Chapter 369

"Mr. Hughes," Annabelle said, "Have I done something wrong? Why are you pushing me away?" Annabelle panicked. Jeremy had seemed fine until today, and he hadn't come home in a long time. She'd thought he would lose interest in Natalie—who, in her opinion, was inferior in every way—and finally give her an official status. They had even had sex that morning. But his attitude had completely changed in just a few hours!

Jeremy, impatient, said coldly, "I don't want Natalie to know about you. Remember that." He hung up before Annabelle could respond.

She stared at the phone, eyes wide with disbelief. He didn't want Natalie to know about her? He was heartless!

"Even though we were together and had sex, you still don't love me! I've invested so much! I fell in love with you a long time ago!" she murmured, gritting her teeth in her 3,200-square-foot upscale apartment. "No one knows how much effort I put into joining your company. Thanks to my hard work, I finally got in. But no matter how excellent I am, you never really saw me, just treated me like any other employee. I've sacrificed so much for your attention. I won't leave. I can't leave! It would be fine if Natalie were better than me, but she's inferior in every aspect!"

After the call, Jeremy deleted Annabelle's contact information and blocked her on WhatsApp. He also deleted all call records—as if that would make her disappear completely.

Natalie never checked his phone. She trusted him implicitly.

However, during this period… Jeremy felt a sudden chill, quickly dismissed the thought, and left his study. He returned to the bedroom to find Natalie showered and in loungewear. "Are you finished with work?" she asked, relaxed. His trips to the study usually signaled urgent business; she was surprised he'd finished so quickly.

Jeremy nodded. "Everything's done."

Natalie said, "I forgot to tell you—I found a job and start tomorrow. I'll be Austin Powell's assistant. I've been so busy. You haven't been home in almost a month. I can't control my emotions at home, so I'd like to go to work for a change."

Jeremy frowned at the news. "I've been too busy lately. I'll have more time now."

"It's complicated out there. Working as a celebrity's assistant will be challenging." He worried; she could afford anything, but she shouldn't have to struggle. "Also, don't you want children? We can start trying now."

Seeing him reject her suggestion so readily, she smiled bitterly to herself. "Just let me have my way this time."

He approached and raised her chin, intending to kiss her. She blushed and pulled away. "Have you forgotten? I'm on my period." The timing was unfortunate, but it was true. She could tell he wanted sex.

"Can't you promise me? Austin usually has a light schedule. I'll be home all the time. I'll still have plenty of time. As for children, we can't force it. We should let nature take its course. Honey, don't you love me the most? Promise me, okay?"

Unable to resist her coquettishness, Jeremy finally agreed.

Joe returned to Galaxy Villa after saying goodbye to John. Entering the villa, he saw Skylar unpacking groceries and putting them in the refrigerator. Hearing someone approach, Skylar looked up…

(The passage cuts off abruptly here. The last sentence is incomplete.)