Chapter 7

Ethan looked at his empty hand, his eyes darkening as he strode after Natalie. “Natalie!” He caught up to her by the car, grabbing her wrist. “Quit it! Today’s our third anniversary. There’s a party at the old estate, with a bunch of guests invited. You’re coming with me.” Wedding anniversary? Natalie looked as if she’d just heard something utterly ridiculous, a broken curve tugging at her lips. He’d just dragged her out of hell, and now he expected her to play the perfect wife at some party? Before she could answer, Ethan forced her into the car. Back at the old family estate, the place was ablaze with lights, glasses clinking everywhere. During the gift-giving, Ethan presented Natalie with several sets of priceless jewelry in front of all the guests, instantly sparking a chorus of envious whispers. “Mr. Fletcher really dotes on his wife!” “Right? Who would’ve guessed someone as cold as Mr. Fletcher could ever be wrapped around someone’s finger?” “Ms. Bennett comes from a great family, and she’s gorgeous—one in a million. Sure, her temper’s a little fierce, but it’s got bite! Unlike that Ms. Grant—no background, and her husband’s a joke. You really can’t compare…” The gossip drifted around Natalie. She sat, emotionless, as if they were talking about someone else. In the corner, Vivian’s face fell as she listened to it all. She glared at Natalie, furious, then spun on her heel and left the banquet hall. Natalie didn’t care. Just then, a server accidentally spilled wine on her dress, so she stood up and went back to her room to change. After slipping into a fresh dress and heading downstairs, she suddenly froze. The slick marble steps were coated with a layer of clear oil. If she hadn’t been careful just now… The consequences would’ve been unthinkable. A chill shot through her, quickly turning to rage. She immediately sent someone to investigate! The answer came back quickly—it was Vivian who’d ordered it done! Natalie’s face turned to ice. She marched straight to confront Vivian. She was just about to push open Vivian’s door when she heard a hushed phone call inside: “…If they didn’t want people comparing me to Natalie, I wouldn’t have to do this! I want her to fall down those stairs and end up crippled! Let’s see how proud she is then! Let’s see if Ethan would still want a cripple!” Natalie couldn’t hold back anymore. She threw the door open. Vivian’s eyes went wide with fear, but Natalie was faster—her hand lashed out in a brutal slap. “Vivian, you are truly vicious!” Without giving Vivian a chance to react, Natalie’s eyes fell on a decorative cane leaning in the corner. She grabbed it and, putting all her strength into it, brought it down hard on Vivian’s legs. “Ah—!” Vivian’s scream tore through the room. A sharp crack came from her bones. “Natalie, you’re insane! You actually hit me?! Ethan will never forgive you!” Vivian shrieked, her face twisted in pain. Natalie’s eyes were icy. With a swift kick, she sent Vivian crashing through the open balcony doors. “Splash—!” Vivian crashed into the icy pool below, water exploding everywhere. “Help… help…” She thrashed in the water, but with her leg broken, she couldn’t swim at all. The banquet hall was instantly thrown into chaos! Soon, people fished Vivian out, dragging her onto the ground like a half-dead fish—soaked and pathetic. Ethan rushed over at the commotion, his expression instantly turning dark as thunder. He looked first at Vivian—dripping, shivering, crying like a child—then his gaze cut sharply to Natalie, still standing calm and collected at the top of the stairs. “Natalie! Was this your doing?!” His voice was low and angry. Vivian instantly grabbed at his pant leg, sobbing, “Brother… I don’t know what I did to upset Natalie, but she stormed in, broke my leg, and kicked me into the pool… She must still hate me for the time you sent her to the police station…” Ethan turned a frosty look on Natalie. “Is what she says true?” Natalie met his gaze, voice steady and clear. “That’s not true. The reason I went after her is because—” “That’s enough!” Ethan snapped, cutting her off. He didn’t care to hear any explanations. “No matter what she said or did to you, you can’t use such cruel methods! And it’s always been you stirring up trouble, not her! With your family’s name and my support, do you think you can do anything you want? That you can just bully people at will?!” Seeing the distrust and bias in his eyes, hearing his upside-down accusations, Natalie felt as if a thousand needles stabbed into her heart at once, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe. What was the point of talking anymore? In his eyes, she was always wrong, and Vivian would always be right. She tugged her lips into a bleak, desolate smile. “Ethan, believe whatever you want.”