"I'm busy. I can't join today," Natasha said in a tone as cold as her expression."Tasha, please just join this party. Do it for me, alright?" Lorelei continued to plead.She knew very well that Natasha had only said that so she wouldn't have to attend the party.Natasha stayed quiet and maintained her cold demeanor. She was clearly turning down Lorelei's offer.Lorelei was sitting up on the bed and needed to use an arm to support herself so that she could move to the bedside. She was completely conscious, but her physical condition seemed to be declining.She looked up directly at Natasha and repeated her request, only this time, her voice was much weaker. "Tasha, please do it for me."Natasha didn't reply.She simply stared at Lorelei.She felt as though Lorelei was in much worse shape than before. Her usually rosy lips were now pale, and her narrow face was almost bony and drained of color. She looked truly pitiful.Silently, Natasha reminded herself to tell Ella to make so
Natasha frowned. She looked at Lorelei who was on the verge of getting on her knees to beg and felt her heart soften. "Okay, okay. I'll join. Please sit down."Lorelei froze for a second before smiling brightly. "Tasha, are you really going to join?"Natasha purposely kept a somber expression. "Forget it. I'm not joining anymore.""No, wait! I'm glad you want to join!" Lorelei's smile widened, and even her beaten-down demeanorseemed to change for the better. Then, she called out to Ella, "Ella, bring Tasha something to eat!"Let me think about this. You didn't bring any clothes, so what are you going to wear tonight?" Lorelei collected herself and began to think about it seriously. "I'll get someone to send some clothes over for you to pick from!"Natasha shook her head. "There's no need for that. I'll ask someone to send something over.""How could I have you do that? You're just a young lady, and it's not easy to make a living in today's society. How could I make you waste mon
Natalie walked into the ballroom slowly while holding onto Joshua's arm with a smile that she couldn't suppress.Everyone at the party turned to stare at the intimate couple.Natalie noticed the stares of everyone around her. There was shock, confusion, envy, and many other strange emotions that she couldn't understand.She couldn't help but feel nervous under the gaze of so many strangers.Her eyelashes, which were long and voluminous after applying many careful coats of mascara, fluttered rapidly as she couldn't stop blinking from nerves. She also tightened her grip on Joshua's arm.Tristan noticed Natalie's nerves and whispered, "Don't be nervous."Natalie nodded and managed to force a smile."The woman standing next to Mr. Grayson isn't his wife, is it? What's going on? Did they get a divorce? Did he finally dump that burden of a wife?" someone in the crowd whispered. The crowd around them began to gossip fervently among themselves as they speculated about the nature of Jo
Lydia's mind immediately raced to the prominent Lovelace family in Oceanville, but she couldn't recall anyone named Natalie. Her face showed mixed emotions as she spoke with a probing tone. "I haven't seen you in Oceanville before." It wasn't certain if Natalie had sensed Lydia's suspicions or if she was deliberately disclosing her identity. She blinked her eyes and said, "I've only been in Oceanville for a short period, so it's normal that you haven't seen me around." After a brief pause, she added, "I've just returned from abroad. Before going abroad, I stayed with the Sullivan family in Topola and never visited Oceanville."Lydia's heart skipped a beat upon hearing that. "You're from the Sullivan family in Topola? The esteemed pharmaceutical lineage?" Natalie lowered her head and gave a faint smile, appearing humble. "The Sullivan family can't quite reach the level of a pharmaceutical lineage. They're just more familiar with pharmaceuticals through generations of expertise.
"Oh, so it's her!" Xenia Lawson looked surprised. She gently covered her mouth as if she had just found out the truth.She looked at Natasha with a disdainful expression and said, "Then why is she still shamelessly attending the banquet? She was kicked out by the Grayson family and yet she still has the nerve to come. How shameless." Although she didn't say these words directly to Natasha, she was obviously referring to her. Hearing that, Lydia chuckled, "Who knows? Some people just have thick skin, and there's nothing you can do about it. If she wasn't so thick-skinned, how could she become Mrs. Grayson? Don't you think so?""Indeed. In this world, only those with thick skin can get everything they want." Xenia ran her hand through her hair. "Unfortunately, my family has always taught me to be gracious and elegant. They won't allow me to do such embarrassing things. Otherwise, I'd definitely learn how to be as thick-skinned as her."Natasha looked up and saw the two people fixi
"Natasha, where are you going?" Natalie shot her a sideways glance. Natasha narrowed her eyes as she looked at the person. She was surprised to find it was Natalie again.Lydia and Xenia saw Natalie approaching and quickly moved to stand beside her, exclaiming, "Natalie, you're here!"Natasha instantly understood why these two had inexplicably come to humiliate her. It turned out it to be Natalie's doing! She couldn't help but sneer. She had tried to avoid Natalie as much as possible, but the latter still came to provoke her."Do you think this is fun?" Natasha questioned."Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Natalie replied with hostility. Her eyes were filled with disdain. Her condescending demeanor made it seem like she was looking down on a mere ant. She added, "Natasha, do you think this is fun? Don't you feel embarrassed chasing after Josh like this?""Exactly! We were just about to criticize you outright. Yet, here you are, standing as if you have done no wrong. You truly
Natasha's face remained calm. She knew she couldn't defend herself. She had indeed pushed Natalie just now. Even if she tried to explain, Lydia and Xenia who were standing nearby would likely take Natalie's side. They might even lie and insist she had intentionally pushed Natalie. In that case, she couldn't argue back.Just as Natasha had expected, before she could say anything, Xenia eagerly interjected, "Natasha, not only are you jealous, but you're also so ruthless to push Natalie! If I hadn't stopped you, Natalie would have been injured!"She deliberately spoke loudly as she feared the others around might not hear her.The onlookers formed a circle and their murmurs grew louder, just as Natalie had anticipated. Their gazes at Natasha held no pretense of respect.Natasha didn't bother to defend herself. She simply walked over and said, "My dear, get up quickly. Don't lie on the ground. Is this how you want to be seen, lying on the floor in your dress? It's not good for your im
Natalie remained silent. The people around Natalie saw that she wasn't speaking and were momentarily confused.Lydia obviously didn't believe it. She asked, "Natalie, is what Natasha said true?"Natalie secretly rolled her eyes in disbelief. She didn't expect Lydia to be so silly. Her silence was an implicit acknowledgment. However, this idiot had to ask her again, forcing her to confess.Natalie hesitated and was unsure of what to say. She pursed her lips. Just as she was about to speak and cover up the situation, a male voice suddenly sounded."What are you all gathered here for?" Joshua's gaze was cold.The people surrounding them saw Joshua approaching and immediately made way for him.Joshua walked to the center of the crowd and saw Natasha standing there. He narrowed his eyes. "How did you manage to get into the banquet?" His eyes were filled with deep disgust.Natasha didn't answer and completely ignored Joshua.Observing Natasha's reaction, Joshua instantly grew furious
He didn't know where this sense of loss came from, but it hung over Joshua like a low-pressure system and seemed impossible to dispel. His expression visibly darkened. Yet, he seemed to want to maintain his dignity and didn't want Natasha to discern his sense of loss. So Joshua pursed his lips, forcefully suppressing the feeling and putting on a blank expression. He seemed indifferent to Natasha's proposed condition."How about it? Does Mr. Grayson need more time to consider?" Natasha sat calmly in her chair, tilting her head slightly. She was confident this time that Joshua would definitely agree. Although she felt a bit uneasy about using Philip's life as leverage against Joshua, she believed it was the best option at the moment. Given Joshua's personality, using trivial things as leverage wouldn't pose any threat to him. Besides family members' lives, everything else was insignificant to him. She had no other choice.As Natasha spoke, her eyebrows furrowed lightly, and her
As soon as Joshua heard Natasha mention there were conditions, he instantly had a bad feeling. Although Natasha didn't explicitly state the conditions, Joshua understood that they definitely wouldn't be easy."What conditions are you talking about?" He propped his chin up with his hand, looking at Natasha seriously.Natasha smiled and raised her lips. "What are the conditions? You should know."Joshua was slightly stunned. He knew what the conditions were?He furrowed his brows earnestly, trying hard to figure out what conditions Natasha was talking about.Could it be…"Are you trying to make it a condition to drive Natalie away from the Grayson Villa?" Joshua raised an eyebrow. Considering recent events, Joshua couldn't think of any other conditions.As soon as this was said, Natasha was momentarily dumbfounded.What was he talking about?Natasha tried to find a word to describe Joshua's thoughts, but after a long time, she couldn't bring herself to say it. Joshua's train of
Natasha blinked her eyes. It seemed that Joshua was anticipating her rejection in advance."Since you can enter the Sullivan residence, your relationship with them must be extraordinary."It's not like people with Joshua's and Natalie's status could enter. But Natasha could, which undoubtedly indicated that she still had something to hide from him."Since you have this relationship with the Sullivans, helping Grandfather should be a simple matter."As soon as these words came out, Natasha sneered, "Simple matter?""Although I do have some connection with the Sullivans, it's not to the extent where I can freely arrange the Sullivans miracle worker's schedule."The position of the Sullivan's miracle worker is well-known. Since you are aware of it, you shouldn't say such things. You're overestimating me."Natasha was blatantly lying and trying to deceive Joshua."Someone with the status of the Sullivan's miracle worker would only save someone if he wanted to. If he doesn't have th
As soon as Joshua said the name "Jacob", Natasha felt like her throat was being choked, and was unable to breathe properly.Her breathing became somewhat erratic."What's wrong? Do you know him or not?" Joshua spoke, narrowing his eyes. His pupils contracted, and he looked sharp and almost menacing.It seemed like any slight movement from Natasha couldn't escape his gaze."I…" Natasha began.She seemed a bit hesitant but also seemed not at all. Finally, she calmly spoke, "I don't know him.""Don't know him?" Joshua raised an eyebrow.He seemed somewhat incredulous, repeatedly confirming, "You really don't know him?"Natasha nodded, her expression very firm. "I don't know him."She looked somewhat puzzled, her tone confused as she asked, "Who is Jacob? Is he also from the Graysons?"Joshua stared at Natasha motionlessly, as if trying to find a flaw on her face.But Natasha remained calm. Her expression was very normal and without any flaws.Joshua stared for a long time. Eve
"Please help us remove all these dishes and replace them with some new ones." Natasha pointed to the dishes on the table.The waitress was startled, instinctively asking, "Is there any problem with these dishes? Please point them out, and we will correct them immediately."Natasha smiled gracefully. "No, there's nothing wrong."It was just that these dishes accidentally touched Joshua's nerve."Is it because the dishes don't suit your taste?" the waitress continued to inquire."Not really." Natasha shook her head.Although, she hadn't even taken a bite. She didn't even know if these dishes were good or not.If Joshua's gaze hadn't been so intimidating, she would have tried them so as not to waste them.Next time, she had to bring Austin to try the dishes at this restaurant."So what's wrong with these dishes? We can convey your feedback to the kitchen, or we can replace them with new dishes for you free of charge. Would that be acceptable to you?" the waitress asked.The wait
Joshua had been the president for a long time, and his whole demeanor was daunting, seemingly suffocating others with his pressure.Natasha sat in her seat. Even if she deliberately avoided looking up at Joshua, she could still feel the scalp-tingling sensation.His gaze was just too sharp. She couldn't ignore it even if she wanted to."Uh… Didn't you just say you don't like these dishes? Do you want them all removed?" Natasha awkwardly changed the subject."I'll listen and remove it now. I'll call the waiter in to take them away." After saying that, Natasha lowered her gaze and pressed the button on the table to call the waiter outside on standby.Joshua remained silent. His gaze fixed on Natasha without wavering.It made Natasha feel even more trapped.Her mind was already in a mess at the moment. She regretted that she had spoken too hastily earlier without thinking.She had never let slip of anything during her time in the Grayson Villa.What was happening now? Just a few
She was trying hard to change the subject.But Joshua looked at the dish, his mind filled with the image of Jacob's face and the various rejections he had faced during his youth.This made him very uncomfortable."I won't eat it. Take it away," Joshua said coldly with disdain."This dish… actually tastes very good. You can try it. Don't have a prejudice against it." Natasha tried to calm Joshua's mood.But he clearly had little patience. He roared angrily, "Take it away!""I don't want to see this dish!"The sound made Natasha's hand tremble as she held the plate."Alright, alright, I'll take it away. Why are you so fierce?" Natasha bit her lip, took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her rising anger, and then withdrew the dish of delicious cheese curds."Then have some other dishes." She gestured to the several dishes on the table.But unexpectedly, Joshua's face turned even worse. His gaze swept over the dishes on the table, his brows deeply furrowed, looking very dissati
Joshua's tone sounded casual and his expression indifferent, as if discussing something unrelated to him. Yet, it gave the impression that he was talking about his own affairs."Is it worth it?" Natasha murmured, repeating the question.Perhaps because Joshua exuded a melancholic air, Natasha stopped in her tracks and earnestly answered the question. "If this mother is willing to do it, then it must be worth it."Upon hearing this, Joshua looked at her, his melancholy seeming to deepen."Is that so? Do you also think that everything this mother does is worth it?"The sorrowful expression in his eyes seemed so thick that it was unbreakable.Natasha was surprised to see Joshua like this. She didn't understand why Joshua had suddenly changed."A parent's love for their child involves careful planning. Every mother who selflessly sacrifices for her child is great…"Natasha considered her tone carefully. "A mother who wholeheartedly loves her child would do this, wouldn't she?"Bef
They were different people.In a flash, Natasha instinctively pushed him away.She stood up straight, her tone serious as she said, "Joshua, please behave yourself." Her gentle fingers brushed against Joshua's shirt, seemingly carrying her fresh fragrance with it.The sudden push caught Joshua off guard.Looking up, he found Natasha wanting to keep her distance from him as if he were a ferocious beast.This look even made Joshua doubt himself. Was he that bad to warrant such a reaction from her?Before he could come to a conclusion, Natasha had already picked up her bag, seemingly ready to leave."If Mr. Grayson has nothing else to do today, I'll be taking my leave first."Joshua's behavior just now caught her off guard.Anyway, from the looks of it, he probably wouldn't agree to a divorce.Since Joshua had made up his mind, it was pointless for her to linger here. It was better to go home and avoid hearing any more of Joshua's "seductive" words."Wait," Joshua called out