Joshua raised his eyebrows slightly. He listened to her words and glanced casually at Natalie, who was snuggling up to him. "Natalie, stop messing around. Sit properly.""I'm not messing around. I'm telling the truth." Natalie still nestled gently against Joshua.She pouted slightly, seeming a little unhappy. "As you know, the last time was an accident. I can assure you that it won't be fake this time."The sight of Natalie cuddling Joshua made Natasha instantly lose her appetite. She felt disgusted instead of hungry. Hence, she quietly set down her knife and fork. Joshua ignored Natalie's words as he frowned. "I said sit properly." His tone unwittingly implied a position of authority that did not tolerate contradiction.In fact, Joshua saw today's invitation to Natasha as a matter of strict business. Since it was a matter of business, it had to be done properly.He had always kept his public and private matters separate, and to him, Natalie's behavior was inappropriate, both lo
"You, a lone girl who can only survive by relying on the Grayson family, have no idea how much luxury you've enjoyed in those three years with the Grayson family."You don't know how to be grateful, and yet you want the Grayson family to thank you?" Natalie exclaimed.Hearing her words, Natasha blinked. "Where's all this luxury you're talking about? Ask your Josh what life was like for me after I married into the Grayson family."Natalie wanted to say something else, but Joshua grabbed her arm. He frowned at Natalie. "Stop talking." It was only then that Natalie realized that she had gone too far with her earlier words. She quickly held back the rest of what she was going to say.Natalie explained in a tone of grievance, "I just couldn't stand Natasha treating the Grayson family like this, so I got a bit carried away with my words…" She tried to salvage her image.However, before she could finish her sentence, Joshua interrupted, "I know." There was unmistakable trust in his eye
"That's good." Natasha looked deeply at Natalie, nodded, and stood up.Given the Grayson family's status, a birthday gift would be worth at least several million.If Natalie truly was willing to spend that money, it might be considered somewhat sincere. However, if she only did it to save face, that would be a different story. Seeing that Natasha was already prepared to leave, Natalie felt somewhat reluctant."Aren't you preparing anything for Mr. Grayson Senior's 70th birthday?" She couldn't bear spending money on her own!Natasha raised an eyebrow. She blinked and glanced around. "Are you talking about me?""Yes. Besides you, who else is there? Stop pretending." Natalie's eyes widened."I'm a penniless orphan. How can I afford a birthday gift?" Natasha smiled ambiguously. Joshua's brows furrowed, and his tone was icy. "Natalie, don't make things difficult for Natasha. She's no longer part of the Grayson family. There's no need for her to buy my grandpa a birthday gift."Na
Natalie watched her leave with a smile on her face. She couldn't believe Natasha was silly enough to turn down an opportunity that had been served to her on a silver platter.Joshua watched Natasha leave with a cold gaze, but she suddenly stopped and turned around.Natalie's smile froze on her face. Natasha wasn't about to change her mind, right?"What is it? Did you finally come to your senses?" Joshua asked."Of course not," Natasha said with a smile. She waved her phone and said, "I wanted to remind you not to send me any more messages from now on. It's quite annoying."After that, she turned to leave.Joshua's expression darkened as he gritted his teeth.Natalie looked scandalized by Natasha's brash attitude. Before Joshua could say anything, she yelled, "Hey! How dare you talk to Josh that way? You need to be taken down a notch!"Natasha completely ignored the yelling behind her.…She reached Gwen Restaurant's main doors. One of the waiters approached her and said, "Tak
"Can't be bothered with me?" Joshua repeated in a low voice. His gaze was steely and dark like a thunderstorm, and as cold as one, too."Exactly," Natalie said with a nod. "She even used to call me a gold digger, but look at her now! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black."Since I'm joining the Grayson family soon, I've been following all of the necessary traditions. I've been keeping track of my spending and ensuring I'm not too frivolous."Look at this Chanel jacket. I wouldn't even dare to dream about buying it, but she wore it so casually. Who knows what tycoon she's managed to get into bed with?" Natalie finished, looking curious.Her words managed to kill two birds with one stone. First, she fed into the idea of Natasha sleeping with other men, and then, she subtly uplifted herself and her wise money-spending habits.Joshua mindlessly toyed with his mug as his expression remained cold and stoic. It felt like anyone who went near him would be turned into ice.As Natali
Natalie was overjoyed. "Josh…" she cooed in a soft voice. Her gaze failed to hide her excitement.Joshua stood up and ignored her. He began to walk away with a dark expression."Josh! D-Does that mean I can join the party?" Natalie carefully called out. She didn't want to miss the chance to ask him about it."Yes," he said simply before walking away.Natalie was practically glowing with happiness. She glanced at Joshua's coldly retreating figure and murmured to herself, "I guess I just profited from a misfortune, huh?"However, the misfortune was Natasha's while Natalie was reaping all the profits.She smiled, feeling extremely proud of herself.…Natasha had just reached home.She tossed her car and house keys on the table next to the front door and only realized something was missing when she reached her bedroom."What am I missing?" she thought to herself with a frown.She thought about it carefully and finally remembered the jacket she'd been wearing when she left the ho
"Yes. If you want reliable bodyguards, your best choice will be from the Zales family."Zack's gaze was determined as he continued, "The Zales are known for being involved in some gang matters. Oceanville can kind of be considered their territory.""If they really are as famous as you say, why haven't I ever heard about them?" Natasha said with a frown.She had never heard about the Zales family before.Zack smirked and said teasingly, "All you cared about was Joshua! I bet if he wanted a star, you'd find a way to give it to him."Of course you wouldn't care about that stuff. I'd find it weird if you actually knew about them."Even though he hadn't seen Natasha in three years, the Grayson family's business had long since spread around among the rich families.Natasha's feelings and everything she had done for Joshua had become a hot conversation topic for rich families to gossip about and laugh at over coffee and desserts.He had tried to shut them up once, but it hadn't gotten
She silently walked on the shore.Natasha couldn't help but marvel to herself that the serene, calming view really contrasted with the Zales' identity as part of the mafia. She finally walked into the building. It was a very tall corporate building and was mostly decked out in black furniture. It was both subtle and tasteful, and there were well-equipped guards all over the place.Natasha took her phone out and tapped the number that Zack sent. The call went through in a matter of seconds.She said simply, "Hi, I'm here to hire some bodyguards. Zack recommended me to come here.""Oh, it's you. Mr. Lynch has already informed us you'll be dropping by. I'll bring you upstairs right now," the voice on the other end said kindly.Someone came down to pick her up in just a matter of minutes.The person who came to bring her was a stony-faced man with a cold expression. He was dressed in all black and emitted a dangerous, sharp air. He seemed intimidating."Please come this way," he s