Victor leaned back, still casual. "Now that we’re done, how about a celebratory lunch?"
"I’m busy," Natalie replied curtly, already returning to her work.
"Dinner?"
"Even more busy."
"One dinner with another man—your husband won’t mind, will he? He can’t be that petty."
At Victor’s comnt, Natalie’s thoughts imdiately went to Justin, and without thinking, she muttered, "He’s the epito of pettiness and jealousy."
Victor chuckled. "Then my advice is to leave him and co to . n like him are walking red flags."
"I know," she said absentmindedly, "but I like the way he is." The words slipped out so naturally that Natalie didn’t realize what she ant.
"Won can be truly brainless when it cos to n like that, and you’re no exception."
"I never claid otherwise."
"Yeah, if you had any brain, you wouldn’t have fallen for that idiot Ivan Brown in the first place."
Natalie looked at him curiously. ’Why do both Justin and Victor call Ivan an idiot?’ She wondered if she was the only one who couldn’t see what they saw.
"Why do you always call him an idiot?" she asked, genuinely perplexed. "I was the one who wronged him on our wedding day."
Victor’s playful deanor faded for a mont, his voice turning serious. "So people are just born idiots, and Ivan is one of them. There’s no deeper reason."
Before she could respond, Victor stood, adjusting his jacket. "Anyway, I’m off. My ti is precious."
"You don’t seem to value your ti when you’re flirting with ," Natalie shot back. "But the mont we start talking about sothing serious, suddenly, it’s a waste of ti."
Victor grinned, his charm back in full force. "Flirting with you is part of my fitness routine. It’s good for my heart. But serious talk with you—especially about your ex—is depressing. That’s bad for my health." He winked and turned to leave.
"Jerk!" she called after him.
He laughed as his voice echoed down the corridor, even though he was out of sight. "Not my fault as you have a hobby of collecting jerks!"
Natalie frowned, resisting the urge to chase after him and give him a piece of her mind. She took a deep breath, tamping down her irritation and resud her work.
A short while later, Nora and Ella approached Natalie with a sense of urgency. "Ms. Natalie, we’re receiving a flood of emails and calls from various artists inquiring about our company and the opportunities we’re offering. But most of them are mid-scale to smaller artists."
Natalie nodded thoughtfully. "Get all their details and start arranging interviews. You and Dan will handle the interviews. As for the new staff we’re hiring, make sure that process speeds up. We’re going to need more manpower."
"Yes, Ms. Natalie. We’ve already received a number of applications," Ella responded.
"Good. Anyone who’s worked for the Ford Group or has been associated with them in any capacity—reject them imdiately," Natalie instructed, her tone sharp.
Ella looked slightly concerned. "Do you think there could be a spy?"
"Think?" Natalie scoffed. "I’m one hundred percent sure."
"Understood," Ella nodded, fully aware of the stakes.
Just then, Nora’s phone rang. She excused herself and stepped out to take the call. As soon as she left, Natalie’s gaze shifted toward Dan.
"Keep an eye on her," Natalie said quietly.
Ella, overhearing, frowned. "If you suspect her, why not just fire her?"
Natalie’s expression remained calm, calculating. "It’s better to keep an enemy close. She might be useful later."
Dan and Ella exchanged knowing glances, and returned to their works.
-----
Exhausted, Natalie returned ho, but the house felt emptier than usual. She didn’t see her grandfather and imdiately dialed his number.
"Grandpa, where are you?"
"I’m staying at the hospital tonight," the old man replied, his voice calm.
Worry instantly crept into Natalie’s tone. "What happened? Are you alright?"
She heard him chuckle on the other end. "Of course, I’m fine! I just thought I’d give you and Aiden so space tonight. Let the newlyweds have so romantic ti together without this old man lurking around."
"Grandpa..."
"I know, I know," he interrupted, his tone light and cheerful. "But you really should pay more attention to your husband. You’re both always so busy, but when he’s ho, make ti for him. Spend so quality ti together." His voice beca even more enthusiastic. "I’m doing this for myself, you know. I can’t wait to see my great-grandchild. You two better get to work on that!" He hung up before she could respond.
Natalie stood there, speechless. These old folks are so bold with their demands, like I can just think about having a child and it’ll pop out of my belly instantly.
She sighed, and slumped into sofa. ’Grandpa, it takes two to tango, but trust your granddaughter is ant to be a solo perforr with that invisible husband of mine. You are not getting any great grandkids ever.’
After a while she stood up and decided to cook sothing for herself. As usual the ho felt empty without the two n. Shall I just order sothing. Not like Justin would co here with his grandma around. She shook her head, ’Cooking would be better. But, shall I at least ask him if he is coming?’ She looked at her phone, and decided against it.
She prepared a nice al, enjoyed it, showered after finishing so of her work and was about to head to bed, when the doorbell rang.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she sprang out of the bedroom, hurrying toward the door, her pulse quickening as she knew who it was.
Before opening the door, Natalie took a deep breath to calm herself, regaining her usual composed deanor. Slowly, she opened the door.
As expected, Justin stood there, his imposing figure frad by the light outside in the corridor.
Natalie’s sohow cald heart, once more raced. She did her best to hide it stepped back to let him enter the ho. She didn’t know what to say or ask.
Justin wordlessly entered the ho and started to change his footwear.
Natalie put the ho slippers for him in front of him like an obedient wife and asked, "Would you like to eat sothing?"
He simply nodded, his expressions serious, and attention focussed on removing his shoes.
She could see he was unusually quiet. But not asking anything, she said gently, "Wash your hands, I will reheat the food," and went to the kitchen.
This sudden calmness between them felt strange, but she knew she was glad to see him back.
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