Chapter 45: Come See My Baby

Natalie was taken to an interrogation room.

She scanned the surroundings; there were no cameras in sight.

Earlier, the younger brother hadn't given her time to change. She was still wearing the hotel bathrobe, and underneath...

He was likely doing it on purpose.

The door swung open with a heavy

clang

.

A tall man stepped inside.

He closed the door, and the space instantly became even more oppressive.

Natalie didn't dare lower her head, fearing he would grab her hair again.

She was already traumatized.

"What are you wearing underneath? Open it and let me see."

The younger brother sat in the chair across from her, his long legs spread naturally. His slender fingers tapped rhythmically on his knee as if he were waiting.

Natalie bit her trembling lip. "Why are you doing this?"

Did he know the elder brother was there earlier?

Was that why he specifically dragged her here?

Suddenly, she moved forward and touched his belt, her fingertips tracing circles over his abdominal muscles.

He flinched slightly.

He was actually ticklish.

Natalie glanced up at him, then wrapped her arms around his waist, saying softly, "I know. You didn't actually replace the files I sent to him. You know I wouldn't betray you, right?"

Unfortunately, he didn't appreciate the gesture. His eyelids drooped, and his expression grew even colder. "You're quite bold, deceiving both sides at once. Good acting—it's a pity you aren't an actress."

"I can change careers. Would you let me be an actress?" Natalie looked at him with sparkling eyes.

He said playfully, "Take off the bathrobe."

Natalie shook her head frantically. "No, not here. It's too embarrassing."

Not here, anywhere but here.

Natalie truly felt like begging him.

He didn't fall for her show of weakness at all. "Do you want to do it yourself, or should I help you?"

Natalie leaned back. "Don't even think about it! Not unless you confess who commissioned you to get close to me."

The corner of his mouth twitched into a chilling smile.

"It seems you prefer the hard way. It's a pity there are only two chairs here, but that’s enough for you to play with."

Natalie's spine stiffened. Before she could retreat, her ankle was easily snatched, and a hot body pressed against her back.

She let out a sharp scream: "Ah... wait!"

"Wait for what?"

Natalie bit her lip. "I'll do it myself."

He considered for a few seconds before letting go.

"You'd better not play any tricks. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make you behave."

Natalie shivered at the dark tone of his voice and nodded tremulously. "How would I dare trick you? You saved my life. Even if you told me to die, I would obey."

He leaned back and smiled.

Natalie scanned the room once more. After confirming there were no cameras, she untied the belt of her robe and let it drop to her ankles.

His gaze was icy. "Turn around for me."

Natalie made a full turn. The gaze fixed on her remained clear and sober; there wasn't a trace of desire to be seen.

He spread his hands. "What should I do? I seem to have lost my feeling for you."

Natalie: "..."

That's great.

Actually, it wasn't. If he didn't care about their past, would he send her to prison?

At this thought, Natalie looked panicked. "I didn't sell you out! The file I sent to your brother wasn't the one from your computer, you saw that! I even indirectly helped you. You can't be this ungrateful."

He changed the subject noncommittally. "Why don't you sit on me and try?"

Natalie didn't dare talk back and returned to his embrace.

Only then did she realize he had been lying.

...

Over an hour later, the former husband came to bail her out.

Natalie had changed into a clean, plain white tracksuit. The sizing was a bit large, making her figure look even more fragile.

As they got into the car, the husband frowned. "How did you get involved with the elder brother?"

Natalie sniffled. "He came to me."

"Did he threaten you?"

Natalie lowered her head. "He found out about me and the younger brother."

"It doesn't matter if he knows." His brow was knit tightly. "If you run into any trouble in the future, tell me immediately."

Natalie turned her head to look at him. "You don't mind about me and the younger brother?"

"I do mind." He told her word by word, "I want to kill him."

The light in his dark eyes was burning with rage; he didn't sound like he was joking.

Natalie's lip twitched, and she let out a cold laugh.

"You..."

You deserve it.

He shouldn't have sought out the younger brother to get close to her in the first place.

It was strange, though; in the six months since her return, Natalie hadn't run into the younger brother even once.

It was only when they met again that she realized such a person existed.

The husband loosened his tie and sighed. "Tonight's matter is over. Go home and get some sleep. You don't need to worry about anything else."

Fine by me.

Natalie turned to look out the window, her mind drifting to other things.

The next morning, Natalie met the boy at her company.

She caught a glimpse of his dark circles. "Were you out being a thief last night?"

Though he hadn't slept all night, he was in high spirits. "Let me tell you, I was out carousing last night... no, not carousing. I went to a high-end bar and got to talking with a socialite..."

Natalie interrupted: "Get to the point."

"She said that the younger brother is gay."

Natalie was shocked. "Huh?"

"He has a boyfriend. Almost no one knows, but she happened to run into them in the suburbs a few days ago."

"And then?"

The boy spread his hands. "She saw them check into a hotel together. That's it."

Natalie was puzzled. "Why couldn't they just be friends or clients?"

Two men staying in the same room didn't necessarily prove anything, did it?

"That's true, but I feel like there's no smoke without fire. Maybe this could be leverage for you."

Didn't he want to marry the younger Zhou sister? There's no way that family would allow a man like that into their ranks, and the girl certainly wouldn't accept it.

Natalie fell silent, mostly because she couldn't accept it either.

...

At the golf course.

The elder brother made a clean swing. "I didn't expect you to be so ruthless toward such a cute and likable girl."

Last night, he had seen everything through the crack in the bathroom door. He had nearly called the police.

A soft little girl like that—he wouldn't even dare to hold her hand, feeling like it would be bullying her.

He especially liked Natalie's lazy, wavy curls; they were very atmospheric. If it were him, he’d never have the heart to grab them.

The younger brother remained indifferent. "When have I ever been soft-hearted toward women, especially those who betray me?"

The elder brother shook his head with a smile, handed the club to the caddy, and unscrewed a bottle of water. "I thought she might be an exception for you."

"She is indeed an exception."

"Oh?"

The younger brother said nonchalantly, "One this young... it's the first time I've touched one."

"Surely not. Did you never date when you were twenty-one?"

Whether he did or not, the elder brother knew better than anyone.

The younger brother's lips curled into a sneer. "I was busy with school then. No time."

...

After leaving the golf course, the younger brother went home and changed into an outfit inspired by American fashion bloggers.

He drove his luxury SUV when he headed out.

He dressed this way specifically to please the girl.

Before arriving at her company, he didn't give her a heads-up. The receptionist said the CEO was in a meeting, so he took a look around and eventually walked up to the meeting room door.

The room was large, with a long table at the back. He entered through the rear door and sat in the last seat.

The girl noticed him, a flash of surprise in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and continued the meeting as if nothing were wrong.

However, the slight fumbling of her hands betrayed her outward calm.

She had taken off her white blazer and draped it over the back of her chair.

She was wearing a black V-neck chiffon shirt, with her long curls tied up in a small bun.

She looked quite professional.

At twenty-one, she wasn't exactly young, but many people that age were still busy coasting through university.

Seeing her here gave him the illusion that she didn't belong—like a white rabbit that had strayed into a pack of wolves, yet this rabbit was their leader.

Such a sharp contrast easily triggered a strong desire to break her.

The meeting lasted a full hour. He never left, nor did he look at his phone. He simply watched her every move and listened to every word.

Finally, the meeting ended.

Natalie drank from a bottle of mineral water. Once the crowd had dispersed, she walked over to him. "Why are you here?"

"To see my baby."

He reached out an arm, hooked her waist, and pulled her toward him. She sat on his lap unexpectedly.

Chapter 46: The Civil Affairs Bureau Offers Free Pre-marital Checkups

He undid the hair tie of her bun, and her large waves instantly tumbled down her back.

Natalie turned back into that soft little girl.

She tried to press her delicate palms against his chest, but as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, her soft fingertips brushed against his Adam's apple.

He looked up at her, his eyes darkening significantly. "Are you seducing me?"

Natalie pulled her hand away as if struck by an electric shock. "Don't be so full of yourself!"

"Are you mad at me again? Didn't I make you feel good last night?"

Two red clouds quickly rushed to Natalie's cheeks, making him burst out laughing.

He loved teasing her.

Natalie frowned, looking even more charming.

Last night, she had only felt embarrassment and humiliation.

His smile grew wider, and Natalie grabbed his collar in frustration. "Stop it! This is the meeting room!"

He was unfazed. "I'll do what I want. What are you going to do about it?"

He looked incredibly arrogant.

It was only because he already held her life in his hands that he had the capital to be so willful.

Natalie lowered her brows and pouted gloomily. "You want to do it here? Then let me go close the door first..."

As she moved to close the door, she was held firmly on his lap.

"Don't go." He wrapped both arms around her, his voice low and incredibly tender against her ear. "When do you get off work?"

Natalie bit her lip. "Soon. If you don't want to wait, you can leave now."

"Fine." He brushed his nose against hers. "Go finish your work. I'll wait for you here."

The younger brother must have been possessed today.

Natalie locked eyes with him for a moment and glanced at his trendy "Maillard" style outfit, which almost masked the sharp, ruthless aura he usually carried.

However, she wasn't so easily fooled. Her mind was filled with the image of his cruelty from last night. Seeing him now only made her feel that her life could become precarious at any moment.

She gave a quiet smile. "I'll go finish my work first."

She shrank back and escaped quickly. Just outside the meeting room, she ran into the boy leaning against the wall.

"...Emm." Natalie pulled him by the sleeve all the way back to her office.

The boy was watching her with a searching gaze.

Natalie assigned the remaining work and grabbed her bag to leave, but an arm blocked her path.

"Have you really fallen for him?"

Natalie paused, looking up at his inquisitive gaze. She was about to speak.

The boy lowered his arm and gave a rakish grin. "I don't know what you see in him. He's incredibly handsome, has a great body, and is generous, but don't you forget: his last name is still the same as the family we hate."

He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Even if it's possible he's here to help us, based on what we see now, all he does is threaten and toy with you."

"Saving your life doesn't really mean much. In politics and business, they say there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Five years ago, he might have been asked by someone to help; five years later, the world has changed."

Natalie couldn't believe these words were coming from his mouth.

The boy in front of her had grown up; he no longer needed her protection. She patted his shoulder with pride. "Thank you. But don't worry, because I'm thinking the same thing."

"That's good." In his excitement, he hugged her. "We're the best in the world."

Natalie nodded solemnly.

It was the truth. He was her family—family that would never be separated for a lifetime.

Leaving the office, Natalie saw the younger brother waiting for her at the door.

He came over and put an arm around her shoulder, looking radiant. "The two of you are the best in the world? Then what am I?"

Natalie was forced to walk alongside him, her legs feeling like they didn't belong to her. "Uh..."

He pulled her into the elevator. "Oh, I see. He's family, and I'm your lover."

Natalie gritted her teeth and nodded. "Mhm."

She got into the passenger seat of his SUV. Through the window, she saw the boy come out and get into the car behind them; her heart skipped a beat.

A large hand suddenly covered the back of hers, its heat soaking in. Natalie turned back and smiled at the man's cold, handsome profile.

"You're using my real identity to threaten me because you know it puts me in danger. So, who exactly is trying to hurt me? That family? Or yours? And where do you stand?"

"Where do I stand?"

He raised an eyebrow, his foot pressing down on the accelerator as he spoke nonchalantly. "I'm a man with no principles, no faith, and certainly no 'stand' like you describe. I'm good to whoever makes me happy in bed."

Natalie nearly choked on her own saliva. She turned away to look at the side mirror. "Men too?"

He steered the wheel skillfully, overtaking several cars in a row. "What men?"

"Literally. If a man makes you happy in bed, would you be good to him too?"

"Natalie, you're sick." His face darkened instantly.

Natalie saw the Porsche behind them slowing down, so she turned back and glared at him. "Is your body sick?"

For example... a contagious disease.

He snapped, "Where did you hear rumors about me liking men?"

"Just... it doesn't matter where I heard it. Anyway, the word is out."

He dropped his usual act, and his expression turned somewhat solemn. "When did this happen?"

"While you were on your business trip. Someone saw it." Natalie pouted. "You're way too promiscuous. The risk of getting an STD that way is very high."

He was silent for a moment before dropping a casual remark: "Don't believe everything you hear."

"Oh."

When he took her to dinner, he sent her a copy of his recent medical report. He said flatly, "I'm not sick. You can rest assured and be my girlfriend."

Natalie looked at it carefully but was still uneasy. "When are you free? Let's go get a checkup together."

His lips curled playfully. "The Civil Affairs Bureau offers free pre-marital checkups. Shall we go tomorrow?"

"..."

Natalie coughed slightly and quickly picked up her drink. "Save that opportunity for the person you want to marry."

"Like... oh, right." She set down her drink and hurriedly pulled a jewelry box from her bag, pushing it toward him. "Returning it to its owner."

He opened it to see the pink diamond earrings and smiled. "Don't be so polite with me."

"I don't need them." Natalie was cold. "And these never belonged to me anyway."

"You're jealous again." He saw right through her.

Natalie rolled her eyes, not wanting to speak further.

After dinner, he took her shopping.

When it came time to pay, Natalie said she wanted to use the card her former husband had given her.

As a result, the younger brother snatched the card and snapped it in half.

Right in front of the cashier.

Natalie's eyes widened.

He looked perfectly calm as he offered another card. "Use this one."

After shopping, Natalie followed sullenly behind him.

He took her to an entertainment club.

The elevator stopped on the seventh floor, a level dedicated to drinking and dancing.

Natalie was somewhat surprised; he was taking her to meet his friends.

A person as solitary as him actually had friends.

One friend was a tall, powerful air force officer.

Natalie's eyes lit up instantly. The next second, the younger brother stepped in front of her, blocking her view.

...

Upstairs, in the billiard room.

Someone came in to report: "He's downstairs."

The elder brother raised his eyelids at the news. "Is Miss Jiang with him?"

"Yes, they came together."

"Got it."

He set down his cue, sat on the sofa behind him, and lit a cigarette. As the smoke curled upward, the man beside him suddenly spoke: "How does that fellow manage to leave every time just before our people arrive?"

The man was talking about another matter entirely.

The elder brother looked over. The man sitting next to him had a large tattoo on his arm and a rugged, solid build.

The man was a close friend who did all kinds of business, legal or otherwise, as long as it made money.

"Don't you find it strange?"

The elder brother narrowed his eyes slightly. "You mean there's a mole?"

The friend immediately clarified: "It's not me."

The elder brother laughed. "I know it's not you. A fugitive on the run couldn't afford your exorbitant fees."

"Good that you know. I only care about money." The friend snapped. "And it's even more impossible for my subordinates. They wouldn't dare."

The elder brother spread his hands. "Then who could it be?"

After a moment's thought, the friend countered, "Who else knows about this?"