Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Since she was a little girl, Natalie had it told that she’d get all jittery and start talking a mile a minute whenever she tried to fib.

It was painfully evident since she had to take her sweet time with every word when she was a slow talker back then. Even at this moment, she hadn’t shaken the habit.

Pausing, Natalie lifted her gaze to meet his, carefully articulating each word, “I swear, Gavin and I are strictly platonic.”

“Do you think I can’t hear the lie in your voice?”

Apart from her secret identity, she had been honest with Brian about everything. Yet, he didn’t trust her.

“Fine, I’ll give you one chance!” Brian’s voice was a low growl, seething with rage. “Right here, right now, turn me on.”

Brian thought, “She had said she felt sick and even disgusted. Then I wouldn’t touch her. But there she was, cozying up to another man in the blink of an eye!”

Natalie froze. It was a public restroom, for God’s sake! What did he take her for? A call girl? A mistress?

“Close the door!” Brian barked at the bodyguard standing guard outside.

“Brian…” Natalie’s whole body started to tremble uncontrollably.

He was going to go through with this.

“I won’t say it twice,” he replied, his voice softer but no less chilling.

Natalie stood her ground for a while but eventually knelt before him, feeling a cold despair settle in her heart. Before she even touched him, she turned her face away, closing her eyes, unable to watch.

Brian watched her hesitate on that last step, his eyes growing colder.

After a few seconds, Natalie reached out, her fingertips barely brushing his warm skin, when Brian suddenly grabbed her wrist with a fierce grip. Instinctively, Natalie looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.

He stared at the tears welling up in Natalie’s eyes and let out a mocking chuckle. She was ready to sacrifice her dignity even with such reluctance, even with disgust, even at her breaking point.

“You’re willing to debase yourself for the sake of the James family. It’s nauseating,” he said softly.

With that, he flung Natalie’s hand away.

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12:41

Chapter 198

Leaning against the marble sink, Natalie watched Brian straighten his clothes, feeling like she lumped in her throat.

“Take her back to the cast’s hotel!” Brian ordered as he opened the door, addressing Bagot

sternly.

Without looking back, he strode away quickly.

Bagot gave Natalie a complex look, then stepped in, saying gently, “Miss Natalie, let’s go.”

Leaning on the sink for support, Natalie struggled to her feet, her limbs numb.

After a moment, she turned and washed the blood from the back of her hand, gingerly picking up her shattered phone from among the broken glass.

The glass shards lacerated her fingertips, but she seemed not to notice.

“Natalie?” Gavin’s voice suddenly came from outside the restroom, “Are you in there?”

Natalie remained silent.

“Miss Natalie, since it’s already broken, you might as well leave it,” Bagot suggested after waiting a moment, alarmed to see Natalie clutching the ruined phone, her hand covered in blood.

Gently brushing away Bagot’s hand, Natalie wiped off the broken glass. The screen was still lit. Gavin was calling again.

“Hello,” she said softly.

“Weren’t you just in the restroom? Where are you?” Gavin asked with concern.

“I felt unwell, so I took a cab back to the set,” Natalie paused and added, “Sorry, let’s put these matters on hold for now. We can talk later.”

“What’s wrong?” Gavin heard something off in Natalie’s voice and pressed for an answer.

“Nothing,” Natalie replied in a low voice, then hung up.