Chapter 101: The Lack of Integrity

Jimmy's smile faltered at the mention of the name; his attractive almond eyes grew calm and profound.

"Bye," Nathal said, gathering his clothes before showering and making plans to find her.

Thirty minutes later, Maggie, sound asleep, was jolted awake by her ringing phone. Lifting her heavy eyelids, she glanced at the caller ID. Seeing Nathal's name, she paused in surprise. It was 10:30; why would he be calling at this hour?

After a brief pause, Maggie, regaining her composure, slipped on a coat and went to the hallway to answer the call. "Hello?"

A mix of nervousness and anticipation stirred within her.

"Your location?" his voice was low and inviting, yet forthright and determined.

After a moment of silence, Maggie whispered, "Dormitory."

"Be downstairs in twenty minutes," Nathal instructed, his gaze dropping to conceal the shadows in his eyes. He then abruptly ended the call, allowing no room for objection. Maggie stood, phone in hand, bewildered.

Is he drunk? she wondered.

Feeling lightheaded, Maggie peered out the window. Outside, a heavy rain lashed down, filling the night with its clamor. Unbeknownst to her, the rain had begun while she slept.

A fierce pain gnawed at her stomach; the delightful combination of pizza and cold fruit wine now caused considerable discomfort.

Maggie furrowed her brow and clambered back into bed, busying herself with her phone. The time was already past ten, nearing eleven. The dormitory doors locked at ten, and the supervisor was notoriously strict. Attempting to leave now would surely earn her a reprimand. The pouring rain further dampened her desire to go.

The thought of meeting Nathal stirred an unexplained reluctance. It wasn't any specific reason, other than the memory of the day she urged him to try the curry, which inevitably reminded her of a past life incident where her actions had led to him losing an arm. Maggie couldn't shake the feeling that she was bad luck, especially for him. Moreover, he had inadvertently overheard her conversation with Ronald.

Chapter 101: The Lack of Integrity

Such a nuisance!

With a frustrated huff, Maggie pulled the blanket over her head, overwhelmed by annoyance. As she wavered, the twenty minutes slipped by. Before she could settle her thoughts, a text from Nathal arrived—concise as ever: "Come down."

Maggie's lips involuntarily pursed into a pout at his persistence. After a brief pause, she decisively replied, "Not going."

Nathal's response to her message was a cold, amused chuckle.

What is she implying? he wondered. Did she assume she could simply ignore me in favor of someone new, like Ericko, without even bothering with a pretext?

Moments later, Maggie's phone buzzed again. Answering silently, she listened as the voice on the other end issued an ultimatum: "You have three minutes to show up or face the consequences."

Disbelieving, Maggie remained still on her bed, slowly asking, "What consequences?"

Nathal chuckled. "I've heard about your startups, the venture capital, and the jewelry firms."

This revelation had Maggie sitting bolt upright. "Nathal, you lack integrity! As a self-reliant, solitary, and vulnerable woman who has painstakingly established my own business, I've put immense effort into my work. I won't stand for it if you even think about harming my company!"

Her anger flared instantly. She was well aware of the Camerons' scrutinizing eyes, making her business journey challenging. Nathal's maneuver had immediately cornered her, branding him utterly reprehensible in her eyes.

Without giving her another chance to retaliate, Nathal coldly counted down: "One minute and fifty-eight seconds remaining."

With a heavy sigh and clenched teeth, Maggie ended the call, donned her coat, and rushed downstairs with her umbrella. Nathal's unpredictability was a dangerous wildcard.

While Maggie dramatized her response, underlying it was profound trauma from her past life—witnessing his severe injury had left an indelible mark. Her nightmares often revisited the horrifying scene: him, once dignified and gentle, now drenched in blood and rushed into surgery, his sleeve hanging empty, the warmth of his arm lost forever. Deep down, Maggie could never admit that this fear haunted her most. She couldn't escape the fact that she had been his downfall. Thus, as the past seemed to loom again, her heart was filled with hesitation and fear, terrified that her disastrous self might once more cause him harm.

Maggie apologetically asked Ms. Kosner, the dormitory supervisor (who was engrossed in a TV drama), "My stomach is upset, and I need to get some medicine. Could you help me with the door?"

Ms. Kosner, initially irritable, softened upon seeing Maggie. "Oh, Maggie, what's wrong with your stomach? Do you want me to get someone to accompany you?"

"No, it's nothing serious. I ate too much earlier," Maggie assured her.

"Well, make sure you come back soon. I'll leave the door open for you," Ms. Kosner offered, revealing a fondness for Maggie. It was true; Maggie had always been a beloved figure, frequently interacting with Ms. Kosner. Her commendable grades, pleasing appearance, and charm had naturally endeared her to many, including Ms. Kosner, who had considered introducing her to a relative but never found the right moment.

"It's okay, Ms. Kosner. I might return late, so I'll head to a friend's place instead," Maggie declined politely, not wanting to impose and uncertain when she would return.

"Fine, take care," Ms. Kosner advised.

After thanking her, Maggie stepped out into the rain. Not far away, she noticed a black Maybach parked, its interior light cutting through the downpour, creating a misty ambiance.

Maggie folded her umbrella and slid into the passenger seat. "Mr. Harris, what brings you out to see me so late? Is it something urgent?" she inquired, turning to the man beside her. His appearance was slightly messy, his hair damp, and then she noticed something.

Maggie paused, her gaze lingering. Even in the muted light, she could discern a bruise on the corner of his eye. It wasn't glaringly evident, yet unmistakable due to the blood clot—a silent testament to a recent scuffle.

"Were you injured?" Maggie asked gently, her curiosity leading her to probe the bruise.

Nathal responded with an angry chuckle. Indeed, she had a way with words. So, Ericko didn't measure up to him, yet in her descriptions, he was rendered insignificant, huh? Was Nathal that useless?

The moment her cool fingers brushed against his heated skin, Nathal quickly seized her wrist and pulled her from her seat. Maggie let out a surprised cry, finding herself suddenly on his lap, an awkward situation unfolding. Regrettably, she was wearing a skirt with only a coat draped over it.

"Please, let me go…"

Chapter 101: The Lack of Integrity

However, before she could finish, Nathal firmly held her chin and decisively silenced her with a kiss, exhibiting a controlling demeanor. The kiss was cool and gentle, contrasting sharply with the intense warmth and firm hold of his hand around her waist. Maggie's instinct was to pull away, yet she found herself immobilized.

Trapped in the confined space, her back pressed against the steering wheel, her proximity to him was undeniable. The thin barrier of their clothing did little to obscure the firmness of his physique.

(The final section appears to be unrelated and possibly part of a different document.)