Chapter 34
When Natalie and Sherry rolled back home, the twins were already knee–deep in their toy fortress.
“Did you two make Vanessa’s day any harder?” Natalie asked, her tone teasing.
“Mom, we’ve been on our best behavior, of course,” Emma piped up with a smile.
Natalie had an early call to the studio the next day, so she scooped up her pajamas, ready to buzzed with James’s name. “Hey, James,” she answered, her voice easy.
“Nat, I’m not butting in, am I?” James’s voice was a mix of hope and uncertainty.
“Never for you. What’s up?” she asked, genuinely curious.
atch.
some Z’s after a shower. Just then, her phone
“Well, there’s an evening party tomorrow night, and I’m in need of a plus one. If you’re kicking around, I’d be stoked if you’d tag along,” he said, his voice fading as if he was already bracing for a no.
A beat of silence stretched, and James held his breath on the other end. Just as he was about to backpedal, he added, “Totally cool if you’re not feeling it.”
No
James’s voice got to her.
I’m your girl, James. Just tell me the time and address, and I’ll roll up, she said, her resolve solid.
“Seven sharp. I’ll be the one on your doorstep,” he said, with a note of relief in his voice.
“Can’t wait. See you tomorrow,” Natalie said.
“See you then,” James replied.
disappointment in
Right on the dot at seven, James idled by Natalie’s apartment, stepping out to dial her up as he leaned against his ride, a spring in his step.
Natalie descended the stairs, her sleek black off–shoulder dress accentuating her figure effortlessly. The dress clung to her curves, making her look effortlessly chic.
Her skin glowed, her eyes sparkled with a lively glint, and her neck was graceful, reminiscent of a swan’s. The dress’s hemline flirted with her toned legs, elongated by her sharp heels, drawing admiring glances.
“James,” she said as she approached him, her voice gentle.
He did a double–take, momentarily stunned. Then he snapped into action, opening the car door for her with a chivalrous nod before circling around to the driver’s seat.
The night buzzed with excitement at the Janisburg Summit Hotel, where luxury cars rolled up in a steady stream and reporters vied for the best shots of the high–profile guests entering the venue.
Sitting next to James in the car, Natalie felt a flurry of nerves as the grandeur of the event unfolded before her. She had anticipated a small, intimate gathering, but what she saw was more like a star–studded gala.
Exiting the car, James extended his arm to Natalie with a comforting smile. “Don’t stress, we’ll find a cozy spot and keep a low profile,” he said, trying to ease her nerves.
“Right behind you,” Natalie agreed, her nerves settling as she soaked in his words, reassured they could just be a pair of partygoers soaking up the night.
As they entered the hotel lobby, a sudden hubbub broke out by the entrance. A reporter nearby couldn’t contain their excitement, exclaiming, “Shawn! Shawn has arrived!”
The crowd surged forward, but security guards swiftly moved in to manage the eager press.
Hearing Shawn’s name, Natalie spun around on instinct to see a sleek Pagani pulling up to the entrance. A security guard opened the door for the celebrity guest.
Then Shawn emerged, clad in a sharp black tuxedo, his stride confident and his presence as magnetic as it had been four years prior.
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Chapter 34
Natalie found herself transfixed by the scene, but her gaze shifted when the guard opened the car’s other door for Tracy. She stepped out in a stunning red gown, the pink diamond necklace Shawn had gifted her on full display, her smile soft and poised.
A wave of whispers swept through the onlookers.
Check it out! Mr. Guzman drove her here himself. They’re the epitome of a power couple!”
“Totally! The business mogul and the ballerina–high school sweethearts, no less!”
“Talk about a storybook romance! I’d give anything to be in Ms. Grant’s shoes!”
Lost in the murmurs of admiration, Natalie stood rigid, watching the striking pair. Encountering Shawn and Tracy was the last thing she’d anticipated in a city as sprawling as Janisburg. If she’d known they’d be here, she might have reconsidered attending with James.
The press of the crowd made it hard for her to breathe, and seeing Shawn after all this time was more difficult than she’d prepared for.
James, picking up on Natalie’s unease since Shawn’s arrival, asked with concern, “Are you alright? Your hand’s freezing.”
“I’m okay,” Natalie replied, avoiding the couple as she turned to James. “Let’s head inside. Maybe it’s just the cold out here.”
On the other side, Shawn’s eyes followed Natalie’s retreating figure, his step faltering for a moment as he second–guessed what he saw.
He thought, ‘No, that can’t be her. She’s never been one for such a glam look, and there’s a guy with her. I must be mistaken.
Tracy, noticing Shawn’s fixed gaze, squinted to see what had caught his attention but found nothing out of the ordinary. “Shawn, what are you staring at?” she asked, puzzled.
“Just spacing out. Let’s get inside,” Shawn said, shaking off his momentary distraction.
Once inside, James, needing to make some networking rounds and noticing Natalie’s subdued mood, suggested she take some time to herself. “Feel free to relax. I’ll catch up with you later,” he told her, leaving her to find her own way in the bustling event.
The banquet hall was abuzz with the chatter of the high society crowd. A mix of perfumed air and polished manners made Natalie feel like a fish out of water at her first gala. She retreated to a quiet corner, finding solace on a sofa just a few steps from the buffet table.
After a brief respite, Natalie rose to fetch a glass of juice and a light plate of appetizers, hoping to quell her hunger. As she pivoted with her refreshments, she nearly bumped into a hefty, bald, middle–aged man who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
“Oops, sorry!” she exclaimed, stepping back hastily to avoid a spill. She tried to sidestep him and continue on her way, but he moved to obstruct her path.
“Miss, are you flying solo? Care if I join you?” The man’s gaze had lingered on Natalie for some time, his eyes assuming she was an easy target due to her unaccompanied state. His presumptuousness was on full display as he attempted to insinuate himself into her company.
Natalie tried to evade him, but with no sign of James, her anxiety began to rise. The man’s persistence was unnerving, especially as he cornered her in a less–trafficked area of the room. She was starting to think he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Misinterpreting Natalie’s quiet as consent, the man became more audacious, his arms outspread as if to envelop her in an unwanted embrace. In a moment of urgency, Natalie did the only thing she could think of–she splashed her juice right in his face.
Drenched and furious, the man slapped Natalie’s cheek. “You ungrateful wench, do you have any idea who I am? I was going to show you a good time, but now you’ll be the one begging for my forgiveness,” he snarled, clutching her arm to pull her away.
Natalie wrestled against his grip, shouting, “Let me go! Let me go!”
“Wait till I get you alone,” he warned.
The disturbance drew the attention of nearby guests, but no one intervened. The attendees, a collection of CEOs and business tycoons, were all too familiar with the man and his business dealings to risk his wrath.
“Let her go!” A chilling voice sliced through the murmurs, and the crowd made way for Shawn, his red eyes fixed on the man’s hold on Natalie.
“I said let her go!” Shawn’s tone left no room for argument.
Everyone was aware that Shawn kept his feelings very much under control, but at the moment, his anger was unmistakable.
The man reluctantly released Natalie, stammering. “Uh, Mr. Guzman, this lady was hitting on me, and when I rejected her advances, she threw her drink at me. I was just setting her straight.”
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Chapter 34
Shawn ignored him, his focus solely on Natalie and the red imprint marring her cheek. “Which hand did he hit you with?” he asked, his voice laced with fury.
“Huh? What are you…?” The man was caught off guard, not expecting Natalie to have connections with Shawn. If he had known, it could have kept him from ever approaching her.
“Which hand?” Shawn repeated, his voice now icy.
“No, Mr. Guzman, it’s all a misunderstanding…” The man’s words came out in a jumbled rush, realization dawning on him that he’d made a grave
error.
But Shawn was done listening. Turning to Eric, who stood nearby, he instructed, “Get him out of here.”
Surprised to find Natalie in such a predicament at the event, Eric knew the man had made a grave mistake in bothering someone under Shawn’s protection.
“Yes, sir,” Eric replied, promptly removing the man from the scene. The fate that awaited him was anyone’s guess, but it was certain to be severe.
In a twist no one saw coming, the man’s company folded within a week, and although unspoken, it was clear to all that the Evercrest Group had a hand in its downfall.
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