Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The following evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Natalie gracefully entered the River View Hall that Samuel had told her about. She was in a light aquamarine gown, her high heels clicking rhythmically on the marble floor as she sashayed through the door.

She paused at the threshold and casually swept over the crowd. She soon spotted Joseph, the General Manager of Samuel’s company, signaling her with a wave. Approaching him with an apologetic smile, she said, “Sorry, I’m late. Joseph. Traffic was a beast.”

Joseph waved off her apology with a chuckle as Samuel had asked him to play host to Natalie.

Turning to the man beside him, Joseph introduced, “Mr. Foster, this is Miss Natalie Wright. freshly returned from abroad as of yesterday.”

Shawn Foster, a man in his early thirties who had carved out a name for himself in Streamville thanks to the influence of the Foster family despite his age, gave Natalie a once–over. His initial annoyance at her tardiness vanished when he took in her features.

Natalie extended her hand casually. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Foster.”

The Foster family had been in talks with the Wright family’s company for a media collaboration project. The Wright family wasn’t on par with the Foster family, so what this so–called ‘meet–cute‘ meant was clear to all parties involved.

Initially, Shawn hadn’t thought much of Natalie, but he found her charm quite different from years before. She became more elegant, with an air of sophistication. He might not have recognized her if Joseph hadn’t told him this was Natalie.

“It’s been years, Miss Wright. I hardly recognized you,” Shawn said with a slight smile, eyeing the hand she offered with an unreadable expression and deliberately not touching it. “The last time I saw you, you wouldn’t even spare me a dance.”

Natalie felt a flicker of recognition. She recalled encountering him at a dinner hosted by the Howard family. Audrey had taken her there, and he had asked her to dance, but Natalie had refused. It wasn’t out of arrogance, but she preferred to keep her distance from these men.

“Back then, I was quite naive, and I apologize for any embarrassment.” Natalie said, taking two glasses of wine from a passing server and handing one to him. “Consider this drink a small token of my apology.” With that, she tilted her head back and downed the crimson liquid in her glass in a few elegant swallows.

Shawn found even the act of her drinking somehow alluring, her slender neck, her delicate jawline. No wonder Brian had failed to refuse her.

After finishing her drink, Natalie offered him a polite smile, waiting for him to respond.

Looking at her blushing cheeks, Shawn Foster said scornfully. “The Wright family just had a

major financial scandal break last night. Tell me, who would dare to get involved? Do you think

a glass of wine can make me want to bail out the Wright family? Dream on.

1/2

Chapter S

Natalie recalled she hadn’t asked for any help. She was the one who had leaked the Wright family’s financial scandal hoping to see them in even worse shape.

She almost laughed at the absurdity but held it back as Joseph’s face turned ashen, and he quickly tried to interject. “Mr. Foster, you misunderstand. Our company…

Shawn cut him off, raising an eyebrow at Natalie, and said. “I hear Miss Natalie is quite the dancer. See that stage over there with the pole? Go and dance a pole routine. If you entertain me well enough, maybe I’ll consider lending a hand. Of course, that’s if you can make it worth my while.”