Chapter 557

Natalie glared coldly at Annabelle. "Take care of your mistress," she said. "If she shows up in front of me again, I won't hesitate to tell my parents about our situation. If you're not disgusted, I certainly am."

Annabelle's face paled. "Who did you call?"

Jeremy's voice came through Natalie's phone. "Annabelle went to see you?" he asked.

Natalie's face paled at their simultaneous inquiries. She forced a self-deprecating smile. "You two make quite a pair," she replied. "I wish you both happiness. Just sign the divorce agreement quickly—it's better for both of us."

She hung up.

Annabelle panicked. "How could you call Mr. Hughes? You!" she shouted.

Natalie glanced at her phone, a heavy weight in her chest. Looking up at Annabelle, she snapped, "Get out! Go find Jeremy. Don't come back. You're making me sick."

Annabelle froze, her face pale, her eyes filled with hatred and fear. "You!"

Annabelle hadn't anticipated Natalie's stubbornness or her ability to involve Jeremy. She wondered what he would do and realized that if Natalie could marry Jeremy, she wasn't as naive as she appeared. She hadn't had a chance to prevent what had happened.

"Remember what I just said," Natalie added before leaving.

Annabelle remained frozen, her body rigid with fear. Her phone rang repeatedly; it was Jeremy. A wave of intense dread washed over her. She couldn't answer. She cursed Natalie.

Meanwhile, Natalie returned to her car, realizing only upon reaching it that Austin and Hank had already gotten out. "Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?" she asked belatedly.

Hank narrowed his eyes at the distant Annabelle. "Was that person bothering you? Who is she?"

Hank's question was deliberate. They had exited the car two minutes earlier. Austin had identified the woman as Jeremy's mistress. Her appearance was clearly meant to intimidate Natalie. Hank had almost intervened but, as Austin's celebrity agent, he couldn't risk drawing attention to himself.

Austin's eyes darkened as he glanced at Annabelle, then turned to Natalie with a gentle voice. "I'm fine. Did she cause you trouble?"

Natalie's eyes reddened at their concern. She forced a smile and shook her head. "Of course not. I'm not so easily bullied."

Annabelle's appearance had reopened painful memories, and the call to Jeremy only intensified her pain.

"It's good if she didn't trouble you. If she does, let me know," Austin said softly.

"Yes! If I'm ever troubled, I'll let you know," Natalie replied, her eyes still moist. "It's not a big deal."

Austin subtly glanced at the fleeing Annabelle; his disdain for Jeremy was evident.