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
Only Natalie and Natasha were present at that moment. Also, the fact that Zack was unfamiliar with Natalie was revealed during the phone call when Natalie put the speakerphone on. This made it clear that Natasha was connected to Zack.If Natasha chose not to admit it now, Natalie could easily turn the tables later and make it seem like Natasha was deliberately distancing herself from Zack. Natalie would insist that Natasha was trying to cover something up.It seemed better for Natasha to come clean now.When Natasha remained silent and toyed nervously with her glass, Natalie taunted, "You must have an intimate relationship with Zack. He called you 'Natty!' Why would he use such an affectionate nickname if you were just friends?"After a moment of thought, Natalie continued, "Natasha, are you going to deny this now? Don't even try."It's just the two of us there. If Zack wasn't calling me 'Natty,' then that nickname must be referring to you! How are you going to deny that?"Natash
"Why should I talk about it? Joshua hasn't told me anything about his friends, either, has he?" Natasha's gaze turned icy and was laced with contempt.She had kept her identity as a Sullivan a secret and married into the Grayson family as an orphan. But in those three years with the Graysons, she hadn't intentionally hidden anything except for her true identity.No one had ever questioned her about anything in those three years. It was ridiculous that they were questioning her now instead."Are you saying that Josh should report to you? Just who do you think you are?" Natalie replied disdainfully.She continued, "Besides, all of Josh's friends are business associates. You're just an orphan. How could you possibly understand that? It would be a waste of time to talk to you."The more Natalie spoke, the more agitated she became. "And Josh never hid his friends like you did—"Joshua grabbed her by the arm before she could finish her sentence. Her words were abruptly cut off, and she
The atmosphere was intense as everyone looked in the same direction. A sense of dread was instilled, especially by Joshua's gaze, which was accompanied by a chilling vibe."How much longer are you going to keep up this stubborn act?" he asked.Natasha remained calm and collected. There was no emotion in her eyes. It was as if she paid no attention to the scrutinizing looks.Annoyed by Joshua's question, she furrowed her brow without even bothering to glance in his direction.She felt there was no need to waste her breath since Joshua only believed Natalie's words. She had no desire to respond or to engage in further questioning.As the three of them came to a stalemate, Philip, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up, "Natasha, do you really know the president of Radiance, Zack?"There was a sharpness in Philip's eyes that closely resembled Joshua's.Natalie scoffed. She immediately noticed that Philip had changed the way he addressed Natasha.He'd stopped calling
Natasha glanced up at Joshua quietly. There was no hint of triumph or remorse for the situation she found herself in. She was simply watching him and waiting for his reaction.On the other hand, Natalie felt a sense of urgency.Joshua had torn up the letter of authorization because of her manipulation. She had shifted the blame to Natasha to avoid the consequences, but now the matter was back on the table.Natasha proved to be far more formidable than Natalie had expected. Natalie's mind raced as she desperately searched for a way to prevent the exposure of her past deception.Natasha caught the look on Natalie's face.Natalie had staged everything to draw attention to Natasha. Though Natasha was innocent, she was unable to defend herself against the presumption that she had sought another man outside of her marriage.It became clear that Natalie had been involved in causing Joshua to tear up the letter of authorization. Joshua was known for his calm nature. He wouldn't tear up s