"Alright, you can go first," Joshua pondered for a moment before speaking up.Skipping the small talk, Natasha responded, "Alright, Mr. Grayson. Since you asked me to start, I'll dive right in."As she was getting ready to express herself, Joshua abruptly interrupted, saying, "Natasha."Raising an eyebrow as her name was mentioned, Natasha countered, "Mr. Grayson, you literally said I can start. Are you having second thoughts? Well, go ahead then.""Can you not call me Mr. Grayson?" Joshua's voice lowered.Upon careful listening, Natasha could sense a touch of oppression. It was a feeling she had become very familiar with during her three years of association with Joshua."Why not?" Natasha remained unfazed."What should I call you other than Mr. Grayson? We don't have much of a connection anymore."If it weren't for discussing matters with Grayson Corporation, I wouldn't be reaching out to you," Natasha's tone was firm.Joshua fell silent."Mr. Grayson? Are you still there?"
The barrage of questions bombarded Natasha, intensifying her frustration."I work as Professor Nancy's assistant. Given the confidential nature of her role, it's not something we usually broadcast," Natasha explained with a hint of impatience.Even though she was pretty annoyed, Natasha had to swallow her impatience because she still needed a favor from Joshua."The disclosure of my identity was an unintentional incident, so I'd appreciate it if you keep it discreet.""Confidential? Weren't you part of the Grayson family? How can you keep this a secret from us?" Joshua questioned skeptically, using a gentle tone to coax an explanation.Before this, Natasha had gone above and beyond for the Grayson family, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to their needs.Considering how much she looked out for them, Joshua couldn't wrap his head around Natasha hiding something from the Grayson family unless someone told her to.After a brief pause, Natasha spoke, "Just because I was part of the
As Joshua waited for Natasha to return his message, he swirled the glass on the table. The color of the liquor was a blend of crimson red and faint yellow, inexplicably carrying a chill.When Natasha finally replied and agreed to meet up, Joshua took the glass and downed its contents in one gulp."Mr. Grayon, why are you drinking at this hour?" Ella, who was preparing breakfast, hastily set down her spatula and ran to him.Ignoring her, Joshua continued drinking and pouring himself one glass after another, as if drinking himself to oblivion.Ella couldn't help but sigh, wondering when and why the teetotaler Joshua had developed this drinking habit.Sometimes, after returning at midnight, Joshua would sit alone in the living room and drink until daybreak.Though it pained Ella's heart to see Joshua in such a state, she had not the faintest clue of what could have triggered his change.After witnessing countless instances of his relentless drinking, Ella couldn't help but bring th
The doorbell buzzed just once before falling silent. Puzzled, Natasha opened the door.To her surprise, it wasn't Joshua but Shawn standing there.Shawn stood upright, silent, and motionless, his gaze fixed on Natasha like a statue.In an instant, Natasha's earlier doubts evaporated. She casually raised her eyes and glanced down the staircase. As expected, there was a Maybach parked below.Natasha had tried to tell him not to come the day before, but apparently, he didn't hear her. So, here he was, showing up as usual to take her to the laboratory."Next time, can you at least finish listening to what I have to say before you leave?" Natasha tilted her head, staring at Shawn. "Last night, I tried to tell you not to come to pick me up today, but you left before I could finish my sentence!"She took a step back as she spoke, "So if you've come here for nothing, it's on you. Don't blame me."Shawn quietly listened to her, emotionless, without any anger, discontent, embarrassment, o
"If you don't wish to discuss now, so be it." Natasha decided to ignore Joshua's unreasonable request. "If you're hungry, Mr. Grayson, you can go out for breakfast now. We can discuss another day."Joshua raised an eyebrow and stared at Natasha, who was stepping back."Isn't there any breakfast in this majestic house of yours?" Joshua said in a low voice. "I remember when you were staying with us, you used to get up early every day to make breakfast—"The "for me" remained unsaid, but Joshua knew she would understand what he was implying.During Natasha's time with the Graysons, she made breakfast every day, varying it to ensure a balanced diet for him. Ella even had to go to the market several times a day just to buy the necessary ingredients."Have you stopped that habit after living here in Imperial Heights?" Joshua asked, looking into her eyes.Natasha was startled. She almost forgot all about it if Joshua hadn't brought it up.She remembered the days she insisted on making
"Can you stop being sarcastic?" Joshua finally spoke. "I know I was wrong before—""Mr. Grayson, should we get down to business now?" Natasha interrupted before Joshua could finish his sentence. She didn't want to talk about what had happened in the Grayson family, not even a bit.She then took her phone out and showed it to Joshua. "You sent a message this morning, saying that you'll help the Toussaints' cash flow return to its regular state if I let you come here. You'll keep your promise, won't you?"Joshua brushed aside the slight hint of guilt that almost slipped from his lips and replied, "Of course."He pulled a chair from the dining table and sat down, glancing seriously at Natasha who was standing nearby. "But I never make bad deals."Natasha raised an eyebrow. "So, what do you have in mind?"Joshua leaned closer, resting his hand on the table. "Give me authorization for Blenoxane, and the Toussaints will see their cash flow restored."Without hesitation, Natasha replie
Enveloped in Joshua's icy air, Natasha felt almost breathless, desperate for a gulp of fresh air."Joshua!" She tried to push him away as hard as she could.Joshua lowered his head and calmly stared at her anxious expression, remaining motionless."Back off now, Joshua! Or I'll call for help!" Natasha's frustration had reached its peak."Oh? Who's coming to help you?" Joshua asked with a playful tone. Then, he added, "The man from earlier?"Puzzled, Natasha looked up at Joshua and asked, "Which man?"Joshua didn't reply, leaving Natasha to ponder on it herself.The man from earlier? Did he mean Shawn? He was the only person here before Joshua arrived.Living alone, Natasha couldn't think of anyone else besides Shawn.So, Joshua had actually seen Shawn just now? Then, why did he pretend otherwise?Observing Natasha's confused expression, Joshua thought she hadn't figured out who he was referring to, so he calmly gave her a hint. "The one that I saw at the door just now."Nata
"I'm sorry. Mr. Grayson, you were too close to me. I couldn't take it anymore." Natasha glanced at Joshua, and her tone was apologetic.After all, Shawn hadn't arrived yet, and she couldn't afford to provoke Joshua. Otherwise, as a weak woman, if she really angered Joshua, she wouldn't stand a chance against him.Hearing that, Joshua's expression turned grim.Natasha added, "Mr. Grayson, if you have something to say in the future, please speak directly. You don't need to stand so close to me. I can hear you."She then swiftly changed the subject before Joshua could respond."You mentioned that the Grayson family has no intention of replicating drugs. But why are the medicinal herbs listed in the contract for the Toussaint family so remarkably similar to those used in Blenoxane? Is this all just a coincidence?"Her questioning was devoid of any emotion."That's certainly not a coincidence." Joshua stood up straight. His dark eyes looked toward the woman who seemed eager to keep h