Chapter 191

Chapter 191

Natalle had just brushed her teeth, her breath still carrying a hint of minty freshness, crisp and inviting. It drew his gaze downward to rest on her lips, almost involuntarily.

He hooked her chin with his finger, leaned down, and pecked her lips lightly.

Caught off guard by his kiss, Natalie’s mouth opened as if she were about to say something, but Brian, captivated by her moist lips, leaned in again, savoring them gently. They were sweet with minty freshness, just as he had imagined.

Aware of Nate’s presence, Natalie didn’t make a sound. She struggled briefly but failed to free herself from his grasp.

After a moment, when Brian finally let her go, Natalie’s cheeks were tinged with a rosy blush. She quickly covered her lips with her palm, refusing to let him touch them again.

“I’ll be back as soon as possible,” he whispered to Natalie.

Natalie hadn’t planned to ask when he would return, but Brian added, “If you want to take Nate out for fun, wait for me to get back.”

It was because of Madelyn’s situation last weekend that had delayed things. Not only Nate had been disappointed, but she had waited two days in vain. Sadie had filled him in on the details.

Natalie turned her face away awkwardly without a word.

Brian didn’t expect a response and put on his jacket to head out.

Natalie took a quiet breath, watching his retreating figure as he walked to the door and exchanged a few words with Bagot.

Bagot replied softly. “It should be done by next week…”

When Brian looked back, his eyes met Natalie’s. Caught staring, she startled and quickly lowered her gaze, pretending to check the homework Nate was writing.

Natalie struggled deep down because it was Brian, and he had apologized to her the. night before when he thought she was asleep. She regretted responding to his kiss. The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she felt.

“Natalie, did I get this right?” Nate turned and asked. Noticing Natalie’s flushed face, he dropped his pen and touched her cheek, puzzled. “Are you sick, Natalie?”

Realizing her cheeks were hot, she quickly made up an excuse. “Nope. It’s just too warm in here.”

She glanced at Nate’s workbook and proceeded to teach him the next one.

Nate was bright and could make inferences easily. Once he understood a concept, he grasped it, and his linguistic talents were remarkable, understanding the questions without needing any phonetic guides.

12:10

Chapter 191

Natalie was genuinely impressed after only a short time of teaching him.

She thought Nate’s delayed speech was likely due to the Howard family’s lack of attention. His intelligence would have been even more astonishing if someone had patiently guided him

earlier.

Watching Nate write the solution step by step, Natalie couldn’t help but remember how Brian

had been the same.

Brian had skipped a year in high school, taking a break before entering his senior year to take the SATS. After that, he casually chose a finance program at a local college in Streamville.

His grades could have gotten him into the top finance program in the country, but he humbly chose the local Heartland College, which was second in national finance rankings. He filled all three college choices with Heartland College’s finance program.

She remembered the day he came home from school with his filled–out college application. Kenneth had seen it and flew into a rage.

“What’s the point of it if you don’t choose Elmwood University for the accelerated Master’s Finance program?” Kenneth shouted in anger.