Lisa was a pro, with an eye for style that was hard to beat. With her help, Natasha quickly picked out the perfect outfits.


    For the family lunch, she chose a knee–length off–the–shoulder red dress.


    It was elegant and beautiful, yet yful and lively without being gaudy, full of charm and


    grace.


    When Natasha stepped out in the dress, Lisa’s eyes lit up.


    Natasha’s delicate skin looked wless, and the vibrant red made her look even more


    stunning.


    For the evening, she wore a long white gown–understated but far from in.


    The skirt flowed gracefully, and sparkling diamonds adorned the bodice and hem, catching the light with every step and giving her a pure, goddess–like radiance.


    When Natasha lifted her head and smiled, Lisa felt her breath pause. Natasha’s beauty was simply breathtaking.


    “It’s absolutely perfect!” Lisa eximed, circling Natasha in admiration.


    Every outfit today was a showstopper. <fndbea> Find the newest release on find?novel</fndbea>


    If Natasha’s background were a better fit, Lisa would introduce her to her international fashion designer friend to work as a model.


    Lisa felt that Natasha would be her muse of inspiration for future designs.


    Everyone else was gushing over her, unable to hold back their praise.


    All morning, everyone was fussing over Natasha, but Alexei ignored them and strolled into the kitchen with ease to make ravioli.


    That homey vibe had the staff sneaking nces his way from time to time,


    ‘So, even rich folks cook for themselves?‘ they wondered.


    Still, nobody dared to stare or crack a joke. Alexei might’ve been dressed down, but his aura was as intimidating as ever.


    The male staff were especially intimidated. Alexei didn’t seem to care how revealing Natasha’s outfits were. He would let her choose whatever she liked.


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    Sometimes when she came out in a new outfit, they would feel a chill down their spines after a while.


    But what had everyone gaping was when the stylist was doing Natasha’s hair. Alexei just strolled over and fed her the ravioli.


    It was so casual and smooth like he’d done it a hundred times before.


    Alexei had been up early, working remotely on hisptop and even hosting an international conference call.


    Natasha had only been woken up just in time, and then Lisa and the others arrived. Natasha was still starving.


    So, she happily let Alexei feed her, and even told him to fetch her some fruit and yogurt.


    Everyone was getting an eye–opener today.


    If they went out and bragged about what happened today, no one would believe them.


    It wasn’t like the two of them were doing anything outrageous, but somehow, everyone just felt like they were intruding on something private.


    *****


    After <i>a </i>few hours of running around, everything was finally ready.


    At the entrance of the Turner Manor, a Rolls–Royce pulled up smoothly.


    The butler was about to let everyone know that Alexei was back.


    Then, he saw Alexei circle the car and reach out to gently take a woman’s hand, helping her


    out.


    The way they stood <i>so </i>close, anyone could tell at a nce that these two were not just friends.


    The butler felt his heart lurch.


    Thinking about the crowd waiting inside, his scalp tingled with dread.


    “Ready?” Alexei asked, holding Natasha’s hand and smiling at her.


    “Of course,” she replied with a yful wink, “Didn’t you say you’ve got my back?”


    One way or another, she was going to do whatever she wanted this time.


    Alexei chuckled softly and led her past the sweating butler, straight into the Turner Manor.


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    The moment they stepped inside, everyone in the room, whether sitting or standing, turned to look at them in unison.


    Since Alexei wasing, everyone showed up today.


    Pretty much the whole Turner family was present, except for Quinn Turner, Melvin Turner, and Nathan Turner.


    Quinn was away on a business trip in Arnatar. Melvin and Nathan were still hospitalized.


    There were also a few unfamiliar faces. There were several young, stunning girls.


    Natasha instantly got why Alexei had brought her here. Calling this a family dinner was a stretch. It felt more like a bride selection party.


    The moment Natasha walked in, a lot of faces in the room soured at the sight of her.


    Edgar Turner sat at the head of the table, his aged yet piercing gazending on Natasha, sharp as needles and making her feel on edge.


    He didn’t even ask for her name. He simply acted as if she didn’t exist.


    Edgar asked, “Alexei, you’rete for the family dinner. How could you keep the elders waiting?”


    Alexei brazenly led Natasha to the sofa, idly toying with her fingers as he raised an eyebrow and said with azy grin, “What can I say?


    “My darling takes her time getting all dolled up. Hope you all don’t mind.”


    The way he dismissed everyone had the Turner family fuming, but none of them dared say a word.


    Edgar turned his sharp gaze back to Natasha, his expression stern. “Aren’t you going to introduce this youngdy you’ve brought with you?”


    He thought, ‘Alexei knows perfectly well what this party is for, yet he still brought along a random girl.


    ‘He is clearly doing this on purpose to embarrass us.’


    Alexei’s lips curled into a faint smile as he swept his gaze over the Turner family, taking in


    their varied reactions.


    “Everyone, this is Natasha rk, the future Mrs. Turner,” Alexei said.


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    He didn’t address her as his date or girlfriend. He was making it clear that he was going to marry her.


    As soon as he said that, the girls in the room looked visibly upset, and even Edgar’s face


    turned grim.


    The Turner family was huge. In order to tell people apart, outsiders usually addressed thedies in the family by their specific names.


    Everybody knew that Mrs. Turner only ever referred to the wife of the family head.


    Now, out of nowhere, Alexei said he was going to marry a woman of unknown origin. Edgar felt that she could not possibly be worthy of that title.


    But Alexei couldn’t care less about their shock and anger. He just went ahead and started introducing Natasha to the Turner family like it was no big deal.


    “This is Grandpa,” he said, bringing her right up to Edgar.


    “Grandpa,” she obediently called out, her voice sweet and polite.


    Edgar didn’t even acknowledge her, but Natasha didn’t mind at all.


    Her smile stayed perfectly in ce as she followed along with the introductions, totally unfazed.


    There was one couple who had been staring at them with burning,plicated eyes ever since they walked in.


    They were introducedst. It was Alexei’s father, Dereck Turner, and his stepmother, Teri


    Turner.


    Alexei’s expression was cool and indifferent. “This is my dad and my stepmom.”


    The moment he said “stepmom,” Teri’s face went as dark as the bottom of a pot.


    Teri thought bitterly, “This little brat. After being married to his father all these years, he still refuses to call me “Mom.”


    ‘He only calls me “stepmom,” like I’m some kind of wicked woman.


    ‘If it hadn’t been for that ident years ago that left me unable to have kids, I wouldn’t have


    to take this kind of embarrassment.


    Dereck wasn’t happy either. He shot Alexei a re. “What do you mean by ‘stepmom“?”


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    He knew Alexei refused to call her “Mom,” but at the very least, he should show some respect and use a proper title for an elder.


    Alexei let out a scornfulugh. “Does she deserve it?”


    “You-” Dereck sputtered, so furious he could barely get the words out.


    Just as another argument was about to break out, Edgar mmed his cane down with a thud. “Enough! Don’t make us aughingstock in front of everyone.”


    Dereck and Teri mped their mouths shut, still simmering with resentment.


    After making the rounds, aside from Alexei’s dad and stepmom, Natasha couldn’t remember anyone else at all.


    There were just too many people.


    Gabriel Turner’s daughter, Sasha Turner, stared at Natasha for a moment.


    She hesitated before asking, “Is yourst name rk, as in the rk family from Hexin? Do you know Olivia Sutton?”


    Natasha raised an eyebrow, a yful look in her eyes. “Maybe you got it right.”


    Sasha’s face changed in an instant, looking all kinds ofplicated.


    She’d heard from Olivia ages ago that her adopted sister was no ordinary girl, but she never thought she’d actually make her way into the Turner family.


    She thought, ‘That cocky attitude of hers is exactly what I’d expect.‘


    The rk family wasn’t really on anyone’s radar, especially not for a powerhouse family like the Turner family.


    Still, there were always a few people in the know who’d heard about the rk family’s internal feuds.


    Some people thought, “Isn’t she the infamous youngest daughter of the rk family? She barely ever shows up and has a pretty awful reputation.


    ‘I heard she even put her adopted sister in the ER not long ago.


    The ones in the know started gossiping, filling everyone else in on the drama. Just like that, the whole room was shooting Natasha judgmental looks.