Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Natalie’s blunt words wiped the smile right off Samuel’s face.

Natalie bore a striking resemblance to her mother, Audrey, with her smooth skin, statuesque figure, and an innate allure contradicting her innocent–looking face. Her eyes were clear and pure, like those of a girl untouched by the world’s shadows.-

Before she left for her studies abroad, she was still budding, but now she had blossomed into a breathtaking beauty.

It was her currency in a world where looks could open doors. She was young and pretty. There were always older tycoons drawn to her for that very reason.

Samuel had been captivated by Audrey’s appearance back in the day, which led him to marry her in a fit of infatuation.

It seemed like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Audrey had been no good, and Natalie was cut from the same cloth.

Natalie couldn’t be more familiar with Samuel’s disdainful expressions and met his gaze indifferently.

“There’s a dinner party tonight with some high–profile guests. It’s your chance to shine.” Samuel said, his voice cold. “Your grandfather wants you there. It’s about your future.”

With that said, he stood up and left the living room, not giving Natalie a chance to refuse.

Natalie watched him leave, her expression growing frosty.

“If I must attend, I should dress the part, right?” she called out calmly.

Samuel paused, pulled a credit card from his wallet annoyingly, and handed it to the butler. He knew Natalie and Audrey were both as money–hungry as they come.

“Thanks,” Natalie said, taking the card without gratitude, and stepped out the door with a detached air.

Lydia, Gracia’s mother, descended the staircase just in time to witness the exchange and sneered, “She spends Gracia’s hard–earned money without guilt.”

Samuel felt a twinge of guilt towards Lydia. He had promised to cut ties with Audrey and her daughter after divorcing her, but they were still entangled with Natalie.

“After tomorrow, it’ll be over. Don’t worry. And with the guests attending, our family will benefit no matter who Natalie marries. The wedding gift alone will be worth a fortune,” he reassured her softly.

“Better so, or how much longer is the Wright family expected to support that waste of space?”

Lydia huffed coldly.

Outside, Natalie silently clutched the credit card in her pocket, overhearing the conversation

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18:45

Chapter 3

inside. She had forgotten her laptop mouse and turned back to retrieve it.

So, Samuel wanted to wring out every last bit of worth from her.

A cold smile played on her lips as she turned away from the Wright mansion for the last time.

At the Global Mall, her phone buzzed with a message from King, saying. [You there yet?]

[Yeah, I’ll find a coffee shop.] Natalie typed back quickly, striding through the entrance.

As she approached the spiral escalator, a commotion caught her attention. Security guards. swiftly cordoned off the area. “Make way, please!”

Natalie glanced over, half–expecting an escalator malfunction.

“Must be Mr. Howard, right? I heard he’s discussing a takeover at the Global Mall today. The news must be accurate!” Two reporters with cameras pushed forward eagerly.

“With the Global Mall, that makes it the

acquisition by the WL Group, right? In less than four years, Mr. Howard has revived the Howard dynasty. He’s nothing short of a business prodigy!”

Mr. Howard?

Natalie paused, looking up at the Global Mall’s signature triple–story spiral escalator.

Apart from the guards at both ends, there stood a man in a sharp suit, who was tall and imposing, holding a toddler who appeared to be around three years old in one arm. He exuded the aura of an emperor among men.

In one glance, Natalie recognized him. It was Brian.