Chapter 344

Jennifer exclaimed, “Dad, now that you know Natalie has money, do you regret driving her away?”

Nick replied, “Jennifer, you are my only daughter. I just didn’t know the person who adopted Natalie would be so rich.”

Jennifer’s voice rose in anger. “So she was pretending to be poor to mislead us?”

Nick was uncertain. He had never seen Natalie as his daughter, and his motives in seeking her had been selfish.

“Jennifer, let’s not dwell on the past. Focus on bringing Natalie back and getting her money.”

With little left but a failing company, being broke was truly unbearable for Nick.

Jennifer sighed. “Dad, let me finish my filming first. We should at least wait until the movie is out before asking her for money. My reputation can’t handle being tarnished because of her. Easton has already cut off his support.”

“Natalie holds power over me; we must ensure she disappears completely. Only the dead can keep a secret.”

Nick paused, shocked. “Agreed!”

He hung up the phone, feeling unsettled.

Since the divorce, he hadn’t seen Wendy and didn’t know how she was. Living with Camellia, he felt her lack of care compared to Wendy’s attention.

Wendy was aware of his health issues. The meals she cooked were always healthy, designed to avoid causing him discomfort. Each night, she brewed herbal tea to help him.

In contrast, Camellia never thought about what he needed, often serving greasy food and not offering any herbal tea. His current state couldn’t handle such meals.

Nick took a deep breath. Since leaving Wendy, he had felt deeply unsettled. Just yesterday, he learned Wendy’s parents had gone back to their hometown.

As these thoughts flowed through him, he saw Wendy. Wearing a black puffer coat and no makeup, she carried a thermos. Wendy approached him, making an inexplicable tension rise within Nick. “Wendy…”

When she heard his voice, Wendy recognized him, noting how different Nick looked – he had gained a lot of weight since their last meeting.

She scoffed, realizing that with Camellia’s cooking, Nick’s health had declined quickly, his face now quite puffy.

She would take her time to seek revenge; for now, Nick had only a failing company that would soon crumble. With Nick stripped of everything, Wendy wondered how long Camellia would last.

Wendy asked, “Nick, what brings you here? Natalie works at this place.”

Nick stammered, “I… I just wanted to see her.”

Wendy mocked him. “Such goodwill from you? Did you learn about her job and now think she can help you?”

Nick furrowed his brows and stayed silent; he knew if Wendy found out he wanted to pressure Natalie for money, she would explode.

“No, really, it’s just a visit. Wendy, how have you been?” After all their years together, Nick found it hard to let go. Wendy’s kindness was a memory he couldn’t shake.

Wendy looked at Nick. He seemed more ordinary than ever. “I’m doing well. Money is tight, but life is manageable. Recently, I sold my parents’ belongings to pay off all my debts.”

Nick stared, shocked. “You cleared all your debts in just twenty days?”

Wendy explained, “Someone offered a good price for my Dad’s estate. Now I’m without work and planning to take a break.”

Nick hadn’t expected this kind of resolution.

Wendy stepped into Natalie’s office while Nick hesitated at the entrance, feeling a mix of reluctance and fear.

Hearing Wendy had cleared her debts struck Nick with discomfort. He had abandoned her during a tough time, and in just a month, she had turned her life around. The regret felt almost unbearable.

Nick felt like he had wasted a fortune. Camellia had little ability and had relied on Nick’s finances all her life.

A lot of their wealth had originally come from Wendy.

This meant that without Wendy, Nick was left with nothing.

He bit his lip, aware of his foolishness. A mistress should have been a casual indulgence; divorcing his real wife had been his biggest mistake. Jennifer also showed little concern for him, and he felt it deeply.

Returning to her office, Natalie felt a heavy gloom settle over her.

Lost in thought, she sat on the carpet, gazing out the window.

As snowflakes swirled outside, her expression remained hollow, pain echoing in her heart.

A knock at the door brought her back. She stood slowly and called out, “Come in.”

Luna said, “Wendy wants to see you.”

Natalie wondered if Wendy had come to pressure her for money.

Irritated by her presence, Natalie decided to meet Wendy since she was already there. Her voice was hoarse as she said, “Let her in.”

Luna nodded and exited. Moments later, Wendy entered with her thermos in hand.

Wendy looked around Natalie’s office, admiring its size and brightness, and smiled. “Natalie, are you busy right now?” Natalie gestured to the sofa opposite her, inviting Wendy to sit.

Wendy said, “Here, Natalie, I brought some chicken soup I made. It’s cold outside; maybe you’ll enjoy some to warm up.” Natalie replied with a derisive chuckle. “Wendy, your ex-husband just left. Is this just another scheme to get cash from me? Do you really believe I’m still the same Natalie from before? That a sweet treat will make me cater to your demands?”

Wendy, getting angry, asked, “Did Nick come here seeking money from you?”

Natalie’s tone grew cold. “Yes, he just left before you arrived. I owe you nothing. After living in the Simpson family for a year, I’ve already contributed to your household expenses. Please don’t disturb my life anymore.”

Those people couldn’t hurt her now.

Natalie continued, “This chicken soup could have meant a lot to the old me…”

“Yet she never made that meal. Now that our ties are cut, I hope we can avoid further encounters, strangers.”

Wendy’s eyes filled with tears. “Natalie, it’s not like that, you’ve misunderstood me!”