Chapter 197: Am I Being So Cruel?

Briena returned home after spending time with Ivan, where the Ford family was eagerly waiting for her.

"My dear daughter," Clara said warmly as Briena walked in.

With a triumphant smile, Briena hurried over to her mother, who pulled her into a hug. "I am so proud of you. From the moment you were born, I knew you were destined to make our family proud."

"Thank you, Mom," Briena replied, her voice filled with pride.

Her father, Jay, approached and embraced her in a warm, fatherly hug. "You truly are the pride of this family."

"Thank you, Dad."

Briena then looked toward her grandmother, Sephina, her expression softening apologetically. "I’m sorry, Grandma, for leaving without telling you, but..."

"As long as everything turned out well, that’s what matters," Sephina said, patting her head gently. "I’m proud of you. You always justify my faith in you. I knew you were the true phoenix of this family, the one who would bring us pride and success."

"Thank you, Grandma."

Sephina nodded and asked, "Did you read the contract before signing?"

Briena was momentarily taken aback but replied, "It was the same version they gave us to review with the legal team." She felt confident, reasoning that such a reputable company would have no reason to deceive her. "And they’ve already transferred half of my agreed fee."

"Already?" Clara asked, as Briena showed her the confirmation on her phone.

Clara’s eyes widened, and she gasped. "If that’s only half, then the full amount... You’re going to be one of the wealthiest celebrities."

Briena nodded, smiling. "This is just the beginning. Soon, I’ll be earning sums no one has ever dreamed of."

"What else did you discuss with them?" Sephina inquired, her expression serious.

"They sent the details to Ana. Tomorrow, they’ll send the schedule, then we’ll meet the other actors cast in different roles and begin script readings..." Briena continued, "They’re eager to start filming since this is their biggest project of the year. I’ll be busy from tomorrow onward."

"No one will disturb you," Clara assured her. "Focus entirely on this movie. Any other engagements can be postponed or canceled."

----

At Natalie’s home.

Justin returned to the dining table after quickly throwing on some clothes, his slightly damp hair tousled casually by his fingers.

Natalie was already seated, waiting for him. Her heart nearly skipped a beat at the sight—he looked effortlessly enticing, his casual clothes and unruly hair adding a youthful charm to his mature, composed appearance.

Justin took his seat across from her, noticing her unblinking gaze. "If you’re not planning to have me for dinner, we’d better start. Otherwise, we might end up eating each other. And just so you know, I’m a ravenous eater," he teased with a playful grin.

Natalie snapped back to reality, clearing her throat as she began uncovering the dishes and serving them. Justin, smirking at her flustered reaction, helped her serve as well.

They ate together quietly, with Justin refraining from further teasing, letting her enjoy the meal in peace.

After dinner, they cleared the table together. Natalie moved toward the sink to wash the dishes, but Justin stopped her. "You don’t have to do that. I’ve hired a caretaker for these things. No need to tire yourself out with... non-productive work."

"A typical businessman, only interested in work that has an outcome," Natalie muttered with a small frown as she set the dishes in the sink.

"True," he replied, unfazed, stepping closer to her. "Maybe you’d prefer to do something more productive... like being my dessert for the night."

Natalie pushed him away, blushing. "We still have work to do. That movie project—we need to go over some things since you’re the investor." She quickly made her way out of the kitchen.

Justin followed Natalie into the living room, where she handed him a file and sat on the sofa next to him. He accepted it and began flipping through the pages as she spoke. "This is the final draft. The screenwriter I hired worked on the details just as I wanted."

"Are you sure you want me reviewing the... erotic content right now?" Justin asked with a smirk, glancing up from the pages. "I’m not sure about your sister, but this might get you into trouble with me. I warned you—I’m not a good man."

Natalie quickly closed the file, taking it back from him. "Why did you go straight to that part? There’s plenty of decent content in there..."

"A bad guy like me can only spot the bad parts," he countered, grinning. "The only good thing I spot right away is you- a kind of good thing, I want to turn bad for."

"Stop teasing me already," she muttered, trying to keep her composure. "How much did you invest in this project?"

"Nothing too much," he replied casually.

"I’m sure it was a lot," she said, rolling her eyes. "But for you, I suppose that’s ’nothing at all.’ I can assure you, though, the film will do well. You’ll make back double what you invested."

"I’m glad my wife knows how to turn a profit," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "You’re being quite generous with your sister by offering her first film with the biggest production house."

"As her older sister, it’s only right to help her achieve her dreams of fame and attention," Natalie replied, her tone calm but her eyes icy. "The kind of fame and attention that she’ll one day wish she could hide from."

Justin simply hummed. He could understand why Natalie had to do it.

"Do you think I’m being too cruel?" she asked, searching his face for his thoughts.

He met her gaze sincerely. "The important thing is how you feel about it."

Natalie lowered her gaze. "What she tried to do to us... it shattered any attachment I might have felt toward them. How could they plan to drug me and... I didn’t even mind when they sent me to Xyros or accused me of things I didn’t do, but this... It made me realize that no matter what I do, I’ll never truly be part of their family. They’ll always try to harm me—and anyone who’s important to me."

"So I’m important to you?" Justin asked, making her look up at him. "Am I?"

She looked into his eyes, which always seemed to offer her trust. "You are."

Justin took her hand and gently pulled her onto his lap, and she didn’t resist. The atmosphere between them felt calm and comforting.

He brushed her cheek softly and said, "You can be as cruel as you need to be, and I’ll always stand by you. I’ve told you before—even if you killed someone, I wouldn’t question it. I’d back you up, because I know you have your reasons. If someone hurts you, return it a hundredfold so they never even think of harming you again. That’s how my woman should be. Understood?"

Natalie nodded, and Justin smiled, pleased at how she didn’t deny being his woman—accepting it so easily, so willingly.

Justin’s hand that was around her waist, his fingers started to cares her soft skin, holding her gaze with his. She didn’t seem to mind his touch now. His hand slowly made it’s way inside her top.

Her face turned red to find where his hand was going, towards her chest.

Her lips parted a little to let out a light gasp. "W-What are you doing?"

"A feast is incomplete without a dessert," he whispered against her lips, "And I was not joking when I said I plan to have you for the dessert."