Chapter 339

Natalie eyed him skeptically. She had slept deeply last night and had no recollection of anything.

After thinking for a moment, she asked, “How exactly did you get in last night? I asked you yesterday, and you didn’t answer me.”

Easton smiled. Standing under the light, he appeared even more dignified. His voice was deep and magnetic as he replied, “I climbed over the wall. Look, my hands and arms are all scraped up. After I showered last night, the wounds seemed to get infected.”

He extended his arm, showing her his hand, which bore scratches. The wounds, soaked in water, were now oozing a yellowish liquid.

Natalie understood the pain. Even the slightest breeze could make it sting.

She sneered, “There were so many times you pushed me down, and my palms ended up like this–burning with pain. Serves you right.”

As she walked out the door, she added, “Thanks for letting me know. Once the snow stops, I’ll have the butler install barbed wire on the walls. Let’s see how you manage to climb in next time.”

Easton glanced at the scrapes on his hand and thought back to the times he’d pushed Natalie down to protect Jennifer. He hadn’t bothered to check if Natalie was hurt and had walked away.

At that time, he had just taken over the company and was dedicating most of his time to it, leaving him little opportunity to pay attention to her.

But last night, he really had climbed over the wall, and the scrapes on his hands came from that. To avoid her suspecting that he knew the code, he had no choice but to resort to such measures.

Only now did he realize how painful scraped palms could be. He felt guilty and didn’t even try to argue. “Let’s go down and have breakfast,” he said.

Natalie frowned at him, her frustration giving way to sarcasm. “Easton, this is my house, not yours. And we’re getting divorced. Can you respect some boundaries? Your relationship with Jennifer is always murky. Are you implying that our situation is the same?”

Easton raised an eyebrow, smiling. “We are legally married. How could our relationship be murky?”

Natalie was momentarily at a loss for words, forgetting that they weren’t officially divorced yet.

Her anger flared. “Fine. Starting tomorrow—no, starting today—don’t come here again. My grandpa and brother will be back in a few days. If you don’t want to get thrown out, do yourself a favor and stay away!”

Easton’s actions had disrupted her life. She couldn’t understand him and never had. Whatever he did was a mystery to her. When Easton heard her trying to kick him out again, the anger inside him began to burn. He snapped, “Natalie, why do you keep trying to push me away? I’ve told you before, we’re a married couple, and we should live together.

“Either you move back to my place, or I’ll move in here. Even if your grandpa and brother come back, I’ll find a way to stay. I’ve warned you before, don’t make me take action against your brother.”

Furious at his threat, Natalie shot back, “Easton, the divorce is happening! I won’t stay your wife! Look at my chest. You threw me out of the car last time, and I got hit by another one.

“It’s been a long time, but it still hurts so much. Why would I want to stay married to someone as unstable as you?! I could easily find myself a young, handsome guy. Wouldn’t that be so much better?

“And don’t think you can use my brother to threaten me. I’ve told you before—I don’t care about anything, so your threats are useless.”

She had always been cautious, ensuring her brother’s identities remained hidden. Easton only knew her brother’s name, James, and likely couldn’t uncover anything more.

Natalie was trembling with rage. Once, her love for him had been so deep that she had lost herself entirely. But he had never taken her feelings seriously, hurting her time and again.

She said, “Easton, wasn’t my leaving you exactly what you wanted all along? I’ve already left. Why can’t you just let me go?

“I only ever loved you. Why are you treating me like this? I married you and saved your life. You couldn’t even be grateful—not that I care for your gratitude.

“You already paid me back for the medical expenses back then. Aside from the divorce certificate, there’s nothing left between us.”

Natalie gritted her teeth, furious to the core, tears welling up in her eyes.

Seeing her tears, Easton slightly clenched his hands at his sides. “I’ve already said, I was wrong in the past, and I’m sorry.”

Natalie sneered, “I’ve also said that your apology is worthless. You don’t deserve to apologize to me! And I will never forgive you!”

With that, she turned and headed downstairs. Easton watched her retreating figure, turbulent emotions swirling in his eyes, and followed her down.

When Peter saw Easton, his gaze darkened slightly. “Ms. Shawn, why is he here again?”

Natalie walked toward the dining room, sneering, “He climbed over the wall. Tell the security team tonight to stay on duty 24/7. The moment there’s any movement, call me immediately.

“Ask them to call the police right away if they catch this man climbing in again.”

Peter glanced at Easton and replied, “Understood.”

Easton frowned but then chuckled. He said calmly, “Natalie, do you really think you can get rid of me like this? Don’t forget, we’re still in business together.

“The contract I signed with you lasts three years, and you’re still my wife. Me coming to find you isn’t exactly illegal.”

Natalie turned to look at him in disbelief. “Easton, how dare you trick me!”

Easton’s smile turned calculating. “Natalie, you’re brilliant, but in business, contract traps are the most dangerous. A seemingly flawless contract can hide endless pitfalls.”

Natalie was stunned—she’d been outmaneuvered by Easton again. “Easton, you–”

Easton cut her off with a smirk. “You’ve got two options now. Either terminate your contract with Carl and become the design director at my company, or pay me the penalty for breaching the contract—a hundred million dollars.”

Natalie was so shocked that she almost bit her tongue. “Easton, you’re shameless!”

She glared at him with resentment. Her designs had been plagiarized, and in her desperation to escape him, she had given the designs to him. She hadn’t realized the contract contained such a trap.

“I don’t believe it. I’m going to the office to check. I’m not falling for your tricks.” With that, Natalie sat down at the dining table and began eating her ravioli.

Peter had quietly left at some point, leaving only Easton and Natalie in the dining room.

Easton loved ravioli too, especially the ones made by Natalie. They tasted even better.

The ravioli, paired with brown butter sauce, were the perfect comfort food on a cold winter morning.

Easton, too, enjoyed the ravioli, savoring them in silence as the two ate breakfast together.

After a few bites, Natalie glanced at Easton, thinking, ‘Even after all this, he can still sit across from me calmly eating breakfast. He truly has no shame!’

She tightened her grip on the spoon, frustrated at being outsmarted by him yet again.

After breakfast, Natalie messaged Luna, asking her to review the contract.

Half an hour later, Luna replied: [Natalie, the contract does say that. Didn’t you read it carefully at the time? You brought trouble upon yourself.]