Chapter 65

Maurice leaned back on the sofa, looking relaxed and at ease. "I'm still pursuing her. She's an interesting woman, talented, and composed, but I’m not sure if she'd be interested in me."

Easton’s face suddenly darkened. He was talking about Natalie.

"We met on a blind date--she’s an..."

Wesley grew more intrigued. He’d heard that many women liked Maurice, yet none had ever caught his interest, not even candidates from affluent family alliances. He was curious which woman had finally managed to pique Maurice’s attention.

"Oh? Who is she? I’ve never heard of you being interested in anyone. It’s funny—just got back, and now there’s someone on your mind?" Wesley asked.

"Oh, you’re interested? Maybe next time I’ll introduce her to you," Maurice said with a sly smile, briefly glancing at Easton. "I actually have a dinner date with her in two days. Her name’s Natalie."

Easton’s eyes turned icy as he shot Maurice a sharp look. "Mr. Chambers, isn’t it improper to pursue another man’s wife?"

Wesley’s smile froze. ‘Is he talking about the Natalie I know?’

He looked quickly at Easton. Under the soft lights, Easton’s striking face was half-shadowed, but his growing intensity was unmistakable.

Even a few young men playing cards nearby felt the chill in the air, breaking out in cold sweats.

Wesley felt perplexed, realizing he’d missed a lot in the few months he’d been away.

Easton, feeling he shouldn’t have come, grew increasingly irritated. His dynamic with Maurice was always tense–they were perpetually at odds.

"Mr. Chambers, let me remind you that Natalie is still my wife," Easton stated coldly.

Maurice offered a smirk. "Oh? But from what Natalie told me, she’s been divorced for several months now. And I looked into it–apparently, you were the one who forced her to sign the papers, and she signed it."

"When your marriage still existed, you had an affair with Jennifer Simpson. You two even made it to the trending topics and became a power couple. Now everyone in Shagrity knows you and Jennifer are meant to be together, but no one knows Natalie is your wife," he continued.

"So, Mr. Garcia, you’re the one who needs to move on. Don’t keep clinging to my future girlfriend," he added.

As Maurice finished, Natalie sent him another message. [Mr. Chambers, I’ll pass on the outing tonight. I overate and need a walk. How about dinner the day after tomorrow?]

Maurice responded to her message right in front of Easton. [Sure thing, Natalie.]

Natalie replied: [Great! Bye!]

Putting away his phone, Maurice turned back to Easton. "Mr. Garcia, do you know what I felt when I first laid eyes..."

Easton’s gaze grew dark and menacing, but he remained silent.

Maurice showed no fear, not even a hint of intimidation.

Taking a sip of his drink, he finally answered, "The moment I saw her, I knew she was the woman I’d want to marry for the rest of my life. What you take for granted, others would give anything to have."

Easton’s clenched fist was ready to land a punch, but Wesley held him back. Observing Maurice, he felt something was off. Maurice was indeed a mysterious person.

Easton stood up and left. Wesley shot an apologetic glance at Maurice. "Mr. Chambers, enjoy the night. It’s on me. Let’s have dinner together sometime."

Maurice smiled slightly. "Okay."

Wesley hurried after Easton, catching up with him outside. Once they were in the car, Wesley couldn’t help but ask, "Easton, what’s going on?"

Easton leaned against the window, feeling a headache coming on. "It’s nothing," he replied quietly.

Wesley didn’t buy it, but he knew Easton had always held Jennifer close to his heart. "I know marrying Natalie was never what you wanted. Now that Jennifer’s back, there’s no reason not to get a divorce and marry her."

He added, "It’s obvious Natalie loves you. If you go through with the divorce, she’ll be heartbroken."

Easton’s mind flashed to earlier in the day, when he’d seen Natalie sitting on the stairs, shoulders trembling as she cried, telling someone over the phone that she’d stopped loving him. An ache twisted in his chest.

Suddenly, Easton spoke. "But I don’t want a divorce."

Wesley was taken aback. "But you love Jennifer, don’t you? Why not divorce Natalie? Easton, you can’t treat Natalie this way. If your heart’s with another woman, and now that she’s back, you should let Natalie go. It’s not fair to her."

“Natalie’s already been left waiting, neglected for two years. No one’s going to wait around forever," he continued. "Besides, if it were me, even if I felt the slightest attachment to a woman, I wouldn’t tolerate her getting close to another man. But you… well, you’re juggling both."

Easton frowned. "How can you not believe me, too? Jennifer and I have nothing going on. Years ago, she saved my life; I simply felt indebted to her. I never intended to let her overstep any boundaries.”

Wesley sighed, seeing that Easton didn’t want to elaborate. "Fine, fine, it’s your business, not mine. But I’ll just say whatever anger or vengeance you have inside, don’t take it out on an innocent woman."

Easton’s thoughts shifted to his mother, whose sudden breakdown still filled his heart with cold resentment. He had long suspected the Simpson family was somehow responsible.

Wesley, resigned, looked at Easton. Cold by nature, Easton had always treated Jennifer with an unusual level of warmth. "Anyway, divorcing Natalie would be beneficial for you and Jennifer…" Wesley said.

“What good would it do?" Easton’s gaze grew dark, his handsome face casting a foreboding shadow. He had no intention of divorcing Natalie.

"Let’s drop it. Ready to go home?" Wesley asked, noticing Easton’s face darken further as he thought about Maurice and Natalie’s conversation.

The events of the day played back in Easton’s mind, remembering how he’d hurt her twice, and that Murray had seemingly involved himself as well.

He knew that Jennifer wasn’t entirely alone; there were people backing her. He wondered if Natalie had deliberately told him something to provoke him, or if there was more to Jennifer than he had understood.

The people supporting Jennifer were clearly targeting both the Spencer and Garcia families, but he couldn’t believe Jennifer herself held such ambition.

Ultimately, Easton’s instinct was to trust Jennifer. They’d grown up together; she couldn’t possibly have such grand designs.

He tried to convince himself, but doubt had already taken root in his mind. ‘What evidence does Murray have? And what exactly is Natalie holding onto that gave her such confidence, yet kept her from revealing it?’

Easton had never questioned Jennifer before, but recently, Jennifer had frequently accused Natalie–and always seemed to have evidence. Now, he knew he needed to investigate the past himself.

He sent Xavier a message. [Xavier, investigate the real reason Jennifer left back then. Keep it confidential.]

Xavier replied, [Understood, Mr. Garcia.]

Wesley, who hadn’t been drinking, drove Easton home. Once there, he didn’t come inside and simply drove off.

Easton entered the villa, scanning the cold, empty hall. A darker, harsher light appeared in his eyes. In just two years, Natalie had become deeply woven into his life.

Thinking of how she’d blocked him now, his gaze grew even colder. He couldn’t believe that, in her bid to distance herself from him, she even denied saving his life.

The anger simmering in his heart grew stronger, and the image of her thoroughly disappointed expression replayed in his mind.