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    Alexei reined in his aura, then looked at her with faint admiration. He said, “Being Mrs. Turner isn’t easy. Things probably won’t be peaceful for you for a long time–maybe even dangerous.”


    “And when your goal is achieved?” Natasha asked. “We get divorced? I don’t see why I should sacrifice the rest of my life just to get revenge. Marriage, in my eyes, should be between two people who love each other.”


    Alexei let out a quietugh, like he was amused by her innocence. He replied, “There are many kinds of marriages. The one you’re talking about is the most fragile kind.”


    Then he changed the subject. “Also, what made you think this was just a fake marriage? Sure, there’s a contract–but if we’re getting married, then it’s real.”


    Alexei spoke with a calm, direct tone. “You’re cautious, Miss rk, but I’m not the type to just grab someone off the street to y a role. Marriage means sharing a bed, after all. Or is it that you’re nning to dodge your marital obligations?”


    “I don’t agree to this,” Alexei said firmly.


    Natasha had no response to his self–important derations.


    But Alexei, surprisingly, seemed to seriously consider her line of thought. “Feelings can be cultivated,” he said finally.


    Though in his opinion, they weren’t necessary–mutual benefit made for a stronger alliance.


    “I haven’t agreed <i>to </i>anything yet,” Natasha said.


    The phone lit up, and Alexei stood. “I’m leaving in an hour. You’ve got time to think. Reach out when you’ve made up your mind. Don’t worry–I can’t promise feelings, but I will make sure to act like a proper husband.”


    “And if I still don’t agree?” Natasha asked.


    “Then keep thinking,” Alexei replied. “I only ept one answer.”


    Coming from anyone else, it would’ve sounded arrogant. But from Alexei, it was just terrifyingly


    realistic.


    Natasha had this creeping feeling like she’d already stepped into a trap.


    She turned and asked, “Wait. You were nning to leave anyway, weren’t you? So why did you get so worked up earlier when I asked about it?” Instead, he turned around and questioned me?‘ Natasha muttered.


    Alexei raised his hands, looking innocent. “Leaving for work and being kicked out because you’re <fncd27> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? ?ovelFind</fncd27>


    4:30 pm PR


    waiting on some other guy–how’s that the same? I never told you to leave.”


    “I didn’t kick you out. And what do you mean ‘other guy‘?” Natasha said firmly


    “A guy sniffing around someone else’s wife,” Alexei shot back.


    Natasha replied, “Mr. Turner, you’re a little too quick slipping into character.”


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    Alexei suddenly leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Just getting a head start,” he said casually.


    Caught off guard, Natasha didn’t have time to dodge. “Alexei Turner!” she growled through gritted teeth.


    “Be good. I’m gonna go pack,” Alexei said softly. He really did know how to y deaf when he wanted to.


    As Natasha stormed off and mmed the door, Alexei’s eyes sparkled with amusement.


    Alexei wasn’t in a hurry. The clueless fools in the rk family would end up pushing her straight at


    him.


    To be her only support. Her partner. Her lover. Alexei found himself truly looking forward to it.


    Alexei had first chosen Natasha because she was bold, unafraid, and capable—and in a sh of madness, he’d recognized something in her that matched him.


    But after spending nearly a month together, Alexei started thinking maybe she’d bring him more surprises than he expected. This contract wife, he was more than satisfied.


    That night, while Alexei flew overseas on business, Natasha, who had spent a month cooped up at home nursing his injuries, finally came up for air at Sadie’s call.


    In a buzzing bar, Sadie quickly found a booth andined under her breath, “You’ve been holed up so long. Anyone else would think you’ve got gold buried in that tiny apartment.”


    ‘No gold. Just one very rich man‘ Natasha kept that thought to herself.


    Because Alexei had been targeted and forced into hiding, Natasha hadn’t mentioned anything to


    Sadie.


    She didn’t want her dragged into the mess, so Natasha used a tight deadline as an excuse to keep Sadie from visiting.


    But now, there was nothing to worry about. Natasha gave her a full rundown of everything that had happened over the past month.


    4:30 pm PS


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    Hearing that, Sadie kept letting out shocked curses. “Damn, girl! You’ve been silent this whole time ‘cause you were out here making power moves?”


    Her eyes practically sparkled. “You bagged Mr. Turner? You’re gonna run Andphis City one day at


    this rate.”


    Natasha slowly turned her ss in her fingers. “I haven’t made up my mind yet.”


    Sadie, who’d beenughing and joking just a second ago, suddenly turned serious. She said calmly, “Look, what I said was kidding. Natasha, Olivia isn’t worth throwing your life away for.


    “If you really want to go after her, let me work on taking over my father’spany. I’ll use the entire Torres family to back you up. I’ve got your back for life.


    “Alexei might be powerful, but the Turners are a mess. That family’s a snake pit, and the man himself? Moody as hell and ruthless as theye. Word is, the father and son from the fourth Turner branch both got taken out–one’s a vegetable now, and the other… well, he won’t be fathering any kids.


    ‘No one can prove it, but everybody says it was Alexei’s doing. He’s cold to the bone. Right now he’s on your side, but what if that changes? I don’t trust him with you.”


    Sadie thought, ‘When Alexei’s done with Natasha and made her disappear–and I won’t even know where to start looking.


    Natasha has already suffered too much in her life. Lucas is trash, but still, I just want someone to truly cherish Natasha from now on.


    She’s a good woman. A woman like her shouldn’t be swallowed up by gossip and hatred.


    Back when the whole world turned its back on me, it was Natasha–reputation in tatters and all- who reached out and pulled me up. Without her, there’d be no Sadie today.


    But Alexei isn’t someone we could just say no to.’


    Natasha didn’t mention how determined he was. She just leaned her head on Sadie’s shoulder and smiled. “Then I guess I’ll count on Miss Torres to keep me fed.”


    Sadie grinned, “Don’t worry. I’ll make you rich. Bruce’s inheritance? We’ll split it fifty–fifty,”


    Natashaughed. “He’s gonna die from anger if he hears that.”


    “Better sooner thanter,” Sadie said.


    The two of them kept cracking jokes about Bruce and her ridiculous stepfamily.


    Everything felt light, easy–until a creepy male voice cut through the air. “Youdies look like you’re having fun. Wanna join me for a drink in the VIP room?”


    4:30 pm PD


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    Standing in front of them, unmistakable with his signature blue hair, was Matthew.


    Ever since Olivia got her leg broken by Natasha, Matthew had been burning with rage. Then he got pranked and mocked for three days straight. The embarrassment in front of his boys was more than he could take.


    And now, he heard Natasha had burned down the house Olivia’s grandmother left her. Then Olivia cried to herself in the hospital. Matthew hated Natasha with everything he had.


    Because of that injury, Olivia missed a critical promotion opportunity. So in his mind, Natasha deserved to suffer just as much.


    The problem was, Natasha was a damn hermit. Like a turtle hiding in its shell, she never came out. Matthew couldn’t even find a chance to get back at her.


    Tonight, one of his guys tipped him off that Sadie and Natasha were at the bar. Matthew hit the gas and raced over without a second thought.


    “What’s wrong? We know each other. Can’t even get a drink, Miss Torres? Miss rk?” Matthew said, clearly irritated by their totalck of reaction.


    Sadie didn’t even blink. She said coldly, “Please. I don’t drink with a simp.”