Chapter 223: Surprising Guest

The day passed quickly with the flurry of important preparations, and soon the workday was coming to an end.

The moment Natalie closed her laptop, signaling she was ready to leave, Nora spoke up hesitantly. "Ms. Natalie?"

Natalie turned to her and immediately noticed the nervousness etched across Nora’s face. "Hmm?"

Nora fidgeted, her unease growing under Natalie’s calm but piercing gaze. "I... I have something to tell you..."

Natalie glanced at her watch. "If it’s not urgent, we can talk about it tomorrow."

Nora swallowed hard, her hands trembling slightly. "I... need to tell you today. It’s important."

Natalie waited, giving her the time to gather her words. Finally, Nora pulled something from her file and handed it to her—a white envelope.

"I... am resigning," Nora said, her voice shaky.

Natalie took the envelope but didn’t open it. She simply raised an eyebrow, silently waiting for an explanation.

"I..." Nora began nervously, her voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve been betraying you... for a while now. Those rumors—the ones that caused all the issues—they were my fault. I was the one who leaked the information."

Her voice cracked, but she continued. "I know I don’t deserve to work with you anymore. If you want, you can even file a complaint with the police. Please, just accept my resignation."

Natalie’s expression remained unreadable as she listened. She accepted the envelope but said nothing, allowing Nora to continue.

"I’m so sorry for what I did, despite the trust you placed in me," Nora said, her guilt evident. "I’ll pay for what I’ve done. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you. I’ll leave now. My address is in the system if you need to find me."

She turned toward the door, her steps heavy with shame. Just as she reached it, Natalie’s calm voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Won’t you explain why you did it?"

Nora paused and turned back slowly. Her eyes met Natalie’s, and for a moment, she hesitated before replying. "Whatever the reason was, it was my personal problem, and I shouldn’t have let it affect your company or betray your trust. No matter the reason, it doesn’t excuse what I did. I have betrayed you, Ms. Natalie, and that fact won’t change."

Natalie could see the sincerity and determination in Nora’s eyes. Before admitting her betrayal, Nora had been scared and fumbling for words, but now, having let it out, she looked relieved—like a heavy burden had been lifted off her chest.

"Before you leave, you need to do one last thing for me," Natalie said calmly. "Until then, I’m not accepting this resignation letter."

"I’ll do whatever you ask me to," Nora replied earnestly.

"Complete the task they asked you to do," Natalie instructed.

Nora’s eyes widened in shock. "That... I can’t. It will affect tomorrow’s—"

"Just do as I say," Natalie interrupted firmly. "Give them what they want. It’s my final order to you. Whether you want to or not, you have to do it."

Nora hesitated but quickly realized that Natalie must have a plan. "I... I’ll do it."

"And make sure to get a good amount of money in exchange for it. They’ll pay as much as you ask," Natalie added.

Nora looked guilty. "I... I won’t take any money for this. I’ll do it only because you’re asking me to."

"Then you’re an idiot," Natalie said bluntly, surprising Nora.

"I’m giving you an opportunity to make some money. Make sure to use it wisely as it would be the last time you do it," Natalie continued. "If you fail to get the good amount from them, then I was an idiot for hiring you as my assistant."

Nora was left speechless. Instead of scolding or blaming her, Natalie was encouraging her to make the best out of the situation. She didn’t know how to respond to this unexpected reaction.

Just then, Natalie’s phone rang. It was Justin, calling to let her know he was waiting in the car to take her home.

Natalie looked back at Nora, "If you are wondering how much should be a good amount to ask for, then count every penny which can solve all your financial issues you are having at the moment. Once you got the final amount, triple the number." Natalie placed the envelope back in Nora’s hands. "I’ll see you tomorrow in the office, back to your work,"

"Huh?" That’s the only word could leave Nora’s mouth.

Without another word, Natalie walked away, answering the call as she left. "I just left the office. I’ll be there in a few minutes."

Nora felt like her mind had stopped working at all. What was happening. Was she dreaming? Her boss asked her to come to the office tomorrow and also told her how much money to demand from them, as if nothing had happened.

What kind of a woman her boss was? It was difficult to understand.

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Downstairs, a sleek luxury car was waiting for her. Natalie approached it. The driver opened the door for her and she sat in the back passenger seat where Justin was already sited. The driver turned the car.

"Have I made you wait long?" Natalie asked as she slid into the car.

Justin shook his head. "How was your day?"

"Quite interesting," she replied, her tone light.

"Because of the Though his voice was calm, Natalie could sense the coldness behind his dark eyes.

"It’s because of the event tomorrow," she said honestly. Then, after a brief pause, she added, "But since we’re on the subject of my friend, let me tell you about him. I met him in Xyros City—or rather, he found me and protected me. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here now, alive and talking to you."

She waited for his response but the man simply stared at her, making it unable for her to guess what he was thinking.

"How many of such men are there, who are responsible for saving your life?" he finally asked, his cold voice laced with subtle sarcasm. first Ivan Brown and now this Vincent whatever?"

"Are you jealous?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Can’t you tell?" he countered without hesitation.

She inhaled deeply and gathered her thoughts. She was prepared for this already, but this man was not patient enough to wait anymore.

"Forget about Ivan, but this man truly did save my life when I was in grave danger," Natalie began. Without waiting for Justin to ask what danger, she continued, "I was once abducted by human traffickers and sold to someone. But he arrived in time—before something terrible could happen to me. He’s truly my savior. Since then, he’s been my protector in Xyros City. He taught me so many things—how to fight, how to protect myself. He’s the reason I’m so strong today. Otherwise, I’d probably be dead by now. You might not realize it, but I was really weak and helpless back then. It was so hard to..."

Justin moved forward and hugged her, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Natalie stiffened at first, taken aback, but then relaxed as she heard him speak softly. "I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you back then. You must have suffered a lot."

"If you had been with me, I would have always been protected—but I wouldn’t have become as strong as I am now," she replied, her voice steady. "Everything happens for the best, and I like who I am now, not the weak version of myself from back then."

Justin pulled back slightly, meeting her eyes. "Alright, I’ll accept that. What matters is that you’re safe and sound now."

She nodded, and the two talked peacefully during the rest of the drive. Natalie shared her plans for the upcoming event, and Justin listened intently.

Soon, they reached home. Justin keyed in the password, and Natalie entered the house first.

"Why are the lights on?" Natalie mumbled, her steps faltering. Her eyes widened in shock. "You—what are you doing here?"

Justin stepped in behind her and immediately noticed the man standing casually in the living room. He appeared fresh out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist. One hand was drying his silver hair, while the other poured water into a glass.

"I came all this way to this unfamiliar city. Where else do you expect me to stay other than your home?" Vincent replied smoothly, flashing her his signature lopsided smile. "And since you still have my number blocked, I had no choice but to come here on my own."

Natalie stared at him, stunned, her mind racing to process the situation.

Behind her, Justin’s cold glare locked onto Vincent, his body tense. The dark intensity in his eyes suggested he was moments away from strangling the man standing so nonchalantly in his and Natalie’s home.