Feeling the weight of her mistake, Natalie blurted out, "It's Natasha's fault!"All she wanted was to avoid Joshua thinking poorly of her."Natasha! She…" Natalie stammered as she tried to conjure up excuses.Memories rushed back, reminding her of how Joshua had been disappointed in her due to Natasha in the past.Fortunately, Natalie had fabricated a lie back then, explaining that her mother had fallen seriously ill and passed away overseas. This left her in a financial bind, compelling her to work hard to make ends meet.This tale managed to prevent Joshua from continuing to get angry, but Natalie was aware that each excuse she created chipped away at Joshua's affection for her.She knew she couldn't tarnish the cherished image of being Joshua's first love in his heart.Joshua quirked an eyebrow and questioned, "What did Natasha do this time?"Natalie anxiously tugged at her dress hem, still scrambling to come up with an excuse. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as nervou
"Natasha made me believe the letter she sent was fake on purpose. She knew I'd destroy it, but the one she sent was actually real, and the fake one remained in my possession."She knew everything but dropped me confusing clues. She planned to make you doubt me and make you think I was a liar."All of that was so that you'd see me as dishonest, and you wouldn't want to be around me," Natalie explained.Joshua thought deeply, his lips pressed together.Natalie added, "And there's more to it—Natasha despised the idea of Grayson Corp getting that authorization letter."She wanted it torn up in your hands and hoped it would lead to Grayson Corp's downfall. She wanted you to feel regret!"It's a kind of twisted love-hate thing she has for you. She's dead set against Grayson Corp getting that authorization, no doubt!" Natalie covered her mouth in shock. "Natasha can be pretty scary."As Joshua listened in silence, a wave of anger welled up within him. His face grew intensely somber as
Natasha stood at the doorway, gazing into Joshua's eyes for a long moment. His face seemed indifferent, but a closer look revealed a touch of anger.Joshua was all dressed up in an elegant outfit—a white shirt, black waistcoat, and a gold-speckled tie."What's up?" Natasha didn't sound too friendly.It was only when she spoke that she noticed how tired Joshua looked, with a touch of redness in his eyes. He seemed like he had been through a rough patch."Why not let me in for a bit?" Joshua's voice stayed calm.Natasha had no patience for it. "Seriously? This is my place, and we're finished. There's no tie between us anymore. Why on earth would I let you in?"Joshua gave a little smirk with a touch of mockery in his eyes. "Are you getting mad? You were the one who made me sign those divorce papers, and now you're regretting it?"The divorce was a relief for Natasha. She scoffed. "I'm not mad, and I don't regret a thing. I just don't want strangers in my space."Joshua sensed Nat
"Let's say you did find Professor Nancy. How on earth did you manage to sneak into the lab in the first place?" Joshua questioned.Natasha stayed composed as she had expected Joshua's question. She sent the package under her own name instead of Ryan's because Joshua had already spotted her in the lab.Plus, the second time he came across her there, she was already inside before he entered the building. It ruled out any chance of him thinking she was tailing him into the lab.Knowing Joshua's meticulous nature, it was clear he might have harbored suspicions. Sending the letter of authorization under her own name was a strategic move.This choice naturally explained why she appeared in the lab before him—she had returned to seek the letter of authorization."I depended on the bodyguard, simple as that," Natasha replied casually.Joshua studied her as if trying to uncover any deception.Natasha met his gaze confidently and showed no hint of fear. She had already dismissed the bodyg
Natasha noticed a change in Joshua's face. His emotions seemed complicated, and his sharp features looked even more serious in the light.It felt like Natasha might have said something that upset him. Maybe she had gone too far in the heat of the moment.Jacob had told her about Joshua's childhood and personality, and Lorelei had brought it up recently. The scars from his past haunted Joshua, and Natasha tried her best not to bring up those painful memories."I've sent you the letter of authorization. Does it matter where it came from?" Natasha kept her emotions in check, trying to sound calm.Joshua remained silent. Natasha wondered why he cared about the letter of authorization's source. After all, they were already divorced, so it shouldn't matter to him.Even after their marriage ended, Natasha kept working hard to help the Graysons through tough times, holding onto the memories they shared.Instead of asking questions, Joshua should see and value the effort she was putting i
"I tore it," Joshua confessed. His lips pressed together, and a touch of awkwardness flashed across his face.Natasha blinked, wondering if she had misheard him.No wonder Joshua sought her out. At first, she thought he was going to question her, but it turned out to be about the letter of authorization. Regardless, it did match Joshua's character."Wait, not only did you tear up the letter of authorization I worked hard for, but now you're here questioning me?" Natasha's eyes held disappointment and a hint of mockery.It seemed Joshua had a heart of stone."I got it wrong. I thought the letter you sent was fake, so I accidentally tore it," Joshua patiently explained."That's on you. Why do I have to suffer the consequences?" Natasha raised an eyebrow, her stare turning chilly.She went through so much trouble just to help the Graysons. It seemed reasonable to give Joshua another authorization letter if it meant aiding them. However, his actions left her baffled.Now, she quest
Natasha slammed the door so hard that she almost stumbled. She walked wobbly to the table and poured herself a glass of lemon water.Ever since Jacob disappeared from her life, she had become quieter, not showing much emotion.But now, anger surged within her like never before. It had been so long since she felt this furious. She couldn't even remember the last time she was this mad.Joshua's actions had genuinely gotten on her nerves. The cool lemon water helped soothe her and brought a bit of calmness to her breathing.Taking the stairs one step at a time, Natasha made her way to the villa's second floor.The window wall was covered by dark gray curtains. She pulled them aside, uncovering the expansive glass that allowed a peek into the outside world.Natasha longed to grasp Joshua's thoughts. His actions that day were completely different from what she knew of him. It felt like his intelligence took a nosedive the moment his first love reappeared.Resting against the couch, s
Ryan realized he hadn't been vigilant enough. That car parked near the lab had caught his attention that day, and now he wished he had been more attentive.A worried look crossed his face. If anything happened to Natasha in the lab, Zack would be furious, and Ryan would carry the weight of regret forever."I'm sorry, Professor. It's on me. The day I sent the authorization letter, I noticed a car outside the lab, but I didn't think much of it," Ryan confessed and owned up to his mistake.He added, "I'll strengthen the security and make sure no one gets into the lab without proper clearance."Natasha spoke casually, "Don't blame yourself. Joshua bribed the security at the side entrance and slipped into the lab from there. It makes sense that you didn't think anything of that car.""Joshua?" Ryan tightened his grip on the phone, his other hand instinctively forming a fist.Her words hit him unexpectedly. He hadn't expected Joshua to find the lab. He wondered whether it was related t