Caught Him Cheating My Life Restarted (Natalie) novel Chapter 26

He refused to divorce her. Was it because he wasn't done playing with his pet?

"Natalie, the only reason Darren won't divorce you is because of Hanley. Otherwise, what use are you? You're just a freeloader in the Cross family. Look at your sister-in-law, fighting battles for the family business. Tomorrow, she's sure to secure the deal with the Fairchild Conglomerate. What can you do? Nothing but cause trouble all day."

Marie said smugly, "Mom, what does she know about the business world? She can't possibly understand the pressure Darren and I are under. Housewives just get jealous and make mountains out of molehills. Tomorrow, I'll land that deal and show this housewife what a truly useful daughter-in-law of the Cross family looks like."

Victoria added, "Natalie, you'll go to the charity gala tomorrow, too. You can watch from a distance as your sister-in-law secures the deal. You should learn to admire her."

Natalie thought they were ridiculous. Why should she go? Why should she admire that woman?

Darren said, "Natalie, you're coming with us tomorrow. Marie, I'll go with you to pick up Lucien Hartvelle's 'Silent Oath at Dusk'."

Lucien Hartvelle's 'Silent Oath at Dusk'.

The name sent a jolt through Natalie. A voice echoed in her mind.

"Terence, what do you think of my painting, 'Silent Oath at Dusk'?"

"It looks just like the real thing."

...

The next day.

"The late Mr. Cross was the true tragedy of our social circle. Such a gentle, refined man, gone in the prime of his life."

"It truly is a shame. With his business acumen, the Cross Group would have long become one of Eldoria City's new dynasties by now."

"I heard that after the older Mr. Cross passed away, the major shareholders of the Cross Group made a play for power and set a lot of traps for Darren. The family almost went under. Luckily, his brother left him the ultimate weapon: his wife, Marie Ward."

"It's true that Marie is incredibly capable, and she did save the Cross Group. But Darren can't just treat his own wife like she's invisible. I heard they have a five-year-old son, but they never had a wedding, and almost no one has ever seen his wife. He always brings his sister-in-law to major events. It's a bit inappropriate for a man to be seen everywhere with his widowed sister-in-law, don't you think?"

"I heard Darren's wife is some country bumpkin who isn't presentable. And that he was tricked into marrying her after she got pregnant. If she hadn't been lucky enough to have a son, do you think the Cross family would have ever let her in? A woman who uses such dirty tricks is lucky to be kept at home. Why would he parade her around? It would just be an embarrassment."

Listening to the whispers, Natalie felt a familiar pang. She wasn't fit to stand by his side.