Caught Him Cheating My Life Restarted (Natalie) novel Chapter 21

Darren suddenly exploded. "That's enough. She's done nothing wrong. For five years, she's put up with you and Mom ordering her around without a single complaint. When Mom said Hanley was my responsibility to raise and that she shouldn't even be near him outside of meals, she never complained. All she did was hire two chefs. How is that going too far?"

Seeing Darren's anger, Marie Ward backed off. Instead, she let her hand trail up his thigh, her voice turning soft and seductive. "Darren, don't be angry. I'm not blaming you. You know I trust you completely, and I'm not the kind of woman who gets hung up on petty jealousies. I'm going to inherit the Ward Group one day. When I do, I'll use all of its resources to elevate the Cross Group, to make it the new powerhouse of Eldoria City."

"Making the Cross family a new dynasty is our shared goal," Darren said, his tone firm. "Nothing else changes that."

"I understand, Darren. I just hope you understand me, too."

Marie's hand crept higher.

Her eyes were hazy with desire as her fingers danced over his thigh.

Darren's Adam's apple bobbed, but his eyes darkened, a flicker of something unreadable in their depths.

Just then, his phone rang.

Marie’s hand continued its exploration, but Darren stopped her.

"It's Mom's call. Behave."

Reluctantly, Marie pulled her hand back, though her gaze still clung to him like ivy.

"How is Hanley now?... Okay, I understand. I'm on my way back."

Hearing that Darren was leaving, Marie pouted. "What's wrong? Why are we going back now? Weren't you supposed to come with me to my family's house to pick up those paintings?"

She had been planning a little 'relaxation' session with Darren at her place. Why did they have to go back?

"Hanley's having an allergic reaction."

"An allergic reaction? Isn't Natalie there?"

"He's having a standoff with his mother. We need to go back first."

Marie got worked up as soon as she heard that. “Don’t cry, Hanley. You’re the future heir to the Cross Group. You have to be strong. You can’t cry over something this small.”

She shot Natalie a look of disdain. “Typical uncivilized country bumpkin—actually laying hands on Hanley!”

Victoria chimed in from the side, piling on, “Exactly. A vulgar girl from the countryside will never be presentable. Just look at my grandson’s little face—there’s a red handprint on it. I’d say that Natalie’s been possessed lately.”

“I’m not the one who’s possessed. Hanley is.”

Natalie appeared.

Marie flared up. “You call yourself a mother, and you’re saying your own child is possessed?”

“That’s right, he is possessed—by you. How could you let him eat almonds? You know perfectly well he’s allergic to nuts, that he could go into shock. Why would you egg him on like that?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever let him eat almonds?”