Natasha stared intently at the brooch Lorelei held. She couldn't believe that Jacob had decided to marry her the third time they'd met. They hadn't even exchanged many words back then."Tasha, if this brooch wasn't Jake's, where did it come from?" Lorelei asked with a wistful look as she touched the brooch.Natasha snapped out of her thoughts and scratched her head. She couldn't think of a good reason and blurted out, "I-I bought it on the street.""Bought it on the street?" Lorelei asked.She remembered that only the Graysons had that brooch. She had a good look at it but no matter how she looked at it, it was the Graysons' brooch."Tasha, are you sure you bought it outside?" Lorelei asked earnestly.Natasha felt unsettled but nodded calmly. "Yes."Lorelei fell silent. After a while, she looked up and said, "Tasha, I need your favor for something."Natasha distanced herself when she heard Lorelei's request. "Lorelei, I've already said I disagree—"Lorelei shook her head and c
Lorelei thought it was possible that Jacob had sold the brooch, and Natasha had happened to buy it. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to have the brooch.When Natasha stood up silently, Lorelei knew she wouldn't give her the brooch. She desperately grabbed Natasha's gown and mumbled, "Tasha, this is the only thing that Jake has left behind."Natasha wasn't sure what she meant. "What do you mean by that?""This is all that Jake has left behind. I want to keep it as a memento for myself," Lorelei explained.Natasha was thunderstruck, and her voice involuntarily rose. "Jacob is your son. How could you be so heartless as to throw away all his belongings? And if you've thrown them away, then why are you asking for this brooch now?"Lorelei was stunned. She tried to explain, but the words wouldn't come. "I—" Lorelei had no desire to be reminded of the days after Jacob's death."Just go," Natasha said. She felt furious and emotionally drained. She didn't want to see the
Lorelei froze in place. "Tasha, what did you just say?""I'm willing to give you the letter of authorization to help the Graysons get through this crisis," Natasha said calmly."Really?" Lorelei was in disbelief.Natasha nodded and replied with a hum. Her eyes were on the brooch Lorelei was holding. "You can return the brooch now that Grayson Corp survives."Only then did Lorelei remember that she was still holding the brooch."Tasha, you want the brooch?"Lorelei couldn't believe that Natasha would help Grayson Corp just for the brooch. Despite her doubts, Lorelei didn't dare speak up after Natasha had just agreed to help Grayson Corporation.Natasha nodded. She noticed Lorelei staring at her as she reached for the brooch. "Lorelei, what's the matter?""No, nothing." Lorelei waved her hands repeatedly. She took one last look at the brooch before reluctantly handing it over to Natasha.The brooch belonged to Natasha. Lorelei couldn't take it even if she wanted to.After takin
"Profess—" Ryan began, but was cut off by Natasha as she stepped forward and took the letter of authorization from him.Lorelei's eyes were on Ryan, who had suddenly shown up.Natasha gave Ryan a wink, and Ryan immediately realized he had almost said too much.He glanced at Lorelei before turning back to Natasha with a different tone. "Here's Professor Nancy's letter."Ryan cleared his throat and continued, "Stop bossing me around. I'm here to learn from Professor Nancy, not to run errands for you."Natasha gave him another wink and said, "Fine. You can ask for my help if you need anything in the future. We should help each other since we all work under Professor Nancy.""Yes, she's right. You should be helping each other out," Lorelei interjected, trying to smooth things over for Natasha. She knew it was her fault for asking Natasha to hand over the letter of authorization by today.Ryan feigned reluctance and said impatiently, "Fine, but just this once. No more.""Okay."Rya
Natalie's face lit up with joy, and she was the first to speak. "Lorelei, what did you just say?"She hadn't expected Natasha to help Grayson Corporation.A smirk crossed her face as she knew Natasha hadn't gained anything since Joshua was going to marry her anyway. Joshua wouldn't change his mind over Natasha's help.Natalie glanced at Joshua, who had a displeased look on his face. Forcing a smile, she asked, "Josh, aren't you happy? With the letter of authorization in hand, Grayson Corp is out of trouble!"Before Joshua could speak, Lorelei interjected, "What does Grayson Corp being out of trouble have to do with you?""I—" Natalie twirled the hem of her skirt nervously.She couldn't find the right words. She knew that she was going to marry into the Grayson family, so it naturally had something to do with her.However, she was also aware that Lorelei had no desire for her to be Joshua's wife.Natalie didn't want to cause any trouble on this joyous occasion. She was aware of
"Natasha's very kind. She never left your side when you were unwell," Philip said. He remembered everything Natasha did when she was still at Grayson Villa."Yes, Tasha has endured so much. She was even cast out after doing so much for us. It makes me feel ashamed to think about it," Lorelei said regretfully.Joshua completely ignored their conversation and asked with an unpleasant tone, "What did you trade to get the authorization?"Lorelei blinked. She didn't understand what Joshua was implying."What did you use to convince Natasha to give you the letter? She wouldn't give it to us for nothing," Joshua elaborated.Lorelei was furious at his suggestion that Natasha had an ulterior motive.Yet, Natalie stepped in before anyone else. "Isn't Josh the reason Natasha agreed to this? Is she trying to avoid a divorce by using this as a bargaining chip?"Joshua narrowed his eyes in response."Tasha didn't ask for a thing!" Lorelei rolled her eyes at Natalie."Nothing? No demands at
Natalie muttered unhappily, "You can't invite Natasha over to eat with you.""I'm talking to Joshua, not you." Philip pounded on the table, silencing Natalie as she retreated behind Joshua.Frowning, Joshua pulled Natalie into his arms. His presence was an instant comfort to her.He then looked at Philip and said, "Don't make this difficult for Natalie."His words were clearly in support of her. Natalie's eyes welled up as she looked at him and mumbled, "Josh."Philip snorted. "I'm asking you a question! Are you willing to let Tasha come over and have a meal with you?"Joshua kept his mouth shut.Philip tapped his cane harder on the ground. Through clenched teeth, he demanded, "Answer me. Will you, or will you not?"Natalie clenched her fists and held her breath in anticipation of his answer.Lorelei grew impatient. "Josh, Tasha has done us such a great favor. Are you unwilling to even share a meal with her?"If someone else had solved this problem, you'd still invite them fo
"Josh, are you really going to invite Natasha over for a meal?" Natalie stopped in her tracks and gasped for breath.Joshua answered blankly with a hum. He had no intention of explaining himself."Josh, your feelings for Natasha haven't really been rekindled, right?" Natalie asked worriedly."No," Joshua replied as he turned to face her."How could that be? Why else would you agree to let Natasha come over, then? You know I don't like her," Natalie argued.Joshua never coddled women. Ignoring Natalie's protests, he scowled and said, "Stop being unreasonable.""I'm not being unreasonable." Natalie was hurt.Joshua's patience was at an end. He continued to walk with a cold expression and paid no attention to Natalie, who became desperate."Josh, promise me one thing! Can you take me with you when you have your meal with Natasha at Grayson Villa?"She wanted to stop Natasha from tricking her way into Joshua's heart.Joshua turned and headed over to Natalie. Natalie was surprised