Chapter 9

Natasha's exasperation grew. She sneered at the "perfect couple" standing before her with their arms tightly wrapped around one another.

"I've just realized how blind you are, Joshua. Have you forgotten why the Grayson family almost went bankrupt three years ago? One big reason for that is that you don't know the people around you.

"The woman you're holding so tightly now isn't like what you imagine. I'd advise you to think long and hard about this," Natasha said.

Joshua looked at her sharply. "I'm blind? Indeed, I am. I've always thought you were a gentle, kind woman, yet you've turned out to be someone who gets jealous easily and even gets physical with another woman. I can't believe you allowed your jealousy to make you lash out like this!"

So, Joshua thought she and Natalie had gotten into a fight because she was jealous of Natalie? What was there to be jealous of?

The fact that Natalie had his heart? The fact that Natalie could live a happy life with him?

This was such a joke!

He'd pushed the blame onto her without even finding out what had actually happened. Had he forgotten everything she'd done for the Grayson family?

Natalie took this opportunity to make Joshua think he was right. She hugged him tightly and said, "Don't be mad, Josh. I'm fine, and I'm more than willing to suffer all of this. People are only jealous because of how outstanding you are …"

Joshua knew he'd guessed correctly when he heard this. He fixed Natasha with a glare and commanded, "Apologize to Natalie, Natasha!"

He was truly heartless. Was he really going to throw everything Natasha had done for him and his family out the window now that his first love was back?

"Why should I? She's the one who hit me first." Natasha met Joshua's gaze. There wasn't a trace of fear in her eyes. In fact, they gleamed with strength.

Joshua clearly didn't believe her. "Natalie hit you? How could she possibly do that when she's so frail? Besides, why would she do something like that when she would never even hit a fly?

"Look, just stop trying to defend yourself. I can act as if none of this ever happened if you apologize nicely."

Natasha sneered. "I've said it once, and I'll say it again—I won't apologize."

"So, that's how you want to do this? I'll teach you a lesson, Natasha." Joshua tried to suppress his rage. He didn't want to make things too tough on her, but she kept pushing him. He would make her pay for getting physical with someone as and when she liked.

Natasha's gaze was firm and even slightly challenging as she looked at Joshua.

This got on his nerves. He said, "You're gonna have to be punished for your actions, Natasha. I'll say this one last time—apologize to Natalie!"

Natalie tugged on his sleeve and fanned the flames. "Josh, she's just doing this because she knows I'm weak and wouldn't dare get back at her …"

Natasha was disgusted by her frail act. She didn't want to waste any more time on the two of them and beckoned at the property agent. "Could I trouble you to extract the surveillance footage, please? Thanks."

Once they watched the footage, there'd be no argument about who made the first move. Natasha would never allow herself to be blamed for these things.

It wasn't her intention to humiliate Natalie in public, but Natalie had gone too far. If that were the case, she couldn't be blamed for returning the favor.

Natalie paled when she heard Natasha ask for the surveillance footage. Her hand trembled slightly as she clutched the hem of Joshua's shirt. "Maybe we should just let it go, Josh. I'm fine, and it's worthwhile for me to suffer for your sake …"

She hadn't expected Natasha to even think about getting the surveillance footage. She'd be dead meat if Joshua were to see what had happened.

Natasha smirked at her. "Now this is what one should look like when they're truly frail. Your earlier act wasn't convincing at all."

Joshua held Natalie tightly. "Don't worry, Natalie. I'll stand up for you. Once we have the surveillance footage, Natasha won't have any reason not to apologize."

Natalie's shoulders trembled, as did her hands. She was obviously terrified.

The property agent came out from the security room and said respectfully to Natasha, "I've extracted the footage, ma'am. Please, come with me."

"C'mon, you two. Let's see what exactly happened," Natasha said as she looked at Natalie, who was trembling even harder now.

"My, why are you trembling, Ms. Lovelace? Do you want me to hold you up?" Natasha held out a hand with a polite smile.

Natalie couldn't bring herself to say anything in retort. Her face was ashen as she clutched at Joshua's shirt.

He held her up and brought her to the security room.

Natasha gave Natalie one last look before pressing the play button.

Natalie turned paler with every flicker of the surveillance footage. On the other hand, Joshua's enraged expression morphed into one of surprise.

It was amusing to see the contrast in their expressions.

Natasha paused the footage when it got to the time Joshua had arrived. She strolled over to Natalie, meeting Natalie's diffident gaze. "Do you think now's the right time to apologize to me, Ms. Lovelace? That is what Mr. Grayson here demanded."

Joshua looked at Natalie in surprise. The air around him turned a little cold as he asked reproachfully, "What was that, Natalie?"