Chapter 205: Advice From Natalie

Sephina scoffed. "I’ve been suffering you for years. If only you were more like Briena." She smiled with pride. "Look how she’s brought honor to this family. But you must be jealous, since you couldn’t even bring yourself to congratulate her."

Natalie released Albert’s hand, giving him a reassuring smile, then stood up with a smirk.

"My mistake. I truly forgot to congratulate my dear sister on her incredible achievement." Natalie turned to face Briena, extending her hand with a smirk. "Congratulations, little sister."

Briena accepted the handshake, but before she could thank her, Natalie continued, "I wish you tremendous success and fame..." Her grip on Briena’s hand tightened. "...the kind that you might one day wish you never had."

Briena felt a brief shiver at Natalie’s words, but brushed it off, thinking, "Thank you," Briena said politely, subtly pulling her hand back, her fingers aching slightly from Natalie’s firm hold.

"Darling, shall we leave?" Justin asked, clearly aware of Ivan’s disdainful gaze directed at him.

Natalie was slightly surprised by his choice of words but didn’t let it show as she offered him a lovely smile. "Yes."

Ivan’s gaze stuck on her the sight of her smiling face once more. She looked beautiful when she smiled, but why didn’t he notice it before? His heart felt unsettled at the sight of it, making him swallow hard.

She turned to Albert. "I’ll come visit you once I return."

Albert nodded. "Take care."

"Grandpa, we’re leaving too," Briena chimed in. "Ivan has to get to the office, and I need to work on my new movie," she added, emphasising the last words to make sure Natalie heard. But Natalie had already walked out of the room with Justin.

Ivan said good bye to the Ford couple and left with Briena.

As Natalie and Justin waited for the elevator, Justin held her hand firmly. Briena and Ivan arrived just in time, with Briena clearly eager for an opportunity to flaunt her success in front of Natalie.

The elevator arrived, and they all stepped inside together. Justin pulled Natalie closer, his arm wrapping securely around her waist.

Ivan’s gaze narrowed at how Justin’s hand wrapped around Natalie’s slender waist. Briena noticed it and looped her arm through Ivan’s and entered the elevator with them.

She also felt jealous at how Natalie was well treated by her husband and at that he was like an eye candy, that her heart still wavered for him despite having Ivan with her.

As the doors closed, she spoke up. "Natalie, I’ll be starting filming soon. If you want, you’re welcome to visit the set. You could meet more celebrities—it might help you with your work. You know, I would be surrounded by all those famous superstars soon."

Natalie ignored her completely, but Briena persisted.

"Natalie, I just want to help you. If your company doesn’t succeed, you know Grandpa might revoke your rights over the business and family. I really want you to succeed..."

"Don’t worry," Natalie replied coolly, "I’ll succeed—and I’ll do it so well that I might even take everything away from you and your dear grandma right under your noses. Now stop talking before you hurt my ears with that annoying voice."

Briena’s face fell into a hurt expression. "I...was just trying..."

Ivan gently patted her hand. "You should stop being so kind all the time. Don’t bother when it’s clearly not appreciated."

Briena nodded, looking appropriately wounded, while Natalie gave a quiet scoff. "Mr. Brown," she said, her tone measured, "for the sake of whatever little hurt my marriage might have caused you, here’s some advice. Take it or leave it—your choice."

Ivan glanced at her, noting her close stance with Justin, as if silently asking her to clarify.

"I advise you to leave my sister, or you’ll end up burning along with her," Natalie said coldly. "I have no intention of going easy on her after everything she’s done to me and my husband."

"Natalie, I didn’t do anything," Briena interjected quickly, clearly uneasy, not wanting Natalie to bring up the drug incident.

"Are you threatening us?" Ivan asked, his voice icy.

"Certainly, she is," Justin replied, his deep voice calm but firm. "And I’d advise you to take my wife’s words seriously while she’s still willing to show a little kindness. After this, I won’t allow her to consider either of you again." His grip on Natalie’s waist tightened, a clear indication of his displeasure that she still showed any regard for Ivan.

Natalie could sense his tension and felt a twinge of nervousness.

At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and Justin guided her out, his arm firmly wrapped around her.

Briena and Ivan exited after them, and as the elevator doors closed behind them, Briena muttered angrily, "Who does that gigolo think he is? Ignore him, Ivan. People like him can only bark, not bite."

"You should stop showing any consideration for Natalie," Ivan replied sharply as they walked to his car. "I don’t want her insulting my fiancée. I tolerated it before because of your history as sisters, but don’t forget you’re my fiancée now."

"I’m sorry, Ivan. I’ll be more careful from now on," Briena said, clinging to his arm, her expression one of practiced sadness.

"Alright."

As they reached Ivan’s car, they noticed a high-end luxury car pulling out of its parking space. It was a limited-edition model, one so exclusive that only the wealthiest individuals in the world could afford it or were granted the privilege to purchase. Only a handful of these cars existed worldwide.

Not even the city’s four wealthiest families possessed one.

"Who on earth could that belong to?" Briena murmured, her curiosity piqued.

Ivan, equally stunned, stared at the car. It was every businessman’s dream, a symbol of honor and prestige to own one.

Then, to their shock, the car came to a stop right in front of someone that had not expected- Justin and Natalie Justin stepped forward and opened the back passenger door for Natalie. Once she was seated, he slipped in beside her.

"What’s going on?" Briena whispered, almost in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock.