Chapter 8

Natalie sounded so righteous, but why wasn't she applying the same standards to herself?

Natasha continued, "Besides, I can buy anything I want when I'm spending my own money. What's it to you?"

Her good mood had been utterly ruined. She wasn't even interested in buying a new place anymore.

Natalie was rendered speechless. After a while, she glared at Natasha and said, "Your money? Where would an unemployed orphan like yourself get that much money from? You're still denying that you're using the Grayson family's money!"

Natasha didn't want to continue quarreling with her. She was in a terrible mood now. She couldn't understand how Joshua had fallen for such a materialistic woman and why he'd been so hung up on her for years.

Natasha turned to beckon at one of the property agents. She picked one of the units at random and said, "I'll have this one, and I'll pay by card."

She ignored Natalie completely.

The property agent respectfully accepted Natasha's black card and said, "This way, please, ma'am."

Natasha was about to follow the property agent when Natalie grabbed her wrist to stop her. She was furious at being ignored. "How dare you ignore me!"

Natasha was really mad now. She tugged her wrist free, shaking Natalie off harshly. Natalie stumbled forward a few steps, looking disheveled.

The other people who were there to purchase property looked at her oddly.

Natalie sensed their gazes on her and felt like Natasha had humiliated her in public. Her rage boiled over, and she gave Natasha a slap.

"Don't you dare forget that you're the woman Josh is about to kick to the curb! You're no longer the high and mighty Mrs. Grayson! In Josh's eyes, you're nothing but a substitute!" she shrieked.

Natasha's face burned from the slap. She put a hand to her cheek as her anger reached its limit. Who the hell did Natalie think she was?

Natasha returned the favor with full force. Natalie only heard the sound of Natasha's hand slicing through the air before it landed on her face with a loud slap.

Natasha's hand was a little numb and painful from the force of the slap, but she smiled. It made her feel better.

When she saw that Natalie wanted to retaliate, Natasha raised her hand to give Natalie another slap. But before she could, a strong hand gripped hers tightly, and its owner was furious.

"What the hell are you doing, Natasha?" Joshua flung Natasha's hand aside as he glared at her.

"Josh?" When Natalie saw Joshua suddenly appear, she immediately put on her frail act and leaned against his chest. "I was so scared, Josh …"

Joshua held her tightly. "Are you okay, Natalie? Does it hurt?"

Natalie's eyes filled with tears, and they made Joshua's heart ache. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and looked at him without a word, but her expression was enough to show how aggrieved she felt.

Natasha watched this with a raised eyebrow. It turned out there were two sides to Natalie. She was a great actress.

Joshua shielded Natalie from Natasha and frowned at the latter. "Natty's not in the best of health; why couldn't you two have talked things out?

"I've always thought of you as a gentle, calm woman, yet it turns out you're so cruel on the inside. You were ruthless enough to get physical with someone weaker than you!"