Chapter 8

“Nat, there’s no need to bother about them because of me,” Bianca said, looking at Natalie with

concern.

Clearly, she was worried about Natalie’s miserable days in the Johnson family. After all, they were still

not divorced, and being a wealthy family’s daughter-in-law was no easy task.

Natalie waved her hand dismissively and said, “They haven’t treated me well either. Now that we’re

getting divorced, there’s no need to hold back and continue pretending.”

Because of Cedric, Natalie had always tried to please the Johnson family, no matter how difficult they

made life for her. She had hoped they would accept her if she did so.

But in the end, there was no acceptance. There was only a status quo that remained the same forever.

Just then, her phone vibrated. She checked it and saw that it was Cedric calling. She glanced at Bianca

and answered, “Hello.”

“What did you say to Tina?” Cedric’s voice was tense.

“Don’t you already know? By the way, she’s with Ms. Morgan now. I didn’t know that woman had

become so close to your family.”

Natalie made sure to emphasize the last two words. Even through the phone, she could feel Cedric’s

breath hitch for a moment.

Natalie quickly hung up the phone and closed her eyes, concealing the sharpness in her gaze.

Bianca glanced at her and commented, “I didn’t expect your relationship with him to be so strained.”

That attitude Natalie had on the phone? That was unexpected.

Especially since it was a call from Cedric.

If Bianca didn’t hear it wrong, he had called to question Natalie about Christina.

Just a minute after Natalie hung up Cedric’s call, her mother-in-law, Rebecca, also called.

Natalie glanced at Bianca again, feeling a headache coming on.

“Bia, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to see you off. I need to leave first.”

She didn’t want her best friend to see her in such a wretched state.

Bianca nodded and didn’t stop her.

Natalie only answered the call after she got into the car. Without waiting for her to speak, Rebecca’s

displeased voice came from the other end, “Come to the mansion immediately.”

“No can do. I don’t have the time,” Natalie replied instantly.

She didn’t give Rebecca a chance to speak further. She hung up the call decisively and put her phone

on silent mode. No matter how many times it rang afterward, she didn’t answer.

–

Upon returning to the villa, Natalie called for the housekeeper, Zoe, who had always been kind to her. It

so happened that today, they needed to replace the potted plants and arrange flowers in the villa.

For the entire morning, Natalie and Zoe worked together to tidy up the place.

The landline rang, and Natalie said, “Zoe, please answer the call.”

“Of course, ma’am.”

Zoe walked over and picked up the phone.

Natalie couldn’t hear what was being said on the other end, but she noticed Zoe glancing at her.

Then, she responded to the caller, “Madam returned around nine.”

Natalie was confused at the conversation she could hear.

“Yes. She has not left the villa since her return.”

Snip!

The sound of scissors cutting through rose stems echoed loudly suddenly. Natalie’s gaze sharpened as

she lowered her head.

Isabella had been kidnapped. There was no doubt about it.

Unperturbed, she continued arranging flowers. Zoe then hung up the phone and came over.

Natalie casually asked, “Who was calling?”

Zoe replied, “It was Mr. Johnson who called.”

Natalie couldn’t help but sigh.

Hah. That was her husband, huh?

The first thing that came to his mind when that woman was kidnapped was to suspect his own wife.

It had been ten years, and what had she gained?

Even though this was her second life, Natalie couldn’t help but feel a sense of desolation in her heart.

“What did he want?”

“He asked when you returned and whether you went out after that.”

Natalie nodded and hummed in response.

She… was about to face a major battle.

Setting down the scissors in her hand, she said cheerfully, “Please inform the kitchen that I’d like to

have beef wellington for lunch.”

She wanted to celebrate!

Even though she was about to face a flood of troubles, how could she face them without a hearty meal

to strengthen herself?