Chapter 271: Painful Cries

Mia looked around the drawing room and then turned to Natalie with a teasing smile. "By the way, where is your husband? Just making sure it’s safe to be touchy with you and I won’t end up losing my life."

Natalie gave her a narrowed-eyed look, while Cathy asked curiously, "Is he some possessive, overbearing rich man?"

Mia sighed dramatically. "Ask her."

Cathy raised a brow at Natalie, prompting her to reply, "Ignore her. He’s a good man."

Mia scoffed. "Good man, sure—but he comes with lots of ifs and buts."

Cathy frowned. "So, you finally ended up with such a man? I thought after that idiot Brown, you’d choose someone wiser."

Natalie didn’t bother to explain and instead said, "Make sure you at least get a wise man."

"Definitely. And that man won’t be any rich businessman. I’ve had enough of them while working with them. Plus, both of your experiences with Ivan Brown and that Steve Davis have already taught me a lot," Cathy replied with a deep sigh. "I might marry a thug, but not a businessman."

"A thug?" Mia raised a brow. "Alright, we’ll find one for you."

"I’ll do it myself," Cathy shot back before turning to Natalie, her expression suddenly serious. "Nat, are you truly happy with him?"

Natalie met her gaze sincerely. "I am."

"But didn’t he trick you into this marriage? You didn’t even know you were married. Can you truly trust him?" Cathy asked, her concern evident.

"I can’t tell you exactly how it happened, but just know that he’s the right man for me," Natalie assured.

"As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters," Cathy said, hugging Natalie from the side once more.

"Happy?" Mia chuckled. "Why wouldn’t she be, when these days she’s getting her back broken nicely."

"Huh?" Cathy looked puzzled, prompting Mia to clarify with a mischievous grin, "Don’t be so naive, you idiot. Why would a married woman break her back?"

"Ohhh!" Cathy exclaimed, catching on. She turned to Natalie with a teasing look. "Want me to massage your back?"

"Shut up, you two," Natalie said, pushing them aside as her phone buzzed with a message.

Cathy and Mia leaned in to peek at the screen as Natalie opened it.

I won’t be returning home for a day or two. Make sure to take care of yourself and have your medicines on time. Ryan told me your friends are accompanying you. You can have them stay in our home until I return.

Is everything alright?

Yes. Nothing to worry about. See you soon.

Natalie read the exchange and set her phone aside.

"He sounds like he truly cares about you," Cathy commented. "Not bad."

Mia couldn’t refute it; she’d seen firsthand how Justin cared for Natalie. "That bitter gourd does care for our friend," she muttered.

"Bitter gourd?" Natalie raised a brow.

"To you, he might taste sweet, but ask others—they’ll confirm what I said," Mia replied. "You know it’s true. Don’t deny it just because he’s your husband."

Natalie remained quiet. She knew Justin was only kind and considerate to people he cared about, while others didn’t really matter to him.

"Well, since your husband has allowed us to stay here, let’s make the most of it and enjoy our time together," Cathy said. "It’s been so long since the three of us hung out."

"Alright," Natalie and Mia agreed.

"Oh, I forgot something," Cathy said suddenly. "I need a place to stay."

"Not my apartment," Mia declared immediately, "and this house is out of the question. Nat’s husband will just throw you out."

"Why not your apartment?" Cathy asked with a frown.

"I can’t tolerate you for twenty-four hours, alright? Either you work with me at my company or stay at my home. Pick one," Mia said firmly.

"Cruel friend," Cathy gritted her teeth. "I just got back here after so long, and you can’t even offer me a place to stay. How am I supposed to find a place so soon?"

"You can stay at Nat’s home," Mia suggested. "It’s empty anyway since she’s here."

Before Natalie could respond, Cathy gave her a pleading look, her eyes wide like a puppy’s. "Please don’t say no."

"Are you sure?" Natalie asked.

"As long as I don’t have to pay rent," Cathy said, smiling hesitantly. "You know I’m on a tight budget. Middle-class habits stick, even after earning a fortune."

Natalie thought for a moment, a smirk curling her lips. "Alright. But at your own risk."

"What do you mean?" Cathy asked, her curiosity mixed with unease. "Are you renting the place out to ghosts or something? Let me tell you, I’m scared of ghosts—or anything, really—except for spending money."

"Okay," Natalie said with a laugh, picking up her phone and typing. She sent a message to Cathy and said, "I’ve sent you the door lock password."

"You’re such a good friend," Cathy said, throwing her arms around Natalie in a hug.

"I hope you still say that later," Natalie replied with a sly smirk.

----

At the hospital, hours passed in tense silence while they waited. Finally, the surgery was over, and the doctors stepped out.

Justin, Vincent, and Leo immediately stood up, their expressions heavy with concern.

The lead surgeon informed them, "The surgery was successful, but he’s not out of danger yet. The bullets hit some vital points, and it’s too early to make any predictions. He’ll remain in the ICU under observation. We’ll know more once he wakes up—hopefully by tomorrow. Just pray for the best."

The three men could only nod in silence.

"You can see him through the glass wall but cannot enter the room," the doctor added before leaving, instructing a nurse to escort them to the ICU.

Standing outside the ICU, they looked through the glass wall at the man lying on the hospital bed, surrounded by machines that beeped rhythmically.

Justin’s mind was flooded with memories of his twin brother—the confident and prideful man he had come to know. And now, there he was, lying motionless, unable to answer any of the questions about their shared past.

Vincent let out a heavy sigh. "I warned him not to act hastily, but..."

Leo, who had been silent until now, clenched his fists against the glass wall. The veins on his arms stood out, evidence of his suppressed anger at seeing his boss in such a vulnerable state.

Vincent patted Leo’s shoulder and said, "You’ll get your chance. I give you my word."

Leo didn’t respond, but the determination in his eyes spoke volumes. He would avenge his boss—no matter what it took.

After spending a few minutes watching Aiden through the glass, the three men stepped out. Justin instructed Leo to stay nearby, as Aiden was still in critical condition.

"Don’t tell me you got nothing useful after going through all this hustle?" Justin said coldly, his voice sharp and calm, though his gaze betrayed the storm brewing beneath the surface.

"You truly underestimate people, don’t you?" Vincent remarked, walking alongside Justin. "If I came back empty-handed, I’d stop being Vincent Castello and become your slave."

"You better keep your word," Justin replied as they exited the ICU floor. "Those men you captured—I’ll handle them."

"I’m letting you take over only because the one hurt is your brother," Vincent said casually.

Justin didn’t respond, keeping his focus as they headed to the basement where the captured assailants were being held.

The room was dimly lit, with a single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling, casting harsh shadows across the faces of the two men tied to chairs beneath it. Their bruised and bloodied faces told the story of an earlier interrogation.

Justin’s cold gaze swept over them as one of Vincent’s men approached. "Neither of them is talking," the man reported.

Vincent smirked. "Looks like we’ve been too merciful. Bring the toolbox."

Vincent moved toward the prisoners, but Justin stopped him with a raised hand. "I’ll take it from here."

"Ah, so you want to avenge your brother?" Vincent said, his tone laced with amusement. He pointed at one of the men. "The one on the left shot him twice. The other one—he didn’t make it back."

Justin’s eyes locked onto the man on the left. Their gazes met, and the captured man shivered. The way Justin stared at him—it was as if a predator was sizing up its prey, and the man instinctively knew he wouldn’t escape unscathed.

"Alright," Vincent said, turning to leave. "Enough bloodshed for me today. Let me check on what my sweetheart is doing."

Justin didn’t respond. His focus was entirely on the task at hand, and nothing could waver him. He picked up a knife from the table, inspecting its sharp edge while running a finger lightly over the blade.

The two men tied to the chairs, though trained to endure torture, couldn’t shake the ominous feeling radiating from Justin. He didn’t look like a man who would simply stab them and leave it at that.

Outside the room, Vincent pulled out his cellphone, intending to call Natalie. But as he was about to dial, his ears were met with the heart-wrenching cries echoing from the basement.

His finger paused mid-dial. Damn! Can’t let my sweetheart hear such cacophony. Her ears are delicate. Let’s call her later, and he put his cellphone back in the pocket.

Vincent stood outside, looking ahead toward the darkness while continuing to listen the painful, heart wrenching cries from the room. ’Heard such a beautiful melody after so long.’