Chapter 3

Natalie's POV

After Theodore and I got married, his nerves were always tightly strung, and he was rarely this relaxed. Now, he was even smiling as he talked to me. If I was being honest, it seemed I was the one benefiting from Madeline's presence.

After putting on my shoes, I didn't respond to Theodore's invitation and headed straight to the cafe. I'd put a lot of effort into this collaboration.

I had only pitched half of it to the client, Leonard Foster, when he decided to sign.

I let out a breath of relief and took the contract out of my bag. But as I did so, I was interrupted by someone calling out to me.

"Nat? What a coincidence!"

Madeline and some of our college classmates walked over. Seeing the contract in my hand, she smiled brightly. "Is this the project about the supermarket? Don't worry about it. I've already put in a word for you. It'll definitely go through."

I froze for a moment, not quite understanding what she was saying.

This project had taken me months to grind out. What did it have to do with her?

Madeline waved a hand dismissively. "But don't thank me. It's Theo you should be thanking. He asked me to arrange a job for you. I only hooked you up with this project for his sake."

Leonard frowned and tossed his pen down in displeasure. "Ms. Westbrook, you got into the company through connections, and now you're trying to use those connections to secure a collaboration with me?"

The pen rolled a few times across the table and fell to the floor.

A few of Madeline's friends behind her burst out laughing. "Natalie, you don't know this yet, do you? Madeline's uncle is in the HR department of Montrose Corporation. Madeline went to no small effort for this job of yours."

Madeline patted my hand. "Don't overthink it. Theo just wanted you to have a job to work on."

One of Madeline's friends, Nina Sterling, was laughing so hard she was almost bent over. "Of course, he needs her to have a job! Only when she has a job to occupy her time will she stop pestering him!"

I jerked my hand back, feeling an uneasy, gnawing feeling stirring in my chest.

The position at Montrose Corporation was something I had obtained after three rounds of interviews and a group discussion. At that time, we had just graduated, Madeline hadn't yet rushed into marriage, and Theodore and I hadn't reunited at her pre-wedding party.

I thought I had gotten it on my own merit. But in reality, Theodore had asked Madeline to arrange for me to get the position?

I had always thought my secret crush on him was completely hidden—that no one knew, except me. My interactions with Theodore were limited to just a few seasonal greetings.

When did everyone know about it? And when had I caused Theodore so much trouble that he wanted to get rid of me so badly and had Madeline give me a job?

"Ms. Westbrook, the people I despise most are those who have no ability of their own and only want to take the back door."

With that, Leonard got up and left.

I hurried after him. "Mr. Foster, please, let me explain. That wasn't my intention! I came up with all the project proposals myself…"

But Madeline stepped in front of me, blocking my way and beaming brightly.

"Don't panic, Nat. If the project doesn't go through, then so be it. I'll talk to Uncle Marcus and have you transferred to a less demanding department later. Don't worry."

With just a few words, she'd caused my project to fall through. And now, with a few more words, she was about to make me lose a position I had worked so hard to get.

I felt like there was something heavy weighing down on my chest. I turned and stared at Madeline, who was wearing an expression of feigned concern. "Madeline, are you doing this on purpose?"

Madeline blinked. "What are you talking about?"

I didn't want to say anything more, so I turned to pick up the project proposal, planning to catch up with Leonard and explain everything to him. But the moment I turned around, Madeline suddenly took two steps back and fell to the ground.

Her friends hurriedly rushed over to help her up while Nina turned and shouted at me, "Natalie, how heartless can you be? Maddy put aside past grievances to arrange a job for you, and you repay her by shoving her?"

Madeline winced and clutched her elbow in pain. "Don't blame her…"

I couldn't understand at all. Madeline and I had barely interacted in college. Every activity featured her as the main character, while I was just an inconspicuous face in the corner. How had she "put aside past grievances"?

I was about to ask when I suddenly caught sight of Theodore hurrying over from outside the cafe. His eyes first locked on me, then landed on Madeline. His brows knitted tightly together.

My heart sank. Did he also believe I shoved Madeline?

Seeing me silent, Nina said indignantly, "Stop pretending to be innocent. Maddy already told us everything!

"Back when Theodore tried to stop the wedding, you were the one who talked her out of it and made her turn him down! If it weren't for you, Maddy and Theodore wouldn't have missed each other for three whole years!"

The door opened, and Theodore stood at the entrance, his face full of astonishment.