جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 490

Natalie remained unexpectedly unfazed, her neutral expression unfaltering.For three years, Aloysius believed he was special to Natalie. But from the looks of it, he'd overestimated how much he meant to her.Rowan's brows drew together. He had half a mind to gouge Aloysius' eyes out, but he wouldn't stoop to such brutality out of consideration for Natalie. "Do remember to send Natalie and me an invitation for your wedding with Ms. Lawrence, Mr. Hoffman. I wish both of you the best and lifelong happiness."The last few words were delivered with a lighthearted tone, but they were edged with frost.Silence filled the room once more, broken only by the soft clinking of the thin chains on the chandelier when the breeze from the air conditioner picked up every now and then. The sound was like a tight chord being strung somewhere in the shadows.Ever the good host, Benjamin sensed the angry charge in the air and immediately spoke up to lighten the atmosphere, "Let's have a drink, Mr. Hof

Rowan and Natalie got out of the car first, and the former took the latter by the hand. She shot him a curious glance. "What?"He admitted boldly, "Just in case you decide to run."She chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."In the car, Bella leaned against the window and continued her rant the entire way home. Landon had more or less gotten the gist of the story and thoughtfully handed her a bottle of water, saying casually, "Here, you must be thirsty after ranting the whole way."Bella glared at him. "What does that mean? Are you mocking me?"Landon quipped, "No, but I'll take the bottle back if you don't want a drink."With that, he drew the bottle toward him, only for Bella to snatch it out of his hand. "I'm not passing on a free bottle of water."Landon watched through the rearview mirror as Bella twisted open the bottle cap and gulped down the water. A smile played on his lips. He had to admit, she was rather endearing while throwing a drunken fit.He kept his ey

Cheryl got out of the car without another word. She stood in place and watched as the substitute driver Benjamin called for drove the car away.The sharp pain across her hands pulled her out of her daze, and she realized she'd been digging her nails into her palms. She opened her hands to see the bloody crescents sliced into the soft flesh.The waxing moon hung high in the inky night sky, and the air was bitingly cold. Cheryl's clothes were too thin to keep her warm in this weather, and she didn't even have a coat. By the time she snapped to her senses and decided to call for a cab, she realized she'd left her purse in the car.With no money or phone on her person, she couldn't call for a cab. She bit her bottom lip, which was turning an alarming shade of blue with the cold.She braced against the cold night air and asked passersby if she could borrow their phones. Several of them outright refused to help, though that was expected from a life-hardened society to whom charity was a

Natalie roused Rowan from his nap. He opened his slightly bloodshot eyes and mumbled, "Stay home and rest today."She didn't even unbuckle her seatbelt. "I'm going to the company today."Rowan grew curious, and all the sleep left him. "Are you going to the company for a checkmate?"He'd always been able to see the big picture even when others couldn't. Natalie had never been at a disadvantage, to begin with. She was simply going along with the flow until the right opportunity to strike presented itself.Natalie smiled. "Aren't you a clever one?"Upon hearing this, Rowan immediately buckled his seatbelt again. "It'd be rude of you not to bring me along to this showdown, Ms. Sutton.""In that case, let's head into the fray together." Natalie met his gaze.Natalie arrived at RN Group at 9:00 am just as the authorities called her. All investigations related to RN Group had officially been closed, and the company could resume operations from today onward.When Natalie and Rowan ente

Jason chuckled, breaking the silence. "Grandpa, surely you realize that if anyone else finds out about Ravenhold Tower, your hopes and dreams will be dashed for good."Gregory shot Jason a grave look. "Is that a threat?"Unfazed, Jason sneered, "Don't make it sound like I'm doing something bad, Grandpa. I'm simply looking out for my own interests. You'll enjoy your old age for as long as I'm alive and well."Besides, if my identity is exposed, the fact that you pulled me out of death row would come to light. You'll be implicated. I doubt you'd be so foolish and brash as to dig your own grave."Furious, Gregory burst into a violent coughing fit. Jason pretended to be civil as he handed Gregory water, but Gregory pushed his hand away and snapped, "All of you are useless ingrates!"Jason wasn't the least bit angry with Gregory. He'd never known a family's warmth, and the only love he'd ever experienced was from Natalie.Looking back, the three years of their marriage had been the ha