Chapter 221
Natalie stepped out of the elevator and spotted Aaron Lee waiting outside her apartment.
“Ms. Watson.” He smiled politely.
“Aaron, what brings you here this late?” It was already nine. If he was at her door now, it had to be something important.
Aaron pulled something from his pocket and handed it over. She took the small tube from him and glanced at the label. It was ointment for bruises and muscle pain. She blinked, confused for a second, then remembered Savannah’s slap that morning. So Alexander knew.
Honestly, she wasn’t surprised. She’d run into Bruce Ward at lunch, and if Arianna had noticed the mark on her face, Bruce definitely would have too. Natalie touched her cheek, still thinking about how to respond.
“Mr. Ramirez asked me to give this to you. I won’t bother you anymore. Good night, Ms. Watson.” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ.net
Aaron never once looked directly at her face, keeping his eyes lowered. He really was Alexander’s right-hand man, always so perceptive.
Later, Natalie stood at her mirror. The finger marks had almost faded. She didn’t need the ointment anymore. She tossed it in her drawer and headed to the bathroom.
At the villa, Camila White sat at the dining table, looking miserable. The maid brought over a bowl of soup and set it down in front of her.
“Ms. White, please have some soup. It’s good for the baby p>
Alexander hadn’t come. What was the point of drinking this soup alone? Annoyed, Camila knocked the bowl onto the floor. Hot soup splashed everywhere, burning her hand.
“Ah!” She stared at her red palm, her anger flaring. She shouted at the maid, “Who told you to bring me soup this hot? Are you trying to burn me, or hurt my baby p>
The maid shook her head, voice trembling. “Ms. White, the soup is supposed to be hot. I let it cool down a bit, I swear p>
“So you’re saying I’m making a scene for no reason?” Camila’s voice went up a notch. “Let me tell you, I’m about to become Mrs. Ramirez. When that happens, you’re the first one I’ll fire p>
The maid kept apologizing, almost in tears. Seeing a Ramirez family maid grovel made Camila feel better, at least a little.
Her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID, frowning. She told the maid to clean up the mess, then headed upstairs to her bedroom.
As soon as she shut the door, she answered in a low, annoyed voice. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me whenever you want p>
Eric Bailey’s concerned voice came through the phone. “I haven’t seen you in ages.
I miss you. How are you and the baby p>
She really didn’t have the patience for Eric right now, but she couldn’t afford to upset him either. One mistake, and he could ruin everything. Camila closed her eyes, took a breath, and forced herself t sound sweet. “I miss you too. The baby and I are fine. The Ramirez family has sent maids just to take care of me. But you almost got me caught, calling at this hour. They were right outside p>
Eric apologized in a hurry, worried he’d made things worse. Camila soothed him. “I know you called because you miss me, and you forgot what I said. Just promise me you’ll be careful next time, okay? It’s too risky right now. ll come see you soon, I promise p>
She spent a few more minutes flattering him, listening to him go on about how much he missed her, then hung up. Camila let out a long sigh. This wasn’t working. She could barely keep up with Alexander and Natalie, let alone handle Erie. He was becoming a real problem if he didn’t listen, kept calling her or tried to see her… If anyone found out… Or what if Eric suddenly changed his mind and told everyone the baby was his?
Camila’s face darkened. The only secret that’s truly safe is one kept by the dead. But she pushed the thought aside for now.
She picked up her phone again, fixed her expression, and called Savannah. She needed to know if her earlier message had worked.
When Savannah answered, Camila turned on her sweetest voice. “Savannah, let me treat you to afternoon tea p>
Savannah’s reply came sharp and cold. “Afternoon tea? I’m already full, thanks to how mad you made me p>