Chapter 60
Natalie stared at Alexander, her expression shifting from shock to disbelief.
“You’re insane! He’s your uncle p>
She couldn’t believe it. Alexander suspected her of having an affair with Eugene Ramirez? Where did that even come from?
Alexander’s smile was wicked, a cold mix of bitterness and fury. “And you know he’s my uncle.” Yet she had pursued him anyway, fixated on him even after marrying his nephew.
“You’re being completely irrational!” Natalie seethed. He was the one who had been with Camila White, and now he was trying to smear her name with such a disgusting accusation. Even if he was trying to assuage his own guilt, he had no right to drag Eugene into it and insult them both.
Eugene had been her most respected professor in college and later became her family by marriage. She refused to tolerate Alexander’s vile slander.
“I’m irrational?” Alexander scoffed. “Are you denying the words that came out of your own mouth p>
“What did I say p>
“You said p>
Suddenly, both of their phones rang at the exact same time. The confrontation paused as they each moved to a different side of the room to answer.
“Natalie, where did you go? Are you coming back?” It was Arianna.
At the same time, Bruce’s voice came through Alexander’s phone. “Alex, where are you? Weren’t you just going for a smoke p>
“Arianna, something came up. I’m not coming back,” Natalie said.
“Smoked my cigarette. I left. Not coming back,” Alexander said.
They spoke in unison, their nearly identical replies causing them to turn and look at each other across the dark room.
On the other end, Arianna simply said, “Okay,” told her to be safe, and hung up.
Bruce added, “Camila called. Said you weren’t picking up. Sounded like she needed to talk to you about something p>
“Right. Got it.” Alexander ended the call.
The interruption had diffused some of the explosive anger. Natalie felt the same; her sense of outrage was replaced by a deep, weary exhaustion.
“I hope we can end this amicably,” she said, her voice tired. “I don’t want this to turn into a public spectacle. If not for my sake, then at least for the Ramirez family p>
If a rumor like that ever got out, it wouldn’t just be her reputation at stake; the entire family would be disgraced.
Without waiting for his response, Natalie pulled open the door and walked out. Alexander’s gaze remained heavy as he watched the door slowly swing shut.
Natalie didn’t sleep at all that night. Alexander’s words echoed in her mind. She couldn’t fathom why he would think such a thing, but then she recalled his coldness towards her three years ago. It seemed he had suspected her and Eugene even back then.
She wracked her brain, trying to remember anything she might have said or done to give him that impression, but came up with
nothing. Perhaps he really was just projecting his own guilt onto her.
At seven the next morning, Natalie was already dressed and heading out the door. Her first stop was not the office. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ.net
“Mr. Lane,” she said, greeting the man waiting for her downstairs.
After leaving the law firm, Natalie drove straight to work. As soon as she walked in, her assistant, Ava Thompson, hurried over.
“Nora, Mr. White from The White Group called. He’d like to schedule a meeting with you. He said he has a collection piece he wants to consign to us p>
Benjamin White? Natalie immediately thought of the incident at the Bailey family’s banquet.
“He doesn’t need to see me. Tell him to submit it to the appraisal department directly. If it meets our standards, we will do our best to get a good price for it p>
“Understood p>
To Natalie’s surprise, however, Benjamin White showed up at Pinnacle Place at noon. He was waiting by the main entrance just as she was leaving for lunch.
He stepped in front of her as she emerged.
“Ms. Watson, how about we discuss the auction over lunch?” he asked with a greasy smile.
Natalie’s expression remained neutral as she continued walking. “Billy Firth has a standard procedure, Mr. White. As long as your item meets our requirements, we will do our best for you p>
She quickened her pace, but he was faster, stepping sideways to block her path.
“Ms. Watson, being very sincere here,” he said, his tone shifting. “Billy Firth may be a powerhouse, but as they say, even the strongest dragon can’t crush a local snake. With an attitude like yours, if I were to say spread a few unfavorable words, who do you think would dare to do business with you in the future p>
Natalie stopped, her gaze turning icy as she looked at him. After a long moment, she said, “I only have half an hour p>
Benjamin grinned, gesturing for her to get into his car. A chauffeur was already holding the door open.
As soon as they were inside, a privacy divider slid up, sealing them off from the driver.
Benjamin leaned closer to Natalie, inhaling deeply. “You smell incredible p>