Chapter 981

After waiting over ten minutes, Natalie finally received a response from Skylar: “Not asleep yet. Are you missing me?”

Skylar, freshly showered, stood on her balcony in pajamas, gazing at the moonlit night. A violinist played across the street, the soft music drifting to her ears. Natalie's late-night message clearly indicated something was amiss.

Skylar texted back, “How was the fondue?”

Natalie replied, “It was delicious! I ate so much my stomach hurt. It's been a while. Mr. Powell took me to the hospital, but everything's fine now. We're heading back to the hotel. I promise not to overeat again.”

Skylar frowned slightly. “How are you feeling now?”

Natalie responded, “The pain’s gone, but I’m still a bit weak. I'll rest well once I'm back. By the way, some gossip: I saw two people with Clusian features at the hospital. They weren't married, but together—having an affair. A mutual friend recognized them and angrily said the man was no good, mentioning his beautiful wife. Don't you think she'd be heartbroken?”

Skylar's face darkened as she read the message, falling into deep thought. Finally, she replied, “It’s inevitable to feel hurt, but a cheating scumbag deserves only a few minutes of sadness.”

Natalie clutched her phone, anxiously awaiting Skylar's reply. Relief washed over her upon reading it. Skylar was right; such a person deserved only fleeting upset. Anything more would be self-inflicted. In moments, her worry transformed into liberation.

Austin watched from the side, a faint smile playing on his lips. He knew how he would proceed.

Twenty minutes later, Austin and Natalie returned to the hotel. As they exited the elevator, Natalie was about to thank him and bid him goodnight when he said, “Let me walk you to your room.”

Natalie, unsure how to refuse, simply nodded, murmuring, “Thank you.”

As she opened her door with her key card, Austin said, “Goodnight.”

His voice was seductively pleasant; they stood very close. Natalie froze, her heart pounding.

“Goodnight, Mr. Powell,” she managed, nodding dazedly. Her hand trembled as she closed the door. Only then did she realize what had just happened.

Chapter 981

Natalie felt Austin had acted strangely that night. Even a casual comment or glance sent her heart racing. He seemed more captivating than his character, unsettling her with a single look.

She quickly dismissed the thought. It must be the stomachache, she reasoned.

Just as she was about to shower, a knock sounded. Could it be Austin? She hurried to the door.

“Mr. Powell?” she began, but didn’t finish. It wasn’t Austin; it was Jeremy.