When Ryan got the newsst night that Matthew had been beaten up, hospitalized, and even photographed in apromising position, he was thrilled.


    With Matthew out of the picture, wouldn’t I, the only grandson left, rise to the top?” Ryan thought.


    To win points with Zayden, Ryan swallowed his disgust and ran back and forth helping the cousin he had never gotten along with, putting on a show of brotherly harmony.


    He even stepped up to speak out, insisting he would get justice for Matthew.


    Although Matthew gritted his teeth and imed it was just an ident, anyone could tell there was nore to the story.


    So Ryan was determined to drag everyst skeleton out of his closet.


    Zayden had actually been pleased and even criticized Ramona for trying to smooth things over.


    But after one phone call, his face changed instantly. He returned to the hospital room, pped Matthew across the face, and scolded him for stirring up trouble and dragging the family down with him.


    Finally, Ryan didn’t get any kindness either for pushing the family to cause trouble. He was seething inside.


    Ramona had been a little surprised at first, but she reacted quickly. She put on an act like she already knew exactly who Matthew had crossed and had only tried to stop Zayden’s retaliation.


    The truth was, she hadn’t even made her move yet. Natasha had helped her, and there was no way she’d let Natasha get dragged into trouble.


    Unexpectedly, Natasha clearly had her own confidence to stand on. Then Ramona smoothly switched her story, using the situation to her advantage without hesitation.


    Seeing her calm, assured demeanor, Ryan couldn’t help but suspect Ramona had some powerful backer.


    Now Ryan even wondered if what happened to Matthew was actually a trap she had set. He wondered, ‘With Matthew gone, will I be next?‘


    Word was, the drinking buddies who were sent to the hospital with Matthewst night had all received warnings today about their families facing bankruptcy.


    And the atmosphere in the nearby rooms was heavy, like someone had died.


    Ryan’s ambitions instantly fizzled, his emotions all over the ce.


    20 vouchers


    Natasha had no idea there was more to Ramona’s situation, but if she had, she would’ve been more than happy to add a few bricks to Ramona’s road to power.


    That morning, Natasha got another call from Andrew. “Natasha! What did you do this time?


    “What did Matthew ever do to you? You put him in the hospital and still won’t let it go?”


    Because Matthew fawned over Olivia, he naturally behaved impably in front of Natasha’s adoptive parents.


    From the rk family’s perspective, Matthew still seemed more dependable than Natasha.


    So when Olivia said Natasha had sent someone to the hospital again, Andrew’s blood pressure shot up. “You’reing with me to the Hill family today to apologize in person.”


    The rk and Hill families did business together, and the Hills were an old, established family–fai more deep–rooted than the rks, who had only been rich for less than three generations.


    Andrew thought, ‘Natasha not only failed to bring the family any glory like Olivia did, she constantly made enemies. Having her is truly a curse.‘


    Olivia poured Andrew a cup of coffee andforted him gently. “Don’t be angry, Dad. I know Matthew pretty well. As long as Natasha is willing to apologize sincerely, the Hills won’t hold it against her.”


    As for what it will actually take to make Matthew forgive her–that isn’t something I can control, Olivia thought, her smile sweet.


    Andrew gave her a gratified look. “Hear that? If you could be half as sensible as your sister, I’d live years longer.”


    Natasha thought, ‘It seems they still don’t know the punishment Matthew received from his own family, Olivia’sint has been far too hasty.


    Natasha let out a coldugh. “Since you know he’s in the hospital, aren’t you going to ask if I’m hurt? Do you even know why I hit him?”


    “What else could it be?” Andrew shot back instinctively. “He’s close to your sister and you can’t stand him. I heard you ran into each other at a bar? And there were several men involved? You need to stay away from those shady ces.”


    Natasha countered, “Olivia told you that? Whatever she says, you just believe it?”


    “Don’t drag your sister into this. She’s always speaking up for you,” Andrew said.


    Natasha didn’t even bother arguing. She sneered. “Then let me tell you–Matthew brought a few of


    4:31 pm PS


    <b>20 </b>vouchers


    his drinking buddies and tried to force me to drink with them. That’s why he got beaten up.


    “Mr. rk, when your own daughter gets treated like some bar hostess, maybe it’s because you have no power. You’re slipping.”


    “Natasha!” Andrew barked, then hesitated. “Are you serious?”


    Olivia had only said they’d had a conflict, that Matthew was badly hurt, and that the Hill family was


    furious.


    Since Natasha had a history of sending people to the ER, Andrew had filled in the details himself.


    But now it turned out Matthew had acted all friendly to his face and insulted his daughter behind his back.


    Andrew didn’t suspect Olivia of stirring the pot–he just thought she didn’t have the full story and had caused a misunderstanding.


    Frowning, Andrew said, “If that’s true, even if the Hill familyes after us, we’re still in the right.”


    Then, remembering Natasha’s earlierment about being hurt, he suddenly looked uneasy. “You’re sure you’re okay? He didn’t take advantage of you, did he?”


    “Well, look at that–Mr. rk finally remembered to care about your daughter. If you used me less often, maybe I’d live a few years longer.” Natasha threw his words right back at him.


    Andrew took a deep breath. “I’m being serious–are you hurt? If you are, we’re going to the Hill family for justice no matter what.”


    “Rx. I’m fine. It’s not time for you to visit my grave yet,” Natasha replied.


    Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose. “Can you watch your mouth? Why would you jinx yourself like that?”


    Natasha gave a cold, thin smile.


    When Olivia saw their conversation growing calmer, her eyes darkened slightly. She mouthed two words toward Andrew-“grave visit.”


    Andrew suddenly remembered another reason for his call and cleared his throat. “Natasha, we’ll be going to the cemetery to pay our respects to Emilia. You didn’t forget, right? Be here early the day


    after tomorrow<i>.</i><i>” </i>


    As usual, the family would gather at the house first, prepare offerings, and then go to the cemetery together.


    Natasha’s voice tightened. “I know.” Then she hung up.


    Andrew listened to the dial tone for a moment, dazed.


    <b>3/5 </b>


    Olivia put on an apologetic face and said gently, “Sorry, Dad. I didn’t know it was like that. It’s just that Matthew’s still unconscious, and the doctor said his injuries are serious, so I was worried something bad might happen.”


    Andrew shook his head. “It’s not your fault. You were thinking of the family.”


    Olivia continued, “Then about the Hill family…”


    Andrew cut her off. “That brat harassed Natasha–if anything, we should be the ones confronting them. They have no right to be upset.”


    Then Andrew muttered to himself, “Still, Natasha always puts on a tough front. Who knows if she’s really fine. I’ll have her mother ask againter.”


    Olivia watched him hurry off to find Madeline and stood up without a word. She knocked over her coffee cup, letting the coffee seep into the carpet fibers.


    *****


    On Emilia’s memorial day, Natasha’s mood was already dark from the moment she woke up.


    Looking at herself in the mirror–dressed in a ck dress, face cold and pale–Natasha suddenly raised her hand to block her reflection.


    When she arrived at the rk house, the whole family was sitting together eating breakfast in


    harmony.


    Seeing her, Olivia smiled and said to the housekeeper, “L, set another ce for Natasha.”


    Natasha nced at the five matching chairs at the table and shook her head. “Don’t bother. I already <fn19a8> ?????? ???? find~novel</fn19a8>


    ate.


    Because Natasha was unusually quiet, and given the somber asion, even the outspoken Noel kept his sarcasticments to himself. The atmosphere was, for once, not tense.


    Madeline hadn’t seen Natasha in a long time and wanted to talk to her, but her cold expression made him hesitate.


    Once preparations were done and they were about to leave, Olivia suddenly smacked her forehead. “Oh. I forgot. The gift I prepared for Mom is still upstairs.”


    She looked at Natasha, her eyes soft and innocent. “Natasha, will youe upstairs with me to get it? I might not be able to carry it by myself.”