Chapter 266
Bruce shot Natalie a quick thumbs-up, then let out a sigh. “Alexander really messed up losing you.” Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn.net
He stood, ready to leave, but paused and glanced back at Arianna. “Don’t forget, I’ll pick you up the day after tomorrow p>
Then he strode off, leaving Natalie and Arianna alone at the table.
Natalie turned to her friend, an eyebrow raised. “So, are you going to tell me what’s going on between you and Bruce? Things seemed tense p>
Arianna waved it off. “Honestly, it’s nothing. I just owe him a favor, that’s all p>
She gave Natalie the rundown, keeping her voice low. “I wasn’t hiding it from you. It just didn’t feel important. Once I settle things, Bruce and I won’t have anything to do with each other p>
Arianna tried to change the subject. “But seriously, you’re really planning to give all the settlement stuff back to Alexander? That’s so unfair, Nat p>
She looked at her friend, concern written all over her face. Natalie had given Alexander the best years of her life, carried his child, and suffered through a miscarriage with lasting pain. Alexander owed her. And honestly, the money and assets meant almost nothing to him.
Natalie caught her meaning and shook her head. “I chose him. I chose to get married. And I was the one who wanted the divorce. I don’t need his compensation. I’m not his possession. We’re equals p>
Meanwhile, Bruce headed back to the private room. Inside, a few people were busy playing cards. Alexander sat at a low table, quietly drinking tea. His date sat close by, refilling his cup whenever he finished it.
Bruce took the seat across from him. Ariana, the woman, had already topped off his tea. He glanced at her. “Ariana, go join the others at the card table. Alexander and I need to talk p>
Ariana looked at Alexander for approval. He didn’t say a word, so she slipped away. Someone at the table stood up and waved her over to take his spot.
Bruce turned back to Alexander, his tone teasing. “So, is this you giving up, or are you actually planning on keeping a stand-in girlfriend now p>
Anyone could see Ariana looked a little like Natalie. Even Natalie must have noticed. Camila White was basically guaranteed to marry into the Ramirez family now. The paternity test sealed it. Alexander had no way out. He had to step up and take responsibility. The baby was his, and the family’s.
He had no choice but to accept this ridiculous marriage. Since he couldn’t change it, he decided to give Camila what she wanted. As for the rest of his life, that was his own business.
Alexander spun his teacup between his fingers, a faint smile on his lips. “Does it really matter p>
Bruce shrugged. “Probably not. It’s not like you’re planning to fall for anyone again.” He set his cup down. “Natalie agreed to the divorce, She’s even Ving back everything you
gave her in the settlement
Alexander’s hand froze for a second. After a while, he asked quietly, “She didn’t ask why p>
“She did. She asked for the reason p>
Alexander looked up, waiting. Bruce didn’t make him ask. “If you wanted to give her that land in the northern suburbs, you should’ve just told her. Instead you made up that stan about feeling guilty and wanting to make it up to Camila. Now she’s even more hurt p>
Cabinda was about to build a massive resort on the west side of town, and all the land there was going to be bought up. The payout wouldn’t be much. Alexander had heard about it early and didn’t want Natalie to take a loss. So he came up with some to get the xcuse property back. He had a valuable plot of land in the northern suburbs, where a new mall was planned, and he’d decided to give that to Natalie instead.
Alexander poured out the rest of his tea into the small plant on the table, watching the leaves soak it up.
“It was a misunderstanding before. Not anymore p>