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    The room had been eerily quiet since Natasha and Alexei started their whispered conversation.


    The moment the words on the screen appeared, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.


    It was only then that everyone realized that tonight was supposed to be Natasha’s birthday


    party.


    But since her arrival, aside from a brief mention by Andrew in his wee speech, there had been nothing for her.


    It was clear the real focus of the evening was yet toe.


    Even the cake, which should have been cut by the birthday girl, had been pushed back by Andrew until after the engagement announcement.


    He wanted Natasha and Lucas to do it together.


    But since the bride was switched at thest minute and Olivia still hadn’t shown up, the cake had ended up forgotten in a corner of the kitchen.


    Judging from the looks on the rk family’s faces, it was obvious the fireworks weren’t their idea.


    Sighs and murmurs of sympathy swept through the crowd.


    Of course, some of it was probably just people trying to win favor with Alexei.


    Alexei’s actions toward Natasha just now–whatever his reasons–left everyone’s jaws on the floor, but they also made his intentions crystal clear.


    At the very least, Natasha was under his protection for now,


    If even he was treating her like she’s the boss around here, anyone thinking of messing with her had better think twice.


    Everyone knew what was up with the whole engagement swap.


    Some pitied Natasha for getting stabbed in the back by both hersister and her fiancé. Some just found it funny that she couldn’t even hold onto her boyfriend.


    Others noticed that the rk family barely paid her any attention and were already eyeing


    her.


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    There were even people convinced Natasha would never get over someone as perfect as Lucas, just waiting for her to go head–to–head with Olivia.


    But right now, whatever schemes or thoughts people had, everyone was keeping quiet.


    It was not that anyone looked down on Lucas, but he just couldn’t hold a candle to him.


    Alexei wasn’t just in a different league. He was ying an entirely different game from the rest of them.


    He’d long been the real boss of the Turner family, making waves with his overseas businesses, and there were plenty of notorious rumors swirling around him.


    Even their fathers and grandfathers had no choice but to swallow their pride ande to Alexei for cooperation.


    Seeing how Natasha had Alexeipletely under her thumb, they felt that she would not care about Lucas.


    Everyone started seeing Natasha in a whole new light.


    Some people couldn’t help but stare at the scene by the table. Natasha was sitting, and Alexei was standing.


    Meanwhile, Lucas’s eyes were red, and he lookedpletely lost.


    Some even started specting wildly.


    They felt that maybe Alexei had set his sights on Natasha, and that was why the rk family switched brides at thest minute. Lucas was still hung up on her.


    Trying to have it both ways. rk family sure knows how to y the game,‘ they thought.


    Meanwhile, Andrew–the one everyone was cursing under their breath–felt bitter inside.


    Watching Natashaughing and chatting with Alexei, his face wentpletely pale.


    Ever since she learned to fight back, Natasha had never been a pushover.


    This time, her mom tried to guilt–trip her with her grandma’s bracelet to drag her back for the engagement, and she was probably fuming inside.


    Alexei was obviously there to back her up.


    He wondered what kind of chaos these two were about to stir up. Andrew felt that Natasha was stubborn, and Alexei was nuts.


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    At that moment, Andrew felt a wave of despair. He thought, ‘If only Alexei hade for Olivia. At least Olivia is obedient and considerate, always thinking about the big picture.


    ‘No matter how much she’s wronged, she’d never take it out on the family. Maybe she could even talk Mr. Turner into calming down.


    ‘But with Natasha, she’d never let anyone off easy. She’d turn on her own family without a second thought if she felt she was in the right.’


    Andrew and Thomas exchanged a nce, both reading the same worry in each other’s eyes.


    They were just racking their brains trying to figure out how to get Alexei out of there.


    Sure enough, the very thing they were most afraid of came true.


    Once Natasha was almost done eating and the fireworks had mostly fizzled out, Alexei finally turned hiszy gaze toward them, like he’d only just noticed they existed.


    He said, “I heard the rk family’s invitations say this was a birthday party for their real daughter.


    “So, how did it turn into an engagement for the adopted one, and now everyone’s just packing up and leaving?”


    He swept his eyes around the room. “A birthday’s supposed to be a big family get–together, right?


    ‘But the birthday girl’s mom and little brother aren’t even here. Mr. rk, is there some kind of problem with the rk family’s values?<b>” </b>


    Andrew’s face turned a sickly shade of purple.


    He was sure that Alexei was there to air out their dirtyundry.


    They had always addressed Olivia as their eldest daughter. Andrew wondered why Alexei was using words like “real” and “adopted” daughters.


    What really made Andrew break out in a cold sweat was that Alexei had just called out the fact that Madeline and Noel weren’t even there.


    The scene at the second–floor window earlier had been enough to make Andrew’s heart skip


    a beat.


    He still had no idea what exactly had gone down. He just wanted everyone to move on and pretend it never happened.


    <b>3/7 </b>


    5:10 pm 30


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    But now that Alexei had brought it up again, it brought everything rushing back for the


    crowd.


    Shaking off the shock of seeing Alexei with Natasha, who had a notorious reputation and fiery temper, everyone’s interest in what happened earlier red up all over again.


    Someone whispered, “Wasn’t Matthew making out with Noel by the window just now? Isn’t he supposed to be heading overseas soon?


    “I heard the Hill and rk families had some dramately. Matthew wasn’t even on the list tonight.”


    Another person said, “I’ve heard some things about Matthew’s personal style.


    guest


    “Word is, the Hill family’s desperate to ship him off because of it. So you already know what business he has with Noel.”


    Someone else said, “Hold up, wasn’t Olivia there too? I swear, her clothes looked like she’d just thrown them on in a hurry.”


    A person said, “The siblings and Matthew together? Damn, they’re really wild.”


    Another said, “Poor Lucas. The engagement’s barely official and he’s already getting cheated


    on.”


    Someone else asked, “But why did Olivia throw something at him?”


    A person said, “Who knows? Maybe she got set up, or maybe it’s some freaky new fetish. How can they be unable to keep Matthew under control in their house?”


    Another person said, “Man, this is just chaos.”


    All those wild and messy rumors swirling around didn’t just leave Andrew and Thomas looking embarrassed,


    They even made Lucas’s brows knit together in concern.


    He thought, ‘Olivia isn’t that kind of person. Matthew’s reckless enough to do anything. Olivia must have gotten dragged into this!


    Andrew gritted his teeth. “Mr. Turner, you must be kidding.


    “Madeline and the others just had something urgent to handle, that’s all. Our family’s fine.”


    <b>He </b>shot a pleading look at Natasha, hoping she’d say something to help him out.


    <b>5:10 </b>pm


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    Alexei’s calm, dark eyes shifted to her, too, like he was silently asking for her opinion.


    Natasha swallowed a bite of cake, set her spoon down nice and slow, and blinked innocently. “Honestly? I really don’t know.”


    Andrew jumped in before she could say more. “Of course it’s true!


    “Madeline loves Natasha. She’d never skip her birthday on purpose. She just had to leave for


    a moment.”


    Alexei suddenly broke into a smile, his voice low and chilling. Andrew felt like he was hearing the devil whisper in his ear.


    Alexei said, “Well then, if it’s just a misunderstanding, why not invite Madeline and the others back out? Let’s keep the party going.”


    He thought, “They took Natasha’s birthday from her, stole the parents that should have been hers, and dismissed her pain like it was nothing.


    ‘How could I not make them witness the moment she stands above them all, basking in the spotlight alone?


    ‘Let them see it clearly that their existence is nothing but dust to Natasha.’


    Thomas pressed his lips together tightly.


    Even without seeing it, he could tell that Noel and Olivia were definitely not fit to face anyone right now.


    He said, “Mr. Turner, it’s really not a good time for my mom and the others…”


    “You guys can’t go get them?” Alexei acted clueless.


    Then he shed a smile. “No problem, I’ll have someone fetch them.”


    “Shawn,” Alexei called out.


    Shawn seemed to materialize out of nowhere, nked by several bodyguards in ck suits, responding with almost cheerful efficiency.


    “Yes, Mr. Turner. We’ll go get them right away,” Shawn said cheerfully.


    Andrew and Thomas couldn’t do a thing. They could only watch as the group strode off.


    “Natasha!” Andrew shouted, his voice filled with anger, <fn87f4> For original chapters go to find~novel</fn87f4>


    5:10 pm D


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    ‘Doesn’t she know you never let outsiders see your family’s dirtyundry?‘ he thought.


    Natasha looked up in confusion, only to drop her gaze again like she was scared, her voice barely above a whisper.


    She said, “Dad, I just wanted Mom to spend my birthday with me. Is it too much to ask for her to wish me Happy Birthday?”


    With her head lowered, all anyone could see was the curve of her cheek and the elegant line of her neck.


    Paired with that soft white dress, there was a fragile, broken look about her that no one could quite exin.


    Seeing a beauty so heartbroken like this, people couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, despite her reputation.


    People were sneaking nces at Andrew, shooting him dirty looks when they thought no one was watching.


    They thought, ‘Seriously, what kind of dad does that?


    ‘Calls it his daughter’s birthday, but can’t even get the whole family together. Now, he’s actually scolding her? That’s just messed up.‘


    Alexei watched Natasha, acting all pitiful like a kitten, and his fingers twitched slightly.


    Only he could catch that glint of cunning and mischief in her eyes.


    Upstairs, Matthew had already been rushed to the hospital by the servants.


    Noel was finally shaking off the effects of the drug, stomping around the room and swearing


    nonstop.


    Olivia, still wearing those ripped, filthy clothes, was crying her eyes out in Madeline’s arms.


    She had no clue how everything just blew up like this. Things were totally out of control.


    On top of her anxiety, she couldn’t shake off this awful feeling that something even <b>worse </b>was about to happen.


    Just then, the door was kicked open with a violent bang.


    Shawn stood in the doorway, nked by a squad of intimidating bodyguards in ck suits,


    5:10 pm


    shing a grin that said, “Found you.”


    “Mrs. rk…” he began.


    Chapter <i>57 </i>