Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Gracia and Natalie locked eyes, a hint of surprise flickering in their depths. “Natalie, what are you doing here?”

Brian’s grip inexplicably loosened, and Natalie subtly withdrew her hand, replying coldly, “Ask your father later.” With that, she brushed past Gracia’s shoulder, not looking back as she strode out.

After Natalie left the River View Hall, she quickened her pace, nearly running away.

When Brian rose to his feet, the entrance was deserted. Natalie was long gone.

Gracia glanced at him and gently took his arm, her voice soft. ” Davis and Nate are waiting for us at home. Nate said he wanted to…” She cut off as Brian withdrew his arm, his expression indifferent. “It’s late. You better go home.”

Without waiting for Gracia’s protest, Brian turned to his aide. “Take Miss Wright back to the family.”

Gracia’s hand, previously entwined with his, hung in mid–air as she watched Brian walk away without a backward glance toward the elevator.

“Miss Wright, please,” the aide said, head bowed, careful not to upset her further.

Despite her reluctance, Gracia softly conceded. “Okay.”

It was her twentieth birthday.

As she turned away, the aide looked at her downcast face sympathetically, wondering how Mr. Howard could so heartlessly disregard such a pitiable young lady, especially in front of a bunch of business elites. After all, Gracia was a public darling, and she needed to maintain her dignity. Perhaps only someone as docile as Gracia could tolerate Mr. Howard’s ways.

Natalie leaned against a wall as she exited the alley, her heart pounding fiercely. The wine she had earlier was going to her head.

She tried to keep her thoughts clear, going over the details of the evening’s events.”

She walked a few steps along the road, unable to find a taxi, when one of her high heels got stuck in a storm drain. She staggered, catching herself on a nearby tree to prevent a fall.

Looking down, Natalie tried to free her leg, but the heel wouldn’t budge. Her foot slipped out of the shoe instead.

Muttering a curse, she awkwardly squatted to pull at her shoe.

At that moment, a car pulled up beside her with a squeal.

Natalie froze, mid–tug, and turned her head to see a Bentley beside her.

Shawn in the back seat peered through the window, his teeth clenched as he said in a

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döcomo

Chapter 8

menacing tone. “Fancy seeing you again, Ms. Wright.”

Natalie hadn’t expected Shawn to follow her so quickly. Without a word, she just gave him a blank stare. Then, flinging off her other shoe, she walked on barefoot.

A few steps ahead, several figures blocked her path.

“Ms. Wright, you are so wild at heart, I wonder if you’re the same in bed?” Shawn taunted from his car, following her at a crawl, chuckling lowly.

Natalie glanced at the men and turned her indifferent gaze back to Shawn, sneering, “Why don’t you drop fifty million to have a try?”

Behind them, a Maybach quietly braked about fifteen meters away.

In the night’s embrace, Brian watched Natalie, who looked like an ethereal mix of innocence and allure.

Her earlier words, carried by the wind, reached his ears. Brian’s expression darkened instantly.

Chapter 9