At the rk family.


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    Madeline caressed the most beautiful dress she had specially set aside and asked Thomas beside her, “Do you think Natasha wille today?”


    Thomas paused.


    He didn’t know either.


    The invitation had been sent, but Natasha gave no response at all.


    Thomas had a faint feeling she wouldn’t, but also held a sliver of hope that she woulde.


    Natasha loved Madeline, her mother, greatly. When she was little, and Olivia snatched her toys, clothes, or dolls, her deepest sorrow wasn’t losing things she liked. Instead, she would tearfully ask her brother with apprehension and grievance when he visited her at night, “Does Mommy not love me anymore? Thomas, am I a bad child?”


    Later, day after day, the family grew ustomed to letting Olivia choose all gifts first. Natasha also grew up and never again asked Thomas such childish questions.


    However, whenever Madeline fell ill, Natasha was always the most well–behaved and considerate, especiallypared to the busy Thomas and mischievous Noel. Even if she couldn’t help with the illness, she would follow Madeline like a cute little shadow until Madeline recovered.


    His prolonged silence made Madeline turn her face and subtly wipe her eyes.


    She said casually, “Natasha likes green, but the dress I originally wanted was already sold. I don’t know if she’ll like this one. Natasha looks beautiful in red, too.”


    She remembered Natasha’s childhood appearance and smiled, “Back then, because Natasha was so pretty, many naughty boys liked ying with her. Some even approached me and your dad, wanting us to be inws.”


    She looked at the dress with emotion, “Natasha has grown up, and she’s still beautiful.”


    15:25 Sat, Sep <b>6 </b>N


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    Natasha was growing gracefully and flourishing in a corner they didn’t know


    about.


    “Mom, Edgar from the Turner family is also hosting a birthday party today,” Thomas said. He didn’t want to upset Madeline, so he could only remind her gently,


    Madeline’s smile faded, and she murmured, “Yes, Natasha has a boyfriend now…”


    She was about to get married.


    Madeline put down the dress, sat at the dressing table, and tiredly rubbed her temples. “Thomas, you go outside, and I’ll sit here for a while.”


    Thomas gently patted Madeline on the shoulder and quietly left the room.


    Madeline looked at herself in the mirror. Clearly, she was celebrating her birthday, but she had no joy in her face. She let out a bitterugh.


    This year’s birthday was her busiest yet.


    The rk family’spany was already on itsst legs and operating at a deficit. They held the birthday party to seize the opportunity to reconnect with some people and see if they could find a turning point.


    It was not a simple task to make the party appear as decent as possible within a limited budget.


    Madeline was already exhausted, and no one at home could help.


    Andrew and Thomas were practically living at thepany. Noel stayed at school every day and refused to return home, and Olivia… Madeline let out a self- deprecatingugh.


    Adversity reveals true character.


    With the family’s situation deteriorating, Madeline reced the luxury brands they usually wore with more cost–effective niche designer brands.


    She could tell Olivia was displeased at the time.


    Olivia would feel even more humiliated when she saw Madeline had picked a


    more expensive brand for Natasha.


    0:0


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    Madeline had exined to Olivia that they didn’t get Natasha a suitable dress for herst birthday. It was topensate Natasha this time.


    Olivia quickly regained herposure, but after returning home, she used her difort as an excuse to wash her hands of all her tasks.


    Olivia could hardly get any pocket money from Madeline, so Olivia wasn’t indulging her as much.


    When things went smoothly and the family was wealthy, everyone pulled together, and everything was effortless.


    Besides, Natasha was also considerate and would proactively help her with most of the backstage work.


    Only after carrying it alone this year did Madeline realize how hard it was.


    Madeline looked at the haggard woman in the mirror and softly told herself, “Madeline, this is karma.”


    *****


    Natasha and Alexei, who had finally gotten ready, were also making their final preparations before leaving.


    Natasha confirmed the gift for the rk family was in order. She smiled and said, “Alright, send it over. Take the invitation and find a good time to go in.”


    “Yes.”


    Alexei walked out, dressed in new clothes. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. “Is everything ready?”


    “Yeah“.


    Natasha remembered being threatened by her grandmother’s belongings and forced into an engagement on her birthday. She felt no guilt about what she was doing today.


    If it weren’t for Alexei, the rk family and Lucas would still be forcing her to live


    ording to their arrangements, disregarding her feelings and wishes.


    They imed to love Natasha but repeatedly betrayed and hurt her.


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    Given her personality, Natasha still wouldn’t have sumbed to the engagement then, but breaking free certainly wouldn’t have been easy. She would have had to pay a heavy price.


    Regret shouldn’t be just lip service. They must also feel her pain.


    Alexei leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll organize an even grander birthday for you next year.”


    Natasha smiled as she wiped the lipstick from his lips. “Compared to a grand birthday, I prefer a warm and peaceful one.”


    He squeezed her hand and said gently, “Okay, we’ll celebrate it however you like.”


    Natasha smiled again.


    She raised her hands to adjust his suit tie. “Mr. Turner, you’re handsome today…”


    Alexei’s eyes held a smile as he bent down, his forehead touching hers. “Because I need to match the beautiful Miss rk.”


    Natasha’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, and she leaned in to kiss him. “So handsome and so eloquent, you are mine.”


    Alexei wrapped his arm around her lower back, pulling her closer. He kissed her back. “Hmm, yours.”


    Natasha was also his.


    Alexei didn’t want to show off such a beautiful wife to anyone else.


    He was fortunate to have a face she liked, so Natasha probably wouldn’t get tired of him anytime soon.


    “Mmm…” Natasha turned her head away to avoid his increasingly passionate kiss. “Stop. My makeup will smudge.”


    Alexei finally kissed her, still wanting more.


    1328 Sat, Sep 6 N


    Let’s go,” said Natasha.


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    Holding hands, Alexei and Natasha got into the car bound for the Turner family.


    At the Turner Mansion.


    To ward off misfortune, Edgar had a lively birthday party, inviting many guests uncharacteristically.


    The entire Turner Mansion had been adorned with festive decorations, and the servants had been bustling about since early morning.


    The guests gradually arrived as the lights came on.


    Watching Alexei bring Natasha smoothly to the event, present gifts, and exchange pleasantries, Edgar quietly breathed a sigh of relief.


    He hadn’t fully recovered from being hospitalized due to the antics of Avery’s family. He definitely didn’t want any more trouble today. <fnecd7> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find[?]ovel</fnecd7>


    Alexei and Natasha were the biggest unstable elements.


    Edgar just wanted to avoid any trouble, so he turned a blind eye when Alexei introduced Natasha to everyone as his fiancée, the future Mrs. Turner.


    Edgar thought, ‘What is the use of objecting? Could I control Alexei, or outmatch Natasha?


    If Natasha gets angry and flips my birthday cake right there, that would be a fine


    mess.


    Natasha snickered, observing Edgar, who now carried an air of resignation and even a touch of forced affection toward her. She poked Alexei’s waist, whispering, “Why is your grandpa so well–behaved today?”


    Last time, Edgar was still nitpicking Natasha and trying to side with Lucia, his youngest daughter.


    Well–behaved?‘ thought Alexei, smirked.


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    No matter how old Edgar was, he was once a dominant figure in Andphis City, a great man whose influence remained. Probably only Natasha would describe Edgar that way.