Chapter 113: You Dare Insult My Husband?

"I didn’t know John was so skilled," Natalie murmured.

"He used to be a mercenary before he started working for me. He’s far more dangerous than you can imagine," Justin added.

Natalie was surprised to hear that but asked no more as they entered the patient room.

"Mr. Ford, your family is here," a nurse informed him.

The old man opened his eyes, and the moment he saw Natalie, his lips curved into a faint smile.

Seeing this, Natalie felt reassured that her grandpa was no longer angry with her. Although it was all built on a lie, Justin had once again saved her. But how long could this lie last? Once Albert was better, she would explain everything to him properly, hoping that he would understand her situation and not be too shocked.

"Grandpa," she said softly, holding his hand. "How are you feeling?"

"I’m fine," the old man replied. "I’m sorry for scaring you."

"It’s alright, Grandpa, as long as you’re okay."

Albert then looked at Justin, who offered him a polite nod.

"What should I call you—Justin or Aiden?" Albert asked.

"Aiden would be fine," Justin replied.

He didn’t want anyone around to know who he truly was. If word got out that he was in the city, the news would spread everywhere, disrupting his peace.

Albert looked back at Natalie. "I’m glad someone like Justin Harper is with you. No doubt he’s a wealthy man, but he’s also humble and genuinely cares about you. I don’t have to worry about you two facing any financial troubles. My Natalie can have a good life now. Leave this family and live your life with your husband."

"Grandpa, I’m not going anywhere. Even though he’s wealthy, I have to build my own wealth to match his. I’m not leaving as a failure. I have things to do," Natalie replied with determination.

Albert chuckled. "That’s exactly what I expected from you. A woman needs to be independent. Who knows when a husband might leave?"

"I will never leave her," Justin interjected, his voice and gaze resolute. "Even if she wants to leave me, I won’t allow it."

Natalie looked at him in shock, thinking, But she held back her words.

Justin met her gaze. "I mean it. You’re stuck with me forever, Natalie Ford."

Natalie felt something was off. Justin had said similar things before, but she brushed them off as playfulness.

Justin raised an eyebrow at her, as if asking what she was thinking. In response, she simply turned back to Albert. "Grandpa, stop worrying about me. You need to take care of yourself first."

"I will," Albert assured her.

After talking for a while, Justin and Natalie were about to leave when Albert spoke, "Natalie, give me some time alone with Aiden."

Natalie nodded and stepped out of the room.

Albert looked at Justin. "You remember what you promised me before the surgery, don’t you, Justin?"

"I do, Mr. Ford. And I meant every word I said," Justin replied, his tone polite yet resolute.

Albert hummed and added, "Also, I want to be with Natalie. Not with my family."

"I will make sure of it."

"What about your grandmother?"

"I’ll tell her exactly what I told Natalie."

Albert let out a sigh of relief. "You can go now. Natalie must be waiting for you."

Justin offered him a respectful nod and turned to leave, but Albert spoke again. "I don’t ever want to see her crying again."

"Neither do I," Justin replied and exited the room.

Outside, Natalie was waiting for him. None of the Fords said a word to her, as John was still standing guard.

Justin came out a few minutes later and, without a word, took Natalie’s hand and led her away, allowing the rest of the family to see Albert.

Julia arrived at the hospital to meet Natalie, and Justin told her the same thing he had told Natalie.

"...What, you told him you’re Aiden Hendrix?" Julia exclaimed in disbelief.

"That was the only way to get him to agree to the surgery," Justin replied.

"That means you have to keep acting as her husband. This...this is not right. You know who she is to you, to our family."

Justin didn’t respond. Not yet at least. He didn’t consider Natalie his step-sister or whatever. she meant something different to him now.

Julia fell silent, sitting helplessly in the chair.

"Julia, I think you’ll have to postpone the plan of telling her who she really is," Justin suggested.

She sighed. "I wasn’t planning on telling her anyway."

Justin was surprised to hear that. Wasn’t his grandmother adamant about revealing the truth to Natalie and bringing her back to the Harper family?

"That day, Sephina accused Caryn of being an immoral woman, and Natalie was deeply hurt by it. If her true identity is revealed now, the Fords will mock her by using Caryn’s past against her, and she would be devastated," Julia said helplessly. "Even though Caryn conceived Natalie before her marriage to Jay Ford, it’s still true that she is James’s daughter, and Caryn hid that from everyone. The truth will hurt Natalie, and she might end up resenting her mother. I’m not sure what will happen. Let’s hold off until Natalie is in a position where she can handle it."

Justin nodded in agreement. Aside from his own selfish reasons for keeping the truth from Natalie, what Julia said made sense. Natalie would be shattered if she learned the truth now.

Meanwhile, Natalie had finished speaking with the doctors about Albert and was on her way back to the waiting room. Just as she turned the corner, she came face-to-face with Briena, who had just ended her call.

"So, your gigolo bought you a dress, huh? Was it with the money he earned last night from some random rich woman?" Briena taunted.

"That’s none of your business," Natalie brushed off the comment, not wanting to argue as she walked ahead, but—

Briena sneered, "What a pathetic man you have, and you think I might be interested in him? He’s so pathetic that I wouldn’t even let him lick my sandals, let alone make him my gigolo."

Natalie halted in her tracks. Insulting her was one thing, but she would not allow anyone to insult Justin. Clenching her fists, she turned to face Briena and—

"Ugh! Na... talie..."

Briena’s voice choked as her neck was caught in a strong grip, Natalie’s eyes blazing with fury.

"You dare insult my husband?"