Chapter 214

Vance was furious. “Natalie, I’m saying this for your own good. You didn’t even graduate from high school. Your designs will only be questioned by others. In the end, not just you, but all of us will be embarrassed.”

Natalie felt her patience wearing thin. “Vance, since you care so much about Jennifer, just wait until the day you get married. Then you’ll find out who brought Khloe into your life. Also, I’m a designer who graduated from a top design academy abroad. When I graduated, you were still struggling to take the SAT. A fool like you wouldn’t recognize genius.”

After saying that, Natalie hung up the phone and blocked Vance's contact. She never wanted to hear his voice again. He was just too despicable.

“Hey! Natalie, what do you mean by that? Explain it to me,” Vance shouted.

There was no response from the phone. Looking down, he realized the call had already been hung up, and his face darkened in anger. Natalie had hung up on him again. He tried calling her several more times, only to find out he had been blocked.

“Hmph! Natalie, you’re just jealous of how much I dote on Jennifer, and that’s why you’re saying such things,” Vance muttered.

Vance didn’t believe a word of what Natalie had said. ‘I’ve been treating Jennifer so well. How could she possibly plot against me?’ he thought. Scoffing at Natalie’s words, he hailed a taxi by the roadside and left for a social gathering.

Meanwhile, after hanging up the phone, Natalie was still fuming. However, she tried to calm herself, reminding herself it wasn’t worth ruining her health over this. She took a deep breath and looked out the window, but her mood remained gloomy.

Murray had invited her to dinner at Emerald Pavilion. When she arrived, he told her he was in the underground parking lot. He asked her to come down and find him there, as they could take a private elevator straight to the top floor. Finding it convenient, Natalie headed directly to the basement level.

Natalie made her way to the parking lot again.

Murray had already arrived and was standing beside his car, waiting for her. His laid-back and carefree vibe made him look irresistibly charming.

Before Natalie could say anything, her eyes were drawn to a couple not far away, who were passionately kissing each other.

“Oh… Khloe, I missed you so much. Mmm… your little mouth is so sweet. I want to go deeper… it feels so good…” the man said.

Both Natalie and Murray were taken aback, as neither of them had any prior experience in this kind of thing.

But in her past life, Natalie had experienced this. Easton had been drugged, and by a twist of fate, she became the antidote, ultimately ending up pregnant with his child. However, that time, she only felt the pain. Easton had never been gentle with her. Fortunately, she was given a second chance at life. This time, she wouldn’t let herself become a fool again.

Murray’s handsome face flushed and he instinctively leaned closer to Natalie.

The two of them crouched slightly, trying to minimize their presence, afraid of disturbing the couple across from them.

“Edward, you promised you’d love me forever. I’m getting married soon. Once I get the money after the wedding, we’ll leave this place. Apart from having some money, Vance’s a total loser,” Khloe said.

Natalie was shocked. ‘It turns out the Khloe in the front is Khloe Halford,’ she thought and quickly took out her phone to snap a photo of the two of them.

“Khloe, don’t worry. I’ve saved the millions you tricked out of him. Once you’re married, I’ll wait for you on the boat, and we’ll go live on that little island together. But for now, let’s go to a hotel. I’ve missed you so much.” With that, Edward led Khloe to his car, and the two drove off together.

After the car drove away, Natalie and Murray slowly straightened up. Murray, visibly furious, exclaimed, “Natalie, why should we be the ones to suffer just because those two shameless schemers are sneaking around? My legs are killing me now!”

Natalie felt equally indignant. What did their affair have to do with her and Murray? she wondered.

“Natalie, your dumb brother was cheated,” Murray said excitedly. “If Vance ever finds out about this, will he completely lose it?”

Natalie chuckled at his reaction. “He won’t. Vance is the kind of guy who can put up with anything the woman he loves does."

“Ugh, what an idiot,” Murray muttered in disbelief.

Natalie shook her head. She was starving. “I’m hungry. Didn’t you say you’d treat me to dinner?”

Jennifer had long set her trap for Vance, aiming to turn him and his three other brothers into useless pawns. Natalie didn’t need to do anything but wait and watch.

Murray said, “We’re going right away. I just don’t understand why the Simpsons and Easton always act so irrationally. Take Easton, for example. He’s ruthless and decisive in the business world, but when it comes to Jennifer, he becomes clueless.”

Natalie chuckled. “Have you ever heard of ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’? Once you guys fall in love with someone, you’ll tolerate everything about her, including her flaws and even her malice.”

“Stop! Natalie, I’m not like that…” Then, as if suddenly struck by a thought, Murray fell silent.

He remembered the time when Jennifer had claimed Natalie was the one who had framed her grandmother. In a fit of anger, he slapped Natalie twice to defend Jennifer.

“Uh…” Murray looked completely confused. “Why was I so gullible back then? Why would I believe everything Jennifer said? What kind of hold does she have on me?”

Natalie knew Murray had remembered the time he slapped her at the hospital, but at the banquet, she had caused him some pain as well.

“Let’s go. No need to talk about the past,” she said, her tone calm. She had already come to terms with it.

Murray felt quite awkward for bringing it up himself. He had to eat his own words, and it felt like a slap in his own face. How could he not feel embarrassed?

Murray took Natalie to the rooftop for dinner. The restaurant was lavishly decorated, with soft, relaxing music playing in the background. The hallways were lined with lush, vibrant money trees.

Natalie recognized the place immediately – Emerald Pavilion, famous for its exceptional traditional cuisine. Feeling a bit excited, she said, “The steamed beef here is amazing.”

Murray smiled. “I think so too, Natalie. Let’s order some soon.”

Natalie nodded with a smile. “Sure!”

As they entered a private room, Easton and Xavier also arrived at the restaurant. They were there to meet Easton’s father, William. Spotting Natalie and Murray entering a private room, Easton frowned. ‘Are they here for dinner too?’ he wondered.

Xavier didn’t notice them and said, “Mr. Garcia, let’s head inside. The chairman’s been waiting for us for an hour already.” ‘If we go in now, he’ll probably throw a cup at us again,’ he thought.

Easton’s expression darkened as he watched Natalie enter the private room with Murray.

“Bang!” As predicted, when Easton and Xavier entered the room, a white cup came flying at them.

Fortunately, Easton and Xavier quickly dodged it.

Xavier lowered his head, stifling a laugh. He knew the chairman was bound to lose his temper.

Easton’s handsome face changed slightly, his lips pressing tightly together as he looked at his father sitting across from him.

William and Easton looked very much alike, and with Easton’s mother being a great beauty, he inherited the best features from both his parents. Although William was over 45, he was still charming and dashing, with a mature and composed presence. He glared at Easton. “Easton, you made me wait an hour for you.”