Chapter 26
Chapter 26 The Man’s Age
On a private plane, Natalie lay in agony on the seats, with a doctor and a nurse by her side.
Two hours ago, Cedric had unexpectedly appeared at Stephen’s company, leading to a violent
altercation between them. The punch meant for Stephen had landed on Natalie, as Cedric didn’t have
time to pull
back.
Stephen had been furious, looking as though he wanted to kill Cedric. However, Cedric’s men swiftly
Intervened. Catching them off guard, they forcefully escorted Natalie to the airport and onto the plane.
From the moment they boarded the plane until now, neither of them had spoken a word. Cedric sat on
a different seat, downing one glass of strong liquor after another.
The atmosphere was icy.
“How are you feeling now?” the doctor asked Natalie cautiously.
Cedric’s punch had dislocated her shoulder, but they had popped it back into place. Still in severe pain,
Natalie was unable to move her right hand at the moment.
Yuvan approached her, a conflicted expression on his face.
“Madam, we’ve been searching for you all along!” he said softly.
Natalie remained silent. There was nothing left to say between her and Cedric. She had endured for
months, and Cedric had not initiated any legal proceedings. So, she had taken matters into her own
hands and assumed full control.
As for Cedric’s search for her? She found it ironic.
Seeing that Natalie didn’t respond, Yuvan didn’t know what to say.
Meanwhile, Cedric spoke up, “Yuvan, come over here!”
“Yes, sir.”
Yuvan shot a meaningful glance at Natalie before turning hesitantly to walk towards Cedric.
As Cedric staggered over, it was evident that he was quite intoxicated. When he spoke, there was a
strong scent of alcohol on his breath.
“When did you two start?” he asked.
Natalie remained silent and looked at Cedric in disbelief.
Did he have no idea about her relationship with Stephen? Did he really think it had turned into
something like that? Now, their positions were completely reversed, reminiscent of her initial
questioning when she
had first woken up.
Without waiting for her response, Cedric erupted in anger, yelling “Natalie, how can you be so
shameless? He’s practically old enough to be your father!”
Cedric was seething. The more he spoke, the angrier he became. He stood up and roughly pulled
Natalie closer to him. Their faces were inches apart, and their breaths intertwined.
Natalie turned her head to the side. She wasn’t going to bother with him.
“Look at me and speak…
Natalie’s silence drove Cedric to lose his temper even further. In his mind, all he could see was the
image of that man pulling her behind him, and the tenderness in his voice when he called her “Nat“…
And, furthermore…
He recalled the way she had looked in the photos published in foreign media articles. The photos
showed her walking arm in arm with that man, with a gentle and graceful smile on her face. Her elegant
and sophisticated demeanor was just how she had looked in her every public appearance with Cedric.
Natalie didn’t look at him. In moments like this with Cedric, she was actually somewhat apprehensive.
The pain in her arm had drained the color from her face, and beads of sweat had formed on her
forehead. Yet, she didn’t utter a sound, stubbornly refusing to show any weakness in front of him.
There was a time when she had been so strong. But ever since she got together with him, her strength
had been completely
shattered.
And now…
“Ugh!”
The moment she was thrown onto a seat, the excruciating pain in her right arm made her unable to
stifle
a pained groan.
“I thought you didn’t know what pain was,” the man said. His voice was icy as he observed the sweat
on
her forehead.
Natalie still didn’t speak. She stubbornly refused to say another word to him. There had been a time
when
she was desperate, and now she would remain silent!
When they disembarked from the plane, Cedric carried her as if she weighed nothing. Knowing she
wouldn’t be able to escape, Natalie didn’t struggle or resist.
When they arrived at Scarlet Villa, Zoe and the butler were waiting outside.
“Madam, you’re finally back,” Zoe said as she approached Natalie, looking at her with some concern.
After several months of absence, everything here still felt so familiar.
Natalie had lived here for several years, and Zoe had always treated her well. The present Natalie was
cold to everyone around Cedric. This was especially the case here, in a place where she felt only
disdain! However, she managed a slight smile just for Zoe.
As Cedric turned around, he saw her long–lost smile. At that moment, his eyes grew colder.
“Come inside!” he ordered.
With a glance at him, Natalie stepped inside without saying anything. Her silence was undoubtedly
driving
someone insane.
Cedric sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette. The familiar scent of tobacco and smoke wafted through the
air, causing Natalie to furrow her brow.
“So, now you won’t say a word to me, huh?”
Cedric couldn’t hide his anger. She hadn’t spoken to him since he had seen her in Simeria.
Finally looking at him, Natalie took a deep breath and said, “If you want to discuss something, you can
talk to my lawyer.”
“Natalie.”
“This is how it is between us now, isn’t it?”
“Because of him, right? You’re divorcing me because of that man?”
“Yes! You’re right.”
Cedric was speechless.
It felt like the air suddenly froze.
Cedric didn’t know Stephen’s Identity, and it was obvious he had rushed to Simeria without looking into
it further. Furthermore, Natalie hadn’t offered any explanation either. If this misunderstanding could end
their relationship, it would be a good thing.
Cedric stood up and left. It was clear that he was angry. He was genuinely concerned that he might
strangle her if he continued to stay with her.
When only Natalie was left in the living room, Zoe entered.
She looked at Natalie with concern and asked, “Madam, why do you have to quarrel with the Master
like
this? It won’t do you any good.”
Natalie closed her eyes. “Zoe, do you also think I’m causing trouble?”
Zoe remained silent.
No!
For the past six months, Natalie had never said anything. It wasn’t because she was weak or she
wasn’t angry, but because Cedric was important to her. However, that importance had somehow
changed.
Zoe sighed and said, “Madam, you know how he is. He’s not the kind of person who acts recklessly.
Perhaps things with Ms. Isabella are not as what others are saying.”
“Hah.”
Not as what others are saying? What exactly was it, then? Ever since those rumors came out, he had
never given her even half an explanation about Isabella! If it weren’t for the fact that she had
experienced another lifetime and remembered how naive she had been, she would have blindly
believed Cedric.
Having been together for ten years, there was definitely a bond between them. But clearly, not
everyone.
cherished that bond.
Natalie’s return sparked another uproar throughout Verde City. After all, the previous disputes between
the couple had been widely publicized. There were many things in which the truth was uncertain, and
many people eagerly awaited the follow–up.
There were also some who were anxious and in a panic. That included people like Isabella, Christina,
and especially Rebecca. Rebecca had never liked Natalie. With this significant commotion, she couldn’t
wait
for Natalie’s demise.
Rebecca arrived before Natalie even had time to freshen up.
“How dare you have the nerve to return?” said Rebecca.
“What do I have to be ashamed of?” Natalie retorted.
In just two hours, Natalle had enough time to sort out what had happened in Verde City over the past
three months.
If anyone should be ashamed, it was the Johnson family. How did it become her who had inadvertently
completely embarrassed The Johnson family? If it weren’t for their status in Verde City, she didn’t know
what state they would be in now.