Chapter 29
After Darren sent out the message, he kept his eyes glued to the chat. He was certain that once those guys understood what kind of person Natalie really was, they’d lose interest in her for good
Sure enough, the chatroom that had been buzzing with excitement went dead silent all of a sudden Darren couldn’t help. but chuckle softly, feeling a little of hisicy demeanor thaw. He thought to himself that soon someone would ask for clarification, and then he could spill the beans about everything he had seen today.
88: [Are you out of your mind, 36.3 Spreading rumors just because you can’t date Nat?]
Darren felt a surge of pride at being mentioned, but when he read the message, his eyes widened in disbelief.
222: [Guys like you deserve a punch! How dare you slander Nat? Want to take this outside?]
155. [Give me your address. I’m heading over right now to deal with you!!
444: [You’re a disgrace to all men! Get off this planet! Snakes like you are the worst!
102: [Are your brain cells on vacation, 365 Guys, let’s give him areality check!]
199: [Go eat dirt, will you?]
301: [Darren, I know you think you’re looking out for me, but keep this up, and I’m gonna lose it!]
Darren was left speechless. He was completely stunned by these guys. Are they so brain-dead that they can’t see the truth Fine then. If they’re all so hopelessly infatuated with Natalie, I’ll just have to reveal her dirty little secrets, he thought.
No. 1: [@No. 365 You’ve been removed from the group for violating rules. Let this be a lesson for everyone.]
Darren couldn’t believe his eyes as he thought, ‘Can it get any more ridiculous? These people are so obsessed with Natalie that their brains have turned to mush! Can’t anyone see the facts? Frustration boiled inside him as he clutched his phone. veins popping on the back of his hand.
Darren’s phone rang. It was Howard calling. Darren knew exactly what he would say, so he hung up without answering. He didn’t expect Howard to actually come to the office.
As soon as Howard entered, he couldn’t help but complain, “Darren, seriously, what was the point of what you said in the chat? I know you don’t want me to be with Nat, but she’s the only woman I want to love with all my heart. Can’t you just respect that and wish us well?”
Darren felt a pulse throbbing in his temple. “She has a sugar daddy, and I caught them together. How can you not believe
me?”
Howard was taken aback. Just because she had dinner with an old guy?”
“What else could it mean?” asked Darren.
“Come on, Darren! What if that guy is her dad, grandpa, or a relative? Stop looking at Nat through those tinted glasses!” Darren shot back, “Stop calling her Nat.”
“No! Just because she had dinner with an older guy doesn’t mean you can twist it like that. You’re really biased against her, aren’t you?”
Darren choked up, “Tm not!”
“Then how can you prove he’s her sugar daddy?
Chapter 29
Damen went silent.
“She’s not that kind of person, Howard insisted, seeing Darren couldn’t respond. “Does your bias against Nat come from the chat? Are you really trying to get her attention like that?”
Darren was infuriated. “Why would I need to attract her attention? She already likes me!”
Howard was speechless. He never thought Darren would harbor such unrealistic fantasies. What about his own long-time crush on Vivian?’ Howard thought, frowning and offering advice “Darren, you’re getting married soon, so stop fixating on
Nat.
‘Fixating on Nat? Ridiculous!’ Darren thought. He was so mad he wanted to punch something. “Howard, for the last time, I don’t like her; she likes me!”
“Do you actually believe so?” Howard frowned. “How about you let Ethan check your brain?”
Darren didn’t want to continue the argument. He thought he was telling the truth, but no one believed him. If he kept explaining to Howard, he would lose his mind. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Neither of them spoke. After a while, a familiar female voice suddenly cut through the silence
“Hello handsome guys, good evening!” The lazy, casual tone was unmistakable-only that pesky woman, Natalie. Darren’s eyes shot open, and he quickly locked a sharp gaze on Howard’s phone.
Noticing the sudden tension, Howard hurried to explain, “Darren, did I disturb you? I’ll turn the volume down.
The screen displayed Natalie, dressed in a pink pajama set. Her hair was tied up, and a butterfly hairband was on her head- she looked adorable.
Howard stared dreamily, “Nat looks even cuter! That outfit suits her so well; she’s so adorable!”
Darren pressed his lips together and raised an eyebrow, “What’s she doing?”
With a face full of anticipation, Howard replied, “She’s going to draw names! It’s the weekly draw! God, please let me get picked!”
“Boring,” said Darren.
“Shh! Nat just started talking. Don’t make a sound Howard said seriously, his hands pressed together as he stared at the screen. Behind Natalie, a large display gleamed, with a button waiting to be pressed.
Natalie tilted her head playfully, giving a wink. “It’s been a week, and I know everyone’s getting antsy. So, let’s find out which one of you is going on a date with me next week. Three, two, one, let’s go!”
She pressed the button, and the numbers on the screen began to flicker rapidly,
Howard was murmuring prayers under his breath, “301! 3011 301
The numbers came to a halt, and a big number lit up the screen. “301!”
Howard jumped up from the couch in excitement, screaming, “301! It’s me! I’m going on a date with Nat!”
Natalie’s voice followed, “Let’s congratulate 301. I’ll see you next week. Hope you give me a wonderful date experience.”
She turned off the livestream right after the draw was finished, leaving the group in an uproar. Howard celebrated, while the others lamented their luck.
88: [301, how much will you sell that date slot for?]
101: [301, if you say a number, I’ll pay immediately.]
19:54 Fri, Sep 20
Chapter 29
Howard was on cloud nine.
26%1
301: [I don’t need your money. I’m just here to celebrate! Tonight at Moonlight Bar, everything’s on me! Let’s get hyped!] After flaunting, he couldn’t help but dance with excitement.
Seeing Darren standing by, he yanked him into a hug. “Did you see that? Nat picked me! This is fate! Natalie and 1 are destined to be together! Let’s go, let’s celebrate at Moonlight Bar
Darren was pulled along, completely shocked by the depth of Howard and Natalie’s connection. “But why did Natalie choose Howard? Does she know 301 is Howard? Is she trying to get close to me through Howard? Honestly, I can’t believe she’s using my friend to win me back, he thought,
Once they reached the parking lot, Darren pushed Howard away. “You go ahead to the bar, I’ve got to see someone real quick.”
After saying this, he hopped into his Maserati and sped off. In less than twenty minutes, he pulled up in front of a villa. It was around 8:30 PM. He pressed the doorbell, and a maid answered. Darren coldly said, “I’m looking for Ms. Xavier. Can you bring her out?”
FF
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