Chapter 80

Maurice and Carl were signing the contract. Seeing Easton’s icy figure walk in, the expressions on their faces were mixed. Natalie was furious and thought, ‘What is he doing here again? Why did I keep running into him lately?’ Before the divorce, she always hoped he would come home, but that was just wishful thinking. It could never become a reality.

Maurice signed his name and handed it to Carl. “Mr. Walsh, I’m done signing. It will turn out to be a successful partnership.”

Carl smiled gently, with his voice soothing like a spring rain. “Thank you for your trust, Mr. Chambers. It surely will.”

Jennifer and Jasmine, who followed behind, were speechless. They thought, “Why is Maurice here too? And they were both talking about a successful partnership." Jennifer was unwilling and thought, ‘Damn Natalie, she actually comes here to sign the contract. Why does that country bumpkin come here?’ She was unaware that Natalie was now a fashion designer.

Easton walked over and sat next to Natalie, giving off a powerful aura.

Natalie looked at Easton and asked, “Mr. Garcia, do you need something?”

Easton’s gaze was cold as he looked at her. “No, I was just passing by and happened to see you, so I thought I’d say hi.”

Natalie was speechless and thought, ‘It is not likely for him to see me when I am sitting in a private room. What a ridiculous excuse for passing by.’ Jennifer furrowed her brows, wondering if Easton was considering Natalie’s feelings.

Natalie apologized, “Sorry, we’re about to have dinner with Mr. Chambers. Could you please not disturb us?” She was clearly trying to send him away.

Easton’s eyes were dark with frustration. She was trying to chase him away as well. Holding back his anger, he asked, “When are you coming home? I’ll pick you up.” All he wanted right now was for her to come home. Her cat-and-mouse tactics were truly effective. Without her, the house was empty and unbearable.

Natalie looked at Jennifer and said, “Mr. Garcia, didn’t you have Jennifer taking care of you already? Going back to take care of you might intrude on your time alone together.” Jennifer was stunned and caught in her own lie.

“Who said she was taking care of me?” Easton was puzzled as to why she was so fixated on this issue.

Natalie glanced at Jennifer, noticing her evasive eyes. “Ms. Simpson mentioned you kept her at the villa and complimented you on your bravery. She said you had quite an intense time. I won’t interrupt your passionate moments. May you have a baby soon. Is that enough? Can you leave now?”

Easton gave Jennifer a cold stare. “Is this what you told my wife?”

Jennifer was stunned. “Wife? Easton, did you just call her your wife?”

“Oh, no…. Did you forget what you did to me last night? Now you’re calling her your wife? What am I supposed to do with that?” Jennifer asked.

“Jennifer, keep quiet! Last night, I was at the office. You say you were in my bed?” Easton said.

Jennifer was stunned. “You… you were supposed to be home all along! How could you have been at the office?”

Natalie raised an eyebrow at the arrogant Jennifer. “Jennifer, haven’t you ever heard the story of the boy who cried wolf? People might believe you once or twice, but what about ten or eight times? I already told you that if you mess with me again, I’ll strip you bare.”

Jennifer was so angry that she stomped her foot. Natalie gave a light smile. Nothing made her happier than seeing Jennifer upset. In this life, she aimed to reveal her malicious façade.

“Oh! Let me guess. You called Easton here to find me. What did you tell him? That I’m two-timing, playing all sides? Or maybe I’m endlessly flirting with men for money? Then last night it was that Murray, and today it’s another stranger. I bet you said that to Easton and even took pictures to send him. I saw you taking them,” she added. “Jennifer, you always use these underhanded tricks, and there is always some fool who falls for it,” she concluded.

Easton’s gaze was dark. He thought, ‘Am I the fool she was talking about?’ Easton didn’t have to think hard to know it was him being talked about. And indeed, he believed the photos Jennifer sent him.

Jennifer stared at Natalie in shock. She had really changed. She wasn’t scared of anything anymore. Before, around Easton, she was always so cautious and was afraid to upset him. Now, Natalie had completely let herself go, behaving like she didn’t care about Easton anymore.

Jennifer said, “Haha… That’s the truth. You meet with two guys. What are you planning? A party?” Jennifer wasn’t afraid of offending them because Easton would always protect her. Even if Easton didn’t stand by her, her parents and four brothers would look out for her. In fact, Natalie didn’t feel guilty at all. Easton might not trust her right now, but she had ways to win back his trust. Natalie’s gaze suddenly turned cold.

Maurice’s narrow eyes became even colder, each of his movements carried a regal dignity. “Ms. Simpson, mind your language. Only someone with a dirty mind would say such vulgar things. We’re discussing a partnership here.”

Jennifer found it amusing that Maurice was defending Natalie and thought, ‘What exactly is Natalie’s appeal?’ Usually, she just wanted to put Natalie down, keeping her stuck in the mud forever.

“Mr. Chambers, she’s just a girl from an impoverished town who can’t even understand a contract. How could she possibly be here to sign one with you?” Jennifer asked. She turned to Natalie. “Natalie, I know you want to make a name for yourself and achieve something that makes your family notice you, especially Easton. But using this ‘playing hard to get’ trick is fine when it is used once or twice…”

“Shut up! What do you mean by ‘playing hard to get’? Natalie is incredible, but it’s your attempt to attract a married man that really gets everyone’s attention,” Maurice retorted without hesitation.

Jennifer felt at a loss and thought, ‘It was all Easton’s fault. Why did he have to marry Natalie?’ Even Maurice was someone she couldn’t afford to offend.

Jennifer looked sadly at Easton. “Easton, are you just going to stand there and let them pick on me? Natalie’s making everyone uncomfortable, and why won’t you divorce her? Do you want people to keep calling me the homewrecker?”

Easton looked at Natalie. Her eyes were cold, unlike before when she would argue with him angrily when he stood up for Jennifer. Suddenly, Easton remembered something Wesley once told him.

“Easton, no one will wait around for you forever. Even the deepest love can be worn away by your indifference.” Easton’s heart sank. The girl who used to be so devoted to him truly didn’t love him anymore.

Easton gave Natalie a half-smile. “Natalie, this ‘playing hard to get tactic…”

“No,” Natalie interrupted him and said in a calm tone, “Easton, I’m really not playing hard to get this time. I’m truly exhausted and don’t want to continue this anymore. I just want to wish you and Jennifer a happy life together and many kids.”

“If possible, let’s go file the divorce papers now. Do you want to go now?” she asked.