Chapter 177: I Am A Tigress

In the evening, Natalie was getting ready to attend her grandparents’ wedding anniversary celebration.

The doorbell rang, and when Natalie opened it, she found Ryan standing outside.

"Ms. Natalie, Mr. Harper will be late and will meet you directly at the venue," Ryan informed her, handing over a beautifully designed shopping bag. "This is the gift he chose for Mr. Ford, and he asked that you bring it with you."

Natalie accepted it and asked, "Any idea where he went or when exactly he’ll arrive?"

Ryan shook his head. "He just said he’d be there for sure."

Natalie nodded thoughtfully, and Ryan took his leave.

She peeked inside the bag at the wooden box nestled within. "No need to check—I’m sure it’s something Grandpa will appreciate."

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message.

A wave of embarrassment flooded her at the memory, and she quickly typed a reply before setting her phone aside.

She exhaled deeply to calm herself, her thoughts drifting.

Meanwhile, Justin, who was en route to a secluded meeting place out of the city to meet his lookalike, couldn’t help but chuckle at Natalie’s reply.

"Mr. Harper, we’ll reach our destination in about twenty minutes," Noah informed him.

Justin gave a quiet hum as his gaze turned serious. Finally, he was about to uncover the mystery surrounding Natalie’s marriage.

----

Natalie made her way downstairs, ready to leave in the black car that Ryan was driving. As she approached the building’s entrance, she noticed Ryan wasn’t alone.

Another man in a black suit stood nearby. When he noticed her arrival, he turned to face her—it was John.

"Good evening, Ms. Natalie," both men greeted her in unison.

She acknowledged them with a nod, her gaze resting on John. "Didn’t I tell you to rest?"

"I’m fine, Ms. Natalie," he replied politely.

She narrowed her eyes at him, "I’ve spent time in Xyros and have seen plenty of tough men like you."

Her meaning was clear, and John understood. He couldn’t hide anything from her.

"If you were going anywhere else, I wouldn’t be as concerned," John explained. "But as your bodyguard now, I can’t let you go to the Fords alone. I’m coming with you, Ms. Natalie."

Natalie could see the firmness in his resolve. "Alright." She then turned to Ryan. "Since John is here, you can resume your duties with your boss."

"I’m sorry, Ms. Natalie, but I have to stay by your side per Mr. Harper’s instructions. He’ll need updates on your wellbeing," Ryan replied.

Natalie glanced at John. Now that he no longer worked for Justin, he couldn’t report to him.

"Fine. Let’s leave."

John opened the back passenger door for her, while Ryan took his place behind the wheel. Once Natalie was seated in the car, John settled into the front passenger seat, and they drove off.

Natalie arrived at the private resort where the Ford family, along with close relatives and friends, had already gathered. Albert was present as well, having taken a day’s break from the hospital.

She entered the large open lawn where the party was set up, with Ryan and John following closely behind. Natalie didn’t stop them, knowing they would stay near her regardless.

Her overconfidence last time had almost put her in danger and caused John to lose his job and face punishment. She didn’t want Ryan to suffer the same fate if something happened by chance.

As she arrived, everyone turned to look at her. Their gazes were filled with disdain, yet despite their reluctance, they couldn’t help but admire her beauty and elegance.

"Natalie?" A woman’s voice called out, melodic yet sharp.

Natalie turned to see a middle-aged woman dressed lavishly, clearly flaunting her wealth, with several relatives standing by her side. It was Clara’s sister—Maria Lewine.

Maria approached her. "Seems like marriage has at least brought you one benefit. You’ve finally learned to dress properly and look presentable. At least today, you won’t be an embarrassment to the Fords today. And where is that poor husband of yours?"

"You should be grateful I’m not a Lewine, Aunt Maria, or I’d be your embarrassment instead. Don’t worry about the Fords—they’re used to me and my ways," Natalie retorted. This woman was just as much of a nuisance as her sister, Clara Ford. "And, pathetic selves such as yours, don’t deserve to meet my husband."

"I’m happy with my well-mannered daughter. I don’t need an embarrassment like you in my family," Maria replied sharply. "It’s my sister’s kindness that allows you to stay in this family despite all the trouble you cause." Maria looked to the other relatives for agreement. "Am I wrong?"

"Absolutely not," they agreed in unison.

"Allowed me?" Natalie scoffed. "Thanks to my mother’s hard work, your pathetic sister lives a life of wealth, and so does your poor family. Have you forgotten the money your family borrowed from the company my mother built? Or how Clara Ford directed all those resources to her relatives to make them rich?" She looked around at everyone standing nearby and scoffed, "Talk about being ungrateful."

"Natalie!" Maria exclaimed, "How dare you?"

Natalie met her gaze icily, her eyes cold and unyielding. "I dare. Do you dare to stop me?"

Maria was taken aback, momentarily rattled by Natalie’s dangerous glare. Natalie had changed—she wasn’t the same as before.

At the same time those two strong and aloof looking bodyguards standing behind Natalie, added to her scary aura.

"How dare you call us ungrateful?" another relative interjected. "We’re working with the Fords as business partners."

Natalie turned to face the man. "Don’t make me air your dirty laundry here at this party. I’m sure once Sephina Ford hears what her precious daughter-in-law Clara and her relatives have been doing behind her back, none of you will be welcomed here anymore."

They all fell silent, stunned.

"Take what you can until the day I take control of the Ford Group and leave you all penniless," Natalie declared, then walked past them having a smug expressions on her face.

No one dared respond. They were all too aware that Clara had been helping them without Sephina Ford’s knowledge, and they knew it would not end well if the elder Ford discovered the truth.

But the important question was- how did Natalie know about it?

Just then a young woman placed her hand on Maria’s shoulder. "Mother, let her go. Briena has a plan for her. She will leave all embarrassed tonight."

Maria gritted her teeth, "I can’t wait to see her destroyed entirely. She is just like her mother- So hateful."