Chapter 50

Easton shot Xavier a cold glance. “Just do as I say.”

Realizing he’d overstepped, Xavier replied respectfully. “Understood, Mr. Garcia. I’ll look into it tomorrow.”

Easton closed his eyes, but Luna’s words echoed in his mind, fueling his anger. He couldn’t believe that she had said Natalie had terrible taste and that he wasn’t worthy of her.

Feeling annoyed, Easton closed his eyes to rest. However, after thinking for a while, he realized that he truly knew nothing about Natalie.

Natalie had been nothing more than a pawn in his quest for control, yet her kindness toward him hadn’t gone unnoticed.

The more Easton thought about it, the more restless he became.

Meanwhile, Natalie leaned against the car window, watching the scenery flash by. She reminded Luna, “Luna, stay alert around Easton. Tonight, he saw a glimpse of what I’m capable of, and I know he’s already suspicious. We can’t let him discover my real identity.”

She knew Nick’s nature all too well; if he discovered she had the powerful Lance Group behind her, he’d stop at nothing to seize control.

Luna’s eyes were steady. “Ms. Shawn, don’t worry; he won’t find out a thing.”

Natalie trusted Luna and Carl completely; their work had always been impeccable.

When she arrived home, Lambert was already asleep. Natalie quietly made her way upstairs.

“Natalie, you’re back?” Valerie called, her words muffled by a face mask.

Natalie nodded. “Yes.”

She was tired and just wanted to wash up and go to bed. Valerie noticed her fatigue and smiled. “Had a lucky night?”

Natalie thought about it. She wasn’t sure if meeting Roger counted as luck. “You’re usually right about these things, so if you say it’s lucky, it probably is.”

“Alright, then! You look exhausted – get some rest. We can talk tomorrow,” Valerie said before heading back to her room.

Natalie watched her retreating figure with a smile, then headed to bed.

However, Jennifer was far from calm.

The moment she got home, she told her parents how Natalie had stolen her spotlight, though she conveniently left out the fact that Natalie could speak Ardonian.

“Dad, Mom, Natalie had to show up at such an important event tonight just to make a scene. It’s obvious that she doesn’t want to give up on Easton, still trying to get his attention,” Jennifer nearly snapped, overwhelmed with frustration.

Natalie was beautiful, and her beauty outshone Jennifer’s. Tonight, her talents had also started to shine. Jennifer already felt threatened by her, but now that sense of danger had intensified. Plus, she feared Murray’s retaliation – he was not one to forgive easily.

Nick and Wendy both looked upset.

Wendy turned to Jennifer, who looked heartbroken, feeling a pang of sympathy. After all, Jennifer was the daughter she had raised and adored.

She tried to comfort her, “Jennifer, don’t be upset. Natalie’s nothing but a troublemaker; she can’t compare to you. I’ll go talk to her tomorrow and make it clear that she needs to stay away from you.”

Nick and Jennifer exchanged a glance, both feeling reassured.

Jennifer wrapped her arms around Wendy’s, pouting sweetly. “Mom, you don’t have to do so. Natalie is your biological daughter; please don’t ruin your mother-daughter bond for me.”

In truth, Jennifer didn’t believe there was any real mother-daughter bond between Wendy and Natalie. She and Nick had long since manipulated Wendy’s feelings; Wendy trusted her alone, not Natalie.

Jennifer was determined to make everything from the Tompson family and Easton hers.

Wendy, seeing Jennifer’s thoughtfulness, felt more irritated by Natalie’s sharp words and combative attitude. She couldn’t understand why Natalie had become so vicious.

She decided to meet with Natalie the next day to see how she was getting by – and to warn her to stop bothering Jennifer.