Chapter 267
Alexander used to want Natalie to trust him. He never wanted her to get the wrong idea about anything. But now, after the paternity test, everything he said before just felt like a bad joke. Was there even any misunderstanding left? The child was his. There was nothing else to say.
There was a gap between them now, one he knew he could never cross. All he could do was help her quietly, in whatever little ways he could.
“When you get the properties back, have her sign another contract. Slip the deed for the northern suburbs land in with the rest of the paperwork,” Alexander told Bruce. If he handed it to Natalie outright, she’d definitely refuse.
“Just say it’s proof that everything’s settled. She won’t bother checking too closely p>
Bruce shook his head. “You need written proof to show things are over? What do you think she’ll make of that? You’re really not giving yourself any chance to fix things p>
Written proof was just a way to cover themselves, a safety net in case one of them ever tried to deny what happened.
When Bruce showed up with the contract and handed it to Natalie, he watched her carefully, searching her face for any reaction.
The contract was thicker than usual. There were details about the west side property, the south side, even the company shares. Every item had its own section.
Natalie barely glanced up as she flipped through the first few pages. Then she picked up a pen, turned straight to the last page, signed her name, and handed it back.
“You’re not mad?” Bruce asked.
Natalie’s voice was calm, almost cold. She set the pen down and stood. “It’s really no different than writing an IOU. It’s just about protecting yourself, making sure there’s no confusion later p>
“He doesn’t trust you, but you’re still making excuses for him p>
Bruce looked surprised. Natalie gave a small smile. “I’m not making excuses. I’m just being realistic. We don’t have any relationship left-why would he trust me?” She walked toward the door, saying she had a meeting and couldn’t see him out. “It’s alright. Go ahead p>
Natalie nodded, told someone from the secretarial team to take Bruce out, then headed to the conference room with her assistant. Watching
herwalk away so share
and
confident, Bruce couldn’
help but be ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ.net
impressed. What kind of woman
was she? Her presence, the way she handled things, she was even
tougher than most men he knew. He realized he’d really underestimated Natalie when they were married.
Back at the villa, Camila White had smashed cups across the floor. Shards of glass were everywhere. The housekeeper begged her to calm down, reminding her to think of the baby.
“I do think about the baby, but is he thinking about me? He’s sneaking around with another woman right under my nose. He’s making a fool out of me!” Camila screamed, her voice shaking.
That afternoon, right after she’d said goodbye to the lawyer handling her inheritance from the White Group, she’d seen a headline on her phone. Paparazzi had caught Alexander Ramirez entering and leavinga fancy club with a beautiful woman. The article even had a photo of the woman pouring tea for him.
The photo was a little blurry, but the woman’s face was clear enough.
“He even found someone who looks like her p>
Camila threw another cup. It shattered instantly. She glared at her phone on the sofa and told the maid to bring it over. After a few deep breaths, she told the maid to clean up and went upstairs to her room.
She called Eric Bailey right away. “Find out who that woman with Alexander Ramirez
is p>
“Try not to get upset. Think about the baby,” Eric said gently over the phone.
“How can you say that now? If it wasn’t for marrying into the Ramirez family, I wouldn’t even have”
Camila caught herself just in time, almost letting her real thoughts slip. She quickly changed her tone.
“Eric, I’m so close. Can you please help me one more time p>
There was a long pause before Eric finally answered.
“Camila, what are you going to do when the baby is born and the Ramirez family
realizes he doesn’t look like one of them p>