Chapter 25

The room hushed as Natalie’s voice took command.

Jennifer, with a pout, tried to play the victim. “Natalie, what are you saying? I was just trying to get Mr. Spencer to go easy on you.”

Natalie’s reply was as icy as a winter breeze. “No need for your act. It’s quite the coincidence that Mrs. Spencer’s bodyguard had an accident right after hers. Yet, our so-called tech whiz hasn’t figured out the truth.”

Jennifer was caught off guard by Natalie’s words.

Easton’s brow furrowed, his tone sharp with disapproval. “Natalie, is this really the time for your drama?”

Natalie met his gaze head-on. “Who are you to call me out?”

Easton’s frustration was evident, his eyes reflecting a growing annoyance as he searched her unfamiliar gaze.

Natalie glanced around, missing her grandfather. She figured he was hiding, too upset to see her mistreated. Having asked Valerie to keep an eye on him, Natalie was determined to deal with the situation by herself.

“Murray, let’s get this over with,” Natalie said, her tone firm.

Murray’s chilling gaze was fixed on Natalie, yet she stood firm. Her steady eyes unsettled him, giving him a sense of impending doom. “Natalie, I’ll make you regret ever crossing me,” he said, his voice cold as ice.

Natalie offered a bright smile. “Mr. Spencer, do you remember what I said yesterday? I’m here to collect on that debt, with interest.”

The crowd was in an uproar, their anger directed at Natalie’s audacity.

“Natalie, you’re vicious and arrogant. Do you have any idea what you’re getting yourself into?” someone yelled.

“How dare you treat an elder like that? You deserve to be punished,” another voice added.

A few girls nearby stepped forward, voicing their disapproval of Natalie and trying to get noticed by Murray.

Natalie gave them a cold look, silently daring them to keep talking. ‘Go ahead and scold me. You’ll regret it later. I can’t wait to see the show,’ she mused to herself.

Murray dismissed the commotion with a sneer. “Enough of this nonsense.” He then extended his hand to Jennifer, his voice gentle. “Ms. Simpson, would you do me the honor of joining me on stage?”

Jennifer breathed in deeply, knowing her moment in the spotlight could provide her father with crucial support and connections. She figured Easton might start treating her better, given that her higher status could work in his favor too.

Natalie watched Jennifer walk away with a faint smile.

Easton, catching sight of her, was hit with a complex swirl of feelings. The Natalie he was accustomed to, who once only had eyes for him, now appeared as if she hardly recognized him.

His annoyance mounted, and as he approached Natalie, she deftly dodged him. He halted, reading the clear warning in her icy eyes to steer clear.

Murray was in full host mode, his voice booming. “Thank you all for joining us tonight. Ms. Simpson here has saved my grandmother, and by extension, the Spencer family.”

Everyone was aware of the power Emma held with her shares.

Murray turned to Natalie, his voice cold. “Apologize and bow, Natalie. Then I’ll break your hands to stop you from causing more trouble.”

Natalie arched an eyebrow, unfazed.

Easton frowned, feeling Murray had crossed a line.

Jennifer quickly interjected, “Mr. Spencer, please, my sister didn’t mean any harm.” Her plea played well with the crowd.

“Jennifer, I’ve made up my mind,” Murray said, his gaze fixed on Natalie. “Natalie, bow and stop wasting the time of the Spencer family’s savior.”

Jennifer feigned concern, about to speak, when a raspy voice cut through the silence. “Who said Jennifer was the one who saved me?” The voice belonged to Emma, and it sent a wave of shock through the room.