Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Matthew coughed a few times, his voice gruff with a rasp. “Samuel, have you ever considered that she’s your daughter too? You knew what kind of woman Audrey was, yet you let her take Natalie to the Howard family. This mess is on you as a father, not Natalie’s fault.”

“My fault? Did you not see how Natalie used to bully Gracia when they were kids at home? Keeping her here would be unfair to Gracia and Lydia!”

Matthew coughed again, more violently this time, as if something got stuck in his throat.

Ignoring the tension, Natalie pushed the door open so forcefully that it banged against the wall. The sudden noise startled everyone inside.

Samuel stood up, ready to explode in anger, but he swallowed his words when he saw Natalie walking in with an icy expression. Natalie treated him like he was invisible, walked straight to Matthew’s bedside, and put the medicine on the nightstand.

“I just picked up these meds from a friend. Combined with the ones I brought from abroad yesterday, they should work better. Grandpa, try taking them in a bit,” Natalie said softly. noticing a stark red stain on the handkerchief Matthew was clutching.

“Since when do you have friends abroad?” Samuel couldn’t help but ask.

“Is that any of your business?” Natalie turned her head, her cold gaze sweeping over Samuel.

Matthew was in such pain, coughing up blood, and Samuel could still say such heartless things in front of him. What a loving son!

“Natalie, you…” Samuel’s brows knotted in frustration.

“Also, about how Shawn insulted the Wright family last night, Mr. Wright, you can ask Joseph yourself. If you think Shawn is so great, fine, let Gracia marry him instead, or you can marry him yourself.” Natalie said sneeringly, cutting him off.

Samuel’s face turned red with anger. “What kind of talk is that?”

“I’m sorry, but I prefer not to pick through leftovers in a trash heap,” Natalie replied coldly.

Then, turning back to Matthew, she said, “Grandpa, don’t worry. When the time comes, I’ll bring a decent gentleman home to meet you. Just focus on getting better and stop getting angry over my affairs.”

Matthew sighed deeply, looking at Natalie. “It’s my fault. I should have been more careful in understanding people’s true characters.”

Ever since the debacle with the Howard family, Natalie’s future had become a constant worry for Matthew. With his recent diagnosis of late–stage lung cancer, his anxiety had only increased, prompting him to urge Natalie to return home and meet potential suitors.

He knew that Natalie would lose her last support once he was gone, and that thought.

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tormented him.

“It’s okay. Grandpa. It’s not your fault. You can’t always judge a book by its cover,” Natalie said with a reassuring smile, then poured him a glass of water, opened a box of medicine, and tenderly helped him take it.

Samuel might as well have been a ghost in the room for all the attention Natalie gave him.

After a few minutes. Matthew’s cough began to subside. Natalie breathed a sigh of relief. She had spent much effort to get this medicine.

Matthew’s days numbered, and Natalie hoped to lessen his suffering as much as possible while he was still alive.

After she tidied up the medicines, Natalie turned to Samuel and said icily. “Since my presence in the Wright family seems to discomfort you all, I’ll move out. Don’t worry. You won’t have to suffer the sight of me just as much as I’d rather not see any of you.

“Natalie, but you have no means of financial support… How will you manage on your own?” Matthew asked with concern when he heard her plan.

“I’ve been acting on and off while attending the Film Academy. The roles weren’t big, but they paid. I have some savings.” Natalie assured him softly.

After saying her goodbyes to Matthew, Natalie returned to her room.

Working under the same roof with them had always been inconvenient, and it was only a matter of time before they noticed something was up. Today’s events offered the perfect chance to leave, which suited everyone.

She didn’t have much to pack, which made leaving easier. As Natalie sorted through her clothes, her phone rang with an unfamiliar number.

–

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Glancing at the caller ID, Natalie stood up and double–locked her bedroom door.

“Feeling any better?” came the concerned voice over the phone.

“I’m fine.” Natalie replied curtly as she packed her clothes into her suitcase. “I was careless this time. But did you find out how I ended up

at that hotel?”

“No traces left by the other party, I’m afraid.” Gavin admitted with a hint of defeat. His tone shifted suddenly, “Where are you now? You didn’t return to the so–called ‘home‘ of yours, did you?”

“Yeah.”

Gavin’s voice shot up with urgency at her indifferent response. “I’ve said it before that your dad’s behavior is out of line. He even turns a blind eye to that scumbag. Shawn! How can you even stand to stay there? Move out and come stay at my place.”

“No, that won’t do. Etiquette, you know, and you’re a public figure.” Natalie said, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. “But yeah, I am looking to move out. Could you get a realtor to find a nice apartment for me? I’m looking to rent.”

“You sure you want to rent, not buy?” Gavin chuckled on the other end.

Before Natalie could answer, a commotion outside her door caught her attention.

“Hold that thought,” she said quickly, hanging up the phone. She opened her door to see Gracia. clutching a box, her face etched with panic.

“Nobody but the cleaner had entered your room today, Ms. Gracia.” The servant, Piper, was pale as she stared at the broken contents of the box.

Gracia’s eyes were rimmed red as she bit her lip and sobbed, handing the box to Lydia, who had just rushed over.

Lydia’s face fell as she examined the contents. “This is the emerald bracelet gifted by the Howard family. Davis said it’s been passed down for generations! Piper, who else has been on the third floor today?”

“Just the cleaning staff and me this morning. And that item was in Ms. Gracia’s drawer. We would never touch it!” Piper insisted defensively.

Leaning against the doorframe, Natalie watched the Wright family descend into chaos.

After hearing Piper’s account, Samuel glanced over at Natalie. She and Gracia were the only ones living on the third floor.

Feeling all eyes on her, Natalie raised an eyebrow and said, “Sorry, but I just came up five minutes ago.”

“If it weren’t you, then who?” Gracia pleaded, and her cheeks flushed with distress. “Natalie, I

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