Chapter 36: Can You Do Something Normal?

Across the ocean, in a hotel suite, Nathael sat at his desk, deep in thought, staring at the hung-up phone.

After shutting down her computer, Maggie climbed into bed, made a video call to Nathael, and leaned against the headboard. It was more expensive than a regular call, but she didn't mind. Nathael was momentarily stunned by the incoming call but quickly answered.

"Are you looking for me?" Maggie asked, her voice soft and excited.

The desk lamp in Nathael's hotel room was on; he was still in his suit, as if he'd just arrived.

"The dress is beautiful," Nathael said, slowly removing his jacket and loosening his tie.

Maggie noticed his gentlemanly demeanor, at least towards her, as long as she didn't provoke him. She squinted playfully. "Just the dress?"

Nathael paused, hand on his tie, looking at her on the screen. Her hair was casually draped, giving her a soft and demure appearance. The warm lamplight highlighted her fair skin, making her seem gentle and harmless. However, a cunning glint shone in her bright eyes.

Nathael's throat worked as he sat back down. "You are also beautiful."

Her flirtation caused her to blush at his deep voice. She blinked, gazing at him silently for a long time.

Nathael chuckled and asked, "Did you enjoy the banquet?"

Maggie snapped out of her daze. "At first, I wasn't very happy. It was all pretentious. But then I became quite happy because I got what I wanted and deceived the person I wanted to deceive." She spoke arrogantly, yet naturally, as if completely unguarded with him. A hint of mischief and trickery shone through her cunning, but she was impossible to dislike; one could only indulge her.

"How is your work?" Maggie asked.

On the screen, Nathael's cold face, with narrow, deep-set eyes, a high nose, and thin lips, was striking. The lighting emphasized a somewhat heartless quality, yet he exuded a fatal attraction. His unconscious beauty captivated.

Maggie thought, Yes, I must have been blind in my previous life.

"It's going smoothly," he replied gently, causing Maggie to smile.

"Mr. Harris, do you know you're very handsome?" she asked.

He paused, then chuckled. "I know now."

He seemed in a good mood, but Maggie remembered the time difference. "What time is it there?"

"It's two in the morning," he answered patiently.

Maggie gasped. "Have you been working until now?"

"Sort of," he replied, omitting his extra work to wait for her banquet's end.

"Are you hungry?" she asked, feeling a pang of sympathy. She knew of his demanding schedule as a valued Harris descendant; he'd given her far more than most could imagine, yet still spent considerable time with her in her previous life. He'd often work late nights after she slept and compress his schedule to avoid leaving her alone. Knowing this, she'd accepted his suggestion to travel with him and relax while he worked, no longer worrying about others' opinions.

Nathael remained silent, gazing at her.

"Why don't you go to bed early? I'll treat you to a meal when you get back," she urged gently.

He didn't respond, instead asking, "What are your plans for tomorrow night?"

Maggie pondered. Besides working on the Herschire Cultural Park design and a jewelry order, she had nothing planned.

"I have an important arrangement," she replied softly.

"Hm?" he listened patiently.

"You rest first. I'll tell you later," she said coyly.

Nathael didn't press. After Maggie ended the call, he showered and prepared for bed.

A text message arrived: "Miss you." Simple, yet touching. The most important plan for tomorrow night is to miss you, she thought.

Maggie got out of bed and searched online for Nathael's hotel. His privacy was well-protected; she found little usable information. She called her cousin, Lucas Finch.

After ten minutes, a slightly chubby, disheveled man answered grumpily, "Maggie, are you crazy? Do you know what time it is?"

Maggie, clicking her mouse, replied unconcernedly, "Probably around one, two, three, or four in the morning—"

Lucas was speechless. After splashing cold water on his face, he asked, "What's going on?"

"Help me find out which hotel Nathael is staying at and his room number," she said seriously.

Lucas was incredulous. Maggie had woken him for this? Furious, he turned on his computer. "What do you plan to do with Nathael? Sneak into his room?"

Unfazed, Maggie replied, "I'm ordering him a breakfast filled with love."

Lucas laughed. "Maggie, can't you do something normal?"

She was ready for this. Without bringing the phone to her ear, she murmured, "My dearest Lucas, can you help your sister?"

Lucas felt a shiver. He quickly found the information, reading the hotel name and room number emotionlessly. "Do you want a copy of his room key?"

Maggie wrote it down. "No need."

Does she actually think about these things? he wondered.

"Are you out of your mind? What's your relationship with Nathael? What about Joseph?"

Maggie, bored and distracted, replied calmly, "He's dead."