Alexei paused a little. He raised an eyebrow. “Enjoying this treatment?”


    E20 <b>vouchers </b>


    Natasha nodded. ‘Of course I do. A powerful and handsome guy who picks me up, cooks for me. and gives gifts–who wouldn’t?‘ she thought.


    “Say yes to bing Mrs. Turner, and your dream wille true,” he said.


    Natasha waved him off. “No, thanks.”


    Alexei scoffed. “So you just take advantage of me for free, Miss rk?”


    She choked. “Wasn’t that what you wanted?”


    Alexei sneered. “I don’t let just any woman kiss me for nothing. Miss rk, after what you did, shouldn’t you give me a title?”


    Natasha was left speechless. She thought, ‘A kiss on the cheek is nothing. We’re both single–no moral issues. But being Mrs. Turner? That’s a dangerous game of power.


    I’m not ready to sell myself over a kiss. And really–this whole prudish act? As if he’s some paragon of virtue?‘ Natasha fled shamelessly.


    Alexei’s outrageous remarks sometimes had indeed lifted her spirits. Alone in her roomter, though, sadness crept in.


    Natasha’s smile faded as she pulled an old photo album from a drawer. A picture showed Josephine smiling in a wicker chair under a sycamore tree, young Natasha and Olivia standing beside her.


    Josephine loved them, hoping they’d get along. In her eyes, Olivia had a tragic past, and Natasha had a tough upbringing–they should support each other. Instead, they were born rivals.


    Josephine never imagined Olivia would be so cruel, resenting Natasha just because she didn’t favor Olivia more.


    Natasha traced Josephine’s face in the photo. “Grandma,” she whispered, “what would you have me


    do?


    Crash! Another set of dishes was shattered. A terrified maid scurried in, cleaned up, and fled. <fn058c> Follow current nov?ls on find~novel</fn058c>


    Matthew’s eyes bulged with rage. His once–stylish blue hair was now unevenly hacked off near the stitched wound on his scalp.


    And his haggard face halved his looks. Once a hot yboy, now he looked half–mad.


    1:35 pm P.


    20 vouchers


    His family had told him–recover, then get out of the country. Yet the one who’d caused his downfall remained unharmed.


    Thinking of the humiliating photos he’d seen upon waking, he trembled. These days, his cousins‘ mockery was relentless.


    He sneered inwardly, ‘Natasha, a family outcast–how dare she? Grandpa says I crossed a big shot, but I know she’s using her face to get someone to fight for her.


    I can’t touch her protector, but I can ruin her. When she’s an infamous slut, who’ll protect her?‘ A nan’s malice could be far more vicious.


    Thinking of the rk family’s birthday invitation, Matthew smirked. He thought, ‘I’m leaving soon -papers ready.


    Even if I cause trouble, I’ll skip abroad. Let Ramona handle the mess. But Natasha would suffer worse than I had.‘


    <b>***** </b>


    Natasha remained unaware of the plots swirling around her birthday. She didn’t even know about he party.


    The rks had been rushing preparations. Lucas’s sudden demand to announce their it the event meant coordinating with the Wrights.


    engagement


    Finally settling details, Margot asked if they’d confirmed Natasha’s entrance sequence. That’s when hey realized–no one had told her.


    The rks looked at each other, stunned. They’d all assumed someone else had notified her, forgetting that Natasha had blocked them all.


    Margot was speechless. “You threw a birthday party without telling the guest of honor? What about her gown? The stylist?”


    Madeline flushed. “Olivia and I picked out some options for her.”


    Margot nced at Olivia, demurely seated nearby, wearing thetest Celinae ne–likely a bonus from Madeline’s shopping trip.


    Olivia’s ne was as fine as anything intended for Natasha. Outsiders might think it was Olivia’s party.


    Margot smiled. “Madeline, darling, gowns need to be tried on. And the birthday girl should be the focus. Natasha is your daughter–don’t y favorites.”


    Privately, Margot preferred Olivia for Lucas, but Lucas was obsessed with Natasha. He’d fought Emmanuel fiercely over this rushed engagement, so they had to ept it.


    4:35 pm PS


    20 vouchers


    Since the deal was struck, Margot had to defend her future daughter–inw’s rights. ‘Why did all the rks‘ goodies go to the Suttons? Madeline is a fool,‘ she thought.


    Madeline felt both humiliated and irritated, thinking Margot meddled without knowing the facts. But with ties and impending inws, she forced a smile.


    “Don’t worry. I pre–selected styles Natasha might like,” Madeline defended stiffly. “She’ll have the final say. And I don’t y favorites—both are my daughters.”


    Margot pursed her lips. She turned her annoyance to Lucas. “You’re engaged–you’ll be on stage. You should be involved.”


    Lucas sat by the window, gloomy. “Keep it simple,” he said tly. “Just have Mr. rk and Dad announce it on stage if there’s an issue.”


    “What nonsense?” Margot snapped. This wedding mattered to both families‘ reputations—no room for carelessness.


    Lucas said no more. He stood abruptly. “I need some air.” Then he strode out.


    ‘Lucas!” Margot yelled after him, but he didn’t look back. She red at his back. “What is wrong with him?”


    Lucas had fought for this engagement but seemed miserable, smoking more than ever. Margot sometimes saw his room light on at midnight and smelled alcohol.


    Margot had asked if he and Natasha had issues–he’d imed everything was fine. Now his mood and her absence screamed otherwise. Margot seethed.


    The rks were also displeased with Lucas’s attitude, but Natasha’s absence left them on weaker ground.


    The group soldiered on with awkward smiles, nning the engagement. Only Olivia watched Lucas leave, a subtle curve touching her lips.


    The Wrights fretted over Lucas’s mood; the rks couldn’t find Natasha. The day before the party, Natasha was still unreachable.


    Facing the prospect of a birthday party without the birthday girl, Madeline finally snapped. She


    ma