Chapter 42

Easton finally lost his patience, lowering his voice to a furious growl. “Natalie, that’s enough!”

Startled, Natalie cursed him silently and took a quick step back, colliding into a warm embrace unexpectedly.

“Careful, Natalie,” a low, rich voice sounded near her ear, smooth as aged whiskey, drawing her in deeper the longer she listened.

Enveloped in a fresh scent that made her briefly nervous, Natalie tilted her head up, meeting Maurice’s handsome face. His eyes, filled with concern, held her gaze. “Mr. Chambers, my apologies—did I hurt you?”

Maurice looked at her with a twinkle in his eye, his deep gaze fixed on her mischievous, lively expression. He smiled. “Natalie, you did hurt me—especially in my heart. You suddenly barged in, and it hurts quite a bit.”

Natalie blinked, feeling a hint of something stirring inside. She could hardly believe Maurice was actually teasing her.

Easton, meanwhile, glowered darkly at the two embracing, their eye contact stoking a sudden blaze of anger in him. His narrowed eyes flashed with a cold, hostile glint.

“Natalie, remember who you are,” he warned in a low voice.

Jennifer, seething with jealousy, couldn’t understand how Natalie even knew Maurice.

Maurice’s expression turned frosty as he locked eyes with Easton, and in that moment, it was as if a hundred silent battles played out between them.

Maurice spoke up, warning Easton, “Mr. Garcia, mind your own business. Natalie is my date for tonight.”

“Your date?” Easton snapped, his intense gaze seething with rage as he looked sharply at Natalie.

“That’s right,” Natalie nodded. “Got a problem with that?”

“But you’re…” Easton began, but Natalie cut him off.

“What’s the matter, Mr. Garcia? Please show some respect and don’t tarnish my reputation.” She smiled as she warned him.

She wasn’t going to put up with him anymore. She’d been tolerant because she loved him once. Now, she didn’t care about him one bit; to her, he was worth less than a weed on the side of the road.

Maurice gave Easton a pointed look before turning to Natalie with a gentle smile. “Natalie, I got held up earlier and couldn’t come greet you right away. I’m sorry for the delay.”

Natalie shook her head, flashing an innocent smile. “No worries. I ran into some old friends, so I stopped for a quick chat.” Turning to Luna, she said, “Luna, go enjoy yourself. Get some good food. We’ll leave right at ten.”

Luna nodded; though she would keep her distance, she’d stay nearby to protect Natalie.

“Come on, Natalie, let me introduce you to Mr. Schneider,” Maurice said.

“Alright!” Natalie smiled and followed him.

Hearing Maurice mention Mr. Schneider, Easton knew he was talking about Roger Schneider, the person he was hoping to secure a deal with tonight. However, Roger spoke only Ardonian, and his interpreter had been hospitalized with an illness. Easton didn’t know Ardonian, so he had brought Jennifer along, who had spent two years in Ardonia. He hadn’t expected to run into Natalie here.

Chapter 19

“Jennifer, let’s go over there,” Easton said.

Jennifer smiled sweetly. “Don’t worry, Easton. I’ll make sure you get this deal.”

As long as Jennifer helped Easton secure this partnership, he would have to marry her. Thinking of their future together, Jennifer couldn’t help but smile.

Nick, meanwhile, stayed back to greet familiar business partners.

The guests mingled, laughter and conversation flowing freely, while an array of fine food and wine adorned the tables.

Natalie, who loved good food, gazed longingly at the dishes as she walked by, making Maurice chuckle.

Maurice, ever the gentleman, gracefully greeted people around them as they moved through the crowd.

Easton couldn’t take his eyes off Natalie, whose playful charm seemed almost otherworldly.

They finally arrived in the grand main hall, Hall No. 1, designed for VIPs. Lavish and ornate, it radiated elegance from every corner.

Sitting with poise was an elderly Ardonian man with a head full of white hair—Roger Schneider himself. At seventy years old, he was still deeply committed to his company and had come to discuss an auto parts partnership with Maurice.

Jennifer spotted Roger first and quickly stepped forward, greeting him respectfully in Ardonian. “Mr. Schneider, hello, I’m Jennifer Simpson. It’s an honor to meet you!”

Roger looked at Jennifer with puzzled blue eyes and replied in Ardonian, “What did you say?”