Chapter 333
She said, “Indeed, either she continued being exploited by you until she had nothing left to give, or she finally saw through your hypocrisy and left the team in disgrace! My arrival just sped up the process. Why is it that you’re allowed to use and exploit her, but I’m not? Or is it because I’m a woman?”
“Is Josie some kind of masochist who only enjoys being mistreated by men?”
Natalie rolled her eyes. “If she had stayed obedient and quiet like before, why would I have targeted her repeatedly? Blame her for changing. What does that have to do with me? How dare that fool Jaden push all the responsibility onto me? I’m not Josie. I won’t let you manipulate me!”
Gavin stared at the delicate face before him, suddenly struck by how unfamiliar it seemed. When they first met, Natalie appeared gentle and soft-spoken, with even her gaze seeming serene and mild. Nothing like now.
Beneath that fragile look was a face full of calculation and malice. Those once-placid eyes now held a cold, ruthless glint. She was far better at pretending than Aiden.
Gavin suddenly laughed. “So this is your true self. Does Professor Lawson know? Or does he know and still choose to support you because of your mother?”
He chuckled coldly. “Having a privileged background is really something, isn’t it? Makes it so one can’t even bring themselves to hate you!”
“What right do you have to hate me?” Natalie tugged at her hem. “Don’t forget the money you owe me!”
Natalie cast him a look of contempt. “The previous paper yielded excellent results. When do you plan to submit the next one to me?”
Gavin’s emotions churned, his brow furrowed tightly. “The materials Aiden gave you are basically complete. They just need some organizing to be published. Don’t you even have time for that? Or… is it that you actually can’t understand his papers?”
Natalie, infuriated, raised her hand, “You…”
But when her gaze met Gavin’s completely indifferent eyes, she withdrew her hand again.
She said, “Don’t test me. I got into this university and earned David Lawson’s approval. My abilities are no worse than yours! I just can’t be bothered to organize those papers. They’re just scraps meant to accentuate my own work. I’m someone who will be working on major projects with Professor Lawson. I won’t waste my time on such trivial matters.
“Anyway, get the papers to me quickly. Don’t get any ideas. After all, your next repayment deadline is coming up soon!”
Natalie smiled coldly, a look of triumph on her face. She had Gavin firmly under her thumb and wasn’t afraid of his betrayal. Unless he wanted to end up like Kyle, behind bars.
“I’ll get you the papers as soon as possible,” Gavin said, taking a deep breath. A feeling of stifled anger churned in his chest, impossible to dispel. “However, I must remind you, Aiden’s materials are all graduate-level coursework. You’re only a fourth-year undergraduate. Publishing related papers will inevitably raise questions! Have you considered postponing the publication date?”
Natalie grew impatient. “Why so much nonsense? Stop making excuses for your own incompetence. If you don’t have enough time or can’t organize them properly, just say so!”
‘Fuck!’ Gavin swore inwardly. He had held onto a sliver of hope for Natalie, wanting to get along, especially since she paid generously.
But now it seemed completely unnecessary. This was just a fool, single-mindedly obsessed with fame.
He would be delighted to see the day she fell from grace.
Gavin loosened his collar. “One month. Give me one month. I’ll organize all the remaining papers and give them to you.”
“You said it yourself. Don’t fail to deliver then!” Natalie said with disdain.
Gavin no longer wanted to argue with her. “I won’t.”
Before turning to leave, he asked, “Does the club I frequent have something to do with you?”