Chapter 4

Natalie had just crossed the street when the sound of a loud collision rang out right in front of her.

Crash!

A gray sedan slammed into the road barrier and spun before finally stopping at an angle. Several people screamed in shock. Natalie reflexively stopped, her heart pounding fast.

“Was that an accident?” she murmured.

But before anyone could react, a black car that had been right behind the sedan suddenly sped up, swerved sharply, and disappeared from sight.

Natalie narrowed her eyes. “Strange.”

She quickly turned her head, trying to remember the license plate number, but everything had happened too fast.

“I couldn’t see the plate,” she hissed in frustration.

Without thinking twice, Natalie ran toward the wrecked car. Thin smoke began to rise from the hood. The car doors would not open.

“Hey! Is there anyone inside?” she shouted while knocking on the window.

There was no response.

Natalie peeked inside. A man was slumped in the driver’s seat, his head resting against the steering wheel, blood flowing from his temple.

“He’s unconscious,” Natalie muttered quickly.

Several people began to gather, but they only stood there and watched.

“Has anyone called an ambulance?” Natalie asked firmly.

One man shook his head. “Not yet. We just got here.”

Natalie took a short breath. “I’ll handle it.”

She grabbed a small stone from the roadside and struck the side window hard.

Crack!

The glass cracked.

Once more.

Crack!

The glass shattered. Natalie immediately opened the door from the inside and supported the man’s body so he would not fall.

“Sir, listen to me,” she said while checking his breathing. “Please hold on.”

She took out her phone and called an ambulance. “There’s a traffic accident. Male victim, unconscious, location—”

She clearly stated the address, then ended the call.

The smoke grew thicker.

“This car could explode,” someone said in panic.

Natalie nodded. “Help me move him!”

Two people finally stepped forward and helped move the man away from the car. As soon as his body was laid down on the sidewalk, his breathing suddenly weakened.

Natalie immediately pressed her ear to the man’s chest.

His heartbeat was fading.

“No,” Natalie murmured.

She quickly unbuttoned the man’s shirt and began chest compressions.

“One… two… three…”

Her hands moved quickly and precisely.

“Four… five…”

The people around watched tensely.

“Is she a doctor?” someone whispered.

Natalie did not answer. Sweat began to form at her temples.

“Please hold on,” she said softly, as if speaking directly to the man.

She paused the compressions briefly, then checked again.

Still no response.

Natalie continued, this time with more force.

Several seconds felt incredibly long.

Suddenly—

The man coughed violently.

“Cough… cough!”

Natalie immediately stopped. “Thank goodness.”

His heartbeat became clear again.

But before she could breathe a sigh of relief—

BOOM!

The sedan exploded. Flames shot high into the air. People screamed and backed away in panic.

Natalie reflexively shielded the man’s body with her own.

A few seconds later, everything grew quiet again.

The man slowly opened his eyes. His breathing was still heavy.

“Who… are you?” he asked weakly.

Natalie smiled faintly. “No one.”

The man coughed again.

The sound of sirens echoed from the distance.

Not long after, a black car screeched to a stop. A man in a suit got out with a panicked expression.

“Sir! Oh my God!” he said as he knelt down. “Are you all right?”

Natalie stood up. “He was critical for a moment, but he’s stable now. The ambulance is on the way.”

The man looked at Natalie with deep gratitude. “Thank you, Miss. You saved his life.”

The man lying there turned his head weakly. The ambulance sirens grew closer.

Natalie stepped back. “Your assistant is here. I’ll leave now.”

“Hey,” Athan’s voice sounded weak.

However, Natalie turned around and left before the ambulance fully stopped. Behind her, Athan’s assistant stared at her for a long time.

“Who is that woman?” he murmured softly.

“Sir, that woman saved your life. This is the video—I managed to record it.”

Athan Alexander Styles watched the video. He smiled faintly as he saw the woman’s bravery.

“Jemy!” Athan called his assistant.

“Yes, Young Master?”

“Find out who that woman is.”

“Yes, Sir!”

Twenty-four hours had passed since Natalie left the civil registry office. That afternoon, a taxi stopped in front of the Cooper residence. Natalie stepped out calmly. Her face was expressionless, showing no hesitation or awkwardness.

As soon as the main door opened, soft laughter could be heard from the living room.

“Oh, look who’s back,” Jennifer sneered while crossing her arms. “The arrogant servant who claimed she didn’t need anything.”

Clara Cooper sat on the sofa with an arrogant posture. Her gaze swept over Natalie from head to toe. “Shameless,” she said coldly. “You’ve only been gone for a short while and you’re already back.”

Natalie stood in the middle of the room. “I’m only here briefly.”

“Briefly?” Jennifer chuckled. “Or did you finally realize that life out there isn’t as easy as you thought?”

Natalie had not yet answered when footsteps sounded from the staircase. Cristian appeared with a mocking smile. He stopped right in front of Natalie.

“I knew it,” Cristian said softly, full of ridicule. “You can’t live without the Cooper family’s facilities.”

Natalie glanced at him, then let out a small laugh. Her laughter was light, clearly mocking.

“Your confidence is excessive,” she said. “I didn’t come to beg, let alone plead.”

Cristian frowned. “Then why are you here?”

Natalie stepped forward, her shoulder almost touching Cristian’s chest. “To retrieve my belongings that I left behind.”

Without waiting for an answer, Natalie pushed Cristian’s shoulder slightly to make way and walked past him toward the stairs.

“How dare you!” Jennifer shouted.

Natalie did not look back. Her steps were steady as she climbed the stairs. She entered the small room she used to occupy. The wardrobe was still the same.

Natalie opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a small wooden box. She opened it slowly. Inside lay a pale green jade bracelet.

“Thank goodness it’s still here,” she murmured.

She carefully placed the bracelet into her bag, then closed the wooden box and returned it to its original place.

When Natalie came out of the room and walked down the stairs, Jennifer was already standing in the middle of the corridor, waiting for her.

“Finished?” Jennifer asked sarcastically.

Natalie walked past her. “Move.”

Jennifer snorted. “So shameless.”

Suddenly, Jennifer grabbed Natalie’s hair from behind.

“Ah!” Natalie cried out reflexively.

But she did not stay still. Natalie immediately grabbed Jennifer’s wrist and twisted it behind her back.

“Let go!” Jennifer screamed.

“Don’t touch me,” Natalie said firmly. “I’m not looking for trouble.”

The commotion made Cristian rush over. Seeing Jennifer in pain, his expression instantly changed.

“Natalie!” he shouted.

He shoved Natalie’s body hard. Natalie lost her balance and fell to the floor.

“Don’t touch my woman!” Cristian shouted angrily. “I love her very much!”

Natalie looked up, staring at Cristian with widened eyes. One hand braced against the cold marble floor. The other touched her abdomen, which had begun to ache.

Cristian was still standing in front of Jennifer, protecting her. His breathing was heavy.

“If it weren’t for her,” Cristian continued without hesitation, “I might already be dead!”

“Huh?” Natalie froze.