From

Chapter 14

The events of the previous night flooded back to Natalie. In the next instant, she noticed Josh’s focused eyes on her bare shoulders

Startled, she quickly pulled up the blanket. But Josh reached out, took her wrist, and drew her close to him.

His eyes were soft as he spoke affectionately, “You look gorgeous in the sunlight.”

Natalie’s checks turned crimson, and she gently pushed Josh away. Then she grabbed the blanket, wrapped it around herself, and got out of bed. She hurriedly grabbed her clothes from the wardrobe and dashed to the bathroom

Josh watched her go, a smale playing on his lips, Acknowledging Natalie’s bashfulness, Josh reminded himself to be careful not to overstep and scare her away.

After changing her clothes, Natalie went downstairs. In the living room, josh was getting ready to leave, a servant had just handed him his suit. Outside, Martin was waiting in the car for him.

“Are you going out now?” Natalie asked, looking a bit puzzled.

Josh smiled and teasingly asked, “Why, you don’t want me to go?”

Natalie didn’t respond.

Josh started to put on his tie but paused. He turned to Natalie and said, “Can you tie a tie

___“Yes, I guess,” said Natalie.

“Then help me with it.” Josh said as he handed her the tie.

Sitting in the car, Martin was growing anxious. The meeting was set for ten o’clock, and although many were expecting them, Josh had waited for Natalie to wake up without any signs of urgency.

Now the time to leave was pressing, yet Josh seemed in no hurry to depart. This behavior was unusual for the always disciplined Josh, and Martin had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last time he’d see it.

Natalie took the tie, stood on her toes, and started wrapping it around Josh’s neck. But she accidentally tied a knot that wouldn’t come loose.

Embarrassed, Natalie looked up at Josh who was watching her closely. His intense gaze only made her more nervous, and she tightened the knot even more in her fluster.

Sweat started to form on her brow as she pulled harder in a panic Josh coughed from the rightness and made a muffled sound

Natalie’s fingers shook as she hastily apologized, L. I’m sorry.”

Josh chuckled and said, “Looks like I can’t rely on you today With ease, he pulled at the tie and loosened it, then showed Natalie the correct way to do it. “Sec, like this. Did you get it!”

Natalie shook her head.

Josh playfully touched Natalie’s ear and with a smile said, “Well then, you’ll have to practice while I’m gone

“Okay,” Natalie answered, Josh bent down and tenderly kissed her on the forehead

They say a kiss on the forehead is pure and affectionate. For a moment, Natalie was spellbound

Josh whispered, Thave to do something this morning. I’ll be back to spend the afternoon with you. Stay home and wait for me, okay?”

“Okay. Natalie said softly. Then Josh turned and got into the car,

After Josh left, Natalie spent the whole morning practicing how to tie a tie. She picked it up quickly and learned several different knots.

Later, Natalie changed her outh and decided to head out. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Spencer asked kindly, “Mrs. Franco, are you going out?”

“Yeah, Natalie replied

“Do you need a car!” Spencer asked

“That would be great, thank you,” Natalie said.

Then, a gold Bentley Continental pulled up in front of her. Natalie’s eyes widened in surprise. It seemed Josh was wealthier than Natalie had realized.

Naralic got into the car and gave the driver the address. She soon arrived at the cafe and went inside. There, as soon as Elizabeth saw Natalie, she waved eagerly and called out, “Nat, over here.”

Natalie walked over and sat down across from her. A waiter promptly brought their coffee to the table.

Elizabeth had been curious all day. At this time, she asked. “Tell me, what’s going on?”

The news

as that the Linneys eldest daughter was married had hit the major local news outlets in just one day. No one knew who Natalie had married, so there was a lot of speculation.

Nodding, Natalie stirred her coffee and confirmed, “It’s true”

Elizabeth looked shocked. “Who is he! I can’t recall you seeing anyone.” She was suspicious. If the guy were a notable figure, everyone would’ve

known

“He’s not well–known, Natalie said

But Elizabeth cared less about the man’s social standing than about Natalie’s relationship with him. “Does he care about you? How did you meet?”

“We met by accident,” Natalie replied.

Elizabeth thought Natalie was being crazy. “You married him without knowing his background? And your family was okay with that?” Elizabeth pressed.

“I didn’t need their approval,” said Natalic. Looking up, she reassured her friend, “But don’t worry. I believe he’s a decent guy” Then Natalie explained to Elizabeth about her two–year marriage arrangement with Josh

Elizabeth was speechless with surprise for quite a while. Finally, Elizabeth sighed and said, “It looks like you’ve really moved on from Brian. That’s for the best Elizabeth sounded a bit sad as she forced herself to share some difficult news. “The truth is, Brian didn’t leave the wedding because of Jennifer. His parents had it all planned. He had made his choice when he didn’t show up.”

Natalie went quiet. She ran her fingers along the smooth surface of the cup and admitted, “I know” She had suspected it for some time. Even before the wedding. Natalie could sense Brian’s uncertainty.

But Natalie, in her longing for a stable home, had overlooked his reluctance. She had placed too much faith in their four–year relationship.

Elizabeth was livid, ranting. “Brian’s a jerk! You supported him when the Shermans were struggling, and you helped their family bounce back. Now that he’s successful, he’s chosen Jennifer to share his triumph!”

Natalie didn’t say anything.

do now! Are you going to stay at

Sherman Group”

Elizabeth was quiet for a while too. Then she asked, “What will

Sherman Group specializes in the jewelry business. To complement Brian, Natalie had studied Graphic Design in college. She was good at many things and, after graduating, she became the lead jewelry designer at Sherman Group,

Three years earlier, a diamond piece called ‘Starry Eye‘ had made waves in the local jewelry design scene. Since then, Natalie had created many popular designs for Sherman Group, helping to establish the company’s current reputation.

“I’m going to quit,” Natalie said. She had taken a few days off for the wedding, and it was time to go back.

“Why not work with me if you’re quitting? Elizabeth proposed. “We could make a good amount of money together!

Elizabeth had also studied Graphic Design, but her passion was classical dance, which she had taken as a minor. Natalie, on the other hand, had majored in classical dance with a minor in graphic design. That was how they had met by chance.

After college, with financial backing from her family, Elizabeth set up a small yet prosperous business focused on jewelry design.

Natalie nodded, her face lighting up with a smule, “Sure.”

Meanwhile, at the Yarlin Palace, a meeting had stretched on for four hours. When it ended, Josh checked his watch and called Galaxy Manor.

“Mr. Franco, Mrs Franco had lunch and then asked Owen to drive laer to see a friend. I have Owen send you her location,” reported Spencer. Josh got the location and had Mantin drive him there.

ل

Chapter 14

As they were driving, Martin suggested, “Shouldn’t we let Mes, Franco meet with her friend in privacy!”

Josh rubbed the rosary bracelet on his wrist and glanced at Martin coldly. Then Martin went quiet.

They arrived at their destination shortly after, with Josh showing no desire to exit the car.

“Aren’t you going up to check on them?” Martin inquired.

“No, Josh answered, leaning back into his seat with a slight head tit. “We’ll just wait here,” he instructed.

Meanwhile, Natalie and Elizabeth had wrapped up their meal and chat at the cafe and were on their way out when they ran into someone unexpected. It was Brian.

Martin also noticed Brian. “Mr. Franco, isn’t that…” he began, caught off guard.

A sharpness flickered in Josh’s eyes while his expression remained stoic.

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