, James, I’m crying over my own foolishness.”
Hearing that, Lambert bit back his retort. James, her eldest brother, raised by their grandfather alongside their other siblings, chuckled at her words. “Little girl, you’ve finally come to your senses.”
As her tears subsided, Natalie pulled out a tissue and blew her nose loudly.
Lambert, feigning disgust, raised an eyebrow and closed his eyes. “Is that really necessary? How big is this snot bubble that you have to blow it so loudly?”
Embarrassed, Natalie quickly threw the tissue away and sniffled, “Grandpa, I… I feel terrible… Don’t be disgusted with me…”
“Silence!” Lambert commanded, unable to bear the sound of her weeping.
“Okay, I’ll be quiet.” Natalie immediately obeyed, falling silent.
Determined to protect her grandfather and brothers in this life, Natalie vowed to change her destiny. James had been killed by Jennifer in the past life, but this time, she’d unveil Jennifer’s true nature and be set to live life on her own terms.
James, with his lazy, flirtatious eyes, suggested, “Natalie, how about you go out and clear your head?”
“I will. I’m going to the tropical rainforests in Wesvila,” Natalie replied.
Lambert almost leaped out of his skin, his eyes sharp as he asked, “Where did you say you were going?” His deafening voice startled both Natalie and James.
Natalie cautiously explained, “Grandpa, I’ve been resting for a few years. It’s time for me to grow.” She wanted to live well, for herself.
Lambert agreed, seeing the need for her to sharpen her mind. “You have three months. If you don’t make it, I’ll consider you never existed.”
Natalie grinned with newfound resolve. “Grandpa, I’ll be back in one piece to look after you…” She paused, catching the words “until the end” before they slipped out, and let out a light–hearted chuckle instead.
Lambert glared at her, daring her to finish that sentence. But he nodded with satisfaction, “Alright. James, take Natalie there and make sure she comes back with a clear head.”
James, with a lazy smile, dropped their grandfather off and took Natalie on a private jet to Wesvila.
Three months later, at the International Airport, Natalie, dressed in a tight black outfit, exuded cool confidence.
Her figure, now more perfect and sexy after three months of training, commanded attention. With her hair tied up in a high ponytail, she revealed a delicate face with clear, sharp eyes that radiated a cold light. Passersby were struck by her beauty.
She wheeled her luggage outside and checked the time; her assistant, Luna Sanchez, hadn’t arrived yet.
As Natalie waited for Luna, she took a deep breath, looking at the familiar city.
Suddenly, a familiar cold voice sounded in her ear. “Natalie, where have you been all this time?”