Chapter 7 Tit for Tat

Papers scattered everywhere. Audrey, who was in the kitchen, instantly paled. Those documents were evidence of the financial statements she had forged meticulously. They clearly recorded every transaction. Walter grabbed the documents and was about to tear them up. "W-What nonsense are you spouting?" "Tear them up if you'd like. I have the originals as well," Natalie said calmly. Walter asked sullenly, "What do you want?" "Nothing much! I just hope you'll return the company to its rightful owner." Hailey frowned at this and offered in a pitying tone. "How about this, Nellie? I'll pay you three million dollars to transfer ownership of the company to me. Will that satisfy you?" Natalie silently repeated Hailey's words to herself, feeling incredulous. Would that measly amount satisfy her? Did Hailey think she was a fool? Nebula Pharmaceutical made an annual net income of hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite that, the Lunsfords were treating her like a beggar to be waved off with pocket change. Besides, no matter how much money they offered Natalie, she couldn't hand Seraphina's company over to just anyone. Hailey continued mockingly, "It's probably tough finding a job outside with your capabilities, right, Nellie? Three million dollars is enough to last you a lifetime." Natalie said nothing. Honestly, she had never seen such a small amount of money. Whenever the topic of money was brought up around her in the past, it was usually in denominations of a hundred million. Hailey took her silence as agreement and continued in a more relaxed tone, "Nebula is a pharmaceutical company, Nellie. "The company will definitely go bankrupt immediately in the hands of an ignorant loser like you—someone who's never even gone to school. "I'm different, though. I'm a top student at Avonsdale Medical University and have always scored first place in my specialized courses every year. In fact, I'm even preparing to become the legendary Dr. N's apprentice!" When Natalie heard the name "Dr. N", her eyebrows rose slightly, and a trace of amusement flashed in her eyes. She walked slowly over to the couch and sat down. She looked at Hailey with a wry smile. "Oh? So, you want to become Dr. N's apprentice?" Hailey mistook her expression for jealousy and raised her chin smugly. "Of course! Dr. N's the best surgeon in the world. "All the surgeries she performs are extremely difficult. She's practically a goddess in the eyes of the people within the industry. "However, she's really mysterious and has been keeping a very low profile, especially over the past few years. Still, I believe I can become her last apprentice." Then, Hailey snorted. "Why am I telling you all this? It's not like you'd understand. You'd best figure out where exactly you stand—taking the money is the wisest move you can make." Audrey hurriedly chimed in as well. "That's right, Natalie. You can't match up to Hailey's talent in the medical field, so the company will only be able to develop further in her hands." Natalie chuckled and asked calmly, "Is that so? But I just want the company anyway." Hailey was so angry that she almost lost her temper. She cursed inwardly. Natalie really was a stubborn bitch. Walter rapped his knuckles against the table impatiently. "That's enough. Let's not talk about these useless things! You'd better not get involved with company affairs, Natalie." "Since you refuse to give me back the company voluntarily, don't blame me for resorting to legal means," Natalie replied coldly. Walter, trembling with anger, promptly turned around and walked out of the living room. Seeing this, Audrey hurried to smooth things over. "Goodness, Natalie! We're all family, yet you're treating us like strangers by bringing up all this. "By the way, I cooked you some hot muesli. I'll get it for you right now, so have some and calm down." Audrey then gave Walter a meaningful look before heading into the kitchen. Natalie watched as Audrey made a quick exit, her eyes darkening slightly. She understood Audrey's methods all too well—the latter probably added something extra to the hot muesli. Still, she also wanted to find out what exactly Audrey was planning. Audrey soon came out of the kitchen with an exquisite glass bowl in her hands, a fake smile plastered on her face. "Drink it while it's hot, Natalie. It's good for your health. Don't take your father's words to heart. As a family, we should all live in harmony." Natalie wondered if the muesli was even fit for consumption. Audrey had made it, after all. However, she still accepted the bowl from Audrey and spooned a few generous mouthfuls of muesli into her mouth. She hummed. "It's delicious, Ms. Summerfield. Thank you." Audrey smiled kindly. "You're welcome. We're family, after all. You should finish it since it's good." She silently urged Natalie to eat up while inwardly berating her for her idiocy. However, she was smiling on the surface. Natalie abruptly tossed her head and said, "I feel really dizzy, Ms. Summerfield. What… did you add to this muesli?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she collapsed onto the table. Audrey sneered. "The good stuff, of course." She then asked the household staff to help Natalie up to the guest room upstairs. Since Natalie refused to take the easy way out, Audrey had to do things the hard way! Hailey looked at the unconscious Natalie and smiled smugly. "You're really good at this, Mom. Let's see how she'll stand up to us in the future!" Audrey said proudly, "That's why you have to focus on planning when you do things. Do you really still think we won't be able to keep her in check?" … After a while, a fat, sleazy-looking middle-aged man entered the Lunsford residence through the back door. He asked excitedly, "How did it go, Mrs. Lunsford?" Audrey replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Heinrich. Natalie's already in the guest room. That drug can keep her asleep for three hours, so enjoy yourself." The man, Blaine Heindrich, rubbed his fat palms together enthusiastically, an evil glint in his eyes. "That's wonderful. "Don't worry, Mrs. Lunsford. Once what's done is done, I'll have the contract for the land in East Jerrington delivered to you tomorrow." Audrey nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you very much, Mr. Heinrich. I'll leave you to your enjoyment then." Blaine had been itching to lay his hands on Natalie ever since he saw her on the day of the engagement party. Once he saw Audrey leave, he eagerly opened the door and quickly stripped off his own clothes. "I'm coming, beautiful!" Just as Blaine was about to have his way with her, Natalie, who should have been unconscious, suddenly opened her eyes.