Natalie's eyes were filled with determination."Do as Natasha had done? What can you do?" Lorelei asked with a straight face. "With your smooth talk that can charm guys to no end?"Natalie was angry, but she held herself back. She wanted to get the authorization right in front of the Graysons and wipe that smug look off Lorelei's face. Natalie buried her frustration and put on a calm expression."Lorelei, why would you say such a thing?" Natalie feigned a look of sadness and hurt. "I want to make amends for what I have done. I know you hold a grudge against me for leaving the Graysons at the most difficult time."You think I'm with Josh for money and only returned when the Graysons prospered. You think I'm only after money."Natasha was surprised by Natalie's self-awareness. She put her utensils down and fiddled with her wine glass. She grew a little impatient as she waited for Natalie to get to the point."I had to go abroad because my mom got sick and I had no choice but to lea
Philip was only momentarily surprised. He'd seen big talkers like Natalie in his years in the business. Joshua intervened in time. He pushed Natalie back into her seat and said, "Natalie just wants to show off what she has. She's a bit reckless. Please don't mind her."Natalie was made to sit. She was dumbfounded, but she soon realized that even Joshua didn't believe what she was saying.That was a kick in the teeth for her. With nobody believing her, she decided to show the Graysons what she could do. Resentment bubbled within her. She tried to get up again but felt herself getting held back. She looked up to see Joshua's hand pressing on her shoulder."And why do you bring such a reckless woman into our family? Are you trying to bring the Graysons down?" Philip grunted."I'll teach her slowly. She won't bring the Graysons down," Joshua replied calmly.Natalie struggled to move her shoulder. She tried to shake Joshua's hand, but he held her down firmly. The difference in streng
Natasha's stomach was in knots. This banquet would undoubtedly end on a sour note if Joshua did lose his temper. That would defeat Lorelei's purpose in inviting her. Natasha didn't want to see such a scene.Natalie was still trying to get her voice to be heard. Natasha remembered the first time Natalie had made a video call to Zack. It was clear that she was counting on Zack to recognize her. Zack mentioned having seen Natalie before, but she misunderstood what he meant.Also, Zack was completely focused on talking to Natasha at the time and showed no intention of responding to Natalie. However, Natalie thought that Zack was talking to her. She believed they knew each other.Having thought this through, Natasha asked, "Do you think Zack would give you the authorization?"Natalie looked at her with confidence and replied, "Of course, Zack and I are very close. He'll definitely give me the authorization." Her tone was suddenly full of pride. "Do you recall the incident? Even if
Natalie felt Joshua's hand slip away from her shoulder. She blinked and looked up at Joshua. The emotion in his eyes was something she couldn't read. Anyway, she was too busy trying to impress everyone to notice what was going on inside his head.Getting to her feet, Natalie reached for her phone lying next to Joshua and looked for Zack on WhatsApp. But as she opened the app, Natasha's words echoed in her head, "Do you think Zack would give you the authorization?"Her hand froze, and doubt crept in. She hesitated as she scanned the faces of the people at the table. Philip's suspicion and Lorelei's skepticism were apparent. Surprisingly, Natasha seemed unfazed. She maintained a calm demeanor with a hint of sarcasm.Natalie found it puzzling. Natasha was about to be kicked out of the Graysons. She should be ashamed or worried. Perhaps she was trying to hide her inner fear. Natalie couldn't resist a sneer. She pressed the call button and everyone's eyes were on her.Joshua's eyes
The memories brought a smile to Natasha's face, but Joshua's disapproving look immediately froze her. It suddenly dawned on her that this was not the right time for joy. She quickly wiped the smile off her face.Natalie was unsettled by Zack's slightly annoyed tone. The happiness she had derived from Joshua's jealousy faded. She began to doubt if she had misunderstood Zack's feelings for her.But then she remembered how sweetly Zack had called her by name before, and how he'd helped Natasha get a job at Radiance Biomed when she'd asked him to. Natalie encouraged herself to push away the fear that crept up on her."I-I need your help with something," Natalie stammered nervously. Her voice was shaking. The silence on the other end of the line made her think about switching off the speakerphone. It didn't go as she expected.In a panic, she scanned the faces around the dining table. Philip was staring at her intently. Unconsciously, Natalie tightened her grip on the phone. "Zack? Ar
A hush fell over everyone as Zack's voice echoed from the phone. Natalie was immediately struck dumb. The confident words she had uttered just now echoed in her head, and nothing was left to follow.Natasha swirled her wine nonchalantly. The amber liquid caught the light of the lamp. Her face remained blank as if she had seen everything coming from miles away.Natalie tried to gather her thoughts and asked, "So, what you're saying is... you're not going to grant Grayson Corp the authorization?" She was desperately in search of a glimmer of hope."Yes," Zack answered patiently. He would have hung up if he hadn't just woken up completely."Not for nothing, though. Grayson Corp... can pay for it," Natalie added as if the idea had just popped into her head. She mentally reassured herself that even if Zack had feelings for her, he wouldn't turn down a hefty authorization fee. Zack's answer seemed reasonable.With that said, she turned her eyes to Philip. Although his expression was g
Natalie's lips felt dry. She hesitated whether to stand or sit. Joshua's deep voice broke the silence. "Sit."Natalie couldn't read his mood. She turned to look at him, who seemed calm. She quickly nodded and hummed in reply. Once seated, Natalie picked up her glass of wine to ease the awkwardness.Her gaze casually swept over Natasha. Their eyes met and a sudden thought popped into Natalie's head. "Natasha, back me up! You were there. You know what happened that day."Natasha raised an eyebrow at hearing that."That day, I was on a video call with Zack right in front of you. I just said it and he let you in Radiance immediately, didn't he?" Natalie asked with the urgency of a drowning person reaching for a lifeline.Natasha kept her silence."Zack has always treated me like a sister. You heard it when we talked on the phone, didn't you? The way he called me by my nickname as soon as he was on the line. You heard it loud and clear, right?"Joshua stared at Natasha coldly, and e
"Say something! Was 'Natty' actually meant for you?" Natalie's voice grew horrible. The more she thought about it, the more she began to believe that what she suspected was true. Lorelei looked displeased. She gave Natalie a scornful look. She couldn't understand why someone like Natalie, who had no manners at all, would even think of marrying into the Grayson family. How could Joshua have such bad taste?Natalie softened her voice. "Quit playing dumb. Just say it." All she got was silence.The name "Natty" brought back memories of Joshua. Suddenly, his mind flashed to the scene of their first meeting at the river. Natalie's face was warm and sunlit. She met his gaze with bright eyes and a dazzling smile. Then came the sound of "Natty."Joshua couldn't believe that Natasha's nickname was also "Natty". He stared at Natasha intently. It was as if he hoped to find something in her."Your silence is a sign of guilt, isn't it?" Natalie pressed further."Why do you feel guilty? Do you h