Chapter 11

Tears welled up in Natalie’s eyes as she confessed, “I was so focused on Easton that I lost sight of what truly mattered. I hurt Grandpa, Gordon ignored me, and Harley left the country because of me. But you’ve always been here, no questions asked.”

She took a deep breath, her voice steady. “James, I’m done being a pushover. I’m done with Easton for good. If I–”

James let out a soft chuckle, gently interrupting her, “Well, you’re making me all misty-eyed, girl. Just stay true to yourself, and let life handle the rest.”

With a firm nod, Natalie declared, “And I won’t let anyone who’s made me cry off the hook.” She wasn’t just looking for an apology from Jennifer; she wanted to reclaim her life, the one Jennifer had taken from her.

James brought Natalie back to Tranquil Manor, a grand villa of 4200 square yards. Its marble-like white walls and lofty thirty-foot windows filled the space with light, creating an impressive ambiance, just as Natalie liked.

The layout was simple: Lambert on the first floor, Natalie on the second, her eldest brother James on the third, and her second and third brothers, Gordon and Harley, sharing the fourth.

Each floor was equipped with their favorite entertainment spots. On her floor, Natalie had a 145-square-yard library and a gym right next door.

This was where she grew up. Ironically, she was living in a less privileged town for a life experience when the Simpsons found her. As a result, they saw her as a simple country girl with limited potential.

She had fallen for Easton at first sight, willing to sever ties with her grandfather to be with him. In hindsight, she realized how foolish she had been.

“Grandpa, I’m home,” Natalie called out as she entered.

Lambert, caught in the act of sneaking a drink, jolted at the sound of her voice, spilling the liquor onto his hand.

“Ouch… hot,” he grumbled, glaring at Natalie. “No need to shout it from the rooftops.”

Natalie raised an eyebrow at his trembling hand. “Grandpa, I didn’t mean to give you a heart attack.”

Lambert huffed, “Your arrival is like a whirlwind. It turns everything upside down.”

Natalie touched her nose, doubting her own influence.

Lambert glanced at the hot wine in his glass, quietly grumbling about the difficulty of taking a sip without being noticed.

“Hmm… James, Grandpa’s at it again with the secret drinking,” Natalie said, eyeing the glass. Given her grandfather’s health issues, she intended to prevent him from drinking.

Lambert’s mouth twitched, reflecting on his granddaughter’s talent for causing a stir. He drained the glass in one go and patted his chest with a satisfied sigh. “Oh, that hits the spot!”

Natalie and James shared a look, both speechless.

“Dinner’s ready,” Lambert announced, his face still stern, as he headed to the dining room.

James carried Natalie to the dining room for the meal.

The dinner was a feast, but without her sense of taste, Natalie ate in vain.

After the meal, the staff served some fruit. It was then that Lambert noticed her injured foot and asked, “You walked out fine, but you’re carried back. What happened? Did you run into a ghost?”

Natalie’s face fell. “Worse, ran into a person more terrifying than any ghost.”

Suddenly, with a burst of energy, Natalie raised her head and declared, “Grandpa, I am the master of my own life, not a pawn of fate. If fate wants to take me down, I’ll take it down first!”

Just as she finished, thunder cracked outside. Natalie instinctively ducked.

Lambert’s eyes widened. “Natalie, happiness is what matters most. Let’s not upset the heavens too much. I… I’m off to bed. Thunder, you know, I don’t do so well with it.” He hurried off, avoiding the impending storm like a child fleeing from a scary movie.

Natalie watched him go, speechless.

James couldn’t suppress his chuckles, amused by the sight—Natalie’s zest seemed to quicken even Lambert’s step.

“Natalie, let’s get you to your room to rest. Keep your spirits up. We’ve got to look forward, right? If we don’t miss out on the bad, how would we recognize the good?” James stood up, ready to carry Natalie.

Natalie agreed with her brother. Changing fate was a tough job, but changing herself was within her power. “James, I get it. It’s harder to guard against sneaky betrayal, but I’m going to rise to the occasion.”