Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Natalie jerked to her feet, her gaze snapping to the source of her shock.

Brian sat motionlessly in the dim light, holding a silent, steady stare with Natalie, his eyes an unfathomable deep.

“You…” Natalie couldn’t make heads or tails of Brian’s sudden appearance. She was sure she had locked the door behind her!

“Didn’t you check before moving in that this apartment complex is under the WL Group?” Brian snorted derisively. “Or did you do it on purpose?”

Natalie was left speechless by Brian’s insinuations. If she had known this apartment belonged to Brian, she wouldn’t have set foot in it, not even if her life depended on it!

“Did you intentionally break the bracelet?” Seeing her stunned face, a hint of mockery flitted across his eyes.

Natalie hadn’t expected Gracia to be so shameless. Knowing that Natalie had recorded evidence in her possession, Gracia still aimed to pin the blame on her.

After a few seconds of silence, Natalie collected herself and responded coldly. “I have no ideal what you’re talking about. Mr. Howard, if you find my presence here bothersome, I’ll move out tomorrow.”

With that, she walked casually to the door, swung it open, and said to Brian, “But since I’ve rented this place, I rightfully have control over this room. Please leave immediately, Mr. Howard, or I’ll have no choice but to call the police.”

Before she could finish, Brian rose to his feet, closing the distance between them.

“When did you get to know Gavin?” His hand reached out, forcing her chin up to meet his gaze. He leaned in, and Natalie instinctively stepped back until she was pinned against the wall trapped in his embrace.

Brian had seen her with Gavin.

Natalie’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected Brian to be tailing her.”

“Who I know is none of your business,” she retorted, her tone stiff.

Brian’s gaze bore into her with an almost palpable intensity. The submissive Natalie of the past, who wouldn’t dare defy him, had grown bold, even defiant.

He tilted his head down, the space between them shrinking, and Natalie instinctively turned her face away.

But Brian’s other hand slammed the door shut, and he tightened his grip on her chin, forcing her to look at him. The light behind cast his face in shadow.

Natalie struggled against his strength, but as she did, she caught sight of his pupils dilating

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Chapter 22

rapidly.

“Natalie, go ahead and call the cops. See if they dare to take the case. Or, perhaps you’d like to take the fall for Audrey?”

His words, ground out between clenched teeth, sent a chill down Natalie’s spine.

It was like that day years ago when he had grabbed her by the throat and commanded her to leave the Howard family.

The pain in her jaw was so intense that she felt it might shatter. It hurt so much that she struggled to hold back tears, her eyes stinging with the effort. She bit her lip, stubbornly meeting his gaze, saying nothing.

As Brian watched her fight back her misery, his irritation inexplicably grew. Overcome, he bent down and bit her soft pink lips.

Chapter 23